West Midlands Trains (inc. LNWR) - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Penguin80]

Congratulations to all those who have passed their DMI’s over the last couple of weeks.

The process will move pretty quickly now with the onboarding and background checks.

A couple of people have asked about the medical so I thought I would list what you are in for.

This was what happened on the day.

Basic eye test to see what is the smallest text you can read.
Hearing test where you sit in a booth with headphones on and press a button when you can hear a noise in each ear.
Drugs test where you pee in a pot, alcohol test is a breathalyser.
Height and weight to calculate your BMI.
Basic mobility test to check your arms and legs move freely and see if you can touch your toes.
ECG where they hook you up to a load of wires with sticky pads and the monitor your heart for less than a minute.
Blood pressure check.
General medical history questions.

Nothing more than that and very relaxed.

I start on the 27th of April, the first 2 days are Birmingham for company induction, a couple of days ago we were asked to choose our safety shoes and Hi Vis Vest size. Uniform will be ordered through the company portal once you start and will be expected at company induction.

Once you find others on the same course, start a WhatsApp group, we have one for the 27th April starting and it’s quite nice to ask each other questions and get to know people. If anyone else is starting on the April course let me know and I can add you to the group. I have heard that course sizes are normally 8 people.

I'm provisionally booked for the 1st June however still waiting for my medical. I hope they do it soon as I have to give my months notice at the end of April. I think that's the last
thing as I have had my references back and the security checks.

I didn't realise the course is so small lol. My dad is a train driver and he said to all study together as it will help with the exams

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Apr 2026 ==

Good luck to anyone who progressed to MMI/DMI today at the OPC stage 2. I’m pretty gutted to say that I didn’t pass the 2 hand coordination test to the WMR enhanced standard. I know why I think which may help others - I took quite a bit of time to make sure I didn’t make mistakes, but I think I went too slowly. I say this as someone who did get the enhanced level said he made lots of mistakes. I also found the joysticks to be somewhat unresponsive at times (for any fellow gamers imagine a controller with stick drift). It espeically hurts as I’m a professional guitarist so thought I’d nail that one! Ah well. If anyone would like further insight into anything for Stages 1 or 2 OPC feel free to message me but it’s the end of the road for me for a year now as I can’t apply for any WMR/LNWR roles. Thanks for all of the advice on here up to now and good luck to anyone progressing. T ✌️

Sorry to hear that I found the coordination one the hardest as it was so sensitive and unpredictable. I made several mistakes throughout and thought I failed it but luckily I didn't. I think they expect you to make mistakes as I got the feeling this one was speed and accuracy combined

 

[SA9t7]

Good luck to anyone who progressed to MMI/DMI today at the OPC stage 2. I’m pretty gutted to say that I didn’t pass the 2 hand coordination test to the WMR enhanced standard. I know why I think which may help others - I took quite a bit of time to make sure I didn’t make mistakes, but I think I went too slowly. I say this as someone who did get the enhanced level said he made lots of mistakes. I also found the joysticks to be somewhat unresponsive at times (for any fellow gamers imagine a controller with stick drift). It espeically hurts as I’m a professional guitarist so thought I’d nail that one! Ah well. If anyone would like further insight into anything for Stages 1 or 2 OPC feel free to message me but it’s the end of the road for me for a year now as I can’t apply for any WMR/LNWR roles. Thanks for all of the advice on here up to now and good luck to anyone progressing. T ✌️

Thanks for sharing, a really good insight. I’ve got my stage 1 coming up soon, what would you say is the biggest thing to look out for. I’ve prepared well for a most of the test, just wondering about TRP P1 how challenging that is with the comprehension?

 

[chalkijr]

Anyone in for Crewe heard back yet from online OPC tests?

 

[BHMGuard]

Thanks for sharing, a really good insight. I’ve got my stage 1 coming up soon, what would you say is the biggest thing to look out for. I’ve prepared well for a most of the test, just wondering about TRP P1 how challenging that is with the comprehension?

Not very. You can tell straight away in the extract what they’re going to ask you in the text. My one was about braking systems. It’s nothing majorly challenging. Mainly about colours of buttons, amount of horns you give on depot before/after a brake test. What type of brake you use. I wouldn’t get stressing about it. 5 mins is more than enough to learn it. When you think you’ve grasped it, I’d shut the text. Don’t keep going over and confusing yourself as some questions will try and trick you by giving 2 answers almost the same. It’s actually quite an enjoyable morning, you’re talked through everything and don’t start until you’re 100% on what you’re doing. The beep test and attention test id say are the easiest. Group bourdon is fine, just the more you do, the more mentally shattered you’ll get looking at the same thing for 10+ minutes. I’d get practicing on that, I did a few sheets in the run up to stage one and was very comfortable when I did it. You start to recognise the patterns of 4 dots you need, so that helped. Started at 9:30 and was done around 10:40 ish. Got the email to say I passed stage 1 a week later. Booked stage 2 for the end of the month.

