Freightliner - Trainee Drivers / Shunt Drivers - Recruitment Discussion

[Unobrow]

Moderator note: This thread is intended to be a master thread for any discussion regarding Freightliner driver vacancies at sites around the country from June 2026 onwards.

Freightliner advertising for trainee shunt drivers at Southampton. Be quick!

Freightliner Careers

Freightliner is an established rail freight provider with businesses in the UK and Continental Europe. Offering customers a wide range of rail freight solutions to cater for the requirements of a diverse market sector, we provide a safe, reliable and cost effective rail freight partnership. At...

gandwukeurope.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com

 

[Pioneer]

Hello, I have been through the VSE and SJT and did an interview before that in person and will soon be going to do testing with the OPC for the above position. I thought normally they split the tests between a stage 1 and 2 but it seems they are all being done in one day. The email says I will be doing the following in one day:

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-occ (Test of Everyday attention)
• TR1b (Trainability Test Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability Test Part 2)
• DFFT (Driver Fault Finding Test)
• The WAFV Vigilance Exercise
• The ATAVT Perception Test
• The 2-Hand Co-ordination Test
• The Situational Judgement Exercise
• The Multi-Modal Interview (MMI)

Is it normal to have so many assessments in one day?

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

Also thought it has been done in a strange order, lots of positions on here seem to have a DMI at the end whereas I was interviewed by two managers before any psychometrics took place.

 

[Unobrow]

Hello, I have been through the VSE and SJT and did an interview before that in person and will soon be going to do testing with the OPC for the above position. I thought normally they split the tests between a stage 1 and 2 but it seems they are all being done in one day. The email says I will be doing the following in one day:

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-occ (Test of Everyday attention)
• TR1b (Trainability Test Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability Test Part 2)
• DFFT (Driver Fault Finding Test)
• The WAFV Vigilance Exercise
• The ATAVT Perception Test
• The 2-Hand Co-ordination Test
• The Situational Judgement Exercise
• The Multi-Modal Interview (MMI)

Is it normal to have so many assessments in one day?

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

Also thought it has been done in a strange order, lots of positions on here seem to have a DMI at the end whereas I was interviewed by two managers before any psychometrics took place.

It’s not unknown to have all the tests on one day, although I’m not sure if it’s company dependant or just down to the OPC being under pressure. Some companies do also do the DMI sooner rather than at the end. I’d assume they don’t want to pay for the testing for candidates they don’t see as suitable.

Don’t let it stress you, at least you won’t have to do a second day of worrying about stage 2. Although I think anyone that doesn’t pass each test as they go along, gets sent home accordingl. Again, it just saves you waiting and stressing about results, at least you’ll know there and then.

Just go prepared with plenty of food (and drink if you want), you’ll get a good amount of breaks in between to get a drink and go to the toilet.

Plenty of good guidance on here for the tests, get your head into the practice materials and understand what you need to do. Being that prepared is most of the battle.

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[Pioneer]

It’s not unknown to have all the tests on one day, although I’m not sure if it’s company dependant or just down to the OPC being under pressure. Some companies do also do the DMI sooner rather than at the end. I’d assume they don’t want to pay for the testing for candidates they don’t see as suitable.

Don’t let it stress you, at least you won’t have to do a second day of worrying about stage 2. Although I think anyone that doesn’t pass each test as they go along, gets sent home accordingl. Again, it just saves you waiting and stressing about results, at least you’ll know there and then.

Just go prepared with plenty of food (and drink if you want), you’ll get a good amount of breaks in between to get a drink and go to the toilet.

Plenty of good guidance on here for the tests, get your head into the practice materials and understand what you need to do. Being that prepared is most of the battle.

(Please read before posting!) Welcome to Jobs and Careers.

Welcome to the Jobs and Careers Forum This forum is here to help members discuss careers and job opportunities across the railway industry. We hope you find the information useful and feel comfortable joining the discussion. What this forum is for This forum covers a wide range of jobs and...

