Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[hendo1995]

Had the email to say I’ve passed the part 1 assessment. Sure the DMI is next from what they said at the assessment centre, has anyone done this for Edinburgh?

 

[jackboy]

Could anyone who has recently gone through the medical/ references stage DM me please? Thanks in advance

 

[StewartB85]

Could anyone who has recently gone through the medical/ references stage DM me please? Thanks in advance

Have you been offered a place mate? If so, when do you start? I was in the same boat as you waiting since December

 

[redspider1380]

Could anyone who has recently gone through the medical/ references stage DM me please? Thanks in advance

Had one recently. I can’t DM though, not sure if you can DM me?

 

[Pobflossy]

Could anyone who has recently gone through the medical/ references stage DM me please? Thanks in advance

Hi, I have been offered a place and had my medical last week. Not sure how to DM on here though

 

[Azraelov]

I got the email on Friday that I passed the part one assessments on the 23rd. does anyone have an idea the likely wait until I get a date for the next stage, which if i recall is the interviews?

 

[DennyDriver]

Any Airdrie drivers on here? Could you DM please? Thanks

 

[LostSoul4Ever]

Any Airdrie drivers on here? Could you DM please? Thanks

You had any progress for Airdrie?

 

[roadwarrior8]

Anyone have the roster for Motherwell or are the rosters similar for all depots?, I’ve tried searching but coming up with nothing.

 

[Cails27]

Anyone have the roster for Motherwell or are the rosters similar for all depots?, I’ve tried searching but coming up with nothing.

Apart from at rural depots eg Kyle, Wick, FW, Mallaig - all the rosters at other depots are virtually the same in terms of rest days and rotating pattern of earlies one week, lates the next etc

 

[Weeger]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Jul 2026 ==

I got offered Motherwell at the end of November, pending a medical.
Has anyone got the roster for there? I’ve tried searching the forum and can’t find it. Thanks

Have you had your medical or been given a date for it? I’ve been offered Motherwell at the end of November subject to medical but haven’t been given a date for the medical yet.

 

[Sc07]

Hi, Can those of you who have commenced your training give an indication as to what the first few months look like? Are you solely at Atrium Court Mon-Fri doing classroom training, or is it interspersed with training at your depot? Is there weekend/Sunday work involved initially? I understand how it works once I'm in the roster system, but the in-between period is unclear at the moment. I'm around 4 weeks out from my starting date, and trying to gauge what I need to say no to on the family calendar for the Autumn. Thanks.

 

[tackleberry43]

Hi, Can those of you who have commenced your training give an indication as to what the first few months look like? Are you solely at Atrium Court Mon-Fri doing classroom training, or is it interspersed with training at your depot? Is there weekend/Sunday work involved initially? I understand how it works once I'm in the roster system, but the in-between period is unclear at the moment. I'm around 4 weeks out from my starting date, and trying to gauge what I need to say no to on the family calendar for the Autumn. Thanks.

For me first 4 months were at atrium mon -fri. It did get broken up with depot visits and traction training at the depot. You also go for a week cab turns, I was week 4. Then training train was week 7. First time driving on mainline with the classroom instructor. You go back and forth from school to depot for different stages but it is all mon -fri. Only when you start with your driving instructor will you do shift work. Early start for me is 4:40 and latest finish is around 1:30

 

[soltiire]

For me first 4 months were at atrium mon -fri. It did get broken up with depot visits and traction training at the depot. You also go for a week cab turns, I was week 4. Then training train was week 7. First time driving on mainline with the classroom instructor. You go back and forth from school to depot for different stages but it is all mon -fri. Only when you start with your driving instructor will you do shift work. Early start for me is 4:40 and latest finish is around 1:30

Hey, i got a provisional start date of mid October for Motherwell, done my medical,Disclosure checks and references over a month ago, which HR have all results for. Did you have a wait between completing that and getting your Unconditional offer and official start date?

 

[eumcg]

Hey, i got a provisional start date of mid October for Motherwell, done my medical,Disclosure checks and references over a month ago, which HR have all results for. Did you have a wait between completing that and getting your Unconditional offer and official start date?

Hi, I was the same got my unconditional offer then completed all steps above. Was about 26 days to get my contract through once condition offer was sent to me. I’m sure they send contracts out in batches for everyone starting at the same date.

 

[baylee29]

currently waiting for a date for part 1 assessment tests .. anyone else in the same position ? Applied back in January so long process but all good so far. Looking for advice if anyone has done these assessments too and any good tips? Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==

Had the email to say I’ve passed the part 1 assessment. Sure the DMI is next from what they said at the assessment centre, has anyone done this for Edinburgh?

