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

[Harjam12]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

 

[cwww]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

As long as it’s not in your first 4 months, if it is then no sadly

 

[Jack The Lad]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

I was told that the first 4 months is a big no-no, no annual leave at all unless it's an emergency. After that it relaxes and you can use annual leave at your Trainers discretion I believe.

 

[ScottyDo89]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

Im sure pretty much all companies ask about pre booked leave before you start officially so should be fine
But then again im not sure on how they are with the training.

 

[andrewguk]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

You have to be available for the first 4 months of training with no time off

 

[SoT390]

Hello, does anyone have any good practise materials for TRP2? The materials sent only have a few questions and can't seem to find any decent ones.

 

[Pintman]

Hello, does anyone have any good practise materials for TRP2? The materials sent only have a few questions and can't seem to find any decent ones.

You can get both a free sample and paid examples from the OPC website - https://www.theopc.co.uk/practicete...ules-and-procedures-trp-part-2-practice-test/

 

[Penguin80]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

From what I got told you cannot take any leave for 4 months when you start your training as you need to cover all elements of training. After 4 months they relax a bit and I think you can start putting in leave.

I had to cancel a holiday just to accommodate my training

 

[WMdrive90]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

I was asked my friend who has just finished driver training with WMT.. If it falls within the classroom stages, almost certainly no, they have very strict schedules and typically tests are done on a friday.
If you are on a depo based assignment like shadowing a driver or doing your driving with your instructor then you maybe be able to book leave.
My friend initially told the recruiters he had a weeks holiday booked in the first 3 months and they nearly gave his space away, he cancelled his holiday and never looked back.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Apr 2026 ==

New here and just booked onto OPC stage 1 for WMT in Birmingham for June. Any tips, anywhere I can find some tests to get practicing? I'd rather not wait until 7-10 days before for the company to send things and then overthink. I'd rather do little bits here and there to build up. I completely hate tests always did at school but decided to take a plunge to a very different role and give it a go. I do have a few years of varied rail experience so know the industry.

Oh wow is that all the time you get with the practise material? Im waiting for my opc end of next month for crewe. There seems to be a few sites out there offering kits but they range in price from £20 - over £100 so hard to know what to go for. I have a mate who is on a course right now, waiting for him to get back to me which one he and his class used.

 

[Jay1874]

Hi was good meeting you on test day. Was so stressful I had to repeat that test again but passed everything and had my interview last week and have been offered a place on the training which I can’t wait for.

I have had to hold off though as my wife is having a baby and didn’t want to take the time out of the training which was offered as it would be right in the middle so now got to wait until more dates are released.

Good luck for your interview. Would suggest researching the company and the role and why you want the role and what experience you have which would translate into the role

Oh wow congrats on the job and the baby! Brilliant news!!

What was the DMI like for you? Was it similar questions to the MMI sort of thing? I normally do well in interviews but for some reason this one has got me really nervous!

I’ve done as much research as I can about WMR the usual google stuff, going to research that station specifically all this week, as for the questions not really sure how too prepare for them without knowing the questions so I suppose it’s just practice using the star method as much as I can

Congrats again!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Apr 2026 ==

Congrats getting this far. You’ve got 3 killer questions about the company, the role and why you want the job. Then around 10 questions on customer focus, handling pressure, flexibility, following rules, safety etc etc. Draw on your experience, even if you’re examples are loose find a way to make it all relevant to the role. The managers and HR are sound so will be a nice conversation if you present yourself properly. Don’t let nerves beat you. Hopefully see you in Cov soon, good luck.

Perfect thank you! So nervous! Hopefully see you soon

 

[IndegoMouse]

Oh wow congrats on the job and the baby! Brilliant news!!

What was the DMI like for you? Was it similar questions to the MMI sort of thing? I normally do well in interviews but for some reason this one has got me really nervous!

I’ve done as much research as I can about WMR the usual google stuff, going to research that station specifically all this week, as for the questions not really sure how too prepare for them without knowing the questions so I suppose it’s just practice using the star method as much as I can

Congrats again!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Apr 2026 ==


Perfect thank you! So nervous! Hopefully see you soon

Which depot have you gone for? DMI is tough make sure you know everything about toc they should have sent you an email saying what you must learn. Ale sure you get all this information out as early as possible in the interview!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2026 ==

Hi was good meeting you on test day. Was so stressful I had to repeat that test again but passed everything and had my interview last week and have been offered a place on the training which I can’t wait for.

I have had to hold off though as my wife is having a baby and didn’t want to take the time out of the training which was offered as it would be right in the middle so now got to wait until more dates are released.

Good luck for your interview. Would suggest researching the company and the role and why you want the role and what experience you have which would translate into the role

Congrats on passing and baby news! How did you find DMI? Did they do it in 2 parts?

 

[monkeynut]

Oh wow congrats on the job and the baby! Brilliant news!!

What was the DMI like for you? Was it similar questions to the MMI sort of thing? I normally do well in interviews but for some reason this one has got me really nervous!