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I see, the recruiter did mention they are wanting shunters quite soon and so that will likely be why the whole process has been so quick. I appreciate the advice and link, will get stuck into the resources on here to prepare. Cheers

 

[Unobrow]

I see, the recruiter did mention they are wanting shunters quite soon and so that will likely be why the whole process has been so quick. I appreciate the advice and link, will get stuck into the resources on here to prepare. Cheers

The Freightliner process is usually quick, much quicker than TOC’s. It could be as quick as 8 months from application to start date. Good luck.

 

[trainnewbie25]

Hello, I have been through the VSE and SJT and did an interview before that in person and will soon be going to do testing with the OPC for the above position. I thought normally they split the tests between a stage 1 and 2 but it seems they are all being done in one day. The email says I will be doing the following in one day:

• Group Bourdon
• Tea-occ (Test of Everyday attention)
• TR1b (Trainability Test Part 1b)
• TRP2 (Trainability Test Part 2)
• DFFT (Driver Fault Finding Test)
• The WAFV Vigilance Exercise
• The ATAVT Perception Test
• The 2-Hand Co-ordination Test
• The Situational Judgement Exercise
• The Multi-Modal Interview (MMI)

Is it normal to have so many assessments in one day?

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

Also thought it has been done in a strange order, lots of positions on here seem to have a DMI at the end whereas I was interviewed by two managers before any psychometrics took place.

I’d say it’s maybe slightly better doing it this way.Get it over in one day.
The assessment team explain everything very very thoroughly and you also get to practise.
However there was people in my class who blatantly never bothered to prepare and admitted as much……..needless to say they didn’t get far.

 

[unbutton]

Is it normal to have so many assessments in one day?

Having done this recently with Freightliner it was the same for me. I think I arrived at 09:00 and was out by 15:30.

Its a long looking list but its not a huge deal. I ensured I ran through the practice material they gave me, and got familiar with completing the Group Bourdon test accurately. Think up some answers/scenarios you've experienced in response to typical job interview questions, eg "a time you demonstrated leadership" etc. Get adequate rest the night before, consider a hotel if you're a long commute away.

The Freightliner process is usually quick, much quicker than TOC’s. It could be as quick as 8 months from application to start date. Good luck.

IIRC I applied in March and started in September of the same year.

 

[Pioneer]

Having done this recently with Freightliner it was the same for me. I think I arrived at 09:00 and was out by 15:30.

Its a long looking list but its not a huge deal. I ensured I ran through the practice material they gave me, and got familiar with completing the Group Bourdon test accurately. Think up some answers/scenarios you've experienced in response to typical job interview questions, eg "a time you demonstrated leadership" etc. Get adequate rest the night before, consider a hotel if you're a long commute away.


IIRC I applied in March and started in September of the same year

Thanks, sounds like I’m doing the right things then. Having only applied in late May it has been a very quick process.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2026 ==

Another question if anyone can help, I have been looking at the practice material sold by the OPC through their website for the DFFT, TRP1 and TRP2. Is it at all accurate to the on the day tests? As I know with lots of the practice material emailed they aren't the same as the tests on the day.

 

[unbutton]

Another question if anyone can help, I have been looking at the practice material sold by the OPC through their website for the DFFT, TRP1 and TRP2. Is it at all accurate to the on the day tests? As I know with lots of the practice material emailed they aren't the same as the tests on the day.

Exactly as you said, the tests are meant to be similar and require the same kind of skill, but it won't be exactly the same exercise on the day.

Good example is the Group Bourdon test. We all know its going to be the dotwork, but in the practice material it has you distinguishing between alphanumeric characters.

 

[Sotac464]

Thanks, sounds like I’m doing the right things then. Having only applied in late May it has been a very quick process.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jun 2026 ==

Another question if anyone can help, I have been looking at the practice material sold by the OPC through their website for the DFFT, TRP1 and TRP2. Is it at all accurate to the on the day tests? As I know with lots of the practice material emailed they aren't the same as the tests on the day.

