Pepperami
Member
just wondered how you found it? I would imagine a lot of questions and probably not multiple choice 
Can't wait to start but I know it's a lot to learn!!
Can't wait to start but I know it's a lot to learn!!
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Anyone recently sat the drivers rules test?
- Thread starter Pepperami
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
just wondered how you found it? I would imagine a lot of questions and probably not multiple choice
Can't wait to start but I know it's a lot to learn!!
Drivers' rules are usually on a modal basis now, the best person to answer this would be a driver who has just passed out, (not unconscious due to the anxiety). There is an assessment at the end of your training but most of the questions would have been covered either on the job with the DI, simulator or direct observation. No questions are multiple choice and many are open questions such as why would you need to isolate the TPWS etc.
Pepperami
Member
Passed out from Anxiety lol I spat my coffee out lol
Yeah I just wondered what the format might be for the training I haven't looked into any of the actual stuff we will probably be learning as that would cause problems to the actual learning itself and I am sure they have a way of doing it specifically so not really any point in trying to learn anything and just take it as it comes
Yeah I just wondered what the format might be for the training I haven't looked into any of the actual stuff we will probably be learning as that would cause problems to the actual learning itself and I am sure they have a way of doing it specifically so not really any point in trying to learn anything and just take it as it comes
321446
Member
I had a chuckle at the anxiety comment. Not far from the truth I can assure you! Mixture of styles used. Some multiple choice, some paragraphs of writing, some drawing of ESRs etc.
Effectively our 3 exams took basically the same format, just the questions were changes a little on each one to protect the innocent. The important basics were covered each time but then differing questions to allow you to demonstrate knowledge & most importantly understanding of each Module of Rule Book relevant to you.
We had a Rules exam on first day at Academy (AGA) so they knew where our knowledge was at, or if we had any at all. The Academy passing out exam was similar but more thorough, but you would at this stage be au fair with their style. Final exam with Driver Manager was a mix of written & aural (I wasn't bad enough to have to resort to the oral part...!)
Effectively our 3 exams took basically the same format, just the questions were changes a little on each one to protect the innocent. The important basics were covered each time but then differing questions to allow you to demonstrate knowledge & most importantly understanding of each Module of Rule Book relevant to you.
We had a Rules exam on first day at Academy (AGA) so they knew where our knowledge was at, or if we had any at all. The Academy passing out exam was similar but more thorough, but you would at this stage be au fair with their style. Final exam with Driver Manager was a mix of written & aural (I wasn't bad enough to have to resort to the oral part...!)
Last edited:
You really can't wait can you Pepperami? 
The final rules assessment is not an easy exam I'll make no secret of that, but you'll be well prepared . As you work through the 14 weeks you'll have an written assessment at the end of each week, except when you are out and about doing your "front end turns" with an experienced driver and then you will have a task book to complete!
But fear not, you will start at the beginning with personal track safety which will be a mix of classroom and wandering about a depot. At the end of that week you'll have your first assessment, and no! It's most certainly not multiple choice! Some of the questions will require a reasonably lengthy written answer - by lengthy I mean a good few sentences, and some of it will be practical - demonstrating how to put a short-circuiting bar on the third rail (don't worry it'll be switched off) and how to cross the tracks safely. But provided you pay attention you'll be just fine. It's a serious matter but there'll be a few jokes along the way and all in all you'll enjoy every minute.
As you progress through the rules the exams will get harder but you'll be fine, the course moves at a steady pace and there is more than enough time for debate and questions. Put in a little bit of homework and chat to your fellow trainees and trainer about what you don't understand. You'll get a few questions wrong but you'll sit down a review the wrong answers with your trainer and he'll wheedle the correct answer out of you in the end
By the time you get to the final rules exam you'll be amazed at what you've learned and hopefully you'll be more than ready, the final rules test takes around three hours but take as long as you need, there's no rush.
The final rules assessment is not an easy exam I'll make no secret of that, but you'll be well prepared . As you work through the 14 weeks you'll have an written assessment at the end of each week, except when you are out and about doing your "front end turns" with an experienced driver and then you will have a task book to complete!
But fear not, you will start at the beginning with personal track safety which will be a mix of classroom and wandering about a depot. At the end of that week you'll have your first assessment, and no! It's most certainly not multiple choice! Some of the questions will require a reasonably lengthy written answer - by lengthy I mean a good few sentences, and some of it will be practical - demonstrating how to put a short-circuiting bar on the third rail (don't worry it'll be switched off) and how to cross the tracks safely. But provided you pay attention you'll be just fine. It's a serious matter but there'll be a few jokes along the way and all in all you'll enjoy every minute.
As you progress through the rules the exams will get harder but you'll be fine, the course moves at a steady pace and there is more than enough time for debate and questions. Put in a little bit of homework and chat to your fellow trainees and trainer about what you don't understand. You'll get a few questions wrong but you'll sit down a review the wrong answers with your trainer and he'll wheedle the correct answer out of you in the end
By the time you get to the final rules exam you'll be amazed at what you've learned and hopefully you'll be more than ready, the final rules test takes around three hours but take as long as you need, there's no rush.
beavercreek
Member
- Joined
- 18 Nov 2011
- Messages
- 187
My final rules was face to face.My DM went through the rule book and PDP.
