Greater Anglia - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Shan8822]

Hello,

I passed stage 1 trainee driver for greater anglia assessments in January. In may I received an email saying my application has been moved into a recent vacancy but I havent heard anything since . I know things move slow but 8 months and no stage 2 dates. Is this usual?

Does anyone know how long my results from stage one are valid please?

Anyone know who (if anyone) I can contact for an update?

Thank you

 

[Tonboles365]

But you’re not internal?

I am just confused

No, you’re right. Poor phrasing on my part.

Here is the exact quote from the email:

“there has been a very recent change to our recruitment process which means we are unfortunately no longer able to consider you for the Trainee Cambridge Mainline train driver position.

The process has changed in that any trainees are now required to start as a Trainee Depot Driver and after a certain period of time in the role, can then be considered for a trainee mainline train driver role once a position becomes available.”

 

[Spider1806]

No, you’re right. Poor phrasing on my part.

Here is the exact quote from the email:

“there has been a very recent change to our recruitment process which means we are unfortunately no longer able to consider you for the Trainee Cambridge Mainline train driver position.

The process has changed in that any trainees are now required to start as a Trainee Depot Driver and after a certain period of time in the role, can then be considered for a trainee mainline train driver role once a position becomes available.”

I had passed all

The stages before hand just had confirmation I passed dfft test

I am in the railway and practically doing the role of a depot driver already so who knows

No email regarding the above

 

[Shunter Bones]

I had passed all

The stages before hand just had confirmation I passed dfft test

I am in the railway and practically doing the role of a depot driver already so who knows

No email regarding the above

Well done on passing the DFFT.

 

[Spider1806]

Yes, depot driver only now, with progression to mainline driver after time served and vacancy becomes available.

Training salary is £39,118, benefits and hours are the same as trainee mainline driver.

What’s it go up to after training?

Lots of overtime?

Can you ask to go on permanent lates when your on roster?

 

[jakejeffers93]

I just passed stage 1 on to stage 2 now, got to wait for a date!

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I had passed all

The stages before hand just had confirmation I passed dfft test

I am in the railway and practically doing the role of a depot driver already so who knows

No email regarding the above

Fingers crossed for you well done on the DFFt test!
Also in the railway but not driving - Train Guard

 

[Tonboles365]

What’s it go up to after training?

Lots of overtime?

Can you ask to go on permanent lates when your on roster?

I can only imagine it would come down to what you would expect the similarities with mainline drivers are. I doubt there would be a syndicate with depot drivers, so it'll likely be discussions with colleagues about swaps and if anyone is willing to stick to earlies and nights.

 

[Spider1806]

I can only imagine it would come down to what you would expect the similarities with mainline drivers are. I doubt there would be a syndicate with depot drivers, so it'll likely be discussions with colleagues about swaps and if anyone is willing to stick to earlies and nights.

Do you work for them alread?

 

[Gooner18]

Do GA do MMI on day 2 ? Always a bit undecided whether people should wear business dress I.e suit or smart casual is good enough on Day 2

 

[Arthur2026]

Do GA do MMI on day 2 ? Always a bit undecided whether people should wear business dress I.e suit or smart casual is good enough on Day 2

MMI is included with your stage 2 at the end of the computerised test. It’s obviously good to wear a suit to look presentable but the examiner who I did my MMI with said it’s not important as they don’t really care about appearance but I’d always say first impression makes a difference

 

[Shunter Bones]

What’s it go up to after training?

Lots of overtime?

Can you ask to go on permanent lates when your on roster?

I was told that the Depot Driver role is mostly nights with some earlies and lates. I'd guess the bulk of all the movements are done after normal pass services have finished for the night.

 

[jakejeffers93]

I was told that the Depot Driver role is mostly nights with some earlies and lates. I'd guess the bulk of all the movements are done after normal pass services have finished for the night.

That will really annoy the wife! She hates me working lates on railway as it is

 

[Shunter Bones]

That will really annoy the wife! She hates me working lates on railway as it is

Lol, my wife is the opposite, she likes me out of the way of an evening

 

[Spider1806]

Lol, my wife is the opposite, she likes me out of the way of an evening

I really need to know

Salary after training? How long it will take to go mainline? Etc

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

DMI -

Anyone had one with GA

If so what gets asked? What to prepare for etc?

Few of us interested in finding out

 

[slowNsteady]

40,234.2 after training (44,400 from April 2027) plus location allowance of around £500? I’m not sure on the exact figure.

 

[Shunter Bones]

I really need to know

Salary after training? How long it will take to go mainline? Etc

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

DMI -

Anyone had one with GA

If so what gets asked? What to prepare for etc?

Few of us interested in finding out

I really need to know

Salary after training? How long it will take to go mainline? Etc

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

DMI -

Anyone had one with GA

If so what gets asked? What to prepare for etc?

Few of us interested in finding out

I can only assume the Anglia Region pay, which is quoted previously in this thread, is similar to whichever Region covers Cambridge.

I have been told my starting training salary will be £29,855, which doesn't include the April 2026 payrise, as it doens't come into effect until later in the year.

How long will it take to get to mainline? How long is a piece of string? When vacancies arise/staff performance i.e. sick record, work ethic, any incidents etc, could be 6 months, could be 5 years, it's impossible to put a specific date on it I would say, realistically it's not even guaranteed.

 

[Spider1806]

40,234.2 after training (44,400 from April 2027) plus location allowance of around £500? I’m not sure on the exact figure.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

This says diffferent

£38953 teaining

£42,944 April 2026?

