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

UTV1982

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2026
Messages
24
Location
Birmingham
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!!
Hi mate, I sat stage 2 on 31st March and heard back on the same day that I’d passed. I got an email asking me to book a DMI on 21st April. I picked the first available date they offered which is 11th May.

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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.
Want to stop receiving communications from us? Manage your communication preferences.
Wow! Thank you for this! Because I didn’t receive anything like this. My email and booking link just said you’ve been invited to interview. Please bring relevant qualifications and contact us if you need any adjustments.

Why are they sending this information to some candidates and not to others????

Time to stress out a bit more…
 
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BHMGuard

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2025
Messages
36
Location
Birmingham
Finished part 2 today. Managed to pass all the tests and did the MMI. Feels like whatever answer you give to them, it’s the wrong one? the assessor did some digging on some questions and none on others. Wait and see what happens.
 

itsmejuniior

Member
Joined
16 Feb 2026
Messages
18
Location
Rugby
Finished part 2 today. Managed to pass all the tests and did the MMI. Feels like whatever answer you give to them, it’s the wrong one? the assessor did some digging on some questions and none on others. Wait and see what happens.
I did mine yesterday and I think it's that's how it's supposed to be. There isn’t really a “right” answer, they’re more looking at how you think and justify things.
 

Jay1874

Member
Joined
21 Apr 2026
Messages
15
Location
Coventry
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!

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Congrats on passing and baby news! How did you find DMI? Did they do it in 2 parts?
Coventry, I haven’t received any emails to say what info I need? Is this a thing all I got was an invite to DMI and then the confirmation of DMI, the whole 2 part thing is throwing me!
 

Jdrive1

New Member
Joined
23 Apr 2026
Messages
3
Location
West Midlands
Thanks appreciate a few points in the right direction. I have the 90 page booklet they've sent through and some printed practice tests I found online.

Someone mentioned to me about there being some 'tricks' to doing some of the tests think it was the telephone one's but they couldn't remember what it was.
 

BHMGuard

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2025
Messages
36
Location
Birmingham
Somehow, and I don’t know how, my MMI I thought I absolutely butchered was a pass, and now waiting for a DMI. Such a massive, massive relief. Absolutely buzzing.
 

UTV1982

Member
Joined
18 Feb 2026
Messages
24
Location
Birmingham
Coventry, I haven’t received any emails to say what info I need? Is this a thing all I got was an invite to DMI and then the confirmation of DMI, the whole 2 part thing is throwing me!
Hi mate, someone posted the email with all the information they send on a page or two previous. I’ve got mine in a week and received the same email today.
 

itsmejuniior

Member
Joined
16 Feb 2026
Messages
18
Location
Rugby
Cov mate, guessing they said in you email they’re also waiting for DMI dates? Congrats to yourself also!
Yeah it said interviews might not take place for a while. Generic email. I've applied for Cov as well. Hopefully get to see you there
 

Penguin80

Member
Joined
13 May 2025
Messages
65
Location
Coventry
Is there anyone on this forum still that started in 27th June.
Did you have to do a maths test. If so was it hard.
 

Jay1874

Member
Joined
21 Apr 2026
Messages
15
Location
Coventry
Hi mate, someone posted the email with all the information they send on a page or two previous. I’ve got mine in a week and received the same email today.
Cheers mate, I emailed them as soon as I seen that reply on Fri, they emailed back in mins with the email so all is good, sooo nervous! Feel like I’ve overloaded my brain with info and revision to the point I can’t separate one bit of information from another. Good luck for next week anyways mate hopefully we both get through it!

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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

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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
Hi mate,

Sorry to re post your reply I have tried to figure out how to message you but I can’t find it anywhere!

For the interview I have got all the emails now about what I need to revise etc, in your interview (I know they will be different) was it as in depth as it sounds on the email, like did they actually dig for info about the points stated telling you to revise? I have got so much information printed off and constantly going over it and over it (I’m a mobile worker so it’s hard lol) but I think I’ve overloaded my brain the useless info not the actual stuff they may ask me
 
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Zeejumai

New Member
Joined
3 May 2026
Messages
2
Location
Birmingham
Hello, Please I have been invited for Train driver assessment and also sent a material to practice with. I want to practice more please where can I access free mateirals, the one I saw on Railprep is £45 and cant afford that. Would appreciate a good direction.
 

Jay1874

Member
Joined
21 Apr 2026
Messages
15
Location
Coventry
Hello, Please I have been invited for Train driver assessment and also sent a material to practice with. I want to practice more please where can I access free mateirals, the one I saw on Railprep is £45 and cant afford that. Would appreciate a good direction.
For the image recognition the best thing to do is print of a load of random google map images and ask your partner/friend to hold them up for 1 second then put them down and when they hold them up you just try to see if you recognise:
  • Traffic lights
  • Road signs
  • Pedestrians
  • Cars
  • Bikes/motorbikes
That’s what I did until I brought the materials. For the other tests the concentration one there should be some decent examples on YouTube you can watch then maybe click a pen every time the dot changes? The 2 hand eye co-ord without paying for it with a PC the only thing I could suggest is a pencil in each hand and try following an A-Z or something similar but with one hand only go up and down the other only go left and right.

