Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[trainnewbie25]

Yip pretty much the same, between applying for a “Trainee Train Driver” position in March ‘24, and August ‘25 we were told start date 2025/26. Between August ‘25 and passing DMI in December ‘25 was told start date April ‘26 and April ‘27.

3 months later, put into a talent bank with no indication of potential (if at all) start date.

So we’ve went from applying for a position with a defined start date (that did get pushed back but to be expected with volume of applicants) to now being unsure if we will ever get a start.

I think the biggest issue is the ambiguity around the “2 year” statement. For the new talent bank positions it stated that after passing all assessments, your details would be kept for a maximum of 2 years. Meaning if no positions open up within that 2 years, you will no longer be considered. Whereas in our email is stated that we would be placed in the talent bank for “a maximum of 2 years”. Does this mean we WILL get a start date within 2 years, OR like the new positions, if no positions open up within 2 years we will no longer be considered? This is obviously a rhetorical question as no one apart from Scotrail knows, but it is a question that I’m sure we are all wondering, and probably a fair few of us have enquired about with no reply.

My BIL applied for this in March 2024 and passed everything by Nov 2025 for Ayr and was advised by Depot Manager if successful course would be April/May 26.
So roughly gave him 6 months.
Apart from the email stating now a talent bank he hasn’t heard back.
He’s emailed for clarification from recruitment as email advised with questions 3 times now and zero response.

 

[Kar1]

Pretty sure this means that they'll keep our details on file for up to 2 years, but if nothing comes up in that time, we're out. I don't think it's a promise that everyone in the bank will get placed.
Hope I'm wrong though!
The assessment centre results are valid for 5 years as well so the 2 year thing is a bit weird...

 

[afloattoast]

Pretty sure this means that they'll keep our details on file for up to 2 years, but if nothing comes up in that time, we're out. I don't think it's a promise that everyone in the bank will get placed.
Hope I'm wrong though!
The assessment centre results are valid for 5 years as well so the 2 year thing is a bit weird...

Yes that how I’m taking, but it’s not how it’s written. One categorical states “ details will be held for a maximum of 2 years” and one states “we will now be placing you into our Talent Bank for future Trainee Train Driver opportunities for a maximum of 2 years from the date of successfully completing our recruitment process. During this time, when a suitable opportunity arises, we’ll be in touch directly to guide you through the next stage of the process” this says “when a suitable opportunity arises” not “if a suitable opportunity arises”

 

[LeeTaffT]

Due to start training in just over a couple of weeks.
It has been a long process.
Any drivers in this thread have any top tips for starting?

 

[SL2008]

Has anyone got any idea as to how many people are in the talent bank? I appreciate that only recruitment will know this but was just curious to see if anyone knew more details around the numbers waiting

 

[scottgl]

Has anyone got any idea as to how many people are in the talent bank? I appreciate that only recruitment will know this but was just curious to see if anyone knew more details around the numbers waiting

No idea, to be honest, but from looking back over the last few weeks in this thread, I think there are 4 or 5 of us waiting for Glasgow on here (including you, guessing you are because it says so for your location). There could be more who aren’t on here, though.

 

[SL2008]

Yeah Central for me too but that’s the kicker. Just the unknown as to how many are ahead of you in the queue. Patience is the only thing for it…then some more patience on top of that

 

[scottgl]

Yeah Central for me too but that’s the kicker. Just the unknown as to how many are ahead of you in the queue. Patience is the only thing for it…then some more patience on top of that

The way I’m looking at it, and to be honest this may just be hopeful thinking, is that they might have us all starting at the same time. If there are 4 or 5 of us, it would seem like a pretty good number to start for Central.

But who knows...

 

[ASL]

Due to start training in just over a couple of weeks.
It has been a long process.
Any drivers in this thread have any top tips for starting?

When do you start?
I have a start date for May, but I am still waiting for my contract.
How did you find the final stage checks with Experian?

 

[LeeTaffT]

When do you start?
I have a start date for May, but I am still waiting for my contract.
How did you find the final stage checks with Experian?

I start mid April.
If anything like myself, you will receive your contract after the medical and background checks are completed.
It was all straightforward for the background checks. Recruitment send you a link and you complete all the required online forms.
Once you find out about a potential start date, everything moves very quickly.

