Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Cookie_Monster]

Just got a phone call for my DMI in early September. Revising
- TPWS
- Running Stock
- The 5 main SE Depots
- SE company info and ethos
- The two handouts given after the assessment

Ive had a look through the forum and think thats a good start.

My interview is with Tony and im going for Dartford. Any advice is always appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Folkestonechap]

Ashford/Tonbridge are training centres. If you’re successful, you’ll be based here for approx 12/13 weeks during rules and regs.
Have a good read through this thread, myself and plenty of other people have written about individual experiences and what to expect on the day.
Main thing is to relax and don’t panic, some tests are designed to overload you a little and this is where people fail.

Is traction training done at your chosen depot? Or do you stay at the training centre you're at?

 

[mickeyC]

Is traction training done at your chosen depot? Or do you stay at the training centre you're at?

Traction for me was Grove Park, guys from Ashford and Hastings had to travel up each day.
I’m not sure if they do traction anywhere else, traction isn’t very long, 2/4 weeks depending on the trains you’ll drive.

 

[newbiewannabe]

Are the classrooms no longer being used at Orpington?

 

[mickeyC]

Are the classrooms no longer being used at Orpington?

Sorry, I think you’re right.
Ashford and Orpington are training centres.
*original post edited*

 

[Purplerain77]

Hey Guys, after waiting almost 2 and half years for a test date, due to London centre closing and moving to Ashford, I finally have a date for my test on 26th August, I've got my digital paperwork have been trying as and when at my security job to go through the tests on their and practice. Is there any advice that can be given to help me on the day? Any other things I need to look Into? I did apply back in early 2024 and picked Orpington depot but noticed they changed the depot to Ashford or Tonbridge only or is this just for training?any help would be greatly appreciated Cheers Charlie

This will just be their latest posting, this is the one I applied for but once I passed my tests they asked me my local depot so you’ll be asked too. Don’t worry about the locations on that one

 

[Twin82]

Hey Guys, after waiting almost 2 and half years for a test date, due to London centre closing and moving to Ashford, I finally have a date for my test on 26th August, I've got my digital paperwork have been trying as and when at my security job to go through the tests on their and practice. Is there any advice that can be given to help me on the day? Any other things I need to look Into? I did apply back in early 2024 and picked Orpington depot but noticed they changed the depot to Ashford or Tonbridge only or is this just for training?any help would be greatly appreciated Cheers Charlie

Are you going there for the recruitment assessment day?

 

[cwhd87]

This will just be their latest posting, this is the one I applied for but once I passed my tests they asked me my local depot so you’ll be asked too. Don’t worry about the locations on that one

Thanks for the response, I got really worried as I'm Orpington based and it's a bit a travel to get to Ashford daily.

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

Are you going there for the recruitment assessment day?

Yes it's the all day test day, 9 til 4pm latest it's staying in my email. So I've just been doing the practice tests they sent via email. It's a brain overload sometimes but I'm getting them now

 

[newbiewannabe]

Sorry, I think you’re right.
Ashford and Orpington are training centres.
*original post edited*

Phew, Orpington is my nearest! If I ever that far. Glad to hear it’s all going well for you. Looks like I may be starting next year now as long as Medigold are happy with my test results.

 

[Twin82]

Thanks for the response, I got really worried as I'm Orpington based and it's a bit a travel to get to Ashford daily.

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


Yes it's the all day test day, 9 til 4pm latest it's staying in my email. So I've just been doing the practice tests they sent via email. It's a brain overload sometimes but I'm getting them now

I know how you feel mate, when I first attempted the group bourdon test, I think it’s the first exercise with all the letters looking like cross word puzzles, I felt overwhelmed myself but with time and dedication to the practice, I improved a lot. If you haven’t been told yet, I would suggest you getting the dots test practice material and use that instead of the letters test, as you will be doing the dots test in at the test centre. There should be a link somewhere in the forum. Or alternatively, you can buy the book online. Just keep practicing. You will be ok.

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

Phew, Orpington is my nearest! If I ever that far. Glad to hear it’s all going well for you. Looks like I may be starting next year now as long as Medigold are happy with my test results.

When did you pass your final interview bud? I have my medical coming up mid September and was told I’m looking to get on course early next year. We might be on the same course. I told them I can give my current employer 1 week notice so maybe that help the timeline.

Did you do anything like seeing your optician before your medical? Or maybe doing a private mot to make sure you’re fit for work?

 

[Chewie]

Does anyone know how long it takes for the urine sample to come back after doing the medical? I was told I’ve passed it as long as my urine sample come back good which I have no doubt will but just waiting for a confirmation that I’ve passed lol. How long did people wait for it to come back?

 

[newbiewannabe]

I know how you feel mate, when I first attempted the group bourdon test, I think it’s the first exercise with all the letters looking like cross word puzzles, I felt overwhelmed myself but with time and dedication to the practice, I improved a lot. If you haven’t been told yet, I would suggest you getting the dots test practice material and use that instead of the letters test, as you will be doing the dots test in at the test centre. There should be a link somewhere in the forum. Or alternatively, you can buy the book online. Just keep practicing. You will be ok.

