Northern - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Manda2194]

Recived an email stating although I had reached the required level on the maki test they were only progressing with those who got the very highest scores due to a large number if applicants

Wow high standards

 

[AAC]

Recived an email stating although I had reached the required level on the maki test they were only progressing with those who got the very highest scores due to a large number if applicants

I think you get another go after 6 months

 

[Toby268]

Mines now says “invite to driver psychometric assessment” but I’ve not had any correspondence.

 

[Manda2194]

Mine hasn’t changed. What depot are you in for. I imagine the recruitment for the most in need depots are prioritised

Mines now says “invite to driver psychometric assessment” but I’ve not had any correspondence.

 

[bk42]

Mines now says “invite to driver psychometric assessment” but I’ve not had any correspondence.

With mine the engage page changed to invite to psychometric then get a phone call day or two later followed by email confirmation

 

[Arne]

Anyone here applied for the recently posted Newcastle position?

 

[GTR33]

Anyone here applied for the recently posted Newcastle position?

Just completed my application

 

[md81]

newcastle, blackburn and sheffield trainee positions are up

 

[MH117]

the next stage after applying used to be a group assessment day, from what I’ve read they also have online tests for sifting? Can anyone clarify?

 

[bk42]

the next stage after applying used to be a group assessment day, from what I’ve read they also have online tests for sifting? Can anyone clarify?

They do maki tests and can do telephone screenings

 

[md81]

the next stage after applying used to be a group assessment day, from what I’ve read they also have online tests for sifting? Can anyone clarify?

last year in sheffield it was group assessments in a sheffield hotel, then a few weeks later for the successful ones further psychometrics in leeds. transpennine do online testing first

 

[MH117]

Having looked into it further it seems they’ve replaced the group assessment day I with online maki tests, and the DMI is now after psychometrics as opposed to last year when it was before

 

[BishaCD]

I'm based in York, passed my psychometric tests in January this year and have been in a talent pool ever since. I still haven't heard anything about a course date other than 'next year'. The Maki tests sound like a new thing that they started after, but I'm wondering if it's going to count against me that I didn't do them? I'm worried about being forgotten

 

[Toby268]

I'm based in York, passed my psychometric tests in January this year and have been in a talent pool ever since. I still haven't heard anything about a course date other than 'next year'. The Maki tests sound like a new thing that they started after, but I'm wondering if it's going to count against me that I didn't do them? I'm worried about being forgotten

Don’t worry about that - it’s just a new process to get into the talent pool. You are already there. Fingers crossed you are on a course soon.

 

[Luke 123]

Hello.

I am in the process of applying for position with Northern. My question is related to the 3 competency questions. I have used examples from my current employment for 2 questions. Do I need to use my work experience to answer these or can it be based around my private \ family life.

Thanks

 

[bk42]

Hello.

I am in the process of applying for position with Northern. My question is related to the 3 competency questions. I have used examples from my current employment for 2 questions. Do I need to use my work experience to answer these or can it be based around my private \ family life.

Thanks

Think it doesn't matter too much long as it's relevant

 

[Luke 123]

Thanks

 

[Yfg132]

If you have previously failed psychometrics, how long before you can try again? Thanks

 

[sdj]

I applied for Newcastle. The ad closed early, on 18 August. This evening (20 August) I received an email from recruitment saying they are "pleased to confirm that my application has been progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process", which will be an "online assessment". It says they are "currently finalising the applicaiton screening process" and that a link to the assessment will follow in due course.

 

[Cottoneyedjoel]

Recently applied for the Newcastle post, the last time I applied the MAKI tests weren't a thing, they've been added due to most TOCS going in-house to GBR, and everyone has to have the same recruitment processs

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Aug 2026 ==

For the Online Assessment (Maki) tests, what topics were on them? If anyone can help, just so I can get some practice. Cheers in advance

 

[robt100]

Trying a 2nd time for the Sheffield post, last time google maps screwed me over by making it within 45mins to the station every day apart from the Monday at 8am that they check. The maps seem to have updated the Monday 8am to within the 45mins so hopefully it'll get past the first stage at least!

 

[Purplerain77]

If you have previously failed psychometrics, how long before you can try again? Thanks

Depends on how many tries you have had. If it’s first time (assuming it was in the last year or so) then a year from then to wait before you can attempt again. If it’s a second fail then you’ll have to wait 5 years from the day you first failed

 

[GPR]

Trying a 2nd time for the Sheffield post, last time google maps screwed me over by making it within 45mins to the station every day apart from the Monday at 8am that they check. The maps seem to have updated the Monday 8am to within the 45mins so hopefully it'll get past the first stage at least!

School holidays and less traffic on the road.

 

[robt100]

Possibly, though its only changed by the one minute it needed to for me to be in the range on a monday morning.

 

[GPR]

Good news then

 

[robt100]

Aaaand still rejected for being outside the 45mins. Have emailed back to ask for evidence and/or the postcode they are using for calculations, because I can't work out how its going over. Also, is it me or are most TOCs 60mins?

 

[GPR]

Aaaand still rejected for being outside the 45mins. Have emailed back to ask for evidence and/or the postcode they are using for calculations, because I can't work out how its going over. Also, is it me or are most TOCs 60mins?

How do you know it is because of the travelling time? Have they gave that as a reason for rejection?

Northerns is 45 minutes and it’s set in a policy. Unfortunately it doesn’t matter about other TOCs as annoying as it is.

The 45 minutes might be set outside the school holidays as that is normal traffic.

 

[Unber43]

Hi

I have made it too to the next stage of the Newcastle Drivers Job, does any one have an idea of the question's they'll ask in the online assessment?

 

[Luke 123]

Recently applied for the Newcastle post, the last time I applied the MAKI tests weren't a thing, they've been added due to most TOCS going in-house to GBR, and everyone has to have the same recruitment processs

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Aug 2026 ==

For the Online Assessment (Maki) tests, what topics were on them? If anyone can help, just so I can get some practice. Cheers in advance

Hello

Please can you kindly let me know if you have found more information about the online test. I am awaiting my online test and would like to know more

Thanks

 

[oseyboy10]

The Maki test seems to be another new addition to Northern’s recruitment process.

Has anyone completed it recently for either the Blackburn or Newcastle trainee driver applications that came out a couple of weeks back?

Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks!