A career as a train driver

[Arty Morgan]

Whilst appreciating that companies need a return on investment would you think that 58 is too old to apply for a role as a depot train driver? I would still have a minimum 8 years service to give.

 

[timmy827]

Hi all,

I've got assessment day and hopefully MMI coming up in October and I'm starting to put together the examples that I think I might end up discussing in the interview. I'm currently working as a teacher and have lots of examples of working with a safety first mindset and coping well with responsibility etc.

I have a few questions:

1. Is there anyone else here who has transitioned from education to the railway? I'm hoping that safeguarding experience, leading trips etc shows the sort of experience they're looking for but any confirmation of this would be appreciated. What's your experience?
2. I've been told that I should use examples from a range of backgrounds - my instinct is that my work provides stronger examples of working in a safety culture (and many of the other driver competencies) but in mock interviews with family, they've suggested that I should include some personal examples too. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
3. In the MMI itself, are you allowed to make notes before you answer? I'm imagining that I'll be asked a question and then might be able to spend 30 or so seconds just outlining my STAR answer with some skeleton notes to speak from. Anybody have any experience of this?

All completely hypothetical if I don't pass the tests of course!

Thanks

 

[GPR]

Whilst appreciating that companies need a return on investment would you think that 58 is too old to apply for a role as a depot train driver? I would still have a minimum 8 years service to give.

It’s a labourous job but I work with people who are 55-63 so 58 is not too old to be a depot train driver.
It will come with night shifts however if that matters to you.

 

[NeoNeko]

Hi all,

I've got assessment day and hopefully MMI coming up in October and I'm starting to put together the examples that I think I might end up discussing in the interview. I'm currently working as a teacher and have lots of examples of working with a safety first mindset and coping well with responsibility etc.

I have a few questions:

1. Is there anyone else here who has transitioned from education to the railway? I'm hoping that safeguarding experience, leading trips etc shows the sort of experience they're looking for but any confirmation of this would be appreciated. What's your experience?
2. I've been told that I should use examples from a range of backgrounds - my instinct is that my work provides stronger examples of working in a safety culture (and many of the other driver competencies) but in mock interviews with family, they've suggested that I should include some personal examples too. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?
3. In the MMI itself, are you allowed to make notes before you answer? I'm imagining that I'll be asked a question and then might be able to spend 30 or so seconds just outlining my STAR answer with some skeleton notes to speak from. Anybody have any experience of this?

All completely hypothetical if I don't pass the tests of course!

Thanks

2. I would suggest using whatever feels most appropriate for each question and what allows you to give the best response. I had answers prepared from work situations, but also personal examples.

3. Prior to going into the MMI, you will be given your six questions and some time to jot down responses. The boxes for these are very small, so you'll only be able to include maybe 3 short lines at best. In my MMI, the interviewer gave me my notes so I could use them to refer to if needed.

 

[timmy827]

2. I would suggest using whatever feels most appropriate for each question and what allows you to give the best response. I had answers prepared from work situations, but also personal examples.

3. Prior to going into the MMI, you will be given your six questions and some time to jot down responses. The boxes for these are very small, so you'll only be able to include maybe 3 short lines at best. In my MMI, the interviewer gave me my notes so I could use them to refer to if needed.

Fantastic - thank you!

 

[Wyrleybart]

It’s a labourous job but I work with people who are 55-63 so 58 is not too old to be a depot train driver.
It will come with night shifts however if that matters to you.

Haha I am a 63 year old in our Control and am third oldest, but will be 2nd oldest when one of our route control colleagues retires next May. That link of five route controllers will then be four females and just one male.

On our crew control desks three out of fourteen are female and we all work nights as well as days and afternoons.

Depot driving must be quite strenuous climbing up and down cab steps for every move.

 

[jmes]

Hi All,

I'm in a fortunate position to possibly be offered a trainee driver role for both Chiltern (Aylesbury) & GWR (Reading).

If we forget about commute times and salaries , what would be the better option??

Does anyone have any experience with them both/ know how well run both are etc etc?

Thanks!

 

[NeoNeko]

Hi All,

I'm in a fortunate position to possibly be offered a trainee driver role for both Chiltern (Aylesbury) & GWR (Reading).

