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

[ojw]

Hi OJW, The questions in the MMI were along the lines of;
Tell me about a time you had to solve a problem by yourself.
Tell me about a time you had to persevere at something to reach a successful outcome.
Tell me about a time you had to follow rules and procedures.
Tell me about something you've done which you think required the same skills as being a train driver.
Tell me about a time you had to deal with an emergency.

Thanks,

Ah thanks. Pretty much what I’ve been practising for then

 

[Spider1806]

Yes I did the DFFT

Do you get to keep the advise with regards to faults beside you when checking the questions?

Or you have to memorise the fault information?

 

[whitby26]

Do you get to keep the advise with regards to faults beside you when checking the questions?

Or you have to memorise the fault information?

I was given a booklet of pictures of trains with faults on them you look at the picture work out where the fault is and then look at your fault finding guide to work out the code for the fault

 

[Bastoo32]

This is pretty much what I had at my interview. And agree best to have lots of examples regarding following rules, procedures and safety. Also the research on the company is key as this was the first few questions for me

Also I interviewed at Worcester and the team seemed really nice so good luck

Had my Interview today - The Worcester team were really really nice - made it less daunting for sure
Thank you for your tips and guidance

now for the wait …

 

[monkeynut]

Had my Interview today - The Worcester team were really really nice - made it less daunting for sure
Thank you for your tips and guidance

now for the wait

Fingers crossed for you I heard after a few days so should hear by Wednesday/Thursday at the latest

 

[Bastoo32]

Fingers crossed for you I heard after a few days so should hear by Wednesday/Thursday at the latest

Thank you - i’ve literally just had the email today to say i’ve passed

 

[LT90]

Thank you - i’ve literally just had the email today to say i’ve passed

Congratulations. Do you have any tips for the interview please? How much detail do you need to put into the answers? How many questions did they actually ask? Any help would be very much appreciated

 

[monkeynut]

Thank you - i’ve literally just had the email today to say i’ve passed

Amazing so happy for you. I am starting in a few weeks so if you want to chat about anything once you have a date then let me know

 

[UTV1982]

Ah you'll probably be looking at a 2027 start date now. Had my DMI in May with an October start date, but I suppose there is still time for the October course if they haven't filled it yet

HH24 - I've been struggling to send a message to you. Could you send another message and see if it is working? Thanks

 

[Bastoo32]

Congratulations. Do you have any tips for the interview please? How much detail do you need to put into the answers? How many questions did they actually ask? Any help would be very much appreciated

Thank you!
Best advice i can give - is do lots of preparation from the material they send you - research the company , routes, fleets, and have your competency questions prepared using Star as your structure
usual topics around safety, following rules , procedures . i found the interviewing managers really friendly - not there to catch you out but there to get the best answers they can from you,
good luck - you’ll smash it

 

[HH24]

HH24 - I've been struggling to send a message to you. Could you send another message and see if it is working? Thanks

Replied to you!

 

[LT90]

Thank you!
Best advice i can give - is do lots of preparation from the material they send you - research the company , routes, fleets, and have your competency questions prepared using Star as your structure
usual topics around safety, following rules , procedures . i found the interviewing managers really friendly - not there to catch you out but there to get the best answers they can from you,
good luck - you’ll smash it

Ah nice one, thanks for the reply. How in depth did you go with the routes? Did you list them all off or just the main line? I'm just trying to figure out whether I need to memories the whole company website or just some key facts

 

[Bastoo32]

Ah nice one, thanks for the reply. How in depth did you go with the routes? Did you list them all off or just the main line? I'm just trying to figure out whether I need to memories the whole company website or just some key facts

I memorised the beginning and end routes rather than all the stops if that makes sense ( be there all day otherwise haha!) - think there was 6/7 different routes i listed.
. I think they are just looking to see that you’ve shown a good desire and effort to not only retain information but learn about the company.

 

[LT90]

I memorised the beginning and end routes rather than all the stops if that makes sense ( be there all day otherwise haha!) - think there was 6/7 different routes i listed.
. I think they are just looking to see that you’ve shown a good desire and effort to not only retain information but learn about the company.

Legend. Thank you!

 

[Nella]

Hello good people. Firstly thank you so much to everyone who takes a time and answers all of our novices (sometimes silly and repeated) questions. This place is like a calming cloud for me specifically since I am control freak and I need to know all the details and picture the stuff before I stand in front of them. So huge thanks to you all.

I have a few questions please:

1. Is the place for OPC1 (paper tests) in the same location as OPC 2 computerized ( I believe that's in Watford)?
2. since Group bourdon is on paper how do they make sure everyone spend only 2 min per sheet if they cant control every single person like on the computer that just change the sheet automatically for you.
3. Once you start training, what kind of shift do you do ? I assume during first theory module in the class that will be morning time? and later when you are moved into practical to drive a train with instructor that is probably rotation shift with earlies, middle day and lates?
4. and last one ... what is the male-female drivers ratio approx.? Specifically for WMT if someone can answer that?

Thank you again, have no idea how easier this forum made it for my overthinking controlling head

 

[HH24]

Hello good people. Firstly thank you so much to everyone who takes a time and answers all of our novices (sometimes silly and repeated) questions. This place is like a calming cloud for me specifically since I am control freak and I need to know all the details and picture the stuff before I stand in front of them. So huge thanks to you all.

