Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Sotac464]

What exactly did it consist of/how long was it if you don’t mind my asking?

General questions about your health any medication you are on, be honest, Eye test, hearing test which was hard, colour blindness test, ecg 12 pads, blood pressure which was high, way higher than usual which wasn't surprising considering i had little to eat and drink and it was roasting.

Urine sample which is tested there if all is fine it gets sent off to the lab for a deeper analysis. Woman said I passed it and could hand my notice in, I said no not until urine sample comes back clean.

As with everything in the railway its a waiting game, I just want to hand my notice in this week and leave next Friday.

 

[ollie_3D]

General questions about your health any medication you are on, be honest, Eye test, hearing test which was hard, colour blindness test, ecg 12 pads, blood pressure which was high, way higher than usual which wasn't surprising considering i had little to eat and drink and it was roasting.

Urine sample which is tested there if all is fine it gets sent off to the lab for a deeper analysis. Woman said I passed it and could hand my notice in, I said no not until urine sample comes back clean.

As with everything in the railway its a waiting game, I just want to hand my notice in this week and leave next Friday.

Not too bad then, will see what Wednesday morning brings haha

 

[GemmaLouise]

Had my DMI today, pleased to say I got a positive call and I’ve been offered the role. No training dates as of yet but understand it’ll probably be January. Thanks all for anything posted on this forum, it’s helped a lot

Well done, huge congrats to you, you must be super excited.
What would your advice be for others preparing for their DMI?
I know lots of people have shared their tips but it's nice to have different perspectives from people as everyone may have a slightly different experience.
I have my MMI coming up soon but have slowly and gradually been preparing for my DMI so I'm not overwhelmed when I do hopefully get the invite.

 

[typicalalex1]

Well done, huge congrats to you, you must be super excited.
What would your advice be for others preparing for their DMI?
I know lots of people have shared their tips but it's nice to have different perspectives from people as everyone may have a slightly different experience.
I have my MMI coming up soon but have slowly and gradually been preparing for my DMI so I'm not overwhelmed when I do hopefully get the invite.

I would put all of your effort into the MMI and wouldn't worry about the DMI just yet. You could be waiting several weeks for an invite the DMI.

 

[WillyT]

Does anyone know what the success rate of passing the MMI is? Does anyone know if many people fail it?

 

[Sotac464]

Anyone on here starting 3rd of August?

 

[Folkestonechap]

Anyone on here starting 3rd of August?

7th September here.

 

[Sotac464]

Urine sample all clear.

I start the course on the 3rd of August.

So excited, I never thought this would happen, but it absolutely can if you believe in yourself, even after knock backs.

Always here to help if I can, good luck everyone, especially to the people starting training soon, hope to see you around.

 

[ollie_3D]

Urine sample all clear, signed the contract I am handing my notice in tomorrow to finish next Friday.

A few days in lake Como with my son before I start the course on the 3rd of August.

So excited, I never thought this would happen, but it absolutely can if you believe in yourself, even after knock backs.

Always here to help if I can, good luck everyone, especially to the people starting training soon, hope to see you around.

Massive congratulations!! You’re gonna smash training!
I’m so excited to start myself, got my medical tomorrow then hopefully I can sign the contract like yourself

 

[Twin82]

Urine sample all clear, signed the contract I am handing my notice in tomorrow to finish next Friday.

A few days in lake Como with my son before I start the course on the 3rd of August.

So excited, I never thought this would happen, but it absolutely can if you believe in yourself, even after knock backs.

Always here to help if I can, good luck everyone, especially to the people starting training soon, hope to see you around.

Congratulations to you bro!!! A job well done!!! Well deserved!! I wish you and everyone whose passed the very best in the future!!!

 

[typicalalex1]

7th September here.

Me too. Counting down the days.

 

[CFRAIL]

Urine sample all clear, signed the contract I am handing my notice in tomorrow to finish next Friday.

A few days in lake Como with my son before I start the course on the 3rd of August.

So excited, I never thought this would happen, but it absolutely can if you believe in yourself, even after knock backs.

Always here to help if I can, good luck everyone, especially to the people starting training soon, hope to see you around.

Congratulations!

 

[jjjjjjonny]

Passed my DMI! So relieved as I honestly didn't feel I did that great.

7th September here.

I've been put down for the 7th too providing I pass my medical etc, is it at Ashford or Orpington?

Thanks very much for all your help in here guys and good luck to those applying!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2026 ==

Urine sample all clear, signed the contract I am handing my notice in tomorrow to finish next Friday.

A few days in lake Como with my son before I start the course on the 3rd of August.

So excited, I never thought this would happen, but it absolutely can if you believe in yourself, even after knock backs.

