West Midlands Trains (inc. LNWR) - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Spider1806]

Y

Yes you would if you failed to pass the tests to even the basic score, you can take and pass them as many times as you like, you can only fail them 3 times.
If you fail to meet the enhanced score you would lose a life with that toc but not overall if you passed just to national again.
As someone said enhanced may not be extra tests but higher scores, if you were to fail the test at basic level it will overwrite you're current pass

Ok I get you

For people who passed them previous to last year that would mean only 2 life’s then so if you failed at enhanced you would have no life’s left?

 

[IndegoMouse]

Ok I get you

For people who passed them previous to last year that would mean only 2 life’s then so if you failed at enhanced you would have no life’s left?

as long as you pass at national level you are fine

 

[Pintman]

Just seems unfair on anyone who has passed and then because you are retested you then fail potentially

But you need to be retested for that operator because you haven't met their standard. Or, if you don't want to, you can simply not resit and keep your national pass. Your call

 

[Spider1806]

But you need to be retested for that operator because you haven't met their standard. Or, if you don't want to, you can simply not resit and keep your national pass. Your call

West Midlands have removed DFFT so I assume you will just have to meet their standard on the tests required

I get you have to be retested if required

 

[Drivingtales]

I have a question for already qualified and/or trainee on the end of their training .... I've heard that even if you pass all assessments and get an offer, there is still high percentage of trainee who would not get signed off, I knew there is a final exam which you must successfully pass to become qualified train driver, but didn't know there are also assessments through training where people are still dropped after not passing 80% required pass? Can someone confirm or explain how it really is?

Yes this is correct... you are assessed all the way through with exams etc... if you are training with WMT they are two strikes and your out... other tocs are not so harsh and work with you to help you pass the assessments.

 

[xenomorth45]

Still waiting on hearing about the online sift for Wolves, anyone else heard?

 

[t_564]

Ive heard back for the next stage after passing the initial sift. Ive got psychometrics held already and it was just an email stating im in a talent pool awaiting DMI. This is for Birmingham.

 

[Spider1806]

I am seeing a lot of guys in here saying they have gone straight into DMI pool

I have passed psychometrics but got an email saying previous

We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed the OPC sift stage. You are now in our Talent Pool, awaiting STAGE 1 OPC testing. At this time, we do not have any confirmed dates for the next stage. You do not need to tell us about any OPC testing you have undertaken, this is checked with the OPC and you will only be asked to sit the testing that you need.

So I assume that is not good?

 

[t_564]

I am seeing a lot of guys in here saying they have gone straight into DMI pool

I have passed psychometrics but got an email saying previous

We are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed the OPC sift stage. You are now in our Talent Pool, awaiting STAGE 1 OPC testing. At this time, we do not have any confirmed dates for the next stage. You do not need to tell us about any OPC testing you have undertaken, this is checked with the OPC and you will only be asked to sit the testing that you need.

So I assume that is not good?

I presume that you have not passed them to West Midlands Enhanced standard. They require a higher pass mark on the tests than the national standard. So you'll most likely have to retake some or all the tests depending on what they say to you before hand.

The good thing is you have passed the sift, the ones which they require as a higher pass mark within the OPC stage, ensure you keep your practice up with them

 

[Spider1806]

I presume that you have not passed them to West Midlands Enhanced standard. They require a higher pass mark on the tests than the national standard. So you'll most likely have to retake some or all the tests depending on what they say to you before hand.

The good thing is you have passed the sift, the ones which they require as a higher pass mark within the OPC stage, ensure you keep your practice up with them

Being honest it’s been a while since I have done then in 2024

Any help on what they are the written ones specially

Group bourdon but I can’t really remember the others

Computers ones I remember

 

[t_564]

Being honest it’s been a while since I have done then in 2024

Any help on what they are the written ones specially

Group bourdon but I can’t really remember the others

Computers ones I remember

There are many sources In this thread.

Group bourdon - Dots

Tea occ - tones and plumbers/restaurant symbol search

TRP 1b and 2 - Memory tests

 

[Spider1806]

There are many sources In this thread.

Group bourdon - Dots

Tea occ - tones and plumbers/restaurant symbol search

TRP 1b and 2 - Memory tests

I remember there was someone who detailed it all but can’t find it from a a year ago or so very detailed

Can’t find it now

 

[Nella]

Ive heard back for the next stage after passing the initial sift. Ive got psychometrics held already and it was just an email stating im in a talent pool awaiting DMI. This is for Birmingham.

yeah I havent heard anything yet for my Online sift, will be 2 weeks this Saturday from deadline. Coventry depot, I guess they have proceed first the ones who were already in the system, or they are doing it in batches, the waiting on results is the worst part I found so far. grrrrrrh

 

[Local]

So, I applied in 2024, passed the online sifts and then passed stage 1 to the higher standard. During stage 2 I failed the MMI on question 6 but passed the other 5 and all the other testing that day to the higher standard.

I’ve waited 12 months, re applied been successful and passed the online sift yet I am being invited to sit stage 1 again and start from the beginning. Does this sound right? I thought I would be invited back, if application was successful straight to the MMI. Any advice appreciated.