How did you find the assessment part 1

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==

currently waiting for a date for part 1 assessment tests .. anyone else in the same position ? Applied back in January so long process but all good so far. Looking for advice if anyone has done these assessments too and any good tips? Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==


How did you find the assessment part 1

I believe it's the same as me, Waiting for the invite to the assessment centre in Glasgow for the first stage tests so includes the Bourdon etc. Waiting myself and i believe the same for Mihigo26 and some others for actual dates to be invited to do it.

Hi Chris, I am in the same position as you. I received email 2 weeks ago to say I’ve made it to first stage , I’m panicking I haven’t prepared for all of it though as I’m concentrating on only part 1 assessment pages in book is this bad idea?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Aug 2026 ==

I'm in tomorrow, nervous is an understatement.
I'm of the understanding it's the Group Bourdon Test, TRP 1&2, and Tea-Occ assessments only and that an interview would be at a later stage?
Good luck on Thursday.

How did you get on? Sorry I’m new to this forum and reading all replies . Was it just them tests for stage 1 on the day?

 

[Reeena]

Quick medical question, does anyone know if you can become a driver if you have had an operation for a detached retina but pass all of the eyesight tests?

 

[Ferretrugby]

Has anybody had their 6 months email for being in talent pool, I am due to hit the 6 month period next week, I know there has been quite a few people picking up courses for the remainder of this year, I am guessing that the next courses will be February/March/April time next year now.

 

[seeitsoon]

Hi hope everyone is well.

Just wondering if anyone knew what the paydays were. I see the contract says it’s every 4 weeks but trying to work out actual dates. Much appreciated

 

[Jmonty24]

Just wondering if anyone knew what the paydays were. I see the contract says it’s every 4 weeks but trying to work out actual dates. Much appreciated

Next payday is 11/09 then every 4 weeks after that.

 

[afloattoast]

Has anybody had their 6 months email for being in talent pool, I am due to hit the 6 month period next week, I know there has been quite a few people picking up courses for the remainder of this year, I am guessing that the next courses will be February/March/April time next year now.

Don’t think anyone will have had it yet, we all moved to the talent bank at the same time. I also wouldn’t expect to receive an email exactly on the 6 month date, so don’t worry if next Wednesday you’ve not heard from them.

Also there is others who will be in same position as us who aren’t in this forum, so other course might have been filled without us realising

 

[seeitsoon]

Next payday is 11/09 then every 4 weeks after that.

Thanks much appreciated

 

[mcayo]

You had any progress for Airdrie?

Hi I’m still waiting for dates to be approved for assessment center 1

 

[baylee29]

when did you get your email confirming your invitation to part 1?

 

[mcayo]

I get email 11 August but nothing confirmed for dates part 1 still waiting and u

 

[baylee29]

I got 5th August , how you getting on practicing?

 

[Jedi]

Hi, I asked AI to summarise the recruitment steps for Scotrail train driver jobs. This is what it came up with. Would people who have been through this process please comment to say whether this is accurate? Thanks.
1. Internal application

• You apply through the ScotRail internal vacancy system when a Trainee Driver vacancy is advertised for your depot/location.
• Your application is sifted against the requirements of the role.

2. Initial online assessment / screening

• Completed at home.
• An initial OPC/AON-style online assessment, followed by a Situational Judgement Test (SJT).
• AON / OPC Online Tests: Measures basic logical reasoning, reaction/monitoring capability, and work-related behavioral tendencies.
• Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Questions designed to assess how you prioritize safety, adhere to rules, communicate clearly, and avoid unnecessary risks in workplace scenarios. SJT – think safety → rules/procedures → communication → appropriate escalation → maintaining control → avoiding unnecessary risk.