 

[Train Newbie]

Hi, I was away on holiday towards the end of February and missed the opportunity to apply for the ScotRail Trainee Driver talent Pool (I neglected to check whilst I was away). Last year I passed stage 1 and DMI but failed one of the 2nd stage tests. Does anyone know if Ayr or Glasgow were one of the listed depots for the talent pool? I’m hoping not and that applications for Ayr & Glasgow will open later in the year? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[trainnewbie25]

Hi, I was away on holiday towards the end of February and missed the opportunity to apply for the ScotRail Trainee Driver talent Pool (I neglected to check whilst I was away). Last year I passed stage 1 and DMI but failed one of the 2nd stage tests. Does anyone know if Ayr or Glasgow were one of the listed depots for the talent pool? I’m hoping not and that applications for Ayr & Glasgow will open later in the year? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Ayr and Glasgow Central were not but Im sure Motherwell and yoker were.

 

[Train Newbie]

Ayr and Glasgow Central were not I sure Motherwell and yoker we

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Mar 2026 ==

Thanks for posting so quickly, I’m going to have to check every day to make sure I don’t miss the next one

 

[afloattoast]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Mar 2026 ==

Thanks for posting so quickly, I’m going to have to check every day to make sure I don’t miss the next one

I think it might be a while before positions are advertised again I’m afraid

 

[gmc568]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Mar 2026 ==

Thanks for posting so quickly, I’m going to have to check every day to make sure I don’t miss the next one

The advert was also taken down four days before the closing date so was only live for a few days.

 

[mikeccccccc]

Hi all. I'm assuming there's been no communication heard back from scotrail for the applicants put in the Talent pool? (Asides from the update every 6 months)

 

[TrainandTracks]

Has anyone passed their medical and been told a course start date for April 1st still waiting to receive their contract of employment?

 

[Kar1]

Hi all. I'm assuming there's been no communication heard back from scotrail for the applicants put in the Talent pool? (Asides from the update every 6 months)

Passed my DMI at the start of October 2025, got an email about being put in the talent pool at the start of March but nothing since then.

 

[mikeccccccc]

Passed my DMI at the start of October 2025, got an email about being put in the talent pool at the start of March but nothing since then.

Same boat as you :/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2026 ==

Has anyone passed their medical and been told a course start date for April 1st still waiting to receive their contract of employment?

We're you an internal or external applicant out of interest?

 

[garto123]

Same boat as you :/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2026 ==


Were you an internal or external applicant out of interest?

 

[Ramalama]

I just had my assessment centre last week but unfortunately didnt meet the requirement.
Does anyone on here know where to find any good practice for the dials test or have any tips on how best to preform on this assessment? Think I now have to wait a year to be able to reapply...sad times

 

[TrainandTracks]

Same boat as you :/

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2026 ==


We're you an internal or external applicant out of interest?

External applicant.

 

[garto123]

External applicant.

Was that on the March 24 application pal?. I sat my last interview on the 27th December 2025 and am now stuck in the talent pool. Not heard a peep since.

 

[mikeccccccc]

External applicant.

I see, which depot did you apply for?

 

[traingf]

Has anyone passed their medical and been told a course start date for April 1st still waiting to receive their contract of employment?

did you get your contract sorted? i had mine well in advance (more than a month) before starting

 

[ASL]

I start mid April.
If anything like myself, you will receive your contract after the medical and background checks are completed.
It was all straightforward for the background checks. Recruitment send you a link and you complete all the required online forms.
Once you find out about a potential start date, everything moves very quickly.

I wish it that was easy, although it's not too terrible.
Medical was simple and straight forward enough.
The Experian background checks has been anything but, despite me filling in all forms/details/providing access etc.
But, I think I am there now and will hopefully have the contract soon.
Start date was meant to be mid-May, so hopefully there are no issues.

 

[rz8xy]

I wish it that was easy, although it's not too terrible.
Medical was simple and straight forward enough.
The Experian background checks has been anything but, despite me filling in all forms/details/providing access etc.
But, I think I am there now and will hopefully have the contract soon.
Start date was meant to be mid-May, so hopefully there are no issues.

Hey, whay do you mean providing access? What are they looking for with Experian? Cheers

 

[afloattoast]

Hey, whay do you mean providing access? What are they looking for with Experian? Cheers

Experian is the new way for them to do a disclosure check, don’t worry, it’s nothing to do with your credit file

 

[RiverDon]

Experian is the new way for them to do a disclosure check, don’t worry, it’s nothing to do with your credit file

Do they charge you for it? They used to get you to pay for your own Disclosure and you were meant to get the money back once you started the job but no one I have spoken to ever got anything back.

 

[CarineNoctua]

Do they charge you for it? They used to get you to pay for your own Disclosure and you were meant to get the money back once you started the job but no one I have spoken to ever got anything back.

Back when I joined in 2023 I paid £25 for the disclosure and it was paid to me in my second payslip.