MonsterMunch
New Member
Add me to the list for Ayr! had my DMI between Christmas and New Year and found out today I had been successful
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Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)
- Thread starter scotraildriver
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Make that 2 more, I got word today I got through the DMI at Ayr,well done to your hubby
On that note I just want to say thanks to everyone on here who passed on tips and hints,they all played a part in me getting through this process,very much appreciated
ChernoSamba
Member
I just wish they could be slightly less vague with us. My last interview was in the first half of 2025. I got an email to say I’d passed and that they would liaise with me soon. The only correspondence I’ve had since was in reply to emails I’d sent to ask for an update.
I appreciate that I’m really lucky to be in this situation and that loads of people would gladly swap places with me. Having said that I’m having to plan for the year ahead at home and in my current job which can be tricky when you have a new career lined up.
I’d prefer it if they could just give us a slightly more specific expected start date. If they contacted me tomorrow and told me I was being considered for a course in January 2027 I’d be slightly gutted as it’s a full year away but it would at least allow me to know where I stand and plan for the year ahead accordingly.
MonsterMunch
New Member
I was told at my DMI that it could be the end of the year before starting (Ayr), but hopefully sooner giving they seem to have a number of us lined up for starting
Well done..amazing news xx
Ferretrugby
Member
I got an emailing saying i had passed my DMI for Ayr today also. In the interview it was mentioned that there was the possibility of a course in October 2026 but more than likely it would be into 2027 as they would be looking to run depending on the number of driving instructors as they didnt want anybody sitting about to long without a driving instructor.
The waiting is the worst part, especially with no updates. In eight weeks it’ll be 24 months since I submitted my application, and I had my last interview in November. For the past two years, it’s been anywhere between four to six months of waiting to move on to the next stage of the application.
It seems like from applying to starting it could potentially be over three years, but hopefully not haha.
ChernoSamba
Member
The waiting is definitely really hard but it’s the lack of communication or update that I find most difficult. If you didn’t reach out to them for an update you could be forgiven for thinking that they’ve forgotten about you or they no longer require you.
Congratulations
That Ayr talent pool certainly bulging now, they must be planning on a couple of extra platforms at Ayr, and doubling of the traction!
Yeah I don't think there is many Driving Instructors at Ayr currently.
They may well look for more, but alot of us are now going through training and do not have a driving instructor at our home depot.
I'm glad to have been able to change career and really looking forward to it, but having came from the police and public sector background.
This is what happens when the government meddle in things they have no clue about and set unrealistic recruiting targets!!!
Just my tuppence worth.
The wait is worth it, but I know how frustrating it can be.
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I hear you, even if they could give you a quarter of the year when it may be your turn to start.
Unfortunately it looks like they are going week to week.
fairdinkum
New Member
Hey mate, I'm starting tomorrow. This was after passing the final assessment, which was computer tests and mmi in late March 2025.
Good stuff mate. I was just posting to try and get an idea if there are still courses starting for Jan Feb or March. Like most, I’m just trying to figure out if and when the likelihood is that I will be contacted for medical and start date.
Like most, I was told it would be April 2026 for me at the earliest.
What depot are you going to be working from?
Looks like I’m the same as you, waiting for a medical and a start date for Glasgow.
When did you have your MMI? I had mine in November, and next month it’ll be two years since I put my application in. It’s been a long process between then and now, with a lot of waiting.
Yeah I would like some info on this also. I know ScotRail do a lot of internal recruitment but external recruitment seems super quiet. Any ideas anyone?
They were advertising internally for drivers in November so I guess it depends how many they get from that.
Hi all, I have reached out to scotrail asking if they could give me a rough timescale and if I would be included in April’s induction. I got the same auto email that has been sent from November onwards. I passed all testing in November for Yoker.
Ducaticam
Member
I'm another one for Yoker. I sat my MMI at the end of November and now await a medical etc. I was told earliest April onwards, but going by the chat on here, it could be another 12 months.
glasgow2025
Member
3 have started this week for Yoker guys so that means 3 instructors will be used in around 6 months for the period to get us qualified. Cant see there being much progress for you until end of the year at least. Sorry for the news but hopefully that gives a little clarity on where you stand at the moment
ChernoSamba
Member
Can anyone offer their opinion or experience on what the term ‘reserve list’ actually means?
