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SWR - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

Train Me Up

Member
Joined
16 May 2026
Messages
13
Location
SW London
You can apply for as many as you want and the travelling time can be discussed/negotiated with SWR as people often relocate or stay in temporary accomodation. Recruitment will be able to inform you about all of this if you email or call them.
OK thanks

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The thing is they will normally check it at rush hour as they need a worst case scenario, its no good being able to get there in an hour 90% of the time but not at the worst times of the day.
Whats your nearest depot?
You night scrape it but only they will know.
Strawberry Hill, Wimbledon, Feltham, Waterloo, Staines & Woking all a bit closer but would be happy to relocate closer to Guildford.

Has anyone seen Wimbledon advertised recently?
 
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Waterlooville

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19 May 2026
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Lambeth, London
Yes its been up twice since Xmas, Feltham is due, Staines was up twice since October. Woking twice, Guildford once. And Farnham once. I was in the list for some of those but they are long lists. so long wait.
 

Tomcat90

Member
Joined
9 Jul 2026
Messages
6
Location
London
Anyone had any progress after applying for the Woking depot?
I was told I’d passed the initial online assessment. However they said that “in the interest of fairness” they can’t progress everyone straight away so it sounds like it’s now a waiting game until everyone has completed the assessments to establish scores for sifting
 

Waterlooville

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Lambeth, London
Anyone had any progress after applying for the Woking depot?
You will progress to assessments if your SJT answers score in the higher proportion of those that completed the test. that info comes fairly quickly with SWR normally within a week. Then you will get your assessment dates, day 1 and 2 both at Southampton, again these have been very quick for those applying last year and this. The wait then comes for DMI, and finally MMI - could be up to 14 months to get both done post assessments. The MMI is only allocated once you are earmarked a place on a course.
 

james16

Member
Joined
11 Nov 2024
Messages
34
Location
ilford
You will progress to assessments if your SJT answers score in the higher proportion of those that completed the test. that info comes fairly quickly with SWR normally within a week. Then you will get your assessment dates, day 1 and 2 both at Southampton, again these have been very quick for those applying last year and this. The wait then comes for DMI, and finally MMI - could be up to 14 months to get both done post assessments. The MMI is only allocated once you are earmarked a place on a course.
Oh ok thanks, only wondered because all I’ve heard since the 8th is that I passed the test.

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I was told I’d passed the initial online assessment. However they said that “in the interest of fairness” they can’t progress everyone straight away so it sounds like it’s now a waiting game until everyone has completed the assessments to establish scores for sifting
It’s weird if no one has been contacted about OPC because it’s been a week now since the advert & it was taken down within 2 days I believe.
 
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Waterlooville

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Oh ok thanks, only wondered because all I’ve heard since the 8th is that I passed the test.

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It’s weird if no one has been contacted about OPC because it’s been a week now since the advert & it was taken down within 2 days I believe.
SWR don't use OPC everything is in house
 

Tomcat90

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9 Jul 2026
Messages
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London
Oh ok thanks, only wondered because all I’ve heard since the 8th is that I passed the test.

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It’s weird if no one has been contacted about OPC because it’s been a week now since the advert & it was taken down within 2 days I believe.
I’m not holding my breath but I suppose no news is good news, good luck

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SWR don't use OPC everything is in house
If SWR is in house do OPC results have any bearing results wise?
 

Waterlooville

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I’m not holding my breath but I suppose no news is good news, good luck

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If SWR is in house do OPC results have any bearing results wise?
If you have passed elsewhere then yes they are still valid for your SWR application however they do all tests and MMI in house. They work to standard level not enhanced, however as per all TOCS you can never find out your score or where you are at, its all kept secret.
 

