Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[3C-]

I haven’t looked at it yet but have had a follow up email asking for it to completed within 3 days and not the previously mentioned 7 days.

For transparency, I’m an internal candidate and have sat the driver assessments (passed) and never progressed past interview stage. I haven’t done these assessments before.

Same.

 

[Fat Pav]

Is this a new stage that they have introduced at the start, before you even start your in person testing? Or is this the OPC testing you are referring to?

It seems like a new step that Scotrail has introduced. I sat level 1 driver assessments in 2023 and it was application, assessment, interview. Have never done these before and I would have assumed that this was for external candidates only.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Dec 2025 ==

Same.

It’s annoying that they’ve shifted the goal posts so suddenly. Thankfully long weekend so will be able to invest some time into them but a few of my workmates are on a run of 7 and struggling to find the time in amongst their work and personal commitments, poor from Scotrail.

 

[3C-]

It seems like a new step that Scotrail has introduced. I sat level 1 driver assessments in 2023 and it was application, assessment, interview. Have never done these before and I would have assumed that this was for external candidates only.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Dec 2025 ==


It’s annoying that they’ve shifted the goal posts so suddenly. Thankfully long weekend so will be able to invest some time into them but a few of my workmates are on a run of 7 and struggling to find the time in amongst their work and personal commitments, poor from Scotrail.

That’s the boat I’m in - early week, kids have activiez in the afternoon/evening.

I have maybe an hour downtime before I need to go to bed. Not ideal

 

[ezywheels]

Same.

I think they now involve the OPC for the initial sifting and situational questions, maybe this.

 

[Fat Pav]

That’s the boat I’m in - early week, kids have activiez in the afternoon/evening.

I have maybe an hour downtime before I need to go to bed. Not ideal

So I’ve just sat mines and finished them all, essentially a personality test to start with and the rest are concentration tests.

Clicking a button when there’s two matching shapes, clicking incorrect or correct on an E symbol which has 3 dots surrounding it (similar in concept to Bourdon test), counting moving objects (see below paragraph) and one which is kind of like sudoku with shapes, using reasoning to find the correct shape to replace the question mark.

By a distance the hardest for me was the “monitoring ability”/counting moving objects test. Black circle with white balls inside, they start to move around and you need to click the answer of how many balls there are inside the black circle and are moving around. Very difficult to track, starts at a lower number then goes up to 13 balls. Trying to count them is very difficult.

 

[3C-]

So I’ve just sat mines and finished them all, essentially a personality test to start with and the rest are concentration tests.

Clicking a button when there’s two matching shapes, clicking incorrect or correct on an E symbol which has 3 dots surrounding it (similar in concept to Bourdon test), counting moving objects (see below paragraph) and one which is kind of like sudoku with shapes, using reasoning to find the correct shape to replace the question mark.

By a distance the hardest for me was the “monitoring ability”/counting moving objects test. Black circle with white balls inside, they start to move around and you need to click the answer of how many balls there are inside the black circle and are moving around. Very difficult to track, starts at a lower number then goes up to 13 balls. Trying to count them is very difficult.

I found the sudoku hardest, the rest was fine.

The personality test was abit much lol

 

[Ferretrugby]

Hi Everybody,

I have been given a DTM interview date of next Monday. I know there was a post on here previously with tips and hints for the interview but cant seem to locate it, could anybody help me out please.

I have been doing research into the route map area, traction unit signal types. booking on process of a driver for the role of a driver, in terms of scotrail research i have looked into purpose, values, staffing number recent work being undertaken and the history from inception in 1983, any other pointers would be appreciated.

 

[3C-]

Hi Everybody,

I have been given a DTM interview date of next Monday. I know there was a post on here previously with tips and hints for the interview but cant seem to locate it, could anybody help me out please.

I have been doing research into the route map area, traction unit signal types. booking on process of a driver for the role of a driver, in terms of scotrail research i have looked into purpose, values, staffing number recent work being undertaken and the history from inception in 1983, any other pointers would be appreciated.

Are you External?? Don’t need to know staffing numbers ( managers won’t know that lol ) the rest is just keen research which isn’t bad, maybe abit more research into the depot, things like how many roads ( tracks ) if there’s a yard coordinator.

I’m sure youv got everything else covered,

 

[HornbyJunction]

How are we meant to go about a depot visit!?... should we just rock up and ask to get in!? Seems a bit odd.

 

[afloattoast]

How are we meant to go about a depot visit!?... should we just rock up and ask to get in!? Seems a bit odd.

That’s what I did, some folk managed to book a visit when the done this, I went twice and spoke to drivers on both occasions

 

[Ferretrugby]

Are you External?? Don’t need to know staffing numbers ( managers won’t know that lol ) the rest is just keen research which isn’t bad, maybe abit more research into the depot, things like how many roads ( tracks ) if there’s a yard coordinator.

I’m sure youv got everything else covered,

Yip im external i will look i to those things thanks

 

[RiverDon]

How are we meant to go about a depot visit!?... should we just rock up and ask to get in!? Seems a bit odd.

I just went to the station and asked a driver and he took me upstairs to the office to speak to the manager. I did ask if they would like me to make an appointment to come back or whatever but they were happy to chat for a little while and also got another spare driver to speak to me and show me a few bits and pieces. I was there for about 45 minutes total and that was plenty without overstaying my welcome.

It probably isn't possible if your depot is an actual train maintenance depot like Yoker or Corkerhill with no public access but if it's at a station then it's well worth it, the manager I met that day was one of the people doing my interview...

 

[LostSoul4Ever]

Hi Everybody,

I have been given a DTM interview date of next Monday. I know there was a post on here previously with tips and hints for the interview but cant seem to locate it, could anybody help me out please.

I have been doing research into the route map area, traction unit signal types. booking on process of a driver for the role of a driver, in terms of scotrail research i have looked into purpose, values, staffing number recent work being undertaken and the history from inception in 1983, any other pointers would be appreciated.

I had mine a few weeks ago and found out yesterday I'd passed.

I had a notepad with the Purpose, Values, and Mission written in it, as well as some current ScotRail campaigns in case I wanted/needed to refer to them. I also knew the rolling stock/traction used on the line, and where the line went (more-or-less a single line at my depot, so this was straight forward).

I had also written down challenges that other drivers found with the job, and a couple of fatigue management tools, which was definitely handy.

How are we meant to go about a depot visit!?... should we just rock up and ask to get in!? Seems a bit odd.

I just turned up one day and asked at the ticket office if any drivers were about who'd have a spare 10 minutes to chat about an upcoming interview. They phoned down to the driver room and sent me down. There were only a couple about and they both had trains to get in ~10 minutes, but still gave me 5 minutes of their time, answered my questions, and gave me a few very helpful pointers.

Was good to refer to it in the interview.

 

[RiverDon]

There is a great thread here which might help with the sorts of question they ask

Distractions a driver could face when approaching your cab to prepare it.

Hi everyone, just looking for some answers as to what distractions a driver could have when approaching your cab to prepare it. Would it be in the form of…. Phones - texting/phone call Customers Along those lines. Any in put would be appreciated. Cheers.

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[ezywheels]

Are you External?? Don’t need to know staffing numbers ( managers won’t know that lol ) the rest is just keen research which isn’t bad, maybe abit more research into the depot, things like how many roads ( tracks ) if there’s a yard coordinator.

I’m sure youv got everything else covered,

Think about the role of the train driver, biggest challenges and how you will overcome them.

 

[HornbyJunction]

That’s what I did, some folk managed to book a visit when the done this, I went twice and spoke to drivers on both occasions

I just went to the station and asked a driver and he took me upstairs to the office to speak to the manager. I did ask if they would like me to make an appointment to come back or whatever but they were happy to chat for a little while and also got another spare driver to speak to me and show me a few bits and pieces. I was there for about 45 minutes total and that was plenty without overstaying my welcome.

It probably isn't possible if your depot is an actual train maintenance depot like Yoker or Corkerhill with no public access but if it's at a station then it's well worth it, the manager I met that day was one of the people doing my interview...

I had mine a few weeks ago and found out yesterday I'd passed.

I had a notepad with the Purpose, Values, and Mission written in it, as well as some current ScotRail campaigns in case I wanted/needed to refer to them. I also knew the rolling stock/traction used on the line, and where the line went (more-or-less a single line at my depot, so this was straight forward).