After sitting my DMI and MMI early last year I was advised that I had passed both and that I had been placed on the ‘reserve list’ for the role of trainee driver.
At the time I was over the moon and didn’t give the wording of it a second thought. As time has gone on I’ve started to become concerned that ‘reserve’ could suggest that I’ll only be required if another candidate drops out and that it isn’t certain there will be a job there for me. The main reason for my worry is that, despite having spoken to various people on here and other platforms, I haven’t met anyone who has been told they are a reserve. I also never received the ‘April 2026 to 2027’ email that a lot of people did which makes me wonder.
I appreciate that I may be overthinking the wording of the email but just wondering what folk’s thoughts are on it and if anyone has ever been in a similar position?
After sitting my DMI and MMI early last year I was advised that I had passed both and that I had been placed on the ‘reserve list’ for the role of trainee driver.
At the time I was over the moon and didn’t give the wording of it a second thought. As time has gone on I’ve started to become concerned that ‘reserve’ could suggest that I’ll only be required if another candidate drops out and that it isn’t certain there will be a job there for me. The main reason for my worry is that, despite having spoken to various people on here and other platforms, I haven’t met anyone who has been told they are a reserve. I also never received the ‘April 2026 to 2027’ email that a lot of people did which makes me wonder.
I appreciate that I may be overthinking the wording of the email but just wondering what folk’s thoughts are on it and if anyone has ever been in a similar position?
I wouldn't read too much in to it, it's just semantics. Reserve, talent pool, holding pool, they're all the same. You passed all elements of the selection process and you would have received an email along the lines of "congratulations..etc"
The rail industry is notorious for lack of communication with applicants, because of sheer size and popularity. Even if you're in the pool don't expect any answers from the TOCs.
What I have learned after 4 years into the process (yes 4, both with Avanti and SR), is that it's best to try and just get on with life and wait. I've been told during my process that recruitment had been closed after passing paper tests to then be told, "whoops mistake come to a CBI please", to then wait a full 10 months (without correspondence in the interim) for a DMI.
I do understand that we are all scored, particularly the DMI and to some degree the MMI/CBI. You can pass the process, but someone in the pool may have a higher overall score and will be fished out first before you. It certainly isn't first in, first out. Theoretically you could lurk at the bottom of the pool with a low pass mark, and have the pool topped up by higher marked successful applicants who leap frog you.
Great isn't it? My advice, try and be patient, check in here occasionally to see if people are receiving emails etc., and stay positive!
ChernoSamba
Member
Thanks for the reply. I’ve had a couple of DMs along the same lines too. Reassuring to hear others say that it’s just their way of wording it and not something to look into too much. It’s hard not to get anxious when it’s such a life changing job but your advice about staying patient is spot on!
When I applied last year I got through the initial online tests and the first stage paper tests at Atrium Court and then got an email saying they had a massive backlog and it's unlikely I'd be progressed in 2024, more likely 25 or 26 (they said they were working through 'higher priority candidates' which made me feel pretty bad). I posted about it here at the time and no one else said they had had an email like that so I thought it was only me. I didn't hear any more from them until out of the blue a few months later I was invited to the second stage tests and nothing more was said about the backlog. I know it's not much comfort for you but I get the impression they're a bit disorganised when it comes to recruitment.
Adammfc23
Member
Anyone here for Motherwell or any news on their courses been put on the reserve pile just curious as it seems all depots have different turn around times?
So based on this folks, assume very best case scenario 9 months after going into the talent pool....
Ayr still has a significant shortage of DI's, so unlikely whole courses will be made up of solely of Ayr candidates, this may make the wait longer. Look at it from SR's position, it would be financially ridiculous to start paying you a trainee salary and have you sitting around waiting for a DI. I imagine the recruitment team will be working backwards, ie determine when DI's will be available and then start the classroom stages, induction etc based on that.
I think you could be waiting a while.
I am due to start at Motherwell next week with a Driving Instructor and there are none available. So having to go elsewhere meantime.
There are also a few trainees in classes two or three behind ours. And I am unsure if there are anymore in classes started recently.
Not great, but it's the government/transport Scotland fault.
They've demanded ridiculous numbers for recruiting, which doesn't look achievable for getting folk through the process.
I am a brand new trainee, and I am only basing that on what I've witnessed and heard from trainers, and having been in the police during the mass open recruiting, which has been and is a disaster.