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


When did you pass your final interview bud? I have my medical coming up mid September and was told I’m looking to get on course early next year. We might be on the same course. I told them I can give my current employer 1 week notice so maybe that help the timeline.

Did you do anything like seeing your optician before your medical? Or maybe doing a private mot to make sure you’re fit for work?

I had my DMI in may but…. I then had a heart attack in may 4 days before my medical. I’m currently waiting for occupational health to check through my heart test results so they can submit a report to southeastern saying whether I’m fit to drive or not. So far everything is looking good so I’ve got my fingers crossed! I asked recruitment if there’s a potential start date for me if everything checks out and they said next year. Before my medical I’ll be having an eye and hearing test. It’s best to get that out of the way because if you eyesight isn’t good enough at your medical you’ll get sent away for an eye test. If you do have a test and you need glasses only bifocals are allowed, as far as I know you have to carry 2 pairs. What depot are you down for?

 

[Twin82]

Oh dear. Well I hope you’re ok and fit enough to proceed and that everything goes to plan moving forward. I’ll look into getting a hearing test done. What date were you given before the heart attack? I’m in for CX and VIC depots

 

[mickeyC]

Does anyone know how long it takes for the urine sample to come back after doing the medical? I was told I’ve passed it as long as my urine sample come back good which I have no doubt will but just waiting for a confirmation that I’ve passed lol. How long did people wait for it to come back?

No more than 2-3 working days, the results are uploaded directly to southeastern.
I chased mine up on the telephone with MediGold after 2 days as I was waiting for my Southeasten contract.

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

I had my DMI in may but…. I then had a heart attack in may 4 days before my medical. I’m currently waiting for occupational health to check through my heart test results so they can submit a report to southeastern saying whether I’m fit to drive or not. So far everything is looking good so I’ve got my fingers crossed! I asked recruitment if there’s a potential start date for me if everything checks out and they said next year. Before my medical I’ll be having an eye and hearing test. It’s best to get that out of the way because if you eyesight isn’t good enough at your medical you’ll get sent away for an eye test. If you do have a test and you need glasses only bifocals are allowed, as far as I know you have to carry 2 pairs. What depot are you down for?

Bifocal and varifocal glasses are acceptable.
The rules have changed recently, you only need to have one pair of glasses on duty, contacts require a spare set with you.

 

[ollie_3D]

Does anyone know how long it takes for the urine sample to come back after doing the medical? I was told I’ve passed it as long as my urine sample come back good which I have no doubt will but just waiting for a confirmation that I’ve passed lol. How long did people wait for it to come back?

I wasn’t even told the results for mine I just received my contract a couple days after the medical so I just assumed it was all good haha

 

[newbiewannabe]

Oh dear. Well I hope you’re ok and fit enough to proceed and that everything goes to plan moving forward. I’ll look into getting a hearing test done. What date were you given before the heart attack? I’m in for CX and VIC depots

Cheers mate, My medical was booked for may 22nd and start date end of this year sometime. Hopefully it’ll be the beginning of next year now. I think spec savers do free hearing tests. I saw somebody mention on here if you take your test results with you to the medical, you don’t have to take the hearing test on the day.

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

No more than 2-3 working days, the results are uploaded directly to southeastern.
I chased mine up on the telephone with MediGold after 2 days as I was waiting for my Southeasten contract.

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


Bifocal and varifocal glasses are acceptable.
The rules have changed recently, you only need to have one pair of glasses on duty, contacts require a spare set with you.

Ok thank you, must be the old rules. Although I’m sure when I spoke to the Medigold doctor back in June she said it had to be bifocals. Do you have varifocals?

 

[Twin82]

I wasn’t even told the results for mine I just received my contract a couple days after the medical so I just assumed it was all good haha

Can I ask how do you receive your contract? By post or by email? I haven’t done medical yet, but I received an email about document to sign. I’m treating it as spam though. I do not recognise the sender

 

[mickeyC]

Can I ask how do you receive your contract? By post or by email? I haven’t done medical yet, but I received an email about document to sign. I’m treating it as spam though. I do not recognise the sender

From memory you’ll receive an email from southeastern, asking you to sign into the career portal and sign the paperwork digitally.

 

[Twin82]

From memory you’ll receive an email from southeastern, asking you to sign into the career portal and sign the paperwork digitally.

Thanks Mickey. Appreciate the response.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Aug 2026 ==

Just got a phone call for my DMI in early September. Revising
- TPWS
- Running Stock
- The 5 main SE Depots
- SE company info and ethos
- The two handouts given after the assessment

Ive had a look through the forum and think thats a good start.

My interview is with Tony and im going for Dartford. Any advice is always appreciated.