 

[SA9t7]

Not very. You can tell straight away in the extract what they’re going to ask you in the text. My one was about braking systems. It’s nothing majorly challenging. Mainly about colours of buttons, amount of horns you give on depot before/after a brake test. What type of brake you use. I wouldn’t get stressing about it. 5 mins is more than enough to learn it. When you think you’ve grasped it, I’d shut the text. Don’t keep going over and confusing yourself as some questions will try and trick you by giving 2 answers almost the same. It’s actually quite an enjoyable morning, you’re talked through everything and don’t start until you’re 100% on what you’re doing. The beep test and attention test id say are the easiest. Group bourdon is fine, just the more you do, the more mentally shattered you’ll get looking at the same thing for 10+ minutes. I’d get practicing on that, I did a few sheets in the run up to stage one and was very comfortable when I did it. You start to recognise the patterns of 4 dots you need, so that helped. Started at 9:30 and was done around 10:40 ish. Got the email to say I passed stage 1 a week later. Booked stage 2 for the end of the month.

Thanks a lot for your reply, very useful much appreciated. Good luck with stage 2!

 

[magicflash]

Anyone in for Crewe heard back yet from online OPC tests?

No I haven’t yet

 

[chalkijr]

No I haven’t yet

Do you need to do OPC written and computer tests?

 

[JAB93]

Does anyone know when the pay dates are for west mids trains? As I know it’s 4 weekly for pay?

 

[chalkijr]

Does anyone know when the pay dates are for west mids trains? As I know it’s 4 weekly for pay?

On top of this does anyone know the pay structure/increments in which your salary goes up as a trainee driver?

 

[magicflash]

Do you need to do OPC written and computer tests?

I’ve heard this morning. I am through to the OPC stage 1

 

[cwww]

I’ve heard this morning. I am through to the OPC stage 1

Congrats!

On top of this does anyone know the pay structure/increments in which your salary goes up as a trainee driver?

Trainee Driver, Drivers 1st Year (about 9 months into your course I’ve read you go up to 1st year Drivers regardless of what point you’re at, then 2nd Year a year after this date and then full Driver salary a year later I believe.

£33,410
£55,097
£62,781
£67,793

 

[magicflash]

Congrats!

Trainee Driver, Drivers 1st Year (about 9 months into your course I’ve read you go up to 1st year Drivers regardless of what point you’re at, then 2nd Year a year after this date and then full Driver salary a year later I believe.

£33,410
£55,097
£62,781
£67,793

Thank you! Hope you hear soon

 

[Trains101]

Just wanted to thank everyone on here who has helped me throughout this process in terms of advice.

Had my DMI today and found out I passed an hour later. So chuffed. I applied for Coventry. Hoping to start my course in June.

Good luck to everyone else in the process

When did you initially apply mate?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Apr 2026 ==

Hi all where is the course for June starters? Do you get hotel etc ?

 

[cwww]

When did you initially apply mate?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Apr 2026 ==

Hi all where is the course for June starters? Do you get hotel etc ?

For the Bletchley April course our initial induction is 2 days is in Birmingham then it’s split between Northampton and Bletchley I believe.

 

[chalkijr]

I’ve heard this morning. I am through to the OPC stage 1

Congratulations!

Congrats!

Trainee Driver, Drivers 1st Year (about 9 months into your course I’ve read you go up to 1st year Drivers regardless of what point you’re at, then 2nd Year a year after this date and then full Driver salary a year later I believe.

£33,410
£55,097
£62,781
£67,793

Awesome, thankyou for showing me!

 

[A2Jon]

Does anyone know when the pay dates are for west mids trains? As I know it’s 4 weekly for pay?

February pay was Friday the 27th, March pay was also Friday the 27th so assuming the 4 weeks April will Friday the 24th and so on every 4 weeks.

 

[Penguin80]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Apr 2026 ==

Hi all where is the course for June starters? Do you get hotel etc ?

I applied in January 2025

 

[chalkijr]

So this is from my contract I've signed
A trainee driver - £35,441 (first 9 Months)
Newly qualified - £50,969 (After 9 months until 1 year fully qualified)
Driver - £67,793 (After driving on your own for 1 year onwards)

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Apr 2026 ==


I applied in January 2025

Thanks @Penguin80 congratulations on getting your contract!

