A career as a train driver

[Twin82]

You should smash the DMI, congrats on passing your MMI. My DMI was super chilled, didn’t feel like an interview at all.

Congrats what company and depot did you apply to?

 

[Jaytee1977]

Congrats what company and depot did you apply to?

Trans Pennine express for Scarborough depot

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jul 2026 ==

You should smash the DMI, congrats on passing your MMI. My DMI was super chilled, didn’t feel like an interview at all.

Thanks. The MMI was the first interview I've ever had due to jobs and industry I've been in
Really intense I thought.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jul 2026 ==

You should smash the DMI, congrats on passing your MMI. My DMI was super chilled, didn’t feel like an interview at all.

I'm not getting ahead of myself but how long and how intense is the classroom based training. Is there weekly exams that need passing? Can you give me a sense of the difficulty of the course?

 

[mickeyC]

Trans Pennine express for Scarborough depot

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jul 2026 ==


Thanks. The MMI was the first interview I've ever had due to jobs and industry I've been in
Really intense I thought.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jul 2026 ==


I'm not getting ahead of myself but how long and how intense is the classroom based training. Is there weekly exams that need passing? Can you give me a sense of the difficulty of the course?

The classroom rules and regs for Southeastern are approx 12 weeks and very intense, we had the following exams
Security 90% pass mark
PTS 90% pass mark
PTI multiple choice 80% pass mark
We’ve been told that our trainers want us to be in the 90-95% pass mark minimum for Mods 1-4
Mod 1 A and B 80% pass mark
Mod 2 A and B again 80%
Mod 3 A and B 80%
Mod 4 A and B 80%
PTI written 90%
Mod 5 A and B 90% pass mark

You’re basically having exams every couple of weeks.
Then you’ve got Traction exams after that which last 2-4 weeks depending on the different trains you could drive and that’s got more assessments after to pass out and then you get to drive a train with a DI (driving instructor) and learn your routes.
Roughly 12-18 months from classroom to driving on your own.

 

[Twin82]

The classroom rules and regs for Southeastern are approx 12 weeks and very intense, we had the following exams
Security 90% pass mark
PTS 90% pass mark
PTI multiple choice 80% pass mark
We’ve been told that our trainers want us to be in the 90-95% pass mark minimum for Mods 1-4
Mod 1 A and B 80% pass mark
Mod 2 A and B again 80%
Mod 3 A and B 80%
Mod 4 A and B 80%
PTI written 90%
Mod 5 A and B 90% pass mark

You’re basically having exams every couple of weeks.
Then you’ve got Traction exams after that which last 2-4 weeks depending on the different trains you could drive and that’s got more assessments after to pass out and then you get to drive a train with a DI (driving instructor) and learn your routes.
Roughly 12-18 months from classroom to driving on your own.

Wow. Seems really intense. I know you’re not fully there yet, but do you know if you are required to remember everything even after passing out? I asked because as a bus driver, we are taught a lot, some of which I personally haven’t come across, or perhaps an old system that’s obsolete but for knowledge purposes, it is still taught.

 

[mickeyC]

Wow. Seems really intense. I know you’re not fully there yet, but do you know if you are required to remember everything even after passing out? I asked because as a bus driver, we are taught a lot, some of which I personally haven’t come across, or perhaps an old system that’s obsolete but for knowledge purposes, it is still taught.

Yes you’re still required to retain all knowledge after passing out.
During your 225 driving hours you’ll go back to classroom and take Mod 5 test again after 6 months and then again after another year then I think it’s every 2 years after that continually.

 

[driver9000]

Wow. Seems really intense. I know you’re not fully there yet, but do you know if you are required to remember everything even after passing out? I asked because as a bus driver, we are taught a lot, some of which I personally haven’t come across, or perhaps an old system that’s obsolete but for knowledge purposes, it is still taught.

It is intense and the courses are designed to take you from street to seat. Yes you're expected to remember it all and you'll be assessed on your rules knowledge regularly. I have been driving for 20 years and there's procedures in the rule book I've never had to do in practice but I'm still assessed on it during my rules exam every 2 years.

 

[Dieseldriver]

Wow. Seems really intense. I know you’re not fully there yet, but do you know if you are required to remember everything even after passing out? I asked because as a bus driver, we are taught a lot, some of which I personally haven’t come across, or perhaps an old system that’s obsolete but for knowledge purposes, it is still taught.

Why would you be expected to go through all that effort to learn something and then just forget it? Why do you think there is so much information for you to learn if not to retain for the occasions you need it whilst carrying out your job?

 

[Twin82]

Why would you be expected to go through all that effort to learn something and then just forget it? Why do you think there is so much information for you to learn if not to retain for the occasions you need it whilst carrying out your job?

Thank you mickey and driver9000

 

[Jaytee1977]

Soun

The classroom rules and regs for Southeastern are approx 12 weeks and very intense, we had the following exams
Security 90% pass mark
PTS 90% pass mark
PTI multiple choice 80% pass mark
We’ve been told that our trainers want us to be in the 90-95% pass mark minimum for Mods 1-4
Mod 1 A and B 80% pass mark
Mod 2 A and B again 80%
Mod 3 A and B 80%
Mod 4 A and B 80%
PTI written 90%
Mod 5 A and B 90% pass mark

You’re basically having exams every couple of weeks.
Then you’ve got Traction exams after that which last 2-4 weeks depending on the different trains you could drive and that’s got more assessments after to pass out and then you get to drive a train with a DI (driving instructor) and learn your routes.
Roughly 12-18 months from classroom to driving on your own

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jul 2026 ==

Sounds like every night will be spent revising and regurgitating the rule book and procedures. Been a while since I've been in an intense classroom environment let's hope my information retention is still up to scratch

 

[Unobrow]

Soun


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 13 Jul 2026 ==

Sounds like every night will be spent revising and regurgitating the rule book and procedures. Been a while since I've been in an intense classroom environment let's hope my information retention is still up to scratch

It is intensive, and will require plenty of evening time. Our group tended to relax after class, have tea, then go over the days work. If anyone was struggling with anything, we’d all bat it about to ensure everyone was understanding it the same. Plenty of people have lost their opportunity by thinking it’s a breeze and its playtime. I’m sure your instructors will embellish you with such tales of unbelievable woe!! By all means have a beer and a chill, but remember why you’re there and the task in hand.

You’ll be surprised what does sink in in a good team environment. Good luck.

 

[Jaytee1977]

It is intensive, and will require plenty of evening time. Our group tended to relax after class, have tea, then go over the days work. If anyone was struggling with anything, we’d all bat it about to ensure everyone was understanding it the same. Plenty of people have lost their opportunity by thinking it’s a breeze and its playtime. I’m sure your instructors will embellish you with such tales of unbelievable woe!! By all means have a beer and a chill, but remember why you’re there and the task in hand.

You’ll be surprised what does sink in in a good team environment. Good luck.

Cheers. Yeah you are right. If the group works as a team and helps each other then it will improve everyone's information retention

 

[Waterlooville]

I have asked about the attrition rate for this classroom training in SWR (I am soon to start) and have been told it is near on 98% that get through and you have to be a total nugget / try hard to fail it. I think by the time people get to training, they have been through the entire journey of assessements and interviews sufficient enough to be committed, and tested for trainability.

 

[Horizon22]

I have asked about the attrition rate for this classroom training in SWR (I am soon to start) and have been told it is near on 98% that get through and you have to be a total nugget / try hard to fail it.

Yes, it is drilled in early on in the classroom that this will be intensive and you need to pay attention and revise as well. As said above, most cohorts will work well together and help each other out for those that struggle on certain topics. Everyone learns differently and some will find the process easier than others. You get in what you put out. Those that fail the training almost always bluntly put, deserve to.

