Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[Pintman]

I believe was led to believe you get 3 shots. Between second and third is a 5 years wait though.

Depends when you first sat, if you've sat any assessments before last December you only get 2 because you're on the old process

 

[scottgl]

Unfortunately failed the 2nd assessment I sat last week Tuesday. Disappointing after having taken 18 months to get to this stage. Asked for feedback and passed the black dot test and the joystick, but failed on the photograph memory one. To be fair I found it pretty difficult but still a shame not to get across the line. Received an email that can reapply in 6 months time, so fingers crossed and will have a crack at doing some more practise if that helps. Anyone else failed that and passed it 2nd time? Also any updates from anyone that has failed at this point from recruitment team on how to re-engage at 2nd assessment stage? Am I right that if I fail again that's a lifetime fail?

Sorry to hear that, I have a link to a site where you can buy practice tests for them and they are pretty similar to the real thing that I can send you a dm with if you want?

I got them off someone else in this forum months ago and I would say that they did help me on the day

 

[GKGlasgow]

Sorry to hear that, I have a link to a site where you can buy practice tests for them and they are pretty similar to the real thing that I can send you a dm with if you want?

I got them off someone else in this forum months ago and I would say that they did help me on the day

Thanks mate, yeah send them across and will have a look. I heard the pass rate is pretty high so i might just not have the natural knack for that test but will give it my best when the time comes again. Congrats to all those who got through!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Oct 2025 ==

Depends when you first sat, if you've sat any assessments before last December you only get 2 because you're on the old process

Did the first assesment April (although applied early 2024 so did the online ones then). That rings a bell and think its 12 months have to wait, i was only focusing on all the benefits of getting the job the lady was describing not on what happens if you fail lol...

 

[weeman]

They'll spend some time going over it in class in the first few days at the training academy but basically most depots at ScotRail work a rest day pattern that is like:

Week 1 - Mon Tues rest days, Wed Thu Fri Sat working
Week 2 - Mon Tue working, Wed Thu rest days, Fri Sat working
Week 3 - Mon Tues Wed Thu working, Fri Sat rest days

which means you get a long weekend off Friday to Tuesday (inclusive) every other week. You normally rotate between early and late shift weeks, with the occasional run of nights if your depot does them. Shifts can be up to 10 hours for most depots though some small rural depots can work longer. The maximum continuous driving time is 4 hours. During the time at the training academy you work a five day week with Sat and Sun off but once you are out with your instructor you work the same four day week as them. Sundays are committed overtime but you won't work them as a trainee.

Thanks for the reply

 

[BrianD]

DM sent

Well Done

I got the email today to say I passed the MMI! I haven't stopped pacing around the house in disbelief. Hoping it's not too long to wait for an email for the medical and provisional start date

Well Done Pedro... my MMI is on Tues and the nerves are kicking in now , you got any info that i could have ? would be greatly appreciated .

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Nov 2025 ==

Good Morning all... Ive passed all my tests for the trainee train driver position and have my MMI on Tues afternoon in Glasgow, anyone know or got a link of the questions that will be asked? Done notes but just would like to try cover all bases and calm this nervousness down a bit. Would be greatly appreciated .

 

[gostin]

You should have filled out a sheet with the 6 questions you'll be asked after your tests. Falling that go over the last 5 or so pages I'm sure someone posted them

 

[lavman1]

Does anyone know or may have heard when the applications are going live for new drivers? I'd heard it was supposed a couple of weeks ago.

 

[JJenkins94]

Hi all!
Got my DMI tomorrow morning and starting to panic a little bit. Anyone got any insight they are willing to share.
Thanks in advance

 

[Chris96]

Hi all!
Got my DMI tomorrow morning and starting to panic a little bit. Anyone got any insight they are willing to share.
Thanks in advance

take your time, try stick to the star method, not sure if its common but i was asked about the station, what tractions it runs and what classes of train it operates, they just want to know you have the knowledge and are what their looking for, relax, remain calm and enjoy it mate drop me a DM If you have any questions

 

[Hales80]

Hubby had mmi this afternoon...think the dreaded wait will kill me more than him. Anyone else had a mmi this week. Good luck.

 

[marcy]

Hubby had mmi this afternoon...think the dreaded wait will kill me more than him. Anyone else had a mmi this week. Good luck.

How did he find it ?

 

[Hales80]

How did he find it ?

He said he done his best. He forgot one of the answers he gave at the last assessment centre but said he was able to give a pretty decent answer considering. He said the guy was ticking stuff on a piece of paper but he had no idea. He felt like he got all the buzz words out but wasn't sure if he was repeating himself. It was only the 6 questions they asked.. he was expecting why do u want to be a train driver but nothing like that. That's prob at the dmi if he gets to that stage. ..he's on the new system apparently but I don't think they've noticed a difference with it..thats what they told him anyway. They said he should find out within the week..here's hoping.

 

[traingf]

Does anyone have any insight to what the first week of training looks like? From reading I take it the first two days are online induction days but curious in person.

