Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[jackboy]

Has anyone booked holidays for this year knowing that they might get a start? I'm reluctant to, but don't want to put life on hold at the same time.

I emailed the recruitment team after my DMI explaining I had a big birthday coming up later in the year like I was told to do if I was fortunate enough to get through the interviews,I got a response saying they couldn't tell me anything yet another guy I know was told last week to book a holiday,whether these answers are depot dependent or things are constantly changing I dont know,I have my own views on this subject

 

[RiverDon]

Like the previous post says, there is no chance of taking holidays at all in the first 18 weeks while you are at the training academy. You'll be off weekends and bank holidays only. Once you are out with your instructor and following their shifts it becomes a lot easier to get holidays when you want to take them but it's still at the discretion of your DTM.

I would either book something that can be easily moved or cancelled, or let the rest of the family go without me. It's only an issue for around 12 months at most.

 

[Pobflossy]

There’s 9 of us (that I know of) waiting for Ayr, a couple have been waiting for over 4 months now

Hi, hope I am one of the 9! I had my DMI in November and nothing apart from a holding email in mid December stating that courses for 2026/2027 were being reviewed by senior management. No timescale to be given at present.

 

[Ducaticam]

You cannot take holidays in the first 3-4 months due to initial classroom training. Any booked holidays will not be honoured. I started in July 2019 and had holidays booked for October 2019.

I was advised by ScotRail to move them into the following year. The other option they gave me was that I would be put into a pool and should any jobs come up after my holidays then I would get a start date. I contacted the tour operator and moved my holidays to the following May and started driving in July 2019.

Due to the global pandemic, we never got away in May 2020. Had I been put into the pool instead, I may of not got the job due to recruitment being put on hold for a long time.

As you say, you don't want to put your life on hold. Personally I would book your holiday but ensure that it can be moved, if required.

Thanks, I think that's what I shall do. Or just take the hit if the dates do indeed cross.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Feb 2026 ==

Like the previous post says, there is no chance of taking holidays at all in the first 18 weeks while you are at the training academy. You'll be off weekends and bank holidays only. Once you are out with your instructor and following their shifts it becomes a lot easier to get holidays when you want to take them but it's still at the discretion of your DTM.

I would either book something that can be easily moved or cancelled, or let the rest of the family go without me. It's only an issue for around 12 months at most.

Thanks RiverDon. I believe I'm in a reserve pool so it could be another 12 months away, who knows. I'll just book something and if I can't make it that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

 

[afloattoast]

Hi, hope I am one of the 9! I had my DMI in November and nothing apart from a holding email in mid December stating that courses for 2026/2027 were being reviewed by senior management. No timescale to be given at present.

Hi! Congrats! You make it 10 by my count

 

[Hales80]

We've booked a holiday to Wales n April n Turkey in Oct.. ive told hubby its fine, me n kids will just go if he gets a start date, he was happy about that.. not sure im happy about being on holiday on my own with 4 kids but that wots the wine n cocktails are for. Just putting the positive thoughts out there n manifesting on a daily basis!

 

[CarineNoctua]

Hiya, I’m through to drivers assessment part two and MMI for ScotRail. I’ve had mixed messages about what the multi modal interview is like from different current ScotRail drivers - can anyone make any comment on what to expect on the MMI?

 

[marcy]

Hiya, I’m through to drivers assessment part two and MMI for ScotRail. I’ve had mixed messages about what the multi modal interview is like from different current ScotRail drivers - can anyone make any comment on what to expect on the MMI?

I would definitely advise to have a good think about how you can bring in all the non technical skills into your answers, that’s what they want to hear.
On what to expect - it all depends on who you are randomly allocated to interview you on the day
Your interviewer could be someone who gives a laid back MMI and has it all wrapped up in half an hour or it could be someone who interrogates every answer you give and has you in with them for nearly 2 hours.
I was told by the recruitment manager that every interviewer has their own style of doing the MMI

 

[ASL]

None have had medicals, you won’t get a medical until you’re given a start date. Be prepared to wait a while. I think 12 trainees this year for Ayr is unlikely, as I say I know of 9 of us (including yourself) who have all passed their assessments and all waiting on a start date. If there were to be 12 of us at Ayr this year then at least 1 or 2 would have been given a start date by now I would think, happily be proved wrong though!

Sorry, but that's not strictly true.
I have a medical, but no confirmed start date yet.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2026 ==

Has anyone booked holidays for this year knowing that they might get a start? I'm reluctant to, but don't want to put life on hold at the same time.

Yeah, we booked for October and lo and behold, the following week I got a call to say I was on the next course for my depot.
Thankfully, they checked the dates and I'm okay for them.

 

[afloattoast]

Sorry, but that's not strictly true.
I have a medical, but no confirmed start date

Oh right, sorry just everyone else seems to be saying they’re getting a start date and medical through at the same time. Every days a school day!

 

[garto123]

I passed my final assessment (DMI) in January. I am applying for Yoker. Has anybody on a similar timeframe to myself been given a start date or a medical that is also looking to start at Yoker?

 

[Ducaticam]

I passed my final assessment (DMI) in January. I am applying for Yoker. Has anybody on a similar timeframe to myself been given a start date or a medical that is also looking to start at Yoker?

I passed my final assessment in December for Yoker. I had emailed recruitment and got a reply yesterday saying that they couldn't give any indication currently of potential dates and encouraged me to book holidays. So I don't think it will be any time soon.

 

[Ramalama]

Im 1 of the lucky ones that got through. But genuinely I know more that failed than got through.

Any tips, Ive got my soon

 

[Toastal]

Good evening everyone. I apologise in advance for the following questions, as I understand that there are many on here who have put the exceptionally hard yards in to pass the entire selection process, only to be told that they are now potentially in a hold pool until the end of 2027!

I passed my stage one in October 2023, but unfortunately had to subsequently cancel my DMI due to my wife being diagnosed with a very serious illness.

I have recently contacted the recruitment team to see if I could continue with my application, only to be told they following:

“we are now asking all candidates to reapply for a future campaign. We don't currently know when this campaign will be launched but we would encourage you to monitor both our career site and social media feed.”

Have others received this?
Does it mean my stage one passes don’t count going forward?
Is there any idea when another recruitment campaign will be launched?

Any help, advice or assistance here would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, T

 

[lineman]

Good evening everyone. I apologise in advance for the following questions, as I understand that there are many on here who have put the exceptionally hard yards in to pass the entire selection process, only to be told that they are now potentially in a hold pool until the end of 2027!

I passed my stage one in October 2023, but unfortunately had to subsequently cancel my DMI due to my wife being diagnosed with a very serious illness.

I have recently contacted the recruitment team to see if I could continue with my application, only to be told they following:

“we are now asking all candidates to reapply for a future campaign. We don't currently know when this campaign will be launched but we would encourage you to monitor both our career site and social media feed.”

Have others received this?
Does it mean my stage one passes don’t count going forward?
Is there any idea when another recruitment campaign will be launched?

Any help, advice or assistance here would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks, T

Sorry to hear this but hopefully there will be another campaign soon for you to reapply. As I understand it, if you've passed an assessment then the result should be valid for 5 years.

 

[Ramalama]

Those new tests are a joke, seen a few examples from some internal applicants.

What were they?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2026 ==

The new online tests.
It consists of a psychometric test, a concentration test, a reaction test, a monitoring test and a logical reasoning test. Its all timed I think it's used to whittle down applicants easier.

Gave you completed it? Do you happen to know.ow if the examples can be repeated prior to sitting the assessment

 

[Cambo1877]

What were they?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Feb 2026 ==


Gave you completed it? Do you happen to know.ow if the examples can be repeated prior to sitting the assessment

You only get one attempt. And that attempt is timed from the moment you log in.

 

[airantraigh]

The new online tests.
It consists of a psychometric test, a concentration test, a reaction test, a monitoring test and a logical reasoning test. Its all timed I think it's used to whittle down applicants easier.

Did mine earlier and oh my it’s an experience.

I applied via a speculative application after a recruitment event last year and was asked to do the online tests this week.

 

[OLECHRIS]

I passed my final assessment (DMI) in January. I am applying for Yoker. Has anybody on a similar timeframe to myself been given a start date or a medical that is also looking to start at Yoker?

Passed my final assessment in December for yoker but not had medical/start date, they said cant give a specific timeframe.

