• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

First Rail London - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

DuserH9

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2025
Messages
26
Location
london
are commute times not checked at application sift stage?
Reading early messages and people passed stage 1 and 2 and then found out they are too far away from the depot? (45 mins!)

Seems mad to go through the stages to then find that out later down the line
 

cors_xcv

Member
Joined
2 May 2023
Messages
10
Location
London
Does anyone know if you’ve completed the Group Bourdon, Tea-OCC, SJT & DFFT previously before with GTR do you have to do it again for Arriva Rail? Or are the standards the same?
 

GrooveLine

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2025
Messages
63
Location
Lee
Does anyone know if you’ve completed the Group Bourdon, Tea-OCC, SJT & DFFT previously before with GTR do you have to do it again for Arriva Rail? Or are the standards the same?
In an email I received for the assessment day it mentioned that the OPC will be aware of which tests you have already done. I'm in a similar boat to you. I will find out on the day which ones I may skip depending if I have reached Arrivas enhanced standards.

I've done Tea occ, DFFT, group bourdon, TTRP 1 & 2, hand eye coordination computer test and WAVFT with South Eastern to Enhanced. Have an assessment on 13th May. Will post what my experience is after the day.
 

cors_xcv

Member
Joined
2 May 2023
Messages
10
Location
London
In an email I received for the assessment day it mentioned that the OPC will be aware of which tests you have already done. I'm in a similar boat to you. I will find out on the day which ones I may skip depending if I have reached Arrivas enhanced standards.

I've done Tea occ, DFFT, group bourdon, TTRP 1 & 2, hand eye coordination computer test and WAVFT with South Eastern to Enhanced. Have an assessment on 13th May. Will post what my experience is after the day.
Yeah that’s the same as me with what you’ve completed, I’ll also be seeing you on that day.
 

DuserH9

Member
Joined
31 Mar 2025
Messages
26
Location
london
Just had an email to give consent to transfer my data to First Rail - anyone know if this will change how applications played out or is this all unknown for now?
 

greatkingrat

Established Member
Joined
20 Jan 2011
Messages
3,312
It won't make any difference really, just a legal thing that has to be done. If anything, it slightly improves your chances as some people won't reply and will be withdrawn from the talent pool.
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Hello guys,
I passed their stage 1 assesment and have been invited into stage 2, been doing a lot of research and I have gathered a lot of information now im practising TRP1B,TRP2 which they have in their stage 2 i have a few questions about these tests when you are at the opc.

During trp1b do they first play audio and let you read the text with audio and then start the counter for 5minutes to do your notes or does the counter start simultanously as they start the audio?
TRP2 dials and cables got the practise material and i see people saying this has thrown them off is there something specific the practise materials don't show discuss that is there during the test as I found practise material extremely easy and it says it will be cables instead of arrows but I dont think that will be the only difference?
Also VSE cant find any decent practise material anybody can recomend anything besides OPC one or has more info of what happens here?
I posted this in Medical & Assesments aswell but not sure if I will get answers from anybody who has done the arriva specific stage 2 anybody here that can advise?

Update:

Medical & Assesment thread gave a reply please ignore me!
 
Last edited:

GrooveLine

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2025
Messages
63
Location
Lee
Just adding this info - (not to change the topic about VSE for Jovis) emailed the gentleman who sent the consent form to transfer applicants' data to First Group regarding whether we would be interviewed by Arriva or First Group should we be successful from here on. He mentioned that the hiring managers for Arriva will be TUPE-transferred to First Group. From 2nd May First Group will take up the recruitment process.
 

TheJpeg

Member
Joined
1 Jan 2026
Messages
11
Location
london
Just had an email to give consent to transfer my data to First Rail - anyone know if this will change how applications played out or is this all unknown for now?
Unknown to me, my application still says pending after completing everything.

Only thing I seem to be missing out on is the actual offer (obviously), medical and now would be the consent to transfer data :/
 

cors_xcv

Member
Joined
2 May 2023
Messages
10
Location
London
Unknown to me, my application still says pending after completing everything.

