A career as a train driver

[skyhigh]

Hi
The railway won’t accept colour blindness. There are Psychometric tests. If you pass all the tests you will be sent for a medical
(which the railway will send you for)
(My husband is a train driver)

You have just replied to a post from 2008...

 

[RailForM145]

Hi guys, I've got my DMI coming up in a few days and was wondering if anyone could share some light on any of questions that get asked? Would me much appreciated. Will it be different from the MMI questions we filled out on our pre-interview form sheet? I've filled out a personality questionnaire also, which apparently forms the basis of the questions they ask in the DMI.

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I am in the very fortunate position of having two trainee job offers, one from GTR (Thameslink) and one from Southeastern. Beyond salary, pension and routes, does anyone have any knowledge of what the companies are like to work for? I have done my research on the companies but it would be good to have some experienced opinions from those within. Many thanks all

Hi , did you have to do 2 sets of interviews for each company or were you results transferred accross?

 

[Gunny]

Hi guys, I've got my DMI coming up in a few days and was wondering if anyone could share some light on any of questions that get asked? Would me much appreciated. Will it be different from the MMI questions we filled out on our pre-interview form sheet? I've filled out a personality questionnaire also, which apparently forms the basis of the questions they ask in the DMI.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Aug 2025 ==


Hi , did you have to do 2 sets of interviews for each company or were you results transferred accross?

There’s multiple posts all over the jobs section that ask and answer about the DMI. Here’s the one I put up about a week ago:

Had my DMI for GWR December last year. Of course this could have changed and also could be different depot to depot.

It was all about me and my experiences. Roughly an hour initially just chatting asking about me in general then it went into name a time when you’ve done this name a time when you’ve experienced that and it was pretty much that format for the rest of it.

The way I prepared for it and really helped me was to just google “example interview questions” I think I found a page that had around 50-60 of name a time/ name an experience questions.

Now this won’t obviously give you the answers but practicing your answers out loud helped me put my experiences into words and enabled me to talk about something more clearly that previously would of in some cases been a distant memory.

Really think about any questions you’d like to ask them at the end as well as you don’t want to get to it and just be like “nah I’ve got no questions” because you absolutely should have some unanswered questions about your future career.

My interview was very relaxed and mainly felt like a conversation they were both very friendly and it flew by and I was told the next day I had passed.

Do your prep and make sure you answer every question even if your mind does go blank just take a second because they’re all very general experience questions. Now of course every interviewer and TOC will have some differences. My mate who works for SE got asked a bit about the company as well but still the main focus was him and what he would do/has done in certain situations.

Hope that helps.

 

[BigEasy]

Hi all, I've seen a few questions about rotas on here and the like, but I'm curious as to how much of a train driver's day is actually spent driving? I appreciate that this is likely to vary by route, etc., but would love to know what proportion of your day is actually spent driving, compared to how much you are doing prep work, safety check, etc., whatever else. Thanks.

 

[Dragon77]

Hello, i understand this will vary but what is the average time or maximum wait time in a pool as a Trainee Driver?

Once you have been emailed a course date are you then invited to medical etc.

 

[Stigy]

Hello, i understand this will vary but what is the average time or maximum wait time in a pool as a Trainee Driver?

Once you have been emailed a course date are you then invited to medical etc.

Don’t get me wrong, there is an average time, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find what it is out. It’s so hit and miss it’s generally anyone’s guess.

 

[AndySV1K]

Hi all, I've seen a few questions about rotas on here and the like, but I'm curious as to how much of a train driver's day is actually spent driving? I appreciate that this is likely to vary by route, etc., but would love to know what proportion of your day is actually spent driving, compared to how much you are doing prep work, safety check, etc., whatever else. Thanks.

I find it can be anywhere from a few minutes (or even nothing on occasion). To 5-7 hours of actual driving time and it does vary quite a lot day to day.

 

[Mystiq7]

Hi

I hoping someone can provide me with some guidance.

For context I have previously passed the OPC assessment / trainee train driver recruitment process with one company and have provisionally been offered the role (passed at national standard) - for clarity, let's say they are Company 1.

However at the same time I was still in the recruitment process of two other trainee train driver applications with two different TOC's, which I wanted to complete, irrespective of having passed the OPC assessment with Company 1.

The application with Company 2, I undertook the enhanced standard and passed, however I was not successful at the manager's interview.
The application with Company 3, I undertook a SJT assessment, but was not successful and therefore I will not proceed to the next stage.

My question is, as I have been unsuccessful on two occasions of the train driver application (with Company 2 and 3), will this have an effect with my offer with Company 1?

 

[WblDanny]

Hi

I hoping someone can provide me with some guidance.

For context I have previously passed the OPC assessment / trainee train driver recruitment process with one company and have provisionally been offered the role (passed at national standard) - for clarity, let's say they are Company 1.

However at the same time I was still in the recruitment process of two other trainee train driver applications with two different TOC's, which I wanted to complete, irrespective of having passed the OPC assessment with Company 1.

The application with Company 2, I undertook the enhanced standard and passed, however I was not successful at the manager's interview.
The application with Company 3, I undertook a SJT assessment, but was not successful and therefore I will not proceed to the next stage.

My question is, as I have been unsuccessful on two occasions of the train driver application (with Company 2 and 3), will this have an effect with my offer with Company 1?

No it shouldn’t have any impact on the job offer you have. Only failing the psychometric tests costs you a life

 

[Manda2194]

Afternoon everyone,

Firstly thank you to everyone on this forum. It is such a valuable resource.

My question is I am looking to move over from signalling into train driving.

I failed one loc test first time and the second time passed everything however the 2 hand was only up to national standard.

I was previously told it was possible to retake tests to enhance the score because a life was not lost as it wasn’t failed. However TPE have since told me it does.

Does anyone have any clarity or experience on this on whether I have to focus on jobs that accept national only or can I retake the two hand to increase the score.

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the advice!

 

[Georgiahope1]

Afternoon everyone,

Firstly thank you to everyone on this forum. It is such a valuable resource.

My question is I am looking to move over from signalling into train driving.

I failed one loc test first time and the second time passed everything however the 2 hand was only up to national standard.

I was previously told it was possible to retake tests to enhance the score because a life was not lost as it wasn’t failed. However TPE have since told me it does.

Does anyone have any clarity or experience on this on whether I have to focus on jobs that accept national only or can I retake the two hand to increase the score.

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate the advice!

Hi,

I think the majority of TOC only accept enhanced, however if there is a company which accepts national standard I would not see a problem.

If you took your first test before December 2024 you can not re-take the tests again. If you took your first test after December 2024 you will have a third chance but believe you have to wait 5 years.

My first attempt I passed to national standard but this was still considered a fail as I did not reach the requirement of enhanced, so on my second attempt as I took my first test before December 2024 it was my last chance to pass.

 

[NorthernTech]

Hi,

I think the majority of TOC only accept enhanced, however if there is a company which accepts national standard I would not see a problem.

If you took your first test before December 2024 you can not re-take the tests again. If you took your first test after December 2024 you will have a third chance but believe you have to wait 5 years.

My first attempt I passed to national standard but this was still considered a fail as I did not reach the requirement of enhanced, so on my second attempt as I took my first test before December 2024 it was my last chance to pass.

Your first attempt that was a national pass would only be a life lost for that particular TOC I believe, as each TOC that has an ’enhanced’ pass mark is different to the next. You still hold a national pass, and no lives lost for the standard psychometric tests. If you went to retake the tests at a TOC that wants an enhanced pass and you failed to meet even the national level, then you’d lose your 1st life nationally. The system is ridiculous really, they should just have a national standard for Train Drivers.

 

[Manda2194]

Your first attempt that was a national pass would only be a life lost for that particular TOC I believe, as each TOC that has an ’enhanced’ pass mark is different to the next. You still hold a national pass, and no lives lost for the standard psychometric tests. If you went to retake the tests at a TOC that wants an enhanced pass and you failed to meet even the national level, then you’d lose your 1st life nationally. The system is ridiculous really, they should just have a national standard for Train Drivers.

In my scenario I failed once and then only passed to national with tfw. So does that rule out the enhanced for me. I am sure I read ages ago people got a change to increase the scores but perhaps I got that wrong.

 

[NorthernTech]

In my scenario I failed once and then only passed to national with tfw. So does that rule out the enhanced for me. I am sure I read ages ago people got a change to increase the scores but perhaps I got that wrong.

I’m not sure, like I said, it’s all a bit daft. It depends where you want to go, but any applications that come up that require you to have enhanced, id message them to see what they say, or perhaps just apply anyway. Best case for you is to find an opportunity that asks for the national standard pass, and as you hold that you will bypass the Psychometric Tests altogether.

 

[EP1999]

Hi everyone. I’m brand new here.

I saw a post on here for c2c train driver Apprenticeship, unfortunately I only just saw it and it is now closed.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can get into the job? I’ve never had my head set on a job before like this, however I’m struggling to find my way in. I live in Essex, any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

 

[driver9000]

Find out who your local operators are, sign up for job alerts and regularly check their websites.

When you see trainee driver vacancies listed, apply as soon as you can, because they can pull the advert early if they get overwhelmed with applicants.

Remember you'll generally need to live within 45-60 minutes commute (not by public transport) of your chosen location

 

[Narrowgauge725]

If you are set on a career path start by focusing on what you are doing you should have posted in this Group attention to detail is important if you want to be good enough to get a desirable well paid job.

 

[Brick79]

Living in southend your options aren't too great. C2C are highly competitive and dont hire too often and from what I've heard, greater anglia within essex will no longer hire straight into mainline driver. Your best bet would to try and get into a shunter/depot role with either of these 2, you could also keep an eye out for freightliner based in London gateway (Stanford-le-hope) if they have another drive

 

[skyhigh]

Does anyone have any advice on how I can get into the job?

Unfortunately you just have to wait for a vacancy to open. There isn't really any other option.