Always here to help if I can, good luck everyone, especially to the people starting training soon, hope to see you around.

Congrats!!

 

[Folkestonechap]

Passed my DMI! So relieved as I honestly didn't feel I did that great.

I've been put down for the 7th too providing I pass my medical etc, is it at Ashford or Orpington?

Thanks very much for all your help in here guys and good luck to those applying!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2026 ==


Congrats!!

Mines going to be at Ashford.

 

[newbiewannabe]

Urine sample all clear.

I start the course on the 3rd of August.

So excited, I never thought this would happen, but it absolutely can if you believe in yourself, even after knock backs.

Always here to help if I can, good luck everyone, especially to the people starting training soon, hope to see you around.

Congratulations!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2026 ==

Passed my DMI! So relieved as I honestly didn't feel I did that great.

I've been put down for the 7th too providing I pass my medical etc, is it at Ashford or Orpington?

Thanks very much for all your help in here guys and good luck to those applying!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2026 ==


Congrats!!

Congratulations!!

 

[ollie_3D]

I passed the main part of my medical today, just waiting on the result of the drugs and alcohol urine sample which should be a negative anyways so fingers crossed next week I’ll be signing my contract

 

[Sotac464]

I passed the main part of my medical today, just waiting on the result of the drugs and alcohol urine sample which should be a negative anyways so fingers crossed next week I’ll be signing my contract

Well done mate. Excellent news I had my contract emailed over, their is quite a lot you have to fill out, basic DBS, HMRC, Reference, application for your free travel.

 

[Chibi_robo]

Anyone on here starting 3rd of August?

Yes I am

 

[Sotac464]

Yes I am

Ohhh hello brilliant

 

[Twin82]

So I had my DMI yesterday for the Victoria/Charing X depots and am excited to say that I have passed! This thread has been instrumental in my whole progress. Thanks to the people who continue to share their experiences after going through the whole process. Special thanks to Sotac who has always been helpful and patient. God bless you all.

I just want to say to all aspiring train drivers, you don’t have to be super smart or well spoken. Work hard,ask questions even if you think they’re silly. I am lucky enough to be a bus driver, which a few of our routes changeover in Victoria. I would use my lunch break to find drivers to speak to. Was lucky enough to speak to a depot manager. I found the ideal drivers to speak to were the ones who recently gone through the process. Things have changed considerably since the senior drivers gone through it.

Find strong answers for the questions, have a good reason why do you want to be a train driver, why SE, research the company well, and very important, have smart questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, nothing to do with pay or perks. Get enough sleep the night before, and get there early. Thank you and good lucky to all!!!

 

[mickeyC]

So I had my DMI yesterday for the Victoria/Charing X depots and am excited to say that I have passed! This thread has been instrumental in my whole progress. Thanks to the people who continue to share their experiences after going through the whole process. Special thanks to Sotac who has always been helpful and patient. God bless you all.

I just want to say to all aspiring train drivers, you don’t have to be super smart or well spoken. Work hard,ask questions even if you think they’re silly. I am lucky enough to be a bus driver, which a few of our routes changeover in Victoria. I would use my lunch break to find drivers to speak to. Was lucky enough to speak to a depot manager. I found the ideal drivers to speak to were the ones who recently gone through the process. Things have changed considerably since the senior drivers gone through it.

Find strong answers for the questions, have a good reason why do you want to be a train driver, why SE, research the company well, and very important, have smart questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, nothing to do with pay or perks. Get enough sleep the night before, and get there early. Thank you and good lucky to all!!!

Congratulations on passing, everything you’ve said is spot on.

 

[Twin82]

Congratulations on passing, everything you’ve said is spot on.

Thanks MickeyC. You’ve been a great help as well.

 

[jjjjjjonny]

So I had my DMI yesterday for the Victoria/Charing X depots and am excited to say that I have passed! This thread has been instrumental in my whole progress. Thanks to the people who continue to share their experiences after going through the whole process. Special thanks to Sotac who has always been helpful and patient. God bless you all.

I just want to say to all aspiring train drivers, you don’t have to be super smart or well spoken. Work hard,ask questions even if you think they’re silly. I am lucky enough to be a bus driver, which a few of our routes changeover in Victoria. I would use my lunch break to find drivers to speak to. Was lucky enough to speak to a depot manager. I found the ideal drivers to speak to were the ones who recently gone through the process. Things have changed considerably since the senior drivers gone through it.

Find strong answers for the questions, have a good reason why do you want to be a train driver, why SE, research the company well, and very important, have smart questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, nothing to do with pay or perks. Get enough sleep the night before, and get there early. Thank you and good lucky to all!!!