 

[marcy]

He said he done his best. He forgot one of the answers he gave at the last assessment centre but said he was able to give a pretty decent answer considering. He said the guy was ticking stuff on a piece of paper but he had no idea. He felt like he got all the buzz words out but wasn't sure if he was repeating himself. It was only the 6 questions they asked.. he was expecting why do u want to be a train driver but nothing like that. That's prob at the dmi if he gets to that stage. ..he's on the new system apparently but I don't think they've noticed a difference with it..thats what they told him anyway. They said he should find out within the week..here's hoping.

Ah the DMI comes after , was different when I did it . All you can do is try your best . Hope it’s good news

 

[Hales80]

Ah the DMI comes after , was different when I did it . All you can do is try your best . Hope it’s good news

Thanks.

 

[eumcg]

They'll spend some time going over it in class in the first few days at the training academy but basically most depots at ScotRail work a rest day pattern that is like:

Week 1 - Mon Tues rest days, Wed Thu Fri Sat working
Week 2 - Mon Tue working, Wed Thu rest days, Fri Sat working
Week 3 - Mon Tues Wed Thu working, Fri Sat rest days

which means you get a long weekend off Friday to Tuesday (inclusive) every other week. You normally rotate between early and late shift weeks, with the occasional run of nights if your depot does them. Shifts can be up to 10 hours for most depots though some small rural depots can work longer. The maximum continuous driving time is 4 hours. During the time at the training academy you work a five day week with Sat and Sun off but once you are out with your instructor you work the same four day week as them. Sundays are committed overtime but you won't work them as a trainee.

Can I ask how they incorporate the Sunday shifts in that roster? If you done a Sunday shift week 1 it would then mean you’ll be working 7 days in a row?

 

[Horizon22]

Can I ask how they incorporate the Sunday shifts in that roster? If you done a Sunday shift week 1 it would then mean you’ll be working 7 days in a row?

End of week 3 surely as a one off? Or its just 7 in a row, not unheard of especially if it's not every time.

 

[scotraildriver]

Can I ask how they incorporate the Sunday shifts in that roster? If you done a Sunday shift week 1 it would then mean you’ll be working 7 days in a row?

Yes, you regularly work 7 days in a row if there's a booked Sunday. 19 times a year at my depot.

 

[DavidAtkin]

Yes, you regularly work 7 days in a row if there's a booked Sunday. 19 times a year at my depot.

Am I correct in saying you don’t have to work the Sunday if you can get it covered? And if you do work it it’s classed as OT ?

 

[scotraildriver]

Am I correct in saying you don’t have to work the Sunday if you can get it covered? And if you do work it it’s classed as OT ?

Yes, Sundays are paid as overtime but certainly at my depot it's very hard to get your Sunday covered. But yes if it can be covered you can get it off. Most people work their booked ones and take the others off.

 

[DavidAtkin]

Yes, Sundays are paid as overtime but certainly at my depot it's very hard to get your Sunday covered. But yes if it can be covered you can get it off. Most people work their booked ones and take the others off.

Perfect cheers for the info

 

[stucol123]

Just recently passed my part 2 computerised tests & booked my date for MMI ! Any advice for MMI would be appreciated , thanks

 

[afloattoast]

Literally just sat mine there. Stay calm, keep to the STAR method and link your answers to transferable tasks to a train driver

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Nov 2025 ==

Just recently passed my part 2 computerised tests & booked my date for MMI ! Any advice for MMI would be appreciated , thanks

 

[eumcg]

Yes, Sundays are paid as overtime but certainly at my depot it's very hard to get your Sunday covered. But yes if it can be covered you can get it off. Most people work their booked ones and take the others off.

Thank you mate, when you are on for you 7 days what sort of shifts are you doing? Just to give me a rough idea what to expect

 

[stucol123]

Literally just sat mine there. Stay calm, keep to the STAR method and link your answers to transferable tasks to a train driver

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Nov 2025 ==

magic pal thank you , i reckon i have good transferrable skills im quietly confident

 

[Hales80]

Hubby had mmi yesterday and got email today to say he passed. Woohoo!! He's buzzing.. dmi next..anyone else waiting on a dmi date?

 

[LoogaBarooga]

Thank you mate, when you are on for you 7 days what sort of shifts are you doing? Just to give me a rough idea what to expect

I'm on day 6 of 7 just now. Last week Friday and Saturday were earlies. Backshift Sunday through to Thursday then 5 days off.

Honking backshifts too, looking forward to my days off now!

 

[traingf]

I'm on day 6 of 7 just now. Last week Friday and Saturday were earlies. Backshift Sunday through to Thursday then 5 days off.

Honking backshifts too, looking forward to my days off now!

What time are the earlies and back shift?

 

[scotraildriver]

What time are the earlies and back shift?

It depends on the depot. Our earliest start is 03.35 and the latest back shift finish is 01.40. And everything in between. The shifts can be brutal at times.

 

[vc99]

I'm on day 6 of 7 just now. Last week Friday and Saturday were earlies. Backshift Sunday through to Thursday then 5 days off.

Honking backshifts too, looking forward to my days off now!

How did you find training course?