I’ve done as much research as I can about WMR the usual google stuff, going to research that station specifically all this week, as for the questions not really sure how too prepare for them without knowing the questions so I suppose it’s just practice using the star method as much as I can

Congrats again!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Apr 2026 ==


Perfect thank you! So nervous! Hopefully see you soon

Thank you. Can’t wait to start buy the first date they offered me wouldn’t work as would need time out and wanted to enjoy time with the little one and making sure I did my best with the training.

It’s was about how you would handle different situations so as long as you have examples of how you have handled situations where things did not go to plan, about following rules and procedures, about working outside of office hours should be ok

You will be fine as it’s also about how you would fit working with the company. I was really nervous too when I went in but the team were really nice and made me feel at ease by the end of the interview

Think the star method would really help give structure to answers as felt I did waffle a bit after a while

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2026 ==

Which depot have you gone for? DMI is tough make sure you know everything about toc they should have sent you an email saying what you must learn. Ale sure you get all this information out as early as possible in the interview!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2026 ==


Congrats on passing and baby news! How did you find DMI? Did they do it in 2 parts?

Yes they did do it in the 2 parts which was the first time I experienced. It’s been a very different process to anything I have done before but apart from the nerves have oddly enjoyed the process. Can’t wait to get started now

 

[IndegoMouse]

Thank you. Can’t wait to start buy the first date they offered me wouldn’t work as would need time out and wanted to enjoy time with the little one and making sure I did my best with the training.

It’s was about how you would handle different situations so as long as you have examples of how you have handled situations where things did not go to plan, about following rules and procedures, about working outside of office hours should be ok

You will be fine as it’s also about how you would fit working with the company. I was really nervous too when I went in but the team were really nice and made me feel at ease by the end of the interview

Think the star method would really help give structure to answers as felt I did waffle a bit after a while

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2026 ==


Yes they did do it in the 2 parts which was the first time I experienced. It’s been a very different process to anything I have done before but apart from the nerves have oddly enjoyed the process. Can’t wait to get started now

I crumbled when they said the interview was 2 parts and failed on part 1 . Which depot are you in the talent pool for?

 

[monkeynut]

I crumbled when they said the interview was 2 parts and failed on part 1 . Which depot are you in the talent pool for?

Going to be in Worcester it was odd hearing it was going to be in 2 parts and did make me a little more nervous.

 

[IndegoMouse]

Going to be in Worcester it was odd hearing it was going to be in 2 parts and did make me a little more nervous.

Yeah it fully threw me and I held back all the information for second part but didn’t get to it

 

[monkeynut]

Yeah it fully threw me and I held back all the information for second part but didn’t get to it

That’s a shame. Sorry to hear that. Do you get another chance after some time like with the initial assessments

 

[IndegoMouse]

That’s a shame. Sorry to hear that. Do you get another chance after some time like with the initial assessments

I can re apply in 6 months

 

[GadgetMan]

Hi All,

Does anyone know the procedure with annual leave during the training period. I have a pre-booked family event on a Thursday- Sunday later in the year. As a trainee driver would I be allowed this off?

Thanks

Unless it's within the first 2 or 3 weeks of starting I wouldn't worry about it. Just sort it out with the instructor running your course. It's only 2 days, at best you might be out with Driver Instructor and can sort your work days out with him/her. At worst you'll be in classroom training and may have to do the 'end of week Friday' test the following week by catching up.

 

[Harjam12]

Hi Everyone,

I passed me OPC stage 2 and MMI last Thursday. How soon can I expect an invite to the MMI and what can I expect on the day and questions? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[IndegoMouse]

Hi Everyone,

I passed me OPC stage 2 and MMI last Thursday. How soon can I expect an invite to the MMI and what can I expect on the day and questions? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Firstly congratulations! a great achievement to pass them all. I had mine within 2 weeks from passing all OPC tests. You need to learn about WMT & LNWR inside out prior to interview, routes, management hierarchy, depots etc.

 

[Harjam12]

Firstly congratulations! a great achievement to pass them all. I had mine within 2 weeks from passing all OPC tests. You need to learn about WMT & LNWR inside out prior to interview, routes, management hierarchy, depots etc.

Thanks mate, really appreciate it. I'm struggling to find info regarding the hierarchy at WMR/WMT, can you help? Also are they any questions you can remember?

Thank you

 

[IndegoMouse]

Thanks mate, really appreciate it. I'm struggling to find info regarding the hierarchy at WMR/WMT, can you help? Also are they any questions you can remember?

Thank you

it changes so frequently I wouldn't want to get it wrong for you. Also worth noting change to GBR 1st Feb 2026 so that may affect things too. Your DMI will be in two parts, be sure to get as much information across as possible in the first part. Also do not guess anything if you are not sure don't say it much better than being wrong!

 

[Harjam12]

it changes so frequently I wouldn't want to get it wrong for you. Also worth noting change to GBR 1st Feb 2026 so that may affect things too. Your DMI will be in two parts, be sure to get as much information across as possible in the first part. Also do not guess anything if you are not sure don't say it much better than being wrong!

Makes sense. Do you the rough wait time between stage 2 OPC pass and DMI invite? Apologies for all the questions mate

 

[joehosten]

Hi all, I had my interview invite for DMI and it is in 3 weeks.

