I first applied for the trainee driver role 29th September 2009. I was then invited to the first assessment on the 2nd December, which took place on the 8th December. I was then informed of passing the first tests on the 14th December, and invited to the second assessment on the 26th January.
The next day (15th Dec) however, I was informed they were halting recruitment for the foreseable future. Then on the 28th January I was invited to the second assessments again to take place on the 5th February. This went well and I was informed I passed on the 11th Feb. The Driver Manager interview was to take place on the 24th February.
The day before that interview was to take place, I was informed that again, they were halting recruitment. It wasn't until the 13th May that they started again, and was invited to the new Driver Manager interview to take place on the 27th May. I was informed I passed that the following Monday (31st May) and invited to a medical. This took place on 16th June. I had contract through on the 25th June.
So from applying to receiving contract it took just under 9 months. It was a long and hard process, but so worth it. If they do stop recruiting, they will start again, so don't be disheartened! Keep trying, keep applying!
'thisfeeling', the first assessment takes place at Swiss Cottage, but the second takes place at OPC Watford, where you will do a personality quiz, TRP, reaction and coordination and the CBI criterion based interview. Also I think there's another but I can't remember. Hope this helps.