Thanks

Looks like your message was overlooked. I would say research the day in the life of a train driver. They will ask you about stuff your motivation, why SE, where do you see yourself in 5 years. They want to know you won’t leave after investing so much money in you. Also learn some of the destination ends SE goes to. And how would you get to work as that is not SE’s responsibility to get you in to work.
Hope this helps.

 

[SEhopeful]

After applying first in June 24, passing the assessment in February I have now got a date for my MMI in October

Its fascinating reading others' experiences with the process. Especially Mickey giving so much time to share his experience being a similar age and hopefully being a future colleague at Gillingham.

Every time I have set foot on a train since applying I've been putting myself in the head of the driver and thinking about all the logistics in their mind and the people signalling, controlling points.

Sadly also any incident involving a train of which I can think of 3 which highlights the risks, danger and reliance on human intelligence, mental agility and bravery in the case of Huntingdon to make these incidents as rare as they are and to handle them when training and human emotional assets kick in.

Anyway, I'll go back to lurking, re-reading and wishing all others going through this process the very best hoping we become colleagues in the future

 

[Twin82]

After applying first in June 24, passing the assessment in February I have now got a date for my MMI in October

Its fascinating reading others' experiences with the process. Especially Mickey giving so much time to share his experience being a similar age and hopefully being a future colleague at Gillingham.

Every time I have set foot on a train since applying I've been putting myself in the head of the driver and thinking about all the logistics in their mind and the people signalling, controlling points.

Sadly also any incident involving a train of which I can think of 3 which highlights the risks, danger and reliance on human intelligence, mental agility and bravery in the case of Huntingdon to make these incidents as rare as they are and to handle them when training and human emotional assets kick in.

Anyway, I'll go back to lurking, re-reading and wishing all others going through this process the very best hoping we become colleagues in the future

Good luck with the MMI. You will be fine. Lots of useful info here on the thread which I have no doubt you would of seen already.

 

[ollie_3D]

Can I ask how do you receive your contract? By post or by email? I haven’t done medical yet, but I received an email about document to sign. I’m treating it as spam though. I do not recognise the sender

As mickey said you’ll receive and email offering contract of employment and it will ask you to log onto the careers portal to view and sign the contract, it’s all done online and there’s no paper version sent although I believe you can print yours off if you decide you want a paper copy. This will only come through once you’ve done your medical and careers are happy with results!

 

[Twin82]

As mickey said you’ll receive and email offering contract of employment and it will ask you to log onto the careers portal to view and sign the contract, it’s all done online and there’s no paper version sent although I believe you can print yours off if you decide you want a paper copy. This will only come through once you’ve done your medical and careers are happy with results!

Got it. Thanks Ollie!

 

[mickeyC]

All the best SEhopeful for your MMI in October.
Fingers crossed that I’ll see you around the Gills depot in the near future.

 

[Cookie_Monster]

Thanks Mickey. Appreciate the response.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Aug 2026 ==


Looks like your message was overlooked. I would say research the day in the life of a train driver. They will ask you about stuff your motivation, why SE, where do you see yourself in 5 years. They want to know you won’t leave after investing so much money in you. Also learn some of the destination ends SE goes to. And how would you get to work as that is not SE’s responsibility to get you in to work.
Hope this helps.

Wicked, cheers for the heads up.

 

[cwhd87]

My assessment is 24 hours away, I have been doing the tests for a few hours daily, reading through everything and I noticed again after reading the email thoroughly, that smart attire is required for the assessment day. I haven't worn my suit in years. I have a blue blazer white shirt and blue tie but trousers wise I have smart blue performance tailored trousers and all black smart trainers. Hoping that's good enough,I feel like we will be monitored not just on how we do in the tests but how we present ourselves too by the assessor's.

 

[Gul]

I wouldn't say they are looking for formal attire - just smart office clothing, e.g. trousers and a smart shirt. You'll hopefully be there for a few hours so better to feel comfortable than baking in a suit.

Good luck on the day.

 

[typicalalex1]

My assessment is 24 hours away, I have been doing the tests for a few hours daily, reading through everything and I noticed again after reading the email thoroughly, that smart attire is required for the assessment day. I haven't worn my suit in years. I have a blue blazer white shirt and blue tie but trousers wise I have smart blue performance tailored trousers and all black smart trainers. Hoping that's good enough,I feel like we will be monitored not just on how we do in the tests but how we present ourselves too by the assessor's.

I wore a suit to all of my assessment days and my interviews.
I was the best dressed for the assessment days, most others wore shirt/ jumper and trousers.

 

[ollie_3D]

Anyone else starting in September been asked to sit a maths and English test? I read something about them changing things recently and that before you didn’t need to do an assessment they just relied on your school grades but I guess it’s a case of we need to sit exams now before we start regardless of school grades?

 

[typicalalex1]

Anyone else starting in September been asked to sit a maths and English test? I read something about them changing things recently and that before you didn’t need to do an assessment they just relied on your school grades but I guess it’s a case of we need to sit exams now before we