Southern - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Purplerain77]

Just updating to say I passed all of my psychometrics last week! MMI was actually a really good experience, the most laid back thing I’ve done. Just patiently waiting for a date for my DMI now

 

[GrooveLine]

Just updating to say I passed all of my psychometrics last week! MMI was actually a really good experience, the most laid back thing I’ve done. Just patiently waiting for a date for my DMI now

Congratulations !! Glad you had a great experience.

 

[L71]

Just updating to say I passed all of my psychometrics last week! MMI was actually a really good experience, the most laid back thing I’ve done. Just patiently waiting for a date for my DMI now

So is that your last stage then? What questions did they ask you in the MMI?

 

[Purplerain77]

So is that your last stage then? What questions did they ask you in the MMI?

Yes it is! If all goes well I’ll be offered the role pending medical and be put in the talent pool. The MMI was 6 questions, can’t completely remember them exactly but they were on the lines of name a time you completed your job despite difficulties, a job similar to train driving, describe a situation where you faced difficulties. Around these lines. They can vary there’s apparently a few they can pick from. Just focus on safety and following rules linking it to your past experience

 

[GrooveLine]

I was on my way to the OPC for another train company today, when I received my rejection email from GTR.....

 

[Saadi410]

How long did people wait after passing miniscaat before getting an assessment centre invite?

 

[Purplerain77]

Does anyone know any information regarding Thameslink at Orpington? I’m in the running for a driver role and was wondering what routes they do and anything like that. Not found too much on it. Thanks

 

[1stClassAcw]

Yes it is! If all goes well I’ll be offered the role pending medical and be put in the talent pool. The MMI was 6 questions, can’t completely remember them exactly but they were on the lines of name a time you completed your job despite difficulties, a job similar to train driving, describe a situation where you faced difficulties. Around these lines. They can vary there’s apparently a few they can pick from. Just focus on safety and following rules linking it to your past experience

Just wanted to know if you did your stage 2 assessment then MMI straight after or did you have a Dmi interview then an mmi

 

[Purplerain77]

Just wanted to know if you did your stage 2 assessment then MMI straight after or did you have a Dmi interview then an mmi

I did all my assessments with the OPC so yeah it was stage 2 and then MMI immediately afterwards however I do think if you have yours at the go ahead house then you do the MMI and DMI on a later date which can be either way round

 

[JR1]

Hey everyone, I applied in December 2025 as I had done all my testing at enhanced level elsewhere. I was fast tracked to DMI and passed that. Then I had my medical and passed that also. I just started the trainee train driver course in May. There is apparently another course starting in September 2026. My class is a mix of Victoria , London Bridge, Brighton and Selhurst drivers. Really good bunch and really happy to be given the opportunity. Good luck to everyone who’s applied and I hope you all get your chance and time soon. The trainers are amazing. Southern honestly was a great application process and literally another driver I know applied December. Passed all there assessments first time and was given the may start date. So that’s like 5 months from start to finish.

 

[Twin82]

Hey everyone, I applied in December 2025 as I had done all my testing at enhanced level elsewhere. I was fast tracked to DMI and passed that. Then I had my medical and passed that also. I just started the trainee train driver course in May. There is apparently another course starting in September 2026. My class is a mix of Victoria , London Bridge, Brighton and Selhurst drivers. Really good bunch and really happy to be given the opportunity. Good luck to everyone who’s applied and I hope you all get your chance and time soon. The trainers are amazing. Southern honestly was a great application process and literally another driver I know applied December. Passed all there assessments first time and was given the may start date. So that’s like 5 months from start to finish.

Many congrats to you. How are the classes so far? How did you find the DFFT when you did your initial test centre assessment? That's the only one I might have to do as I haven't done it yet. Great to know you're loving your time at Southern. I know drivers at the Victoria and Selhurst depots. All of them said it's a life changing opportunity

 

[LeprechaunFury]

Hey everyone, I applied in December 2025 as I had done all my testing at enhanced level elsewhere. I was fast tracked to DMI and passed that. Then I had my medical and passed that also. I just started the trainee train driver course in May. There is apparently another course starting in September 2026. My class is a mix of Victoria , London Bridge, Brighton and Selhurst drivers. Really good bunch and really happy to be given the opportunity. Good luck to everyone who’s applied and I hope you all get your chance and time soon. The trainers are amazing. Southern honestly was a great application process and literally another driver I know applied December. Passed all there assessments first time and was given the may start date. So that’s like 5 months from start to finish.