I've been revising a ton about WMT and getting all my past experience in my head ready for it. Any advice on the process, what sort of direction they take with questions etc.

Also just a quick bit about me so it may help with some responses, I am probably younger than most applicants (which they would know from my application), but what should I do if that would possibly have a negative impression for them? I have quite a bit of experience in safety critical roles, SOPs and procedures etc, so I know my knowledge is good. Its moreso what I can do to give a good lasting impression.

Thanks!

 

[Penguin80]

Makes sense. Do you the rough wait time between stage 2 OPC pass and DMI invite? Apologies for all the questions mate

Hiya mate. Mine invite was 11 days after passing the stage 2 and then I booked my interview for 2 weeks time but they give you quite a few dates.

 

[Harjam12]

Hiya mate. Mine invite was 11 days after passing the stage 2 and then I booked my interview for 2 weeks time but they give you quite a few dates.

Thanks mate, how did you find your MMI?

 

[Penguin80]

Hi all, I had my interview invite for DMI and it is in 3 weeks.

I've been revising a ton about WMT and getting all my past experience in my head ready for it. Any advice on the process, what sort of direction they take with questions etc.

Also just a quick bit about me so it may help with some responses, I am probably younger than most applicants (which they would know from my application), but what should I do if that would possibly have a negative impression for them? I have quite a bit of experience in safety critical roles, SOPs and procedures etc, so I know my knowledge is good. Its moreso what I can do to give a good lasting impression.

Thanks!

Heya well done for getting this far . I don't think your age will go against you however they may look at maturity and life experience due to how safety critical the role is. I would dress very smart and just present yourself well.

When I did my interview I stood up when they walked in the room and shook their hand but I am previously from a disciplined role so I do this anyway. I also showed passion behind my answers especially with examples of when I have done this and that.

And also don't sound like a text book, just be you and tell them everything you know about the company, why you want to be a train driver, what a train driver role is to you.

You should get something sent to you soon with a template of the topics they are going to ask you to help you prep.

I hope this helps

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

Thanks mate, how did you find your MMI?

Do you mean DMI as you have already passed your MMi? I found it quite relaxed to be fair and the managers were lovely. I just went in the interview with a positive attitude, good knowledge about the role, the company values etc and answered the questions as best I could

 

[UTV1982]

Hi, just to jump on the DMI bandwagon…

I’ve got mine in about 10 day.

What does it mean when you say it’s in two parts?

Also, a couple of people have mentioned being sent information about what to prepare? I haven’t been sent anything… should I be worried?

 

[Harjam12]

Hi, just to jump on the DMI bandwagon…

I’ve got mine in about 10 day.

What does it mean when you say it’s in two parts?

Also, a couple of people have mentioned being sent information about what to prepare? I haven’t been sent anything… should I be worried?

Hi mate , congratulations on making it this far! When did you sit your stage 2 and how long did it take to receive an interview invite?

Good luck!!

 

[83319VM]

Hi, just to jump on the DMI bandwagon…

I’ve got mine in about 10 day.

What does it mean when you say it’s in two parts?

Also, a couple of people have mentioned being sent information about what to prepare? I haven’t been sent anything… should I be worried?

Evening.

First part is 3 killer questions about the company, the role and why you want the role.

Second part is generic questions that prove your experience and characters matches what a train driver would/should be.

The email doesn’t give any practice material it’s just an outline. You should have received the below after booking your interview:

It is absolutely imperative that you prepare for this interview through extensive research into WM Trains and thoroughly researching the role of a train driver. As you prepare for your upcoming interview for the Trainee Train Driverposition, we want to reiterate the importance of thorough and focused preparation. This is a highly competitive process, and your ability to demonstrate your commitment, knowledge, and suitability for the role will be key to your success.


Please ensure you are fully prepared in the following areas:


Research WM Trains


You must be able to speak confidently about:

• Who we are as a business
• Our leadership team
• Our routes and network
• Our fleet and operations

Understanding our company and how we operate will help you align your motivations and experience with our values and expectations.


Demonstrate Knowledge of the UK Rail Industry


We expect candidates to show a clear understanding of:

• The structure of the rail industry in the UK
• Key rules, regulations, and safety standards
• The responsibilities and expectations of a train driver within this framework

This knowledge is essential to show you are serious about the role and have taken the time to understand the wider context in which you’ll be working.


Articulate Your Motivation and Preparation


Be ready to clearly explain:

• Why you want to become a train driver
• What you have done to prepare for this role
• How your current or previous work experience relates to the role

We are particularly interested in hearing how you demonstrate:

• A strong focus on safety
• High levels of attention and concentration
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently
• Willingness and ability to work shift patterns

Interview Technique


You must be able to answer questions fully and in detail. We strongly recommend revising the STAR method(Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively and provide clear examples from your experience.


This is your opportunity to show us why you’re the right fit for this role. Preparation is key.


Please also inform us of any reasonable adjustments you wish - with regards to any disability.


If you are unable to attend please contact me as soon as possible.





Thanks,
WM Trains

If you have any questions or would like to give us some feedback, you can reply to this email and it will go to the hiring team responsible for this role.

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