Congrats on passing and see you out there! I'm also an ex bus driver which I think was pretty handy for answering the questions.

 

[Twin82]

Congrats on passing and see you out there! I'm also an ex bus driver which I think was pretty handy for answering the questions.

Thank you! Ok nice! What company and depot were you? I agree the bus driving background was indeed really handy. And for sure! See you out there

 

[Sotac464]

So I had my DMI yesterday for the Victoria/Charing X depots and am excited to say that I have passed! This thread has been instrumental in my whole progress. Thanks to the people who continue to share their experiences after going through the whole process. Special thanks to Sotac who has always been helpful and patient. God bless you all.

I just want to say to all aspiring train drivers, you don’t have to be super smart or well spoken. Work hard,ask questions even if you think they’re silly. I am lucky enough to be a bus driver, which a few of our routes changeover in Victoria. I would use my lunch break to find drivers to speak to. Was lucky enough to speak to a depot manager. I found the ideal drivers to speak to were the ones who recently gone through the process. Things have changed considerably since the senior drivers gone through it.

Find strong answers for the questions, have a good reason why do you want to be a train driver, why SE, research the company well, and very important, have smart questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, nothing to do with pay or perks. Get enough sleep the night before, and get there early. Thank you and good lucky to all!!!

Well done mate that is brilliant, hopefully see you around.

 

[ollie_3D]

So I had my DMI yesterday for the Victoria/Charing X depots and am excited to say that I have passed! This thread has been instrumental in my whole progress. Thanks to the people who continue to share their experiences after going through the whole process. Special thanks to Sotac who has always been helpful and patient. God bless you all.

I just want to say to all aspiring train drivers, you don’t have to be super smart or well spoken. Work hard,ask questions even if you think they’re silly. I am lucky enough to be a bus driver, which a few of our routes changeover in Victoria. I would use my lunch break to find drivers to speak to. Was lucky enough to speak to a depot manager. I found the ideal drivers to speak to were the ones who recently gone through the process. Things have changed considerably since the senior drivers gone through it.

Find strong answers for the questions, have a good reason why do you want to be a train driver, why SE, research the company well, and very important, have smart questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, nothing to do with pay or perks. Get enough sleep the night before, and get there early. Thank you and good lucky to all!!!

Massive congratulations!! Hopefully I see you around!

 

[CFRAIL]

So I had my DMI yesterday for the Victoria/Charing X depots and am excited to say that I have passed! This thread has been instrumental in my whole progress. Thanks to the people who continue to share their experiences after going through the whole process. Special thanks to Sotac who has always been helpful and patient. God bless you all.

I just want to say to all aspiring train drivers, you don’t have to be super smart or well spoken. Work hard,ask questions even if you think they’re silly. I am lucky enough to be a bus driver, which a few of our routes changeover in Victoria. I would use my lunch break to find drivers to speak to. Was lucky enough to speak to a depot manager. I found the ideal drivers to speak to were the ones who recently gone through the process. Things have changed considerably since the senior drivers gone through it.

Find strong answers for the questions, have a good reason why do you want to be a train driver, why SE, research the company well, and very important, have smart questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, nothing to do with pay or perks. Get enough sleep the night before, and get there early. Thank you and good lucky to all!!!

Great news, well done!

 

[jjjjjjonny]

I'm slightly concerned about the hearing test on the medical. Can somebody tell me what it consists of and if they test both ears independently or just together? My right ear is much weaker than my left...

 

[ollie_3D]

I'm slightly concerned about the hearing test on the medical. Can somebody tell me what it consists of and if they test both ears independently or just together? My right ear is much weaker than my left...

It’s not too bad, they sit you in a sound proof box/room where you’ve got a set of thick headphones and a button that you hold. The test lasts roughly 5/10 minutes and it plays a variety of sounds at different volumes/frequencies in each ear independently, you press the button every time you think you hear a sound. They’ll spend 4/5 mins on the left ear then move to the right ear. The sounds are really quiet (obviously) and to be honest I thought I failed mine but it turns out the lady said I had excellent hearing so you should be fine!

 

[jjjjjjonny]

It’s not too bad, they sit you in a sound proof box/room where you’ve got a set of thick headphones and a button that you hold. The test lasts roughly 5/10 minutes and it plays a variety of sounds at different volumes/frequencies in each ear independently, you press the button every time you think you hear a sound. They’ll spend 4/5 mins on the left ear then move to the right ear. The sounds are really quiet (obviously) and to be honest I thought I failed mine but it turns out the lady said I had excellent hearing so you should be fine!

Okay, I'll do some online hearing tests and see how I get on! Thanks.