The practice material they send you is good enough.

 

[samuel jackson]

Freightliner have been advertising for qualified drivers across the midlands since last winter. Invited to interview for an intermodal role at Crewe and pumped for it. The invite contains no instructions or expected assessments, wondering if anyone knows what to expect on a day like this or what the role is likely to entail. Site has been a useful source of information for a long time but things have changed at this operator recently so updated info is welcome. Cheers.

 

[Unobrow]

Freightliner have been advertising for qualified drivers across the midlands since last winter. Invited to interview for an intermodal role at Crewe and pumped for it. The invite contains no instructions or expected assessments, wondering if anyone knows what to expect on a day like this or what the role is likely to entail. Site has been a useful source of information for a long time but things have changed at this operator recently so updated info is welcome. Cheers.

I suspect it’ll be a DMI interview. What do you specifically want to know about the role apart from its driving intermodal trains?

 

[Pioneer]

The practice material they send you is good enough.

It is helpful but obviously if it is possible to familiarise myself with the content shown on the day ahead of time that would be an advantage of course, there are lots of things I have learnt on this forum now. I’m just focusing on practicing for the MMI now.

 

[ga1717]

I suspect it’ll be a DMI interview. What do you specifically want to know about the role apart from its driving intermodal trains?

Do you know the frequency of night work? I understand Freight work can be more unsociable.

Do they come around in a link on the roster or is it predominantly night work with the occasional week of early/late shifts etc

 

[Unobrow]

Yes there are r

Do you know the frequency of night work? I understand Freight work can be more unsociable.

Do they come around in a link on the roster or is it predominantly night work with the occasional week of early/late shifts etc

Yes the work is rostered, and centres around start time bands Of 8 hr windows. So band A, you can start anytime between 0000-0800 etc. There is a good mix of shifts in that respect, not just predominantly nights for instance. although there are quite a few dark o’clock shifts. As you correctly say, it’s freight, nature of the beast. Crewe is a large driver depot so plenty of work with a not too bad route card for a bit of variaction. OT is available, more so at holiday times.

 

[piers1234]

Yes there are r

Yes the work is rostered, and centres around start time bands Of 8 hr windows. So band A, you can start anytime between 0000-0800 etc. There is a good mix of shifts in that respect, not just predominantly nights for instance. although there are quite a few dark o’clock shifts. As you correctly say, it’s freight, nature of the beast. Crewe is a large driver depot so plenty of work with a not too bad route card for a bit of variaction. OT is available, more so at holiday times.

I didn't think IM had time bands? I thought that was heavy haul.

 

[BarryGrant]

I didn't think IM had time bands? I thought that was heavy haul.

Correct, IM is booked work similar to passenger rosters.

 

[Unobrow]

I didn't think IM had time bands? I thought that was heavy haul.

Yes, apologies. I was thinking of the HH/HM workings

 

[Brick79]

I see the unsociable hours thing a lot but always slightly disagree for the IM side, whilst there is a variety of night shifts the first/last shifts on tocs often aren't great and it's rare to work weekends in IM. Personally i'm happy to work some nights if it means working about 1/4 saturdays and no sundays +bank holidays (mostly) off which is what I've seen a most depots.

Like mentioned for IM you will work off a 3 month roster so will know ahead of time what shifts you're on, current T&Cs mean you can't be moved from that shift unless the movement is less than 1hr from the rostered time or you agree to the movement (and extra money that comes with that)

 

[ga1717]

Thank you all for the info/replies.

 

[s01omorg]

I also had a DMI, on the 12th June. I passed all psychometric tests with a TOC last year but failed the MMI, which I mentioned in the interview. I've not heard anything since. My application still says active on the FL site so hoping I passed and they're just testing other candidates first.

 

[Pioneer]

I also had a DMI, on the 12th June. I passed all psychometric tests with a TOC last year but failed the MMI, which I mentioned in the interview. I've not heard anything since. My application still says active on the FL site so hoping I passed and they're just testing other candidates first.