3. Assessment Day 1

• Candidates who pass the online screening are invited to the first in-person driver assessment.
• Location: Atrium Court, Glasgow.
• Format: Paper-and-pencil psychometric tests testing concentration, memory, and comprehension under strict time constraints.
• Specific Tests Involved:
  • Group Bourdon Test (GBT / Dot Concentration Test):
    • What it is: A grid containing groups of 3, 4, 5, and 6 dots.
    • What you do: You must go through rows rapidly and strike out every group with exactly 4 dots. Every 2 minutes, you are told "change" and must move to the next sheet. Tests sustained attention, speed, and accuracy.
  • TRP1 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures — Part 1 / Memory & Comprehension):
    • What it is: A test evaluating your ability to learn, retain, and recall technical information.
    • What you do: You are given a passage containing railway rules/safety material to study for a fixed time while taking notes. Your notes and text are then collected, and you answer multiple-choice questions purely from memory.
  • TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures — Part 2 / Dial & Rules Reasoning):
    • What it is: A logic and procedural application test.
    • What you do: You are given a booklet showing dials/gauges pointing to various numbers or zones alongside a set of procedural rules. You must quickly process the rules to decide what action to take or what order to check instruments in.
  • TEA-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Settings):
    • What it is: An auditory and visual attention test.
    • What you do: Tests your ability to hold focus and switch attention while listening to audio tones (e.g., counting specific pitch tones while scanning visual data).

4. DMI — Driver Manager Interview

An in-depth interview conducted by ScotRail Driver Managers and HR.

For Internal Candidates: Expect probing questions about your current operational experience, safety record, and understanding of the railway environment.

Focus: Non-Technical Skills (NTS), safety critical decisions you have made, rule adherence, and transferable skills from your current role.

5. Assessment Day 2

• Location: Atrium Court, Glasgow
• Format: Specialised computer rigs equipped with custom joysticks, foot pedals, headphones, and touch/keyboard controls.
• Specific Tests Involved:
  • WAFV (Vigilance / Grey Square Test):
    • What it is: Measures long-term vigilance and reaction consistency.
    • What you do: A square on a screen subtly changes color (from light grey to dark grey) at random intervals over a prolonged, repetitive session. You must press a button immediately whenever you spot the change.
  • ATAVT (Tachistoscopic Traffic Images Test):
    • What it is: Tests rapid hazard perception and visual scanning ability.
    • What you do: Traffic/road scene images flash on the screen for 1 second. You must immediately select which elements were present in the image (e.g., pedestrians, road signs, motorbikes, traffic lights).
  • Two-Hand Coordination Test:
    • What it is: Measures motor control, spatial awareness, and hand-to-hand coordination.
    • What you do: Using two separate joysticks (one for horizontal axis, one for vertical axis), you must steer a dot along a moving or complex track without touching the boundaries.
  • Dynamic Tracking / Tones & Reaction Test (Fast Reaction Test):
    • What it is: Tests multi-tasking under pressure.
    • What you do: You respond to visual color changes on screen using keypads, audio tones (high/low pitch) through headphones, and yellow screen cues using foot pedals—all simultaneously. Speed increases over time to measure recovery under stress.

6. MMI

• The MMI (Multi-Modal Interview) can take place straight after the testing or you can be told to come back at a later date. It is carried out by HR / Atrium staff.
• Conducted by qualified assessors / HR staff.
• Process: You are given written prompt sheets prior to the interview where you write brief outlines of real-life experiences. The interviewer then uses these to conduct a structured, deep-dive interview.
• Focus: Evaluates Non-Technical Skills (NTS) such as composure under pressure, situational awareness, workload management, rule compliance, and decision-making.

7. Medical

• Once successful at the recruitment stages, you undergo the safety-critical medical. This includes eyesight, hearing, colour vision and drugs/alcohol screening.
• The medical is governed by the national train-driving medical standards set out by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

8. Background/reference checks

• References and Disclosure Scotland checks follow.

9. Conditional offer → start date

• Once everything is cleared, you receive the formal employment/appointment documentation and are allocated a training start.
• ScotRail says the driver training programme typically lasts between 12 and 14 months.

 

[mcayo]

11

I got 5th August , how you getting on practicing?

did u have any idea how long we need to wait for dates to be approved for assessments?

 

[baylee29]

11

did u have any idea how long we need to wait for dates to be approved for assessments?

11

did u have any idea how long we need to wait for dates to be approved for assessments?

No just been reading these threads a lot people said it’s short notice but I haven’t heard anything yet

 

[afloattoast]

Hi, I asked AI to summarise the recruitment steps for Scotrail train driver jobs. This is what it came up with. Would people who have been through this process please comment to say whether this is accurate? Thanks.
1. Internal application

• You apply through the ScotRail internal vacancy system when a Trainee Driver vacancy is advertised for your depot/location.
• Your application is sifted against the requirements of the role.

2. Initial online assessment / screening

• Completed at home.
• An initial OPC/AON-style online assessment, followed by a Situational Judgement Test (SJT).
• AON / OPC Online Tests: Measures basic logical reasoning, reaction/monitoring capability, and work-related behavioral tendencies.
• Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Questions designed to assess how you prioritize safety, adhere to rules, communicate clearly, and avoid unnecessary risks in workplace scenarios. SJT – think safety → rules/procedures → communication → appropriate escalation → maintaining control → avoiding unnecessary risk.