 

[Jaytee1977]

Yeah handy to know and yes dedication and team work and effort sounds like the key to success on the course

 

[mickeyC]

Yeah handy to know and yes dedication and team work and effort sounds like the key to success on the course

100% dedication and team work.
our group (10) have all passed mod 5 today and it’s all down to mucking in and helping each other out.

 

[Jaytee1977]

100% dedication and team work.
our group (10) have all passed mod 5 today and it’s all down to mucking in and helping each other out.

Congratulations and good to know mate

 

[Twin82]

100% dedication and team work.
our group (10) have all passed mod 5 today and it’s all down to mucking in and helping each other out.

Well done mate. Sounds like a nice bunch of people you got in your group.

 

[LoveNoThotties]

Not particularly, what’s your local area and I’m sure either myself/someone else could chip in?

I'm based in Bedfordshire if that helps, thanks a lot

 

[s01omorg]

Gotta love the railway industry. You jump on a job advert for Depot Driver that is the only one depot within your location. Drop everything immediately to get the application in and complete the SJT. Advert is pulled within the day and you begin the hopeful wait. Then days later they tell you it was advertised by mistake and they're not recruiting for that role. Fantastic!

 

[Waterlooville]

Gotta love the railway industry. You jump on a job advert for Depot Driver that is the only one depot within your location. Drop everything immediately to get the application in and complete the SJT. Advert is pulled within the day and you begin the hopeful wait. Then days later they tell you it was advertised by mistake and they're not recruiting for that role. Fantastic!

Was that with SWR? I saw that advert. But naughty really. They have advertised a lot of trainee driver roles too, and re released them a few times

 

[Rydo 98]

Afternoon all,

I have my medical on Thursday and I'm due to start in June.

I'm just wondering what the take is on supplementation usage, Creatine, Zinc etc. Do any of you guys take them and have you ever had any issues re: flagging up on drug tests.

Hi, How are you finding the training? any tips.

 

[Rydo 98]

Good afternoon, pending a successful medical I start in the classroom in June for a trainee driver job at Waverley for ScotRail. I’ve read all the tips regarding taking plenty of notes, listening and asking questions, revising, and not reading ahead. I’m just wondering about the kit drivers get issued with and if there’s anything outside it I ought to think about other items worth investing in?

How are you finding the training?

 

[s01omorg]

Was that with SWR? I saw that advert. But naughty really. They have advertised a lot of trainee driver roles too, and re released them a few times

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jul 2026 ==

It was. It just messes with your mind. And the spelling mistakes in the email didn't help!!

 

[Rohmeric]

You should smash the DMI, congrats on passing your MMI. My DMI was super chilled, didn’t feel like an interview at all.

Hey guys normally during a DMI how many competency based questions do you normally get asked?

 

[Sotac464]

Hey guys normally during a DMI how many competency based questions do you normally get asked?

3

 

[vc99]

Hey, need some help. How do you know if you should go for freight or passenger? I want to do both essentially as i like the idea of both. Is the transition more from freight to passenger rather than the other way, is there any people that have done both... that could give me an insight please? Thanks

 

[CarineNoctua]

How are you finding the training?

I’ve just finished the fifth week and I’m really enjoying it. We have had a really good mix of practical (simulators/ cab turns/ unit familiarisation in a depot) and theory (classroom and PowerPoints).

I’ve been in the railway for a little under three years so I’m going into this with a *tiny* bit of knowledge which I think has helped but saying that, the two externals have come in and hit the ground running.

 

[Rohmeric]

3

No way?! i thought more like 5-8

 

[Twin82]

No way?! i thought more like 5-8

Maybe it varies from company to company. for southeastern I had 3, just like Sotac said.we were given a core question bank comprising of 30 questions split between their 3 ways of working. So we were given a question from each of the 3 categories. What company did you apply to?

 

[Waterlooville]

Hey guys normally during a DMI how many competency based questions do you normally get asked?I ot

Hey guys normally during a DMI how many competency based questions do you normally get asked?

It was 8 questions for me, and the interview lasted an hour, with various other questions about the TOC and stats also asked.