What TOC because if it wasn't to enhanced standard they might want you to do extra bits that FL require.

 

[s01omorg]

What TOC because if it wasn't to enhanced standard they might want you to do extra bits that FL require.

It was South Western.

 

[Pioneer]

It was South Western.

Not sure if its helpful but this list shows the enhanced and national pass for TOCs and FOCs
OPC information on which TOCs require Standard or Enhanced: https://www.theopc.co.uk/files/ADVICE_Train_Driver_Standards.pdf

 

[s01omorg]

Not sure if its helpful but this list shows the enhanced and national pass for TOCs and FOCs
OPC information on which TOCs require Standard or Enhanced: https://www.theopc.co.uk/files/ADVICE_Train_Driver_Standards.pdf

Cheers for that. I guess there's no way of knowing to what level I passed my SWR assessments, so I'll just continue waiting. I'd hope I'll get a response at some point to the interview, even if it turns out it's a no.

 

[samuel jackson]

I suspect it’ll be a DMI interview. What do you specifically want to know about the role apart from its driving intermodal trains?

Thanks for the reply.

Tbf I spend half my time being conducted by ex freightliner drivers but many of them have been around since most of the work was running coal. They're offering enough info on what to expect of the role though I expect it has changed.

My invite didn't specify what the day would entail and reading here got me wondering if assessment batteries would be part of the process. Want to be as prepared as I can. Cheers again.

 

[Pioneer]

It’s not unknown to have all the tests on one day, although I’m not sure if it’s company dependant or just down to the OPC being under pressure. Some companies do also do the DMI sooner rather than at the end. I’d assume they don’t want to pay for the testing for candidates they don’t see as suitable.

Don’t let it stress you, at least you won’t have to do a second day of worrying about stage 2. Although I think anyone that doesn’t pass each test as they go along, gets sent home accordingl. Again, it just saves you waiting and stressing about results, at least you’ll know there and then.

Just go prepared with plenty of food (and drink if you want), you’ll get a good amount of breaks in between to get a drink and go to the toilet.

Plenty of good guidance on here for the tests, get your head into the practice materials and understand what you need to do. Being that prepared is most of the battle.

(Please read before posting!) Welcome to Jobs and Careers.

Welcome to the Jobs and Careers Forum This forum is here to help members discuss careers and job opportunities across the railway industry. We hope you find the information useful and feel comfortable joining the discussion. What this forum is for This forum covers a wide range of jobs and...

www.railforums.co.uk

Thank you for the advice, I passed Stage 1,2 and DFFT today. Did the MMI and will find out in due course how that went.

 

[s01omorg]

Thank you for the advice, I passed Stage 1,2 and DFFT today. Did the MMI and will find out in due course how that went.

Fingers crossed for you

 

[20atthemagnet]

Do you know the frequency of night work? I understand Freight work can be more unsociable.

Do they come around in a link on the roster or is it predominantly night work with the occasional week of early/late shifts etc

IM is literally freight in name only. I do nights every 6 weeks and have every weekend off basically. There is 1 Saturday job accross 13 weeks and one Sunday, average 4 day week, 10 weeks on 3 weeks off including a week of AL. I was TOC previously for 15 years and the work here is farcical in comparison. I was on night every 8 weeks at my TOC and they were driving high intensity work. Nights here you’re either driving one train or simply twiddling your thumbs waiting for the first passenger services to open up to get you home after driving a train to somewhere. If there’s engineering work you’re booked a taxi. Hardly hard graft. I loathe nights and have started to not mind them at all at IM. Im not at Crewe but the general format applies accross IM. Its basically TOC format in terms of diagramming and rostering, but without passengers. If you were Heavy Haul Rail or GBRF that would be a completely different kettle of fish, although HHR have banding which is MUCH more forgiving. The guys who TUPed over from Heavy Haul during the slplit still have this but have their own link.

 

[martin2345uk]

I concur, I was an IM driver and in terms of rostering I thought it was pretty great!