Class2ldn

Established Member
Joined
25 Feb 2011
Messages
1,400
Yes it still goes onto a database, doesn't matter who carries out the testing.
 

vc99

Member
Joined
17 May 2025
Messages
82
Location
warminster
Yeah for sure MMI isn't a given, never counted chickens before they hatch but I am confident. I know the questions and have strong answers set, I have worked on the frontline for the emergency services for just under 30 years so if I can't get past this interview which is looking for you demonstrate safety, procedure, communication, collaboration and responsivity something is very wrong. If it does go wrong then so be it, I stay where I am on a similar wage so it isn't life or death for me. In fact I would even gain on my existing pension by not leaving it early.

Are you in for a depot and what point are you at? SWR do MMI and medical at the point of plotting you on a course, so they all come at once. I am still being told Sept is highly likely however I really want to start later. Once you get to that stage, a few calls to recruitment should also give you the same info - the key is where you are on the list. I only started getting specifics when I got to the top (when you are in the middle it is all no information no information etc).
Brilliant info. Whats yr notice period with your current job if you dont mind me asking?
 

Tomcat90

Member
Joined
9 Jul 2026
Messages
6
Location
London
If you have passed elsewhere then yes they are still valid for your SWR application however they do all tests and MMI in house. They work to standard level not enhanced, however as per all TOCS you can never find out your score or where you are at, it’s all kept secret.
Ah thanks that makes sense
 

driver3112

Member
Joined
16 Jun 2026
Messages
5
Location
london
Hi guys, I passed my DMI on the 4th of June , I am waiting for an interview date for the MMI, dose anyone have an idea when they will possibly give me a date for the MMI, I’ve applied for the stains depot and I’ve constantly contacted them regarding when I’ll get the interview and always the same response which is “ no updates available”, if anyone on track to do the MMI or even has an idea when they are giving out the interviews please let me know and also the MMI just an interview I don’t have to do any assessment right it’s just the (Multi Modal Interview)
 

Waterlooville

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61
Location
Lambeth, London
Brilliant info. Whats yr notice period with your current job if you dont mind me asking?
4 weeks, I have since negotiated a later start now so will be starting end of the year. MMI is next week.

Hi guys, I passed my DMI on the 4th of June , I am waiting for an interview date for the MMI, dose anyone have an idea when they will possibly give me a date for the MMI, I’ve applied for the stains depot and I’ve constantly contacted them regarding when I’ll get the interview and always the same response which is “ no updates available”, if anyone on track to do the MMI or even has an idea when they are giving out the interviews please let me know and also the MMI just an interview I don’t have to do any assessment right it’s just the (Multi Modal Interview)
Staines was one of the depots I applied for last year and I did all my assessments and DMI last year for it but not MMI. Its a very small depot so I think the wait times are very long - I know someone else who applied and got their MMI around 12 months after application - total length of time from applying to starting around 15 months although that is still very fast compared to other TOCs. 38 odd drivers only at Staines compared to 161 at Waterloo so movement is much slower.
 

driver3112

Member
Joined
16 Jun 2026
Messages
5
Location
london
4 weeks, I have since negotiated a later start now so will be starting end of the year. MMI is next week.


Staines was one of the depots I applied for last year and I did all my assessments and DMI last year for it but not MMI. Its a very small depot so I think the wait times are very long - I know someone else who applied and got their MMI around 12 months after application - total length of time from applying to starting around 15 months although that is still very fast compared to other TOCs. 38 odd drivers only at Staines compared to 161 at Waterloo so movement is much slower.
Do you think it’s worth too constantly email them regarding any update
 

Tomcat90

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Joined
9 Jul 2026
Messages
6
Location
London
Oh ok thanks, only wondered because all I’ve heard since the 8th is that I passed the test.

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It’s weird if no one has been contacted about OPC because it’s been a week now since the advert & it was taken down within 2 days I believe.
Have you heard back yet?
 