It lasted about Five hours and it wasn't as bad as I first feared.You will be amazed at how much you will know and the time does go quickly.
I thought the hardest part of passing out was both driving assessments as I needed to give a running commentary of all signal locations, route hazzards, multi-spad signal numbers, names of junctions and running lines.
Once you do pass out then like myself you become a PQA driver and are subject to regular ride outs, rules assessments, sim assessments and OTMR downloads.
All worth it though and like I said in my messroom to my colleagues, Id do the job for half the price which didn't go down well.
It lasted about Five hours and it wasn't as bad as I first feared.You will be amazed at how much you will know and the time does go quickly.
I thought the hardest part of passing out was both driving assessments as I needed to give a running commentary of all signal locations, route hazzards, multi-spad signal numbers, names of junctions and running lines.
Once you do pass out then like myself you become a PQA driver and are subject to regular ride outs, rules assessments, sim assessments and OTMR downloads.
All worth it though and like I said in my messroom to my colleagues, Id do the job for half the price which didn't go down well.
Pepperami
Member
Thank you for the info guys really appreciated 
No, I really can't wait!!!
I'm probably going to be the oldest one on the training, that worries me a little
I get on well with people but the age thing has got to me a little and I wish so much that I'd have done this years ago I could really kick myself lol
Hopefully I meet some forum members on my travels would be nice to personally thank them for the advice and help they have offered and if it were not for them I would not have made it to the start of a brand new career
No, I really can't wait!!!
I'm probably going to be the oldest one on the training, that worries me a little
I get on well with people but the age thing has got to me a little and I wish so much that I'd have done this years ago I could really kick myself lol
Hopefully I meet some forum members on my travels would be nice to personally thank them for the advice and help they have offered and if it were not for them I would not have made it to the start of a brand new career
321446
Member
I too wish I had changed careers earlier, but on reflection I was so ready and keen to prove myself it's all been worth it. Don't worry about your age, you'll be the youngest old Git in the messroom but you'll still be smiling and happy!
Best advice I was given about my training was this; If you are unsure of anything, ask and enjoy it. Good advice for the rest of your career too. Good luck. You'll be alright!
Best advice I was given about my training was this; If you are unsure of anything, ask and enjoy it. Good advice for the rest of your career too. Good luck. You'll be alright!
Pepperami
Member
Cheers guys
How young am I? I passed my interview in June and turned 50 In July
How young am I? I passed my interview in June and turned 50 In July
TheVicLine
Member
I wouldn't worry about the age gap too much, there were a couple of us in our mid 40's on my course and some in their early 20's and we all got on great.
Rules exam varies from TOC to TOC (and even from depot to depot depending on the manager) which surprised me when I first sat it as I assumed it would be an industry standard exam and that all drivers would sit the same exams regardless of TOC.
Which TOC are you starting with?
Rules exam varies from TOC to TOC (and even from depot to depot depending on the manager) which surprised me when I first sat it as I assumed it would be an industry standard exam and that all drivers would sit the same exams regardless of TOC.
Which TOC are you starting with?
Pepperami
Member
I'm starting with the newly formed GTR
Pepperami - I've just completed week 1 of PTS and when you get lots of documents dropped in front of you on day one you will think - WTF have i done but believe me the training is good and delivered so you learn and retain it -I too woried about being mid 40's but the group are all excellent and help each other - all I can say is listen, listen and ask the stupid question as no question is stupid!
Pepperami
Member
Sean, thanks for that mate, and good luck with your training as well
Here is a list of stuff you will most likely have to do not necessarily in order:
1. Company Induction usually 1 week.
2. Depot familiarisation
3. PTS course and assessment.
4. Front end turns (sitting in the 2nd mans seat observing the infrastructure)
5. Traction course for base traction
6. Traction conversion course for similar traction
7. 265 hours driving under instruction with rules and regs and route knowledge fitted in
8. Classroom work on principles of the railway, signalling, train working etc.
9. The latest STUD (safety, training, update day)
10. Time in the simulator to cover out of course working.
11. A 3/5 day pass out assessment covering rules, regs, handling, traction and route knowledge.
12. 2 years PQ (post Qualified) where you are monitored on a frequent basis by a DTM
13. FULL MONEY yippee after 3 years
1. Company Induction usually 1 week.
2. Depot familiarisation
3. PTS course and assessment.
4. Front end turns (sitting in the 2nd mans seat observing the infrastructure)
5. Traction course for base traction
6. Traction conversion course for similar traction
7. 265 hours driving under instruction with rules and regs and route knowledge fitted in
8. Classroom work on principles of the railway, signalling, train working etc.
9. The latest STUD (safety, training, update day)
10. Time in the simulator to cover out of course working.
11. A 3/5 day pass out assessment covering rules, regs, handling, traction and route knowledge.
12. 2 years PQ (post Qualified) where you are monitored on a frequent basis by a DTM
13. FULL MONEY yippee after 3 years
Pepperami
Member
Thanks TDK
- Status