 

[NeoNeko]

As above, keep an eye on jobs that are posted here, as well as signing up for alerts from your local operators, and be prepared to pounce the minute a job is listed! When I decided I wanted to try and become a driver, over a year ago now, Southeastern had just closed its latest job advert, but then reopened it a couple of weeks later, so you never know when your chance will come! Good luck with your search

 

[EP1999]

Find out who your local operators are, sign up for job alerts and regularly check their websites.

When you see trainee driver vacancies listed, apply as soon as you can, because they can pull the advert early if they get overwhelmed with applicants.

Remember you'll generally need to live within 45-60 minutes commute (not by public transport) of your chosen location

Thanks for the reply. Appreciate it. I’ll sign up for the alerts!

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Living in southend your options aren't too great. C2C are highly competitive and dont hire too often and from what I've heard, greater anglia within essex will no longer hire straight into mainline driver. Your best bet would to try and get into a shunter/depot role with either of these 2, you could also keep an eye out for freightliner based in London gateway (Stanford-le-hope) if they have another drive

I did think that unfortunately. I’ll have a look at the role you suggested. I didn’t think of that so thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Sep 2025 ==

As above, keep an eye on jobs that are posted here, as well as signing up for alerts from your local operators, and be prepared to pounce the minute a job is listed! When I decided I wanted to try and become a driver, over a year ago now, Southeastern had just closed its latest job advert, but then reopened it a couple of weeks later, so you never know when your chance will come! Good luck with your search

Yeah good idea! Similar experience thenit’s a very gutted feeling. Thank you for the reply

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Sep 2025 ==

Unfortunately you just have to wait for a vacancy to open. There isn't really any other option.

Ah okay. That’s understandable, thanks

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Ok sorry I didn’t know. I quickly made the post before I started work

If you are set on a career path start by focusing on what you are doing you should have posted in this Group attention to detail is important if you want to be good enough to get a desirable well paid job.

ok sorry I didn’t know. I quickly made the post before I started work

 

[bestym]

Hi everyone can someone point me in the right direction how do I look out for job applications on this group or is there somewhere else I should be looking thanks

 

[Reactor Scram]

Hi there could anyone help me or put me in the right direction I'm looking for a new career change and was wondering how to become a driver but not sure how I go about it many thanks

Welcome

First thing to do is get onto the website for your local train company, if they have a career's page which most will , sign up for job alerts, and keep an eye out here, jobs are posted on this forum fairly regularly.

This was me last year As D3WY said, sign up for job alerts from your local train operator, but also definitely keep an eye on the jobs & careers forum here - that's where I spotted the job opening that I applied for. I also spent many hours trawling the forum for information about the role, about all the assessments and everything else that came to mind. Good luck!

Hey - this is the advice from when you asked before in August. I'd say this advice is good and still stands. Good luck.

 

[bestym]

Hey - this is the advice from when you asked before in August. I'd say this advice is good and still stands. Good luck.

Thanks guys

 

[mcgrindah]

I'm curious if anybody here has any experience of challenging a decision by a TOC to not progress an application.

Mine was an application for a trainee driver position, not progressed due to their reasoning that I wouldn't be able to reach the depot in 1 hour.

I don't agree and wondered if anyone had successfully challenged a similar decision?

 

[skyhigh]

I don't agree and wondered if anyone had successfully challenged a similar decision?

They will have a method of determining this, and use it for everyone. If they decide you are not eligible based on distance there is very little you can do - you have no right to force them to consider a challenge to their decision and they have no shortage of applicants.

Unless they have clearly made a mistake I would say you have a very small chance of changing the outcome.

How long would you consider it to take you to reach the depot?

 

[mcgrindah]

They will have a method of determining this, and use it for everyone. If they decide you are not eligible based on distance there is very little you can do - you have no right to force them to consider a challenge to their decision and they have no shortage of applicants.

Unless they have clearly made a mistake I would say you have a very small chance of changing the outcome.

How long would you consider it to take you to reach the depot?

By public transport just under an hour. Similar to drive although with heavy traffic could be over the hour at times.

I presume they use the worst case scenario. The times when I'd have to drive would be when trains aren't running, early mornings when the roads would be quiet. That's why I thought it would be manageable.

 

[Class2ldn]

If any of the times tip you over an hour it won't progress, you won't be able to challenge it unfortunately.

 

[mcgrindah]

If any of the times tip you over an hour it won't progress, you won't be able to challenge it unfortunately.

Fair enough. Thanks

 

[GPR]

I'm curious if anybody here has any experience of challenging a decision by a TOC to not progress an application.

Mine was an application for a trainee driver position, not progressed due to their reasoning that I wouldn't be able to reach the depot in 1 hour.

I don't agree and wondered if anyone had successfully challenged a similar decision?

Northerns is a 45 minute limit travelling at 0800 on a normal weekday and it is specified in a document.
I’ve been through it and spoke to recruitment and the hiring manager for that particular depot to see if there was any leeway (mere minutes) and still had the knock back. It is in black and white.