Assessments & Medicals discussion

[Twin82]

I think what I would say is - just ignore the whole lift thing. It's a fancy way of asking you to count.

First tone - 1
Second tone - 2
Third tone - 3

etc. etc.

At the end just write down how many you counted

You pretty much just write down how many tones you heard. Coasting is doing a remarkable job explaining it to you. I found the actual thing was way easier than the practice material although I bought my stuff from a website called www.traineetraindriverinfo.co.uk.

 

[Welshchick]

Has anyone sat the Train Dispatch Multitasking test at all? I sat it on Monday and I'm still waiting to hear. I'm pretty sure I've failed it, although did score highly on the first part (safety critical) but hardly answered many of the customer questions.

 

[mwest123]

Hi all, booked in for an assessment day with GTR for a Shunter/Train Prep role (due to its location I assume is ground role only), but I have SCAAT, PPT and rVce assessments to complete on the day. Would failure of any of these affect ‘lives’ for trainee driver roles in the future? Many thanks

 

[Gooner18]

I seem to have got myself a bit confused regarding lives lost and how it works.
I have always presumed that there is only one set level you need to pass to maintain your lives nationally I.e to the standard level. However of course there is enhanced level which each individual company sets to what ever level they want. If you fail to their standards but make the standard level then your two/ three lives are safe , however, you lose a life just for that particular company, is this correct or have I got it totally incorrect?

 

[ga1717]

If you reach national standard on your 1st try, I believe you still only have 2 attempts to reach enhanced. Its best to think 3 attempts as oppose to lives if that makes sense.

Back in the days of 2 attempts I know someone who reached enhanced for a depot driver job, applied for mainline after there 5 years expired, failed on there 2nd attempt , that was there 2 attempts gone.

 

[KaneLeb]

Hi all,

I've recently been invited to do a TDCT and was wondering if anyone has done one recently, and how did they find it?

I have been given some paper practice materials but unfortunately can't find any proper practice tests with audio and more realistic test conditions. Would like to be as well prepared as possible as this job role means a lot to me..cheers.

This is a train dispatch concentration test that I have been invited go do recently. It's for a customer service/dispatch role with TfW.

Hi, hopefully not too late a response. I have in the past month passed a TDCT. I found it very easy to complete in relation to how I expected the test to be. They'll play practice questions prior, so pay attention as they do detail everything you need to know. Once they introduce the customer questions do remember that the train dispatch process is still the priority - safety. I hope you manage to pass. Just stay focused and don't panic, you'll be alright.

 

[Twin82]

I seem to have got myself a bit confused regarding lives lost and how it works.
I have always presumed that there is only one set level you need to pass to maintain your lives nationally I.e to the standard level. However of course there is enhanced level which each individual company sets to what ever level they want. If you fail to their standards but make the standard level then your two/ three lives are safe , however, you lose a life just for that particular company, is this correct or have I got it totally incorrect?

Sounds correct to me. Enhanced pass is company specific. Like you said, it’s not a ‘one size fits all’ thing. Some use an extra test, which can vary from company to company eg, SE uses the VSE and GTR uses the DFFT, some may require a higher score on 1 task like the group bourdon and some may require higher scores across all testing. If you fail to any company’s enhanced standard but pass to the national standard, then You lose a life with that company and any company that uses that testing as enhanced, but you will still have all 3 lives for the national testing. Hope that makes sense.

 

[ga1717]

You can only take train driver Psychometrics 3 times in your lifetime. Used to be 2 attempts.Regardless of what you achieve in any test and with any TOC/test provider.
It has to be that way, if people had more attempts they would pass on familiarity rather than ability. Most people who pass and get the job they apply for would have no further reason to retake the test, like for a mainline job etc.
Others may only reach national standard but the TOC they applied for requires enhanced. Or to be a depot driver (Non European License Holder)
Whether you achieve National, Enhanced or Fail, you use an attempt/life.
I passed them to become a depot driver, applied to become mainline within the 5 year validity of my test and they accepted my enhanced pass mark and only made me take a fault finding test. Had I applied and had to do the tests again whether they wanted me to or because id gone past my 5 years, had I failed that would have been it for me. At the time i took them it was 2 attempts.

 

[Welshchick]

Hi, hopefully not too late a response. I have in the past month passed a TDCT. I found it very easy to complete in relation to how I expected the test to be. They'll play practice questions prior, so pay attention as they do detail everything you need to know. Once they introduce the customer questions do remember that the train dispatch process is still the priority - safety. I hope you manage to pass. Just stay focused and don't panic, you'll be alright.