I had also written down challenges that other drivers found with the job, and a couple of fatigue management tools, which was definitely handy.


I just turned up one day and asked at the ticket office if any drivers were about who'd have a spare 10 minutes to chat about an upcoming interview. They phoned down to the driver room and sent me down. There were only a couple about and they both had trains to get in ~10 minutes, but still gave me 5 minutes of their time, answered my questions, and gave me a few very helpful pointers.

Was good to refer to it in the interview.

Thanks guys!

I'd be based at Ayr so hopefully it shouldn't be too busy. I'll go and ask if anyone would be free for a quick chat.

Thanks again.

 

[lineman]

Thanks guys!

I'd be based at Ayr so hopefully it shouldn't be too busy. I'll go and ask if anyone would be free for a quick chat.

Thanks again.

I had my interview at Ayr, I went and spoke to station staff who directed me to the drivers building and I managed to speak to a manager, very helpful and well worth doing. Missed them the first time, think they said the best time to visit is early afternoon. Good luck!

 

[afloattoast]

Is there anyone on this that’s NOT for Ayr depot

 

[shak46]

Is there anyone on this that’s NOT for Ayr depot

I still have my DMI to go and if I do pass this and the medical and disclosure/reference checks then I will be based at Motherwell? What about yourself?

 

[ezywheels]

Is there anyone on this that’s NOT for Ayr depot

Don't worry, those 2027 courses will be full soon enough bud! See you then ☺️

 

[afloattoast]

Don't worry, those 2027 courses will be full soon enough bud! See you then ☺️

 

[Hales80]

Hubby had dmi at Ayr. He has no idea how it went. Said its likely to be 2 weeks before he hears.. she was interviewing all day..
Good luck to everyone xx

 

[afloattoast]

Hubby had dmi at Ayr. He has no idea how it went. Said its likely to be 2 weeks before he hears.. she was interviewing all day..
Good luck to everyone xx

I had my DMI in Ayr on the 4th Dec and heard back the 17th so looking like the 2 week timescale for result

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Dec 2025 ==

I still have my DMI to go and if I do pass this and the medical and disclosure/reference checks then I will be based at Motherwell? What about yourself?

Ayr Passed my DMI but no idea yet when intake will be, doubt the medical/admin stuff will be taken care of till nearer that time

 

[ChernoSamba]

I’m wondering what some of your views are on booking a holiday when you’re waiting for a start date? I’ve been on the reserve list for Glasgow since May. The last I heard was to expect a start date between April 2026 and 2027.

I’m looking at booking a summer holiday around June time. I don’t want this to delay anything for me but at the same time it’s difficult to put yours and your family’s life on hold while you’re waiting.

If I booked something and got a start date around April/May time is it likely that I’d need to cancel my holiday or delay my start date to another intake?

I understand that they can’t see into the future and there are a lot of variables which have an effect on when they’ll require drivers but I just wish they could be a bit more specific on when we can expect to hear something.

 

[RiverDon]

I totally understand where you're coming from with putting life on hold and it is bad they haven't been able to give you a better idea of dates at this stage.

There's definitely no holidays allowed during the classroom bits so with the current course that'll be 14 to 18 weeks from your first day depending on how much traction you need for your depot. Once you are out with your instructor and following their duty roster pattern it gets a lot easier to manage time off so it might be better to wait and take a break later in the year if that fits in with your partner/kids holidays? That said there are also 2 additional courses to do once you are out with your instructor and you need to go back to the academy for a week for each of them, you get these when you hit a certain number of driving hours and normally there isn't a choice of dates because the academy only runs them when they have enough trainees to make it worthwhile. I haven't got dates for mine yet and I'm getting fairly close to needing them!

It's a pain but I'd either email Matheus in the new year to see if he can narrow down a firm start date (good luck with that lol) or be prepared to cancel/rearrange potentially at short notice. It could even be an option for your family to go away without you just for that holiday. Maybe you could email the dates and ask them to take them into account when planning courses? For April I guess they will be starting to put names/depots to courses very soon. I'm not sure I would risk waiting until you have a date before asking to defer because to me it seems like a bit of a gamble.

Look at the deal as bring a tricky year of uncertainty needing a bit of flexibility from you and support from your partner, with the pay off being a stable and secure job for the rest of your life if you want it. Although I know that's definitely easier said than done when you need to get your partner and kids on your side!