 

[IndegoMouse]

So, I applied in 2024, passed the online sifts and then passed stage 1 to the higher standard. During stage 2 I failed the MMI on question 6 but passed the other 5 and all the other testing that day to the higher standard.

I’ve waited 12 months, re applied been successful and passed the online sift yet I am being invited to sit stage 1 again and start from the beginning. Does this sound right? I thought I would be invited back, if application was successful straight to the MMI. Any advice appreciated.

you should only have to re sit the tests you didn't pass to their required standard. Did you get confirmation of what you didn't pass on last time?

 

[Local]

you should only have to re sit the tests you didn't pass to their required standard. Did you get confirmation of what you didn't pass on last time?

Yes I did, I passed all stage 1 to the enhanced standard. Stage 2 I passed all computer tests that day to the enhanced standard but failed on one question on MMI on both standards. All 5 other questions were passed to the high standard. Im just worried that a silly little mistake and I am waiting 5 years.

 

[Spider1806]

Bit like me I have asked WMT and OPC what tests do I need to do and they won’t confirm, practice for all they say, but you could show up and it’s one that you need to do

 

[IndegoMouse]

Yes I did, I passed all stage 1 to the enhanced standard. Stage 2 I passed all computer tests that day to the enhanced standard but failed on one question on MMI on both standards. All 5 other questions were passed to the high standard. Im just worried that a silly little mistake and I am waiting 5 years.

you should just have to re do MMI then, the OPC to check this out and will request your national insurance number

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jul 2026 ==

Bit like me I have asked WMT and OPC what tests do I need to do and they won’t confirm, practice for all they say, but you could show up and it’s one that you need to do

when I did mine one person was there to do re do tests and only had to do one test. The examiner changed the day around so we did the test he needed to do first so he could complete it and leave

 

[Spider1806]

you should just have to re do MMI then, the OPC to check this out and will request your national insurance number

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jul 2026 ==


when I did mine one person was there to do re do tests and only had to do one test. The examiner changed the day around so we did the test he needed to do first so he could complete it and leave

I get that but the fact they can’t tell you before hand

I have asked and they have refused to say which tests you need to sit

 

[IndegoMouse]

I get that but the fact they can’t tell you before hand

I have asked and they have refused to say which tests you need to sit

have you spoke directly to OPC

 

[Spider1806]

have you spoke directly to OPC

Sent an email and they have not responded a lady that emailed me previous with the sifting

WMT have responded with we will not tell you and can’t tell you

 

[Penguin80]

I get that but the fact they can’t tell you before hand

I have asked and they have refused to say which tests you need to sit

When I did mine there was a lady who came to OPC stage 1 and then 10 minutes later she got told she didn't have to do these tests as she had already passed them and was going to go to stage 2 so she left lol

 

[sjberry3]

Did you apply in Jan 2025?

Yup!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Jul 2026 ==

No still nothing on Shrewsbury from me either.

Anything yet?

 

[Trains101]

Hi all just wanted to ask the people who have been offered roles in the past 24 months. What is your age if you don’t mind me asking as I’d like to know if they are hiring younger staff or more experienced.

 

[IndegoMouse]

Hi all just wanted to ask the people who have been offered roles in the past 24 months. What is your age if you don’t mind me asking as I’d like to know if they are hiring younger staff or more experienced.

Unfortunately I was not hired, however age is not a factor in the selection process. As long as you display the correct mindset and competencies you will be fine. The average age for a new driver is around 40 but I have seen plenty younger and older drivers.

Assuming you are younger the key is not to focus on your own age and self doubt. When I hire people (not for rail) I look at there attributes and trainability over anything else. The one thing you can't train is someone's mind set everything else is possible.

I was once the youngest manager a business had ever had and was managing people double my age (and more!) but I knew what i was doing and talking about and this was respected and has lead to a very successful career

 

[Penguin80]

Hi all just wanted to ask the people who have been offered roles in the past 24 months. What is your age if you don’t mind me asking as I’d like to know if they are hiring younger staff or more experienced.

Hiya. I'm in training and I'm 33. The youngest in our group is 28

 

[A2Jon]

Hi all just wanted to ask the people who have been offered roles in the past 24 months. What is your age if you don’t mind me asking as I’d like to know if they are hiring younger staff or more experienced.

We have 6 people on our course at the moment.

22, 25, 32, 34, 44 & 50.

3 have come from different roles with the railway and 3 from none railway careers.

 

[xenomorth45]

Just got my sift results for Wolverhampton depot and I have passed. I have gone straight through to stage 2 despite failing TRPT2 last year, so definitely not part of WMR. Just more waiting now.

 

[IndegoMouse]

Just got my sift results for Wolverhampton depot and I have passed. I have gone straight through to stage 2 despite failing TRPT2 last year, so definitely not part of WMR. Just more waiting now.

which TOC did you have to do TRPT2 with? I had to do TRPT2 when I applied for WMT

 

[xenomorth45]

which TOC did you have to do TRPT2 with? I had to do TRPT2 when I applied for WMT

Did it with Chiltern last April.