I have a few questions please:

1. Is the place for OPC1 (paper tests) in the same location as OPC 2 computerized ( I believe that's in Watford)?
2. since Group bourdon is on paper how do they make sure everyone spend only 2 min per sheet if they cant control every single person like on the computer that just change the sheet automatically for you.
3. Once you start training, what kind of shift do you do ? I assume during first theory module in the class that will be morning time? and later when you are moved into practical to drive a train with instructor that is probably rotation shift with earlies, middle day and lates?
4. and last one ... what is the male-female drivers ratio approx.? Specifically for WMT if someone can answer that?

Thank you again, have no idea how easier this forum made it for my overthinking

Can only answer the first two on personal experience.

1. My stage 1 OPC was in Birmingham and stage 2 was in Watford.
2. They'll tell you when the two minutes are up for each sheet and you go onto the next sheet. Didn't really have anyone who got warned or told twice on my assessment day.

 

[Nella]

Can only answer the first two on personal experience.

1. My stage 1 OPC was in Birmingham and stage 2 was in Watford.
2. They'll tell you when the two minutes are up for each sheet and you go onto the next sheet. Didn't really have anyone who got warned or told twice on my assessment day.

Thank you!

 

[JM2001]

Hi everyone,

I have today been invited to the initial
Stages of the OPC tests. It does say that these tests are not timed, so I was just wondering what to expect (without being too specific), in terms of the amount of tests / sections there are in the first stage? Any advice is welcome. Cheers.

 

[Craigk8163]

Hi everyone,

I have today been invited to the initial
Stages of the OPC tests. It does say that these tests are not timed, so I was just wondering what to expect (without being too specific), in terms of the amount of tests / sections there are in the first stage? Any advice is welcome. Cheers.

When did you apply mate?

 

[t_564]

Hi everyone,

I have today been invited to the initial
Stages of the OPC tests. It does say that these tests are not timed, so I was just wondering what to expect (without being too specific), in terms of the amount of tests / sections there are in the first stage? Any advice is welcome. Cheers.

There will be 4 sections within the test.

WMR-KQWest Midlands Railway: More about you
- this section will be about your commute times and just basic details about yourself

WMR-PQWest Midlands Railway: Preference Questions
I am unsure of what this involves again, maybe someone else may be able to assist.

WMR-TB-DTWest Midlands Railway: Priorities - Driving Task
There will be a long list of train driver tasks such as Following rules and regulations / delivering excellent customer service etc
Put 3 things in order of what you think the most important tasks first
Put 3 things in order of what you think are the least important tasks

WMR-SJTWest Midlands Railway: Situational Judgement - Scenario based and what you would do first in the scenarios etc

 

[JM2001]

When did you apply mate?

04/08 mate

 

[bandy1995]

Has anyone who has applied since 1st June got a response from WM Trains with the next steps?

 

[xenomorth45]

Heya just wondering if anyone who passed the online OPC testing back in July has heard anything else yet?

 

[Nella]

Heya just wondering if anyone who passed the online OPC testing back in July has heard anything else yet?

nothing, but from what I know it usually takes 2-3 months (from passing online sift) to organize appointments for OPC Centre, also depends on how many people passed online sift obviously since OPC has limited spaces to accommodate people. Hope this helps ( I applied for Coventry depot)

 

[Welshp88]

Heya just wondering if anyone who passed the online OPC testing back in July has heard anything else yet?

Hi. I applied in November last year and only completed stage 2 OPC end of July. Still waiting for DMI. Be patient, it’s a long process. Hopefully you’ll hear something soon. Good luck

 

[j4y]

Hi. I applied in November last year and only completed stage 2 OPC end of July. Still waiting for DMI. Be patient, it’s a long process. Hopefully you’ll hear something soon. Good luck

Same here, I applied in November 2025 had Stage 1 OPC in June and Stage 2, 29th July. Waiting on DMI now, how have you been preparing for it?

 

[xenomorth45]

Same here, I applied in November 2025 had Stage 1 OPC in June and Stage 2, 29th July. Waiting on DMI now, how have you been preparing for it?

Thanks for that, such a slow process. Yea its my second time did it with chiltern last year they were a lot quicker. Passed all but cables and dials. Good luck on your DMI

Hi. I applied in November last year and only completed stage 2 OPC end of July. Still waiting for DMI. Be patient, it’s a long process. Hopefully you’ll hear something soon. Good luck

Thanks such a slow process, good luck on your DMI.

 

[JM2001]

Hi,

How long does it usually take to find out whether or not you passed the assessments that were on the initial sift please?

I applied August 4th for Birmingham
Snow Hill 2027

Thank you.

 

[Nella]

Hi,

How long does it usually take to find out whether or not you passed the assessments that were on the initial sift please?

I applied August 4th for Birmingham
Snow Hill 2027

Thank you.

on the email you have up to 2 weeks, from what I noticed they are doing it in batches, depends how many applied and passed obviously, I had only one day left to 2 weeks from the day I did the online sift, I found this the worst so far - waiting for results, however people here tells you no news are good news, if you didnt pass you would get email much sooner

 

[xenomorth45]

Hi,

How long does it usually take to find out whether or not you passed the assessments that were on the initial sift please?

I applied August 4th for Birmingham
Snow Hill 2027

Thank you.

Heya I took mine at the start of July and it took almost 4 weeks to find I passed.