Congrats on getting through and best of luck for the course.
Are you able to offer any insight into the DMI - I have heard many things about this part so not sure what to expect as it seems to vary depending on TOC and location. At what depot did you do the DMI?
I have mine this week.

 

[JR1]

Many congrats to you. How are the classes so far? How did you find the DFFT when you did your initial test centre assessment? That's the only one I might have to do as I haven't done it yet. Great to know you're loving your time at Southern. I know drivers at the Victoria and Selhurst depots. All of them said it's a life changing opportunity

Hey there, the fault finding test I always really enjoyed as I like trying to work out why things don’t work and looking for codes so from what I remember you have different sheets of paper. You have a booklet that has various trains in it which will each have their own fault for you to find, the code sheet and another sheet with written information about how to diagnose the faults.
The key is to be calm, diagnose what’s wrong and then the information is actually all the sheet which tells you exactly what the code will be. You have to multitask and you will be looking for more than one thing at times. But just pay attention to the order of the priority such as example power box , window wiper, lights ect … if it tells you that the power box is always more important than lights and wiper then you look always prioritise the fault. If wiper is more important that lights if the wiper is faulty and the lights then you go for wiper fault as being priority. No one finishes it. It’s about getting them right and diagnosing the right code and showing you can interpret information under pressure and stay calm and under clear instructions. The answers are literally in front of your face with this one , you just need to break it down. Use the bit of paper they provide if needed to keep track of what you’re doing, as there is a lot of sheets in front of you which kinda adds to the chaos. But just stay methodical and you will be fine

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

Congrats on getting through and best of luck for the course.
Are you able to offer any insight into the DMI - I have heard many things about this part so not sure what to expect as it seems to vary depending on TOC and location. At what depot did you do the DMI?
I have mine this week.

The DMI was totally fine. The driver managers were lovely and it was a very relaxed interview. They told me about the rota, salary while training ect, if I can get to work for early shifts, and a few icebreakers. I naturally cannot say what the exact questions were, but they were competency questions geared around safety, customer service , teamwork, dealing with a emergency and why i want to be a driver and my understanding of the role. It was honestly nothing like I expected it to be and it was the nicest interview I’ve had in a long time because they were more explaining everything to me about the role. I will definitely say dress smart and learn a little about the company. I will also say use the star method with your replies. You will be absolutely fine. Just be genuine and yourself! Think about things always from a health and safety aspect and more importantly GOOD LUCK! I spoke to drivers at Selhurst, Victoria, Brighton and London Bridge and their experience of the DMI was very similar

Congrats on getting through and best of luck for the course.
Are you able to offer any insight into the DMI - I have heard many things about this part so not sure what to expect as it seems to vary depending on TOC and location. At what depot did you do the DMI?
I have mine this we

 

[Twin82]

Hey there, the fault finding test I always really enjoyed as I like trying to work out why things don’t work and looking for codes so from what I remember you have different sheets of paper. You have a booklet that has various trains in it which will each have their own fault for you to find, the code sheet and another sheet with written information about how to diagnose the faults.
The key is to be calm, diagnose what’s wrong and then the information is actually all the sheet which tells you exactly what the code will be. You have to multitask and you will be looking for more than one thing at times. But just pay attention to the order of the priority such as example power box , window wiper, lights ect … if it tells you that the power box is always more important than lights and wiper then you look always prioritise the fault. If wiper is more important that lights if the wiper is faulty and the lights then you go for wiper fault as being priority. No one finishes it. It’s about getting them right and diagnosing the right code and showing you can interpret information under pressure and stay calm and under clear instructions. The answers are literally in front of your face with this one , you just need to break it down. Use the bit of paper they provide if needed to keep track of what you’re doing, as there is a lot of sheets in front of you which kinda adds to the chaos. But just stay methodical and you will be fine

