Paying your own way on to driver tests

[JCLeeds]

I think someone here posted something about being able to pay you own way on to the asessments; then if you can get a pass "all" you need to do is find a TOC that is recruiting, and likes your application and DM interview.

Anyone know anything about this, who it is with, what it costs?

 

[benno79]

Its with rail operations group and last time I looked was around £900

 

[Beveridges]

I did it with CCL at Crewe for £200 back in 2008 as my TOC was refusing to put me in for it again after the first failure.

It was worth it and it got me the driving position that I wanted.

 

[tlionhart]

I don't think its worth it. You'll get mixed opinions on this.
I'll give you a scenario...

Let's say in TOC A you sit the following tests;
- Group Bourdon
- TRP 1 & 2 (glop test and cables & dials)
...then the remainder of the tests

Then TOC B may have a different assessment test...
- group bourdon
- TRP 1 & 2... Which turn to be different. Fault finding test and a different test to the glop
Some also require a verbal communication and a mechanical test

So let's say you apply for TOC B after receiving results from TOC A, you will need to sit them additional tests. Regardless if you have passed the whole lot.

Also some TOCs insist you sit the whole thing again, regardless if you have passed the tests. (I believe First group do, although I could be mistaken?)

Whilst you pass the tests at this testing centre, they may not meet the TOC/FOC standards, meaning a borderline would be considered a fail to them. (Not a RSSB fail)

I think its better to just apply to the TOC/FOC and keep doing it. It really is a lottery! Then sit the process there and then. Also jobs rarely come up, I think 3 years isn't long enough so £900 could be a waste. Of course some will disagree with me...

 

[JCLeeds]

Thanks all; its interesting, may be worth a punt

 

[387star]

Since when was it as much as 900?

I found all the tests really easy there really is nothing to worry about save for the interview provided you have the capabilities

I passed a mini mechanics test as part of my application and admit this may be more challenging

I wasn't aware there was a different trp1 test but a memory test is a memory test

I have heard about the fault finding test which may be harder than TRP2

I think if you pass all tests other than the interview it might be worth paying just for the satisfaction of getting through the whole lot... Or if your recent attempt is fresh in your mind. I think otherwise you have a better purpose if you take the tests the normal way

 

[JCLeeds]

ml; I passed all the tests up to Structured Interview when sent with Northern after passing their DM interview. Problem was, I passed the old reaction test with a borderline score; this was not accepted by Northern (and most other TOCs to be fair) so they didnt put me in for the final test which was the Structured Interview (now MMI) so I did come close.

I am confident with another shot at it I could pass those final 2 tests - especially as the Northern DM interview is known to be similar to the MMI.

If I could get the assesment day passed and 'in the bag' for 3 years I am confident the next time something comes up I should be a leading candidate. imho probably worth a grand of my money

 

[TheVicLine]

Can't think why anyone would pay for it themselves. Surely if you apply for the role and the TOC are interested in employing you then it won't make the slightest bit of difference if you have paid for and passed the tests yourself or not.

A waste of time and your own money in my opinion, there are better and more proactive ways of enhancing your chances.

 

[Beveridges]

I was already working for a TOC and they were not putting me in for it again after the 1st failure. My app forms were getting rejected after failing once. I had no choice but to do the tests private 2nd attempt. Within a few months of that I got an offer.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Can't think why anyone would pay for it themselves. Surely if you apply for the role and the TOC are interested in employing you then it won't make the slightest bit of difference if you have paid for and passed the tests yourself or not.

A waste of time and your own money in my opinion, there are better and more proactive ways of enhancing your chances.

I done it and got straight through to DM stage and nearly finished my training.
That was old system to be fair and now TOCS do different tests to suit themselves

 

[TheVicLine]

I done it and got straight through to DM stage and nearly finished my training.
That was old system to be fair and now TOCS do different tests to suit themselves

But that doesn't prove that you would not have got the job if you hadn't paid for the tests yourself. They would have offered you the tests, you would have passed them as you did independently, then gone on to the DM interview and passed that and then got the job offer.

I don't think that a TOC would turn a suitable candidate down just because they hadn't already taken the tests and passed them, if that was their attitude then why not just employ qualified drivers. HR factor in the cost and the time taken to complete the tests when assessing candidates so it no difference to them either way, and you will still have to take and pass the tests so you are gaining nothing.

I applied for drivers positions with 2 TOCs and got offers from them both and I hadn't taken the tests prior to applying, neither had any of the 10 trainees who were on my course. You're just wasting your own money when the TOC expects to and is happy to put you through the tests in my opinion.

 

[SkinnyDave]

I don't understand the point you are making?
You said you dont understand why someone would pay for the tests and waste money on doing so.
I skipped the que and went straight through to DM interview whilst assesments were still ongoing..Therefore was of good benefit to me and worked for me

 

[Journeyman]

I don't understand the point you are making?
You said you dont understand why someone would pay for the tests and waste money on doing so.
I skipped the que and went straight through to DM interview whilst assesments were still ongoing..Therefore was of good benefit to me and worked for me

Yeah, but you don't "skip the queue" as such - you still have to wait for everyone else to catch up. I passed my psychometrics with DRS but didn't get the job. As I already have them, I've not had to take them again for my ScotRail application but I had to wait for everyone else to do theirs before being offered an interview date. Seems crazy paying for something with a time limit on it when you can get it for free.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Yeah, but you don't "skip the queue" as such - you still have to wait for everyone else to catch up. I passed my psychometrics with DRS but didn't get the job. As I already have them, I've not had to take them again for my ScotRail application but I had to wait for everyone else to do theirs before being offered an interview date. Seems crazy paying for something with a time limit on it when you can get it for free.

Think you will find I did..
Scotrail don't have a recruitment campaign the size of my TOC hence that's why you may have had to wait, that's up to them.
I reiterate the point doing them and getting them out the way worked for me.. There have been people that have done it and been rejected at application stage so one shoe doesn't fit all.
The new tests coming in may make it more unreasonable to do going forward as they all choose differently from the new suite of tests and the lottery of different pass marks still persists