£46935 April 2026?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

I really need to know


I can only assume the Anglia Region pay, which is quoted previously in this thread, is similar to whichever Region covers Cambridge.

I have been told my starting training salary will be £29,855, which doesn't include the April 2026 payrise, as it doens't come into effect until later in the year.

How long will it take to get to mainline? How long is a piece of string? When vacancies arise/staff performance i.e. sick record, work attitude, any incidents etc, could be 6 months, could be 5 years, it's impossible to put a specific date on it I would say.

Sorry mate reason I am asking because I am already a depot driver you see so just questions

DMI???? Can anyone help?

 

[slowNsteady]

A depot driver is on 60% of a mainline driver at the depot they are based plus location allowance

 

[Shunter Bones]

A depot driver is on 60% of a mainline driver at the depot they are based plus location allowance

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

This says diffferent

£38953 teaining

£42,944 April 2026?

£46935 April 2026?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==


Sorry mate reason I am asking because I am already a depot driver you see so just questions

DMI???? Can anyone help?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

Those are all top whack pay points. If you're already a depot driver, can the loss of earnings be justified for a mainline position that, realistically, is not guaranteed? 30k ish to start, payrise at rules, top whack after signed off. How much do you want to take the chance?

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

I've been going through the application process for over two years now and am 100% committed to passing this process and becoming a train driver. This really is a significant moving of the goal posts though, which I am sure is intended to both accommodate operational requirements but also test the ambition and determination of applicants for what are hugely over subscribed roles. I think it is however a fair move and still offers a career path with great progression opportunities and job satisfaction.

That said, I'm probably one of the older candidates in this process with a lot of financial demands currently met by healthy salary and stable career.

Not saying I can't stomach the belt tightening but if the prospect really is a £36k salary for what may realistically be many years that is fine, but it is a very different proposal to the mainline salary and will clearly deter a lot of older applicants who may not be in a position to take that immediate hit and potential long term risk.

Again, not moaning and I totally understand the rationale but in my opinion this will massively change, and probably whittle down the candidate pool going forward, but will miss out on a lot of older heads who would naturally have a wider level of life and work experience which I think was previously seen as a key, desirable quality.

 

[Spider1806]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Sep 2026 ==

Those are all top whack pay points. If you're already a depot driver, can the loss of earnings be justified for a mainline position that, realistically, is not guaranteed? 30k ish to start, payrise at rules, top whack after signed off. How much do you want to take the chance?

Thanks for the e honest answer

Can you shed light on the DMI?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2026 ==

I've been going through the application process for over two years now and am 100% committed to passing this process and becoming a train driver. This really is a significant moving of the goal posts though, which I am sure is intended to both accommodate operational requirements but also test the ambition and determination of applicants for what are hugely over subscribed roles. I think it is however a fair move and still offers a career path with great progression opportunities and job satisfaction.

That said, I'm probably one of the older candidates in this process with a lot of financial demands currently met by healthy salary and stable career.

Not saying I can't stomach the belt tightening but if the prospect really is a £36k salary for what may realistically be many years that is fine, but it is a very different proposal to the mainline salary and will clearly deter a lot of older applicants who may not be in a position to take that immediate hit and potential long term risk.

Again, not moaning and I totally understand the rationale but in my opinion this will massively change, and probably whittle down the candidate pool going forward, but will miss out on a lot of older heads who would naturally have a wider level of life and work experience which I think was previously seen as a key, desirable quality.

Agreed

 

[Jackb87]

I’ve got my DMI with GA on the 16th September. Not sure what to expect in the interview any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ramsy12]

I’ve got my DMI with GA on the 16th September. Not sure what to expect in the interview any info would be greatly appreciated!

Same.

 

[Jackb87]

Same.

Best of luck

 

[ramsy12]

Best of luck

Same to you Mate.

 

[ku_ku_ka_cho]

I passed the enhanced dots and DFFT a few weeks ago and previously passed OPC for Cross Country a few years ago.

With that I dont think I need to redo any of the Stage 2 assessments so should progress straight to DMI.....does that sound about right?

Good luck to those coming up, ive not really researched the GA DMI yet as didnt think I'd get that far!

 

[chocho666]

I’ve got my DMI with GA on the 16th September. Not sure what to expect in the interview any info would be greatly appreciated!

Where for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Sep 2026 ==

Had depot interview recently. Got confirmation that training salary is £30K! Not been told anything about having to be a depot driver first. Anyone on here had their interview & know how long to hear about success or not?

 

[ramsy12]

Where for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Sep 2026 ==

Had depot interview recently. Got confirmation that training salary is £30K! Not been told anything about having to be a depot driver first. Anyone on here had their interview & know how long to hear about success or not?

Hi Mate, for which depot did you had interview and when it was?

 

[Spider1806]

Where for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Sep 2026 ==

Had depot interview recently. Got confirmation that training salary is £30K! Not been told anything about having to be a depot driver first. Anyone on here had their interview & know how long to hear about success or not?

Well if it was mainline driver it would have been 34k training salary I think

 

[Jackb87]

Where for?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Sep 2026 ==

Had depot interview recently. Got confirmation that training salary is £30K! Not been told anything about having to be a depot driver first. Anyone on here had their interview & know how long to hear about success or not?

Cambridge, I had an email about depot driver if you’ve not received that you probably further along than me and managed to get straight in as mainline

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Sep 2026 ==

Well if it was mainline driver it would have been 34k training salary I think

Depot driver training salary is £39,118 I have this on an email from GA