Waterlooville

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19 May 2026
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61
Location
Lambeth, London
I am aware of a few people who are awaiting an update following the application and online SJT. One of them applied in April and has not heard anything other than that he passed the SJT. I believe SWR take the highest scorers and progress them first, I had an email within 5 days of my application inviting me for days 1 and 2 assessments. I did them within a week of each other and most of the other people that were there with mw had all applied for the same time frame of jobs / depots.
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
218
Location
Wandsworth Road
You must of scored very high, or should I say very fast. I am of the belief that you have to be 100% accurate, and completing it very fast to have gotten an invite to the test centre that quickly. I am in the same position as the people you spoke about. So SWR use only the STJ for their online assessment?
 

Waterlooville

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Lambeth, London
You must of scored very high, or should I say very fast. I am of the belief that you have to be 100% accurate, and completing it very fast to have gotten an invite to the test centre that quickly. I am in the same position as the people you spoke about. So SWR use only the STJ for their online assessment?
The SJT is just 18 or so multiple choice questions, and you rate most helpful to least helpful. It really is a test of comm on sense to me. I have no idea how they score or allocate but I went from application, SJT, assessments days and DMI all done within 5 weeks. That was last year though and I have only just had MMI invite last week. I know of a few who applied for this years positions and have not heard anything, I presume SWR lists are fairly short and only contain the high scorers. I have almost 3 decades in the emergency services so feel I knew exactly what they are looking for on the SJT questions. They will never tell you how you scored though
 

CoolDriver

Member
Joined
12 Mar 2026
Messages
5
Location
London
The SJT is just 18 or so multiple choice questions, and you rate most helpful to least helpful. It really is a test of comm on sense to me. I have no idea how they score or allocate but I went from application, SJT, assessments days and DMI all done within 5 weeks. That was last year though and I have only just had MMI invite last week. I know of a few who applied for this years positions and have not heard anything, I presume SWR lists are fairly short and only contain the high scorers. I have almost 3 decades in the emergency services so feel I knew exactly what they are looking for on the SJT questions. They will never tell you how you scored though
Hi mate, could you tell me when you applied last year? I applied in March this year, and from the initial application to my DMI, it took 12 weeks. I’m trying to figure out when I’d roughly get my MMI.
 

Big O 82

Member
Joined
17 Dec 2025
Messages
24
Location
Surrey
Strawberry hill
Same as me I applied Dec got my MMI next week. I was offered MMI twice before but for different reasons didn't work out mainly because of my notice period so think 12 months is likely from start to finish I've been pencilled in for Nov subject to MMI/Medical!

I did tests Feb all in one day then DMI April
 

Waterlooville

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Lambeth, London
Hi mate, could you tell me when you applied last year? I applied in March this year, and from the initial application to my DMI, it took 12 weeks. I’m trying to figure out when I’d roughly get my MMI.
October last year. A mate applied for S Hill at same time and has his MMI next week, proposed start of December.
 

jackf15

Member
Joined
6 Jun 2026
Messages
6
Location
Reading
Hi guys, I passed my DMI on the 4th of June , I am waiting for an interview date for the MMI, dose anyone have an idea when they will possibly give me a date for the MMI, I’ve applied for the stains depot and I’ve constantly contacted them regarding when I’ll get the interview and always the same response which is “ no updates available”, if anyone on track to do the MMI or even has an idea when they are giving out the interviews please let me know and also the MMI just an interview I don’t have to do any assessment right it’s just the (Multi Modal Interview)
Mine was 4 weeks for GWR
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
218
Location
Wandsworth Road
Does it normally take this long to hear results for the online assessment? Anyone heard any anything yet? Does SWR only use the SJT for their initial sifting process?
 

TrainEnthusia

Member
Joined
19 Apr 2026
Messages
7
Location
Southampton
Got my paper tests friday next week. (They did me in reverse order, had my computer tests first and passed)

The practice material has the letter version of the Bordon Group test. Is that what i'll do on the day at SWR? or will it be the dot version does anyone know.

For the other tests did anyone find practicing anything in particular helped?

All advice appreciated.
 

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