 

[ChernoSamba]

I totally understand where you're coming from with putting life on hold and it is bad they haven't been able to give you a better idea of dates at this stage.

There's definitely no holidays allowed during the classroom bits so with the current course that'll be 14 to 18 weeks from your first day depending on how much traction you need for your depot. Once you are out with your instructor and following their duty roster pattern it gets a lot easier to manage time off so it might be better to wait and take a break later in the year if that fits in with your partner/kids holidays? That said there are also 2 additional courses to do once you are out with your instructor and you need to go back to the academy for a week for each of them, you get these when you hit a certain number of driving hours and normally there isn't a choice of dates because the academy only runs them when they have enough trainees to make it worthwhile. I haven't got dates for mine yet and I'm getting fairly close to needing them!

It's a pain but I'd either email Matheus in the new year to see if he can narrow down a firm start date (good luck with that lol) or be prepared to cancel/rearrange potentially at short notice. It could even be an option for your family to go away without you just for that holiday. Maybe you could email the dates and ask them to take them into account when planning courses? For April I guess they will be starting to put names/depots to courses very soon. I'm not sure I would risk waiting until you have a date before asking to defer because to me it seems like a bit of a gamble.

Look at the deal as bring a tricky year of uncertainty needing a bit of flexibility from you and support from your partner, with the pay off being a stable and secure job for the rest of your life if you want it. Although I know that's definitely easier said than done when you need to get your partner and kids on your side!

I’ll maybe reach out to them in that case and see what they can tell me. As you say it’s a tricky situation asking your full family to put things on hold until you know what’s happening. Hopefully they’ll be able to give me a better idea of timeframes.

 

[ezywheels]

I totally understand where you're coming from with putting life on hold and it is bad they haven't been able to give you a better idea of dates at this stage.

There's definitely no holidays allowed during the classroom bits so with the current course that'll be 14 to 18 weeks from your first day depending on how much traction you need for your depot. Once you are out with your instructor and following their duty roster pattern it gets a lot easier to manage time off so it might be better to wait and take a break later in the year if that fits in with your partner/kids holidays? That said there are also 2 additional courses to do once you are out with your instructor and you need to go back to the academy for a week for each of them, you get these when you hit a certain number of driving hours and normally there isn't a choice of dates because the academy only runs them when they have enough trainees to make it worthwhile. I haven't got dates for mine yet and I'm getting fairly close to needing them!

It's a pain but I'd either email Matheus in the new year to see if he can narrow down a firm start date (good luck with that lol) or be prepared to cancel/rearrange potentially at short notice. It could even be an option for your family to go away without you just for that holiday. Maybe you could email the dates and ask them to take them into account when planning courses? For April I guess they will be starting to put names/depots to courses very soon. I'm not sure I would risk waiting until you have a date before asking to defer because to me it seems like a bit of a gamble.

Look at the deal as bring a tricky year of uncertainty needing a bit of flexibility from you and support from your partner, with the pay off being a stable and secure job for the rest of your life if you want it. Although I know that's definitely easier said than done when you need to get your partner and kids on your side!

That's a good shout. Let them know the dates you're planning to work around. They do ask at interview, but they can't then expect you to defer all life outside the waiting pool.


My understanding was April was filled anyway (according to an ex colleague recently out of classroom).


Good luck

 

[KelvinM]

That's a good shout. Let them know the dates you're planning to work around. They do ask at interview, but they can't then expect you to defer all life outside the waiting pool.


My understanding was April was filled anyway (according to an ex colleague recently out of classroom).


Good luck

I believe they are already allocating courses away into May 2027.

So those passed and waiting to start, could be anywhere between April 2026 and May 2027 before starting.

Not ideal, but it is what it is.

This is what happens when things are in the public sector. Things get rushed through, without thinking. Like the mass recruitment, pushed by the Scot Gov, but not actually realising that it takes a lot of time to pass out and alot of people to teach the trainees.

 

[Mihigo26]

After various conflicting things does anyone have any idea of when they might advertise again? Almost two years since they have now.

 

[Hales80]

Hubby passed his DMI..we're buzzing.. medical to go now.. lol.. another one for Ayr. xx