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First Rail London - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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nadiarail

Member
Joined
25 Jun 2026
Messages
17
Location
London
Oh nice & thanks! I’m guessing you’ve been booked in for next week regarding the opc?
Yes. The email said if you can't make the date they'll return your application to the talent pool for the next upcoming date so I made sure to book in immediately.

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Congrats. Did you do an interview after the error checking task?
thank you. No interview which I found surprising just straight to OPC
 

nadiarail

Member
Joined
25 Jun 2026
Messages
17
Location
London
You reckon it’s an alphabetical order? Because I’m way down that list lol!
Definitely possible. I'm closer to the start. Or maybe by online assessment scores?

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All the best! Hope you smash it!
Thank you. It's my first ever train driver application so it's all totally new to me. I'll definitely update here. And best of luck to you too!
 

Business Bob

Member
Joined
22 Nov 2018
Messages
137
Location
London
thank you. No interview which I found surprising just straight to OPC
The interviews are the last stages after passing OPC stage 1 and Stage 2 assessments. If you successfully pass stage 2 you'll do a Multi Mode Interview (MMI) with OPC on the same day and if successful then you may be invited to a Driver Managers Interview (DMI) with FRL Driver managers (possibly HR aswell as mine was 1x DM 1x HR depending on DM availability) on another day. Then if successful you will receive the job offer for Trainee Driver subject to medicals, vetting and a course date.

Good Luck!
 

ali92848

New Member
Joined
29 Jun 2026
Messages
2
Location
ealing
Also received email before 1pm and got my first assessment centre invite. Wish all those that got an invite the best on the day!
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
210
Location
Wandsworth Road
The interviews are the last stages after passing OPC stage 1 and Stage 2 assessments. If you successfully pass stage 2 you'll do a Multi Mode Interview (MMI) with OPC on the same day and if successful then you may be invited to a Driver Managers Interview (DMI) with FRL Driver managers (possibly HR aswell as mine was 1x DM 1x HR depending on DM availability) on another day. Then if successful you will receive the job offer for Trainee Driver subject to medicals, vetting and a course date.

Good Luck!
Apparently gwr used a video interview in the past as part of their sifting process. Normally it would be after the error checking task. Maybe they’ve changed it since being under the first rail umbrella.
 

james16

Member
Joined
11 Nov 2024
Messages
34
Location
ilford
Definitely possible. I'm closer to the start. Or maybe by online assessment scores?

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Thank you. It's my first ever train driver application so it's all totally new to me. I'll definitely update here. And best of luck to you too!
Hmm true, could be either tbh.. how many do you think you got through on the error checking?
 

Mainsideman

Member
Joined
6 Jul 2018
Messages
254
Location
Croydon
I have recieved an invite to sit the paper tests next week. I have already sat and passed them with SWR do I need to do them again?
 

v16ull

Member
Joined
30 May 2026
Messages
35
Location
Mitcham, Surrey
Hmm true, could be either tbh.. how many do you think you got through on the error checking?
I would say the number of people still in the process after the error checking and shortlisting is significantly less than the number of people who applied. I’m optimistically guessing that FR have finished sending rejection emails and are now sending OPC invite emails in batches….
 

IndegoMouse

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2026
Messages
118
Location
Warwickshire
I have recieved an invite to sit the paper tests next week. I have already sat and passed them with SWR do I need to do them again?
if you mean the OPC stage 1 then no, unless you didn't pass them at the level this TOC require. You should of submitted you NI number to the TOC for them to check this
 

james16

Member
Joined
11 Nov 2024
Messages
34
Location
ilford
I have recieved an invite to sit the paper tests next week. I have already sat and passed them with SWR do I need to do them again?
If you passed at enhanced level you should be ok.