Good luck!
 

monkeynut

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2026
Messages
17
Location
WORCESTER
Cheers mate, I emailed them as soon as I seen that reply on Fri, they emailed back in mins with the email so all is good, sooo nervous! Feel like I’ve overloaded my brain with info and revision to the point I can’t separate one bit of information from another. Good luck for next week anyways mate hopefully we both get through it!

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Hi mate,

Sorry to re post your reply I have tried to figure out how to message you but I can’t find it anywhere!

For the interview I have got all the emails now about what I need to revise etc, in your interview (I know they will be different) was it as in depth as it sounds on the email, like did they actually dig for info about the points stated telling you to revise? I have got so much information printed off and constantly going over it and over it (I’m a mobile worker so it’s hard lol) but I think I’ve overloaded my brain the useless info not the actual stuff they may ask me
I tried the same but couldn’t work that out either

I think as long as you have revised about the company you should be fine as know it might’ve different but mine was in 2 parts and the first was about what I had researched and the second was more scenario based

Hope that helps and if you work out how to message happy to chat

 
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monkeynut

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2026
Messages
17
Location
WORCESTER
Have those that have been successful been given start dates. I was offered June but didn’t want to impact starting by having to take time off so would be good to know if there are other potential dates available
 

Harjam12

Member
Joined
8 Apr 2026
Messages
18
Location
Coventry
Hi all,

Has anyone applied for leamington spa depot? I passed my stage 2 OPC, 2 weeks ago today and haven't heard anything since.

Thanks
 

Jay1874

Member
Joined
21 Apr 2026
Messages
15
Location
Coventry
Hi all,

Has anyone applied for leamington spa depot? I passed my stage 2 OPC, 2 weeks ago today and haven't heard anything since.

Thanks
Hi

I think all depots take different amount of time, I have heard of guys being called up for the DMI in a week others like me waited 4 weeks. Not sure if there’s any real way of knowing how long it will be, I emailed after about 4 weeks just asking if there was any update and saying I am willing to re located if needs be and they emailed me back about 3 days later with an invite. I don’t imagine the email helped but I just worried I was forgotten about lol

I would say give it 2 more weeks of still nothing email them but it’s up to you some people will recommend to not email at all
 

IndegoMouse

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2026
Messages
118
Location
Warwickshire
Hi

I think all depots take different amount of time, I have heard of guys being called up for the DMI in a week others like me waited 4 weeks. Not sure if there’s any real way of knowing how long it will be, I emailed after about 4 weeks just asking if there was any update and saying I am willing to re located if needs be and they emailed me back about 3 days later with an invite. I don’t imagine the email helped but I just worried I was forgotten about lol

I would say give it 2 more weeks of still nothing email them but it’s up to you some people will recommend to not email at all
I was invited to DMI within a week of passing stage 2.

Jay did you get the job?
 

Jay1874

Member
Joined
21 Apr 2026
Messages
15
Location
Coventry
I was invited to DMI within a week of passing stage 2.

Jay did you get the job?
Not sure yet mate,

Had the DMI today not sure it went well tbh I just could not focus on presenting my examples in the STAR method. The guys where lovely and made me feel welcome and took the pressure off but I had so much info in my head bursting to come out it’s like nothing could I’m probably beating myself up more than I should but I’m just not sure

I also had 3 revision based questions and then 9! Yes 9! Questions on suitability I was only expecting 2/3 so when he said 9 that caught me off guard

Fingers crossed though
 

IndegoMouse

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2026
Messages
118
Location
Warwickshire
Not sure yet mate,

Had the DMI today not sure it went well tbh I just could not focus on presenting my examples in the STAR method. The guys where lovely and made me feel welcome and took the pressure off but I had so much info in my head bursting to come out it’s like nothing could I’m probably beating myself up more than I should but I’m just not sure

I also had 3 revision based questions and then 9! Yes 9! Questions on suitability I was only expecting 2/3 so when he said 9 that caught me off guard

Fingers crossed though
You’ve done well though as you got through the first part of interview so we’re saying the right things!
 

6up

Member
Joined
20 Sep 2024
Messages
7
Location
West Midlands
Not sure yet mate,

Had the DMI today not sure it went well tbh I just could not focus on presenting my examples in the STAR method. The guys where lovely and made me feel welcome and took the pressure off but I had so much info in my head bursting to come out it’s like nothing could I’m probably beating myself up more than I should but I’m just not sure

I also had 3 revision based questions and then 9! Yes 9! Questions on suitability I was only expecting 2/3 so when he said 9 that caught me off guard

Fingers crossed though

How much detail did you go into for your revision based questions if you don’t mind sharing please Jay?
 

Penguin80

Member
Joined
13 May 2025
Messages
65
Location
Coventry
Have those that have been successful been given start dates. I was offered June but didn’t want to impact starting by having to take time off so would be good to know if there are other potential dates available
Hiya I am starting in June. In my DMI interview they said potential courses after June were November but then another person who works in the job already said June is the last course for this year so god knows
 

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