If we forget about commute times and salaries , what would be the better option??

Does anyone have any experience with them both/ know how well run both are etc etc?

Thanks!

I feel like commute time and salary should be at the top of your list of things not to forget about! I remember a post from someone on here who's been a driver for a long time, and he said those are the two most important things he cares about these days. Aside from that, Sunday working is definitely worth looking at for both.

 

[TTD31]

Hi All,

I'm in a fortunate position to possibly be offered a trainee driver role for both Chiltern (Aylesbury) & GWR (Reading).

If we forget about commute times and salaries , what would be the better option??

Does anyone have any experience with them both/ know how well run both are etc etc?

Thanks!

I would try and find out about roster patterns, how spare works, RDW arrangements, perks (free parking/travel), working arrangements in general (guarded/DOO) and base it on there. The higher paying TOCs don't necessarily mean better working practices. From what I've heard though both Chiltern and GWR are seemingly good TOCs to work for however Chiltern does run quite "lean" with money which won't affect you as a driver but may possibly do as a trainee.

 

[Trev5678]

Hi Everyone,
I have been following this forum for a long time and it’s been a great help throughout the entire process ☺️
I have been offered a position for trainee driver with thameslink pending medical. This was on my 2nd and last attempt as i previously failed the MMI so for anyone in that position having failed on the first attempt definitely don’t give up!

Just wanted to ask if anyone has trained with them at hornsey?
What are the average training hours whilst in class and it’s quite a way from me so i will be commuting up there daily i imagine. It’s a 1.5 hour commute each way. Or would they put you up Monday to Friday?

 

[Hazwa89]

Morning

I am starting my journey as a Trainee Train Driver for Thameslink at Brighton at the end of the month.

I just a question regarding parking.

In the welcome emails I've received there was no mention of parking? I emailed my HR contact who told me that this will be sorted out by my Driver Manager. And that as I will be training at different locations I there's no rush to get this sorted.

I was hoping to park on site to then be able to get the train to my training location. However, can't afford the nearly £20 a day parking fee.

Happy to use public transport, though it's pretty unreliable where I am.

I had suggest that if this arranged locally at the station, that I'm happy to pop in to get this sorted. However, I've not had a response yet.

I also can't think of where the offices are at the station to be able to knock on the door to ask - though I could ask the numerous staff around.

Anyone else had this issue or any ideas?

Thanks
H

 

[AverageJoe]

Whilst appreciating that companies need a return on investment would you think that 58 is too old to apply for a role as a depot train driver? I would still have a minimum 8 years service to give.

It maybe even an advantage considering a lot of depot drivers would like to eventually move to mainline. They may consider you a likely candidate to stick around.

Either way, apply and see what happens.

 

[s01omorg]

I'm looking for some help with a few answers after failing my MMI, my first one.

I failed it with SWR in July, having passed all other psychometric tests and the DMI. I was shocked and asked for feedback, which I was told wasn't possible. I also asked if I could appeal the decision but was also told no.

They said I could apply to them again in 6 months, but could still apply with other TOCs immediately, and would only need to do the MMI again, and possibly the DMI (which makes sense).

However, I applied for a trainee depot driver role with GWR in August and got through to the checking of psychometric tests. After a few weeks I just got a basic email from GWR saying I wasn't successful on this occasion. I mailed the recruitment team weeks ago to seek clarification on what I wasn't successful on, and on the timeframes for applying after a failed MMI, but no response. I was under the impression I could apply again immediately with another TOC, and just retake the MMI?

Can anyone advise on this please as I can't seem to speak to anyone at GWR about it? What makes it worse is that the perfect depot has just been advertised with them for trainee driver, but I don't think I can apply!

**Addition - I just thought I'd apply anyway and see what happens, but it turns out you can't apply for a similar role within a 6-month period. So my above question is now irrelevant having applied for the depot driver job I couldn't even get!!

 

[Pintman]

I'm looking for some help with a few answers after failing my MMI, my first one.

I failed it with SWR in July, having passed all other psychometric tests and the DMI. I was shocked and asked for feedback, which I was told wasn't possible. I also asked if I could appeal the decision but was also told no.