 

[Weeger]

Did mine earlier and oh my it’s an experience.

I applied via a speculative application after a recruitment event last year and was asked to do the online tests this week.

I sat mine online on Friday and I’m not holding out much hope.

I wonder if there will be an option to try again in future if not successful this time?

 

[scottgl]

Passed my final assessment in December for yoker but not had medical/start date, they said cant give a specific timeframe.

In the same boat, passed my MMI and got an email saying

"Thank you for attending the assessment centre for the position of TRAINEE TRAIN DRIVERS - SCOTLAND at we are pleased to inform you that you have met the standard on the Multi Modal Interview.

We will be in touch shortly to advise you of the next stage of the recruitment process."

Hoping to hear soon and start in April/May but don't know how likely that is...

 

[OLECHRIS]

In the same boat, passed my MMI and got an email saying

"Thank you for attending the assessment centre for the position of TRAINEE TRAIN DRIVERS - SCOTLAND at we are pleased to inform you that you have met the standard on the Multi Modal Interview.

We will be in touch shortly to advise you of the next stage of the recruitment process."

Hoping to hear soon and start in April/May but don't know how likely that is...

I had the same email since december but had heard of people being contacted last week to be told april/may start date so i emailled to ask for update but they said courses are being reviewed by senior management team and unable to give a specific time frame.. so i dont think its looking good for april/may start for me

 

[stucol123]

Hi! Congrats! You make it 10 by my count

Been waiting since november also , havent even had an email about courses being reviewed by management etc . starting to think this year isnt going to be the year we start . ( ayr depot )

 

[afloattoast]

Been waiting since november also , havent even had an email about courses being reviewed by management etc . starting to think this year isnt going to be the year we start . ( ayr depot )

I got the “reviewed by management” email about an hour after I got my been successful email after my DMI. Nothing since

 

[stucol123]

I got the “reviewed by management” email about an hour after I got my been successful email after my DMI. Nothing since

Waiting game mate , not holding my breath for a start this year trying not to think about it

 

[Ramalama]

I sat mine online on Friday and I’m not holding out much hope.

I wonder if there will be an option to try again in future if not successful this time?

You should be able to, I think you might have to wait and period of time before you can resit it though. Try to think positively...you might have e whizzed through it

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2026 ==

I’d imagine you would need to apply again and that would involve doing the online tests again. If you have passed the actual train drivers assessments then they wouldn’t need to be set again.

I had failed the DMI the first time of asking and then had to reapply (pass the sift) and went straight to DMI didn’t need to do the first tests again. However this is before the new process came into effect when there was only 2 lives etc.

What is the new recruitment stages? Hear its all changed recently. Online assessments then...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2026 ==

I’ve got an interview at my local station/depot after passing the first assessment. Any ideas what sort of thing gets asked?

Was the rust assessment the online assessments at home?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Feb 2026 ==

I’ve got an interview at my local station/depot after passing the first assessment. Any ideas what sort of thing gets asked?

Well done. Was the first assessment the new Aon tests ? Ta

 

[ezywheels]

Waiting game mate , not holding my breath for a start this year trying not to think about it

From reading between the lines and talking to drivers, I would base your Ayr Depot expectations on 2027 is my best advice.

That way, any earlier is a pleasant surprise!

 

[Weeger]

You should be able to, I think you might have to wait and period of time before you can resit it though. Try to think positively...you might have e whizzed through it

Fingers crossed!
It was the person spec questions and the monitoring ability test that got me. I didn’t get any wrong on the concentration test, clicked twice by accident on the reaction speed test and got to level 13 on the deductive logic one.
I’ve never been great with person spec questions - especially when I disagree with both statements but have to choose one.

I’ll wait and see…and hope lol.

 

[jundibundi]

I got an email yesterday asking if I was still interested in the position and if I’d had a change in address etc.

First contact I’ve had from them since I passed my final stage in November. At first I thought it was just a generic email but had my name etc on it, so I’m taking that as a positive sign that things might be starting to move.

 

[garto123]

I got an email yesterday asking if I was still interested in the position and if I’d had a change in address etc.

First contact I’ve had from them since I passed my final stage in November. At first I thought it was just a generic email but had my name etc on it, so I’m taking that as a positive sign that things might be starting to move.

What depot are you due to go to?