Thanks mate. I am still waiting to find out. I didn't answer many of the customer questions as didn't have much time. i answered about 24/27 of the dispatch ones. i don't think I ever made a mistake with the dispatch, just ran out of time on some of them. When did you find out? I sat the test on Monday, and the test window closed on Wednesday.

 

[KaneLeb]

Thanks mate. I am still waiting to find out. I didn't answer many of the customer questions as didn't have much time. i answered about 24/27 of the dispatch ones. i don't think I ever made a mistake with the dispatch, just ran out of time on some of them. When did you find out? I sat the test on Monday, and the test window closed on Wednesday.

No worries, fingers crossed for you! Mine was for a different TOC & I found out an hour after sitting them. This obviously varies for other TOCs.

 

[Gooner18]

You can only take train driver Psychometrics 3 times in your lifetime. Used to be 2 attempts.Regardless of what you achieve in any test and with any TOC/test provider.
It has to be that way, if people had more attempts they would pass on familiarity rather than ability. Most people who pass and get the job they apply for would have no further reason to retake the test, like for a mainline job etc.
Others may only reach national standard but the TOC they applied for requires enhanced. Or to be a depot driver (Non European License Holder)
Whether you achieve National, Enhanced or Fail, you use an attempt/life.
I passed them to become a depot driver, applied to become mainline within the 5 year validity of my test and they accepted my enhanced pass mark and only made me take a fault finding test. Had I applied and had to do the tests again whether they wanted me to or because id gone past my 5 years, had I failed that would have been it for me. At the time i took them it was 2 attempts.

I’m not sure that’s correct, I checked on the opc site. It states that you lose an attempt when you fall. There is no mention that a pass uses up an attempt

 

[Twin82]

I’m not sure that’s correct, I checked on the opc site. It states that you lose an attempt when you fall. There is no mention that a pass uses up an attempt

I agree with you. This is what I know it to be.

 

[ga1717]

Hopefully you're both right

 

[Twin82]

Hopefully you're both right

That’s how it is. Sure of it.

 

[ga1717]

Good Luck

 

[coasting8816]

Regarding MMI/DMI - I'd be curious to hear from anyone who had mostly office based jobs without a significant safety element prior to becoming a train driver. I know that there will likely be questions about safety and/or emergency situations. I do have some relevant examples but wondering how others in a similar position dealt with those kinds of questions?

 

[thatguy95]

Regarding MMI/DMI - I'd be curious to hear from anyone who had mostly office based jobs without a significant safety element prior to becoming a train driver. I know that there will likely be questions about safety and/or emergency situations. I do have some relevant examples but wondering how others in a similar position dealt with those kinds of questions?

The examples do not have to come from your work, they could be examples of situations or tasks from your personal life or education if you had any recent courses etc.

I have just had my MMI last Friday and it isn't as scary as some people picture it on the forum. It's literally the same exact 6 questions you will find allover this forum so you can prepare well for it and you will get a pre interview form to fill in which I would recommend you give little more detail than some people say here as they can use the answer from that sheet during the interview and then they may ask you some follow up questions. They can also ask hypothetical questions to further supplement your answer.

I have also passed my DMI in July and for that it's more like a relaxed conversation, however you do need to remember the TPWS sheet by heart and learn as much as you can about the company

Hope that helps

 

[Twin82]

The examples do not have to come from your work, they could be examples of situations or tasks from your personal life or education if you had any recent courses etc.

I have just had my MMI last Friday and it isn't as scary as some people picture it on the forum. It's literally the same exact 6 questions you will find allover this forum so you can prepare well for it and you will get a pre interview form to fill in which I would recommend you give little more detail than some people say here as they can use the answer from that sheet during the interview and then they may ask you some follow up questions. They can also ask hypothetical questions to further supplement your answer.

I have also passed my DMI in July and for that it's more like a relaxed conversation, however you do need to remember the TPWS sheet by heart and learn as much as you can about the company

Hope that helps

I take it you applied to Southeastern. I’m not aware of any other TOC that uses the TPWS in their interview. What depot did you apply for? Have you done your medical yet?

 

[thatguy95]

I take it you applied to Southeastern. I’m not aware of any other TOC that uses the TPWS in their interview. What depot did you apply for? Have you done your medical yet?