 

[Penguin80]

U

Thanks @Penguin80 congratulations on getting your contract!

Your welcome

 

[MLR95]

I’ve heard this morning. I am through to the OPC stage 1

I heard this afternoon that I’ve got through to Stage 1 OPC too!

 

[magicflash]

I heard this afternoon that I’ve got through to Stage 1 OPC too!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Apr 2026 ==

well done. Wonder when we will get the dates for next stage

 

[JAB93]

February pay was Friday the 27th, March pay was also Friday the 27th so assuming the 4 weeks April will Friday the 24th and so on every 4 weeks.

Thankyou

 

[Deej1290]

I’ve heard this morning. I am through to the OPC stage 1

You and me both Mate, guessing your LNWR ? im WM... weve got this

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2026 ==

Good luck to anyone who progressed to MMI/DMI today at the OPC stage 2. I’m pretty gutted to say that I didn’t pass the 2 hand coordination test to the WMR enhanced standard. I know why I think which may help others - I took quite a bit of time to make sure I didn’t make mistakes, but I think I went too slowly. I say this as someone who did get the enhanced level said he made lots of mistakes. I also found the joysticks to be somewhat unresponsive at times (for any fellow gamers imagine a controller with stick drift). It espeically hurts as I’m a professional guitarist so thought I’d nail that one! Ah well. If anyone would like further insight into anything for Stages 1 or 2 OPC feel free to message me but it’s the end of the road for me for a year now as I can’t apply for any WMR/LNWR roles. Thanks for all of the advice on here up to now and good luck to anyone progressing. T ✌️

Sorry To read this mate, you’ve got to keep trying i work in the rail industry and most of the new drivers i know passed second time round with the tests! I’m currently awaiting a date for the stage 1 OPC test after passing the SIFT with WM, Like you i class myself as great hand eye coordination as i fly RC aircraft, but I’m guessing this means nothing on the day , i would be super grateful if you could give a rough Insite into what to expect on the OPC stage 1 please i will PM you if you don’t mind helping please.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2026 ==

No, got the email yesterday. If anyone can shed some light as to what is best to review on these before talking them? Although they appear to me to be situational judgement style so I’m guessing just focus on safety first with a focus on customer service?

Hi dave how did you get on? i took same tests on same day and yesterday 07/04 i had the email informing im in the tallent pool for stage 1 OPC test

 

[Bescotbeast]

Had an email yesterday afternoon informing me that I'd got through to the stage 1 of the OPC test, googled what an OPC test was and stumbled across this thread and forum.

 

[magicflash]

You and me both Mate, guessing your LNWR ? im WM... weve got this

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2026 ==


Sorry To read this mate, you’ve got to keep trying i work in the rail industry and most of the new drivers i know passed second time round with the tests! I’m currently awaiting a date for the stage 1 OPC test after passing the SIFT with WM, Like you i class myself as great hand eye coordination as i fly RC aircraft, but I’m guessing this means nothing on the day , i would be super grateful if you could give a rough Insite into what to expect on the OPC stage 1 please i will PM you if you don’t mind helping please.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2026 ==


Hi dave how did you get on? i took same tests on same day and yesterday 07/04 i had the email informing im in the tallent pool for stage 1 OPC test

Dont know how I’ll get on with stage 1 to be honest. I wouldn’t say I am the best with hand/eye co ordination. We will see

 

[chalkijr]

Dont know how I’ll get on with stage 1 to be honest. I wouldn’t say I am the best with hand/eye co ordination. We will see

Hand eye coordination is needed for stage 2. Stage one is paper tests, just use the practice material they provide and do a bit of research into the group bourdon tests to find some mock tests for it.

 

[magicflash]

T

Hand eye coordination is needed for stage 2. Stage one is paper tests, just use the practice material they provide and do a bit of research into the group bourdon tests to find some mock tests for it

Thank you!
How many stages are there til you actually get a job offer ? Everywhere you read seems to tell you different options ?

 

[chalkijr]

T

Thank you!
How many stages are there til you actually get a job offer ? Everywhere you read seems to tell you different options ?

Depends on the TOC/FOC really... They do online sifts up until OPC assessments but generally after your stage 1 and stage 2 your through to a DMI, unless the company does it where you have your DMI before the OPC assessments. but most don't do the latter

 

[magicflash]

I may sound daft but what’s the terminology? TOC/FOC? DMI?

 

[A2Jon]

I may sound daft but what’s the terminology? TOC/FOC? DMI?

TOC - Train Operating Company
FOC - Freight Operating Company
DMI - Driver Manager Interview