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I would say the number of people still in the process after the error checking and shortlisting is significantly less than the number of people who applied. I’m optimistically guessing that FR have finished sending rejection emails and are now sending OPC invite emails in batches….
My thoughts exactly!
 

james16

Member
Joined
11 Nov 2024
Messages
34
Location
ilford
Job advert is gone, I’ve passed all stages & been offered the role, I’m just trying work out stuff that will be going on during the training & the exact process
Oh ok congrats! Think it’s about 12-18 months, couple months in classroom then the rest is stimulators or driving hrs with your mentor I believe until you’re ready for your classroom test & practical test if I’m not mistaken. Did you apply for the one just gone at the start of June or the one before?
 

illuhaz05

New Member
Joined
30 Jun 2026
Messages
2
Location
London
Hi all, got invited to stage 1 in late July. Email was today quite late at 19:00 for anyone curious.
 
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Business Bob

Member
Joined
22 Nov 2018
Messages
137
Location
London
Apparently gwr used a video interview in the past as part of their sifting process. Normally it would be after the error checking task. Maybe they’ve changed it since being under the first rail umbrella.
Personally I doubt it as I can't see that being added unless Avanti, Hull & Lumo are also using it in their recruitment process? Makes no sense to waste time interviewing hundreds of people before they've even sat any OPC tests which the majority fail. Seeing as people are getting OPC invites today I'd say that confirms it hasn't been added.
 

rail graft

Member
Joined
8 Apr 2026
Messages
28
Location
London
I have recieved an invite to sit the paper tests next week. I have already sat and passed them with SWR do I need to do them again?
im in a similar situation however I haven't received the email for opc yet, I passed to a national standard with avanti but failed their enhanced, my national standard lasts for 5 years according to them. opc told me I can apply to any TOC that doesn't use the same enhanced test that avanti use so fingers crossed overground/first rail dont use the same as avanti, I managed to get to this point with the hiring manager email, however I won't be shocked If I do do get a rejection email because of the enhanced fail with avanti, time will tell, but I am hearing they do send out the rejection emails early doors so we will see, if anyone would like to share their insight on my situation that would be very much appreciated and good luck to all that have gotten through !
 

mmkk19

New Member
Joined
8 Jun 2026
Messages
2
Location
London
I’ve also been invited I was looking to ask how best to prep for the test considering I have until Monday tests that has been allocated to me was
  • Group Bourdon
  • Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
  • M7-SJT (Situational Judgement Test)
  • DFFT (Driver Fault Finding Test)
 

tallFella

Member
Joined
21 Feb 2026
Messages
42
Location
I’ve also been invited I was looking to ask how best to prep for the test considering I have until Monday tests that has been allocated to me was
  • Group Bourdon
  • Tea-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention)
  • M7-SJT (Situational Judgement Test)
  • DFFT (Driver Fault Finding Test)
For the group bourdon you can use this website --> https://metodorf.com/tests/bourdon_test.php You could also buy a physical book to practice with, I recommend --> https://amzn.eu/d/02QL64fM

For the M7 SJT get AI to ask you some multiple choice questions in relation to the role of a train driver but don't assume that all multiple choice questions will be about train driving on the day of the test.

For the Tea Occ you could use a site like --> https://traindrivertests.com/ this has all of the above tests and more. It will likely increase your chances of passing the written and computerised tests on the day as you will feel more familiarised with the tests.

Study hard, don't panic on the day of the test, you just need to execute to the best of your ability!

Wishing you the best of luck!
 

mmkk19

New Member
Joined
8 Jun 2026
Messages
2
Location
London
For the group bourdon you can use this website --> https://metodorf.com/tests/bourdon_test.php You could also buy a physical book to practice with, I recommend --> https://amzn.eu/d/02QL64fM

For the M7 SJT get AI to ask you some multiple choice questions in relation to the role of a train driver but don't assume that all multiple choice questions will be about train driving on the day of the test.

For the Tea Occ you could use a site like --> https://traindrivertests.com/ this has all of the above tests and more. It will likely increase your chances of passing the written and computerised tests on the day as you will feel more familiarised with the tests.

Study hard, don't panic on the day of the test, you just need to execute to the best of your ability!

Wishing you the best of luck!
Cheers. Cause I’m panicking
 

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