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


The DMI was totally fine. The driver managers were lovely and it was a very relaxed interview. They told me about the rota, salary while training ect, if I can get to work for early shifts, and a few icebreakers. I naturally cannot say what the exact questions were, but they were competency questions geared around safety, customer service , teamwork, dealing with a emergency and why i want to be a driver and my understanding of the role. It was honestly nothing like I expected it to be and it was the nicest interview I’ve had in a long time because they were more explaining everything to me about the role. I will definitely say dress smart and learn a little about the company. I will also say use the star method with your replies. You will be absolutely fine. Just be genuine and yourself! Think about things always from a health and safety aspect and more importantly GOOD LUCK! I spoke to drivers at Selhurst, Victoria, Brighton and London Bridge and their experience of the DMI was very similar

What a lovely response. I can tell that your are a very likeable person. I really wish you all the best moving forward with the course and all that. Thank you for such a detailed response

 

[LeprechaunFury]

Hey there, the fault finding test I always really enjoyed as I like trying to work out why things don’t work and looking for codes so from what I remember you have different sheets of paper. You have a booklet that has various trains in it which will each have their own fault for you to find, the code sheet and another sheet with written information about how to diagnose the faults.
The key is to be calm, diagnose what’s wrong and then the information is actually all the sheet which tells you exactly what the code will be. You have to multitask and you will be looking for more than one thing at times. But just pay attention to the order of the priority such as example power box , window wiper, lights ect … if it tells you that the power box is always more important than lights and wiper then you look always prioritise the fault. If wiper is more important that lights if the wiper is faulty and the lights then you go for wiper fault as being priority. No one finishes it. It’s about getting them right and diagnosing the right code and showing you can interpret information under pressure and stay calm and under clear instructions. The answers are literally in front of your face with this one , you just need to break it down. Use the bit of paper they provide if needed to keep track of what you’re doing, as there is a lot of sheets in front of you which kinda adds to the chaos. But just stay methodical and you will be fine

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


The DMI was totally fine. The driver managers were lovely and it was a very relaxed interview. They told me about the rota, salary while training ect, if I can get to work for early shifts, and a few icebreakers. I naturally cannot say what the exact questions were, but they were competency questions geared around safety, customer service , teamwork, dealing with a emergency and why i want to be a driver and my understanding of the role. It was honestly nothing like I expected it to be and it was the nicest interview I’ve had in a long time because they were more explaining everything to me about the role. I will definitely say dress smart and learn a little about the company. I will also say use the star method with your replies. You will be absolutely fine. Just be genuine and yourself! Think about things always from a health and safety aspect and more importantly GOOD LUCK! I spoke to drivers at Selhurst, Victoria, Brighton and London Bridge and their experience of the DMI was very similar

Thanks JR1 that has calmed the nerves for tomorrow. I was hoping it would be a more natural feel than what has been described for other TOCs on here.
Hopefully I will see you around the depots in the future........

 

[JR1]

What a lovely response. I can tell that your are a very likeable person. I really wish you all the best moving forward with the course and all that. Thank you for such a detailed response

@Twin82 thank you very much for such a nice response as I just like to try to be helpful as I’ve been there and done it all and I really hope you are successful and wish you all the best in your career! Don’t give up!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 May 2026 ==

Thanks JR1 that has calmed the nerves for tomorrow. I was hoping it would be a more natural feel than what has been described for other TOCs on here.
Hopefully I will see you around the depots in the future........

@LeprechaunFury thats my pleasure and I wish you all the best for your DMi! You got this! Just be yourself and you will be fine and if you don’t understand a question just politely ask them to repeat as sometimes through nerves we misunderstand a question and start waffling ( I’m guilty of this) but just think about your answer and practise your responses so you know your competency question well good luck!

 

[discochicken88]

Hi everyone, been lurking on here for quite some time and the advice has been fantastic, so thank you!

Quick Q - I am wondering how common it is to transfer depots as a driver? I'm currently quite far through the recruitment process with GTR (Southern) but I'd like to change from the depot I applied to. I know I should ask recruitment but I don't want to rock the boat if there is no realistic chance of transferring.