They said I could apply to them again in 6 months, but could still apply with other TOCs immediately, and would only need to do the MMI again, and possibly the DMI (which makes sense).

However, I applied for a trainee depot driver role with GWR in August and got through to the checking of psychometric tests. After a few weeks I just got a basic email from GWR saying I wasn't successful on this occasion. I mailed the recruitment team weeks ago to seek clarification on what I wasn't successful on, and on the timeframes for applying after a failed MMI, but no response. I was under the impression I could apply again immediately with another TOC, and just retake the MMI?

Can anyone advise on this please as I can't seem to speak to anyone at GWR about it? What makes it worse is that the perfect depot has just been advertised with them for trainee driver, but I don't think I can apply!

**Addition - I just thought I'd apply anyway and see what happens, but it turns out you can't apply for a similar role within a 6-month period. So my above question is now irrelevant having applied for the depot driver job I couldn't even get!!

The MMI is part of the national psychometric process so you need to wait for 6 months or a year (depending on when you first sat) before you can apply to ANY toc

 

[s01omorg]

The MMI is part of the national psychometric process so you need to wait for 6 months or a year (depending on when you first sat) before you can apply to ANY toc

I appreciate your response. I sat it in July this year. How do you know if the wait is six months or a year?

 

[Pintman]

If July 2025 was the first time you sat any driver psychometrics it'll be a year until you can sit again. If you sat any assessments before I think December 2024 it's 6 months

 

[s01omorg]

Thanks for clarifying that. The person at SWR must have got confused when they said 6 months, as I applied in Dec '24 but didn't start assessments til this year. Cheers for your help

 

[Geoffrey Bocki]

Does anyone know which Train Operatong companies do not use the Visual Search Excercise when Recruiting Trainee Train Drivers? I went to the OPC in July and failed the Tea-Occ and have three more chances but only one more chance to pass with the VSE. So, does anyone know what Train Operaring Companies do not use the VSE in their Psycometric tests?

 

[Trev5678]

Does anyone know which Train Operatong companies do not use the Visual Search Excercise when Recruiting Trainee Train Drivers? I went to the OPC in July and failed the Tea-Occ and have three more chances but only one more chance to pass with the VSE. So, does anyone know what Train Operaring Companies do not use the VSE in their Psycometric tests?

I know GA and GTR don’t use it. Not sure on others

 

[RiverDon]

Does anyone know which Train Operatong companies do not use the Visual Search Excercise when Recruiting Trainee Train Drivers? I went to the OPC in July and failed the Tea-Occ and have three more chances but only one more chance to pass with the VSE. So, does anyone know what Train Operaring Companies do not use the VSE in their Psycometric tests?

Scotrail doesn't use VSE, DFFT or M7 and they don't have an enhanced pass mark either, just national standard.

 

[1725RJ]

Hi,

How do TOC’s work out the travel time from your home to station? Do they take an average over the day at several times or is it best case?

I’ve applied to a TOC and my travel time has been between 56 and 85 minutes when I’ve mapped it at various times of day.

They specify an hours journey MAX.

Is this ok? Guess it’ll depend on traffic and can’t account for that ALL the time.

 

[Pintman]

Hi,

How do TOC’s work out the travel time from your home to station? Do they take an average over the day at several times or is it best case?

I’ve applied to a TOC and my travel time has been between 56 and 85 minutes when I’ve mapped it at various times of day.

They specify an hours journey MAX.

Is this ok? Guess it’ll depend on traffic and can’t account for that ALL the time.

They probably look at the worst case scenario, which would unfortunately put you out of the running

 

[Tboon67]

Hi all, so ive passed the OPC stage 1 & 2 back in August and waiting for a DMI date for WMT. Since then chiltern have advertised for apprentice drivers at birmimgham, if I apply for this would I need to do any other tests if I survive the sift, or would they take my pass results and get fast tracked to DMI.