3. Assessment Day 1

• Candidates who pass the online screening are invited to the first in-person driver assessment.
• Location: Atrium Court, Glasgow.
• Format: Paper-and-pencil psychometric tests testing concentration, memory, and comprehension under strict time constraints.
• Specific Tests Involved:
  • Group Bourdon Test (GBT / Dot Concentration Test):
    • What it is: A grid containing groups of 3, 4, 5, and 6 dots.
    • What you do: You must go through rows rapidly and strike out every group with exactly 4 dots. Every 2 minutes, you are told "change" and must move to the next sheet. Tests sustained attention, speed, and accuracy.
  • TRP1 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures — Part 1 / Memory & Comprehension):
    • What it is: A test evaluating your ability to learn, retain, and recall technical information.
    • What you do: You are given a passage containing railway rules/safety material to study for a fixed time while taking notes. Your notes and text are then collected, and you answer multiple-choice questions purely from memory.
  • TRP2 (Trainability for Rules and Procedures — Part 2 / Dial & Rules Reasoning):
    • What it is: A logic and procedural application test.
    • What you do: You are given a booklet showing dials/gauges pointing to various numbers or zones alongside a set of procedural rules. You must quickly process the rules to decide what action to take or what order to check instruments in.
  • TEA-Occ (Test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Settings):
    • What it is: An auditory and visual attention test.
    • What you do: Tests your ability to hold focus and switch attention while listening to audio tones (e.g., counting specific pitch tones while scanning visual data).

4. DMI — Driver Manager Interview

An in-depth interview conducted by ScotRail Driver Managers and HR.

For Internal Candidates: Expect probing questions about your current operational experience, safety record, and understanding of the railway environment.

Focus: Non-Technical Skills (NTS), safety critical decisions you have made, rule adherence, and transferable skills from your current role.

5. Assessment Day 2

• Location: Atrium Court, Glasgow
• Format: Specialised computer rigs equipped with custom joysticks, foot pedals, headphones, and touch/keyboard controls.
• Specific Tests Involved:
  • WAFV (Vigilance / Grey Square Test):
    • What it is: Measures long-term vigilance and reaction consistency.
    • What you do: A square on a screen subtly changes color (from light grey to dark grey) at random intervals over a prolonged, repetitive session. You must press a button immediately whenever you spot the change.
  • ATAVT (Tachistoscopic Traffic Images Test):
    • What it is: Tests rapid hazard perception and visual scanning ability.
    • What you do: Traffic/road scene images flash on the screen for 1 second. You must immediately select which elements were present in the image (e.g., pedestrians, road signs, motorbikes, traffic lights).
  • Two-Hand Coordination Test:
    • What it is: Measures motor control, spatial awareness, and hand-to-hand coordination.
    • What you do: Using two separate joysticks (one for horizontal axis, one for vertical axis), you must steer a dot along a moving or complex track without touching the boundaries.
  • Dynamic Tracking / Tones & Reaction Test (Fast Reaction Test):
    • What it is: Tests multi-tasking under pressure.
    • What you do: You respond to visual color changes on screen using keypads, audio tones (high/low pitch) through headphones, and yellow screen cues using foot pedals—all simultaneously. Speed increases over time to measure recovery under stress.

6. MMI

• The MMI (Multi-Modal Interview) can take place straight after the testing or you can be told to come back at a later date. It is carried out by HR / Atrium staff.
• Conducted by qualified assessors / HR staff.
• Process: You are given written prompt sheets prior to the interview where you write brief outlines of real-life experiences. The interviewer then uses these to conduct a structured, deep-dive interview.
• Focus: Evaluates Non-Technical Skills (NTS) such as composure under pressure, situational awareness, workload management, rule compliance, and decision-making.

7. Medical

• Once successful at the recruitment stages, you undergo the safety-critical medical. This includes eyesight, hearing, colour vision and drugs/alcohol screening.
• The medical is governed by the national train-driving medical standards set out by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

8. Background/reference checks

• References and Disclosure Scotland checks follow.

9. Conditional offer → start date

• Once everything is cleared, you receive the formal employment/appointment documentation and are allocated a training start.
• ScotRail says the driver training programme typically lasts between 12 and 14 months.

Yeah that’s pretty much correct, sometimes you’ll do the 2 assessment centres, the MMI then the DMI.