Yes, I've applied for Southeastern, Grove Park depot. I am currently awaiting for an invite to book my medical.

 

[Twin82]

Yes, I've applied for Southeastern, Grove Park depot. I am currently awaiting for an invite to book my medical.

Ok congrats. Had my medical with them for Vic/CX depots. Highly likely we will be on the same course. Did they tell you early next year for the next course?

 

[thatguy95]

Ok congrats. Had my medical with them for Vic/CX depots. Highly likely we will be on the same course. Did they tell you early next year for the next course?

Yes they have told me that the likely start date would be early next year so most likely we will be on the same one

 

[newbiewannabe]

Hi all, have the rules around drivers wearing vari focal glasses changed recently. Are they now accepted? Someone on the training course told me the rules changed recently. Can anyone confirm this as I have my medical coming up next month. Thanks

 

[mickeyC]

Hi all, have the rules around drivers wearing vari focal glasses changed recently. Are they now accepted? Someone on the training course told me the rules changed recently. Can anyone confirm this as I have my medical coming up next month. Thanks

I’ve got an email from a Medigold doctor starting
“We do approve bifocal and varifocal spectacle lenses. We do approve the use of reading glasses used in conjunction with distance contact lenses.”
I asked after I’d passed my medical in Feb 2026.

 

[newbiewannabe]

I’ve got an email from a Medigold doctor starting
“We do approve bifocal and varifocal spectacle lenses. We do approve the use of reading glasses used in conjunction with distance contact lenses.”
I asked after I’d passed my medical in Feb 2026.

Brilliant, cheers mate. Just didn’t want to waste money on bifocals if I didn’t need to!

 

[Ludus]

For driver medicals, how much medical history/documents do they want?
I have a few health conditions so I want to be prepared with all the relevant documentation etc. so i'm going to get the consultants that i'm under to write me recommendation letters that my conditions will not affect my ability to drive.

I hold a HGV medical but that was a very brief medical which lasted about 30 minutes without much probing into my medical history and conditions. I know the train driving medical is very strict however.

Is there anything else I need to be aware of?

 

[ga1717]

A GP patient summary is usually enough. Ive had several railway medicals and found this to be enough everytime. I also manage a health condition and have never had an issue.

 

[Ludus]

A GP patient summary is usually enough. Ive had several railway medicals and found this to be enough everytime. I also manage a health condition and have never had an issue.

I’ve got mild sleep apnoea which currently does not require treatment - I have a letter from a consultant stating this.
I also have an eye disease which required surgery but has been stable for 10 years, my vision meets the eyesight requirements. I am due my yearly consultation next month where I will ask for a letter stating the disease is table from my consultant.
Do you think I’ll have any issues with these or will these letters be sufficient for the medical?

 

[ga1717]

I’ve got mild sleep apnoea which currently does not require treatment - I have a letter from a consultant stating this.
I also have an eye disease which required surgery but has been stable for 10 years, my vision meets the eyesight requirements. I am due my yearly consultation next month where I will ask for a letter stating the disease is table from my consultant.
Do you think I’ll have any issues with these or will these letters be sufficient for the medical?

I know drivers who have Sleep apnea that requires CPAP use on a nightly basis. Im no medical expert but I think so long as your condition(s) are under control you should be ok. Your doing the right thing by declaring everything.
If you passed a HGV medical then you should be ok. If im not mistaken that is a D4 medical? In my opinion they are more strict than a train driver medical.

 

[Ludus]

I know drivers who have Sleep apnea that requires CPAP use on a nightly basis. Im no medical expert but I think so long as your condition(s) are under control you should be ok. Your doing the right thing by declaring everything.
If you passed a HGV medical then you should be ok. If im not mistaken that is a D4 medical? In my opinion they are more strict than a train driver medical.

Yes it was a D4 medical. I’ve also got a class 2 pilots medical.

There’s obviously the option of not declaring my medical history, but I’m led to believe that would be a dismissal if they found out? Not that I would anyway, I believe being upfront and honest is best anyway in terms of having occupational health aware of your medical history for protected sickness and disability act etc.

 

[ga1717]

Yes it was a D4 medical. I’ve also got a class 2 pilots medical.

There’s obviously the option of not declaring my medical history, but I’m led to believe that would be a dismissal if they found out? Not that I would anyway, I believe being upfront and honest is best anyway in terms of having occupational health aware of your medical history for protected sickness and disability act etc.

Yes, definitely declare everything.