 

[md81]

Hi all, so ive passed the OPC stage 1 & 2 back in August and waiting for a DMI date for WMT. Since then chiltern have advertised for apprentice drivers at birmimgham, if I apply for this would I need to do any other tests if I survive the sift, or would they take my pass results and get fast tracked to DMI.

id imagine the different companies do not talk to each other about candidates as different criteria may apply. Id assume that once qualified you won't have to go again but not before you pass fully

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

question about friend and family discounts. How does this work? Do you submit a list of like 10 people so that for example my brother in London can get a discount code for Overground? or do operators print out an ID card or a rfid card? Or is there a database etc.

 

[skyhigh]

id imagine the different companies do not talk to each other about candidates as different criteria may apply. Id assume that once qualified you won't have to go again but not before you pass fully

This is incorrect. The psychometric results go onto a national database which is available to all train companies. If you have passed the tests to the standard they require, you won't have to resit the tests.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Oct 2025 ==

question about friend and family discounts. How does this work? Do you submit a list of like 10 people so that for example my brother in London can get a discount code for Overground? or do operators print out an ID card or a rfid card? Or is there a database etc.

Depends on train operator.

Other than partner and dependent children and "friend and family" discounts are usually for your own services only and issued in the form of a limited number of discount codes/passes. As your location is Derbyshire, it is very unlikely that your brother will get any discount on the Overground whatsoever.

 

[Brickz]

Hello I've got a couple questions regarding the shunter driver role if anyone could answer that'll be appreciated.
1st is how does going from a shunter driver to a mainline driver work? As from what I understand a shunter driver has the same qualification as the mainline driver so is it just the case of getting a DMI and then is successful doing the driving hours and learning any other bits thats required? As id assume you wouldn't need to do all the OPC assessment day tests again?
And my 2nd question is would you be applying for a trainee mainline role or a qualified? As from what I've read online somewhere far it sounds like they are kind of in between a trainee and say being classed as a fully qualified driver.
Do most of the TOCS out there like progressing their shunter drivers into mainline drivers?

Thank you.

 

[bluesfromagun]

Hello I've got a couple questions regarding the shunter driver role if anyone could answer that'll be appreciated.
1st is how does going from a shunter driver to a mainline driver work? As from what I understand a shunter driver has the same qualification as the mainline driver so is it just the case of getting a DMI and then is successful doing the driving hours and learning any other bits thats required? As id assume you wouldn't need to do all the OPC assessment day tests again?
And my 2nd question is would you be applying for a trainee mainline role or a qualified? As from what I've read online somewhere far it sounds like they are kind of in between a trainee and say being classed as a fully qualified driver.
Do most of the TOCS out there like progressing their shunter drivers into mainline drivers?

Thank you.

I'm not 100% on this, but as far as I know the assessments for shunter drivers are a lot shorter than for the mainline, so you'd need to do the remaining parts / the entire mainline driver assessment.
You would be applying to be a trainee, and you'd need to do the entire driver training. On the face of it, being a shunter driver is very similar to being a mainline driver, but in reality there's very little in common between the two.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Oct 2025 ==

Hi,

How do TOC’s work out the travel time from your home to station? Do they take an average over the day at several times or is it best case?

I’ve applied to a TOC and my travel time has been between 56 and 85 minutes when I’ve mapped it at various times of day.

They specify an hours journey MAX.

Is this ok? Guess it’ll depend on traffic and can’t account for that ALL the time.

They all have their own formulas, but you'd think it would be based around the worst case scenario rather than the best. You can only apply and see!
The shifts can be long and very unsociable though, and after a few years or even less, you'd find that sort of commute horrific on top of ten hour shifts driving a train.

 

[Colly103]

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.

Hi GPR - is it definitely 0800 normal weekday? I thought it was 0900??? Think they use google maps?

 

[longbigtoes]

Hi GPR - is it definitely 0800 normal weekday? I thought it was 0900??? Think they use google maps?

The TOC I work for uses RAC travel planning to calculate it.

 

[Colly103]

The TOC I work for uses RAC travel planning to calculate it.

Thanks for that. Do they use a specific day or time of day? I only live 20 miles from the station I’ve applied for but depending on the time of day I get wildly different results. Most times I look I am 36-40 minutes away. There is a road closure on the way into the town which I think might also be impacting the times. In the summer I was well under the 45 minutes but now it’s nearly an hour on a Monday at 8!