Only thing I seem to be missing out on is the actual offer (obviously), medical and now would be the consent to transfer data :/
I take it you’ve done the M7 SJT then? Any advice on it? (This goes to anyone else that’s also done it, if you have any advice please share, thanks)
 

OnLooker_22

New Member
Joined
24 Feb 2026
Messages
3
Location
London
Hi all was wondering if anyone has heard anything back from the Arriva trainee train driver role in Cambridge for the one that was in February.
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
I applied for that one too I did not hear anything back for that one since completed the online spatial awareness assesment but I saw on the application platform it changed from ''Under review'' to ''Pending'' Status couple days ago

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Hi all was wondering if anyone has heard anything back from the Arriva trainee train driver role in Cambridge for the one that was in February.
actually that one is cross country check the cross country thread
 
Last edited:

OnLooker_22

New Member
Joined
24 Feb 2026
Messages
3
Location
London
I applied for that one too I did not hear anything back for that one since completed the online spatial awareness assesment but I saw on the application platform it changed from ''Under review'' to ''Pending'' Status couple days ago

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==


actually that one is cross country check the cross country thread
Also on the pending status fingers crossed as i know some poeple who have been rejected around a week ago.
 

DA1

Member
Joined
22 May 2017
Messages
444
Location
England
Anyone have a DMI coming up even though the concession has changed? Are they hiring extra drivers for an increase in services as the new concession is committing to?
 

thejedtrain

Member
Joined
12 May 2025
Messages
66
Location
London
I wonder with Overground changing concession to first group, will they stay enhanced OPC or change to national OPC, as first group have GWR and they are national.
Guessing it will stay as it is?
 

GrooveLine

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2025
Messages
63
Location
Lee
How did it go? I was there but was told mine needs to be rescheduled due to me passing the M7 SJT online recently with a different TOC
Oh were you the first to leave? I think I remember who you are out of today's group.
I had to re sit the DFFT and sit the M7 SJT, which I hadn't done before. Both were challenging in their way. The DFFT for Arriva was harder than the one I did for Southeastern. The M7 SJT took me into a time bubble and before I knew it the lady said stop, and I still had two questions to go.

The DFFT. Didn't finish all questions. 15 minutes for 20 questions. It had me on the edge of my seat with the amount of detail to check. But I must say I enjoy that test, once I get my rhythm.

Anyway what counts now is what Arriva/First Group thinks...

So with the rescheduling does that mean they'll make you wait 6 months?
 

cors_xcv

Member
Joined
2 May 2023
Messages
10
Location
London
Oh were you the first to leave? I think I remember who you are out of today's group.
I had to re sit the DFFT and sit the M7 SJT, which I hadn't done before. Both were challenging in their way. The DFFT for Arriva was harder than the one I did for Southeastern. The M7 SJT took me into a time bubble and before I knew it the lady said stop, and I still had two questions to go.

The DFFT. Didn't finish all questions. 15 minutes for 20 questions. It had me on the edge of my seat with the amount of detail to check. But I must say I enjoy that test, once I get my rhythm.

Anyway what counts now is what Arriva/First Group thinks...

So with the rescheduling does that mean they'll make you wait 6 months?
Sounds challenging, best of luck with it though.

I wasn’t given a time frame unfortunately but I sent out couple emails today so hopefully it’s sooner rather than later.
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Hey guys,
So failed to bring my ID for the stage 2 aseesment.... got sent home obviously , was wondering does anybody know who I can contact to rebook it or thats it for my oppurtunity will need to wait till next time they advertise?
 

GrooveLine

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2025
Messages
63
Location
Lee
Hey guys,
So failed to bring my ID for the stage 2 aseesment.... got sent home obviously , was wondering does anybody know who I can contact to rebook it or thats it for my oppurtunity will need to wait till next time they advertise?
Hi Jovis,

So sorry to hear that. I almost ended up in the same position, I didnt gather my documents and realised when I was on the train to Tring.... then I remembered I always have my license with me and I downloaded my NI from HMRC website as a letter on my phone.

Did Arriva email you about the consent of data transfer to First Group? You could try the contact email on that form.
 

Jovis

Member
Joined
15 Oct 2025
Messages
80
Location
London
Yes I did I emailed Kieran the guy who send the form I remember there was lady's name gonna try emailing her aswell thank you!
 

Top