Was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences? Or if not, how easy is it to transfer down the line once qualified

 

[RiverDon]

I don't know how it works where you are but at my company you can only apply for a depot transfer after you've been qualified for two years, you go on a waiting list and you will be moved when you reach the top and there is a vacancy. That could take maybe a year or two for an unpopular depot or a lot longer for somewhere popular. We only get two transfers per career unless there's really exceptional circumstances and you can't apply for the second transfer until you've been at the new depot for two years.

I sympathise with your position, I have been looking into transfers because I am really keen to head somewhere else but I couldn't apply for that depot in the first place because I didn't have an address within the travel time requirement for there when I applied. I think once I'm qualified I will probably end up having to apply to LNER or Cross Country or maybe even a freight company to get a move to my desired location ASAP rather than wait years.

 

[discochicken88]

I don't know how it works where you are but at my company you can only apply for a depot transfer after you've been qualified for two years, you go on a waiting list and you will be moved when you reach the top and there is a vacancy. That could take maybe a year or two for an unpopular depot or a lot longer for somewhere popular. We only get two transfers per career unless there's really exceptional circumstances and you can't apply for the second transfer until you've been at the new depot for two years.

I sympathise with your position, I have been looking into transfers because I am really keen to head somewhere else but I couldn't apply for that depot in the first place because I didn't have an address within the travel time requirement for there when I applied. I think once I'm qualified I will probably end up having to apply to LNER or Cross Country or maybe even a freight company to get a move to my desired location ASAP rather than wait years.

Appreciate the answer mate, thank you.

Thankfully I can get to my original depot within the required time, but there is another much closer to home which would be more suitable.

Its not a deal breaker at all and I'd happily work where I've applied for, I'm lucky to be in the position I'm in. But thought I'd ask!

 

[BigEasy]

Hi everyone, been lurking on here for quite some time and the advice has been fantastic, so thank you!

Quick Q - I am wondering how common it is to transfer depots as a driver? I'm currently quite far through the recruitment process with GTR (Southern) but I'd like to change from the depot I applied to. I know I should ask recruitment but I don't want to rock the boat if there is no realistic chance of transferring.

Was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences? Or if not, how easy is it to transfer down the line once qualified

What are the two depots you’d like to switch?

 

[discochicken88]

London Bridge/Victoria for Three Bridges or Horsham potentially

 

[Class2ldn]

They always used to have a long waiting list, not sure if thats still the case.

 

[BigEasy]

London Bridge/Victoria for Three Bridges or Horsham potentially

You can ask for a swap once you’re on board, but there is a huge demand for LBG VIC drivers so I’m not sure it would realistically happen.

 

[1stClassAcw]

Thanks JR1 that has calmed the nerves for tomorrow. I was hoping it would be a more natural feel than what has been described for other TOCs on here.
Hopefully I will see you around the depots in the future........

how did it go? I have mine next week nerves are killing me

 

[LeprechaunFury]

how did it go? I have mine next week nerves are killing me

Hi Mate, Its really hard to tell for me, as I left thinking it was a bit fifty/fifty. Hopefully I am just being pessimistic but will find out this week. In terms of the interview itself, the interviewers (2) were nice/friendly and it was structured into competency questions and then they gave you information on what happens next (if successful) - shifts, pay scale, training, perks etc. They will give you plenty of time to respond then probe your overall answer with further questions if they want more information. Overall I felt that they wanted to keep it a little informal to get a feel for the person so advice above is the best, be yourself, take your time responding, ask questions if you feel something is unclear.

 

[Twin82]

Hello. Just an enquiry on behalf of my partner's uncle who got to the test centre assessment for the London Bridge depot.

Is the assessment done over 1 or 2 days? Also, at what point will the mmi be carried out? Thanks for answering in advance.

 

[discochicken88]

Found out today I passed my DMI (last week) now waiting on a date for the MMI.

Have enquired about whether there are any vacancies at Selhurst rather than London Bridge or Victoria. Good luck to those still in the process!

 

[Class2ldn]

Id much rather be at Victoria or LB then selhurst.
Its an awful depot

 

[discochicken88]

Id much rather be at Victoria or LB then selhurst.
Its an awful depot

Really, why?
Would halve my commute

 

[Class2ldn]

The work isn't great at any southern metro depot but selhurst really is the worst. If you can get into Norwood it would be a better shout.
The shorter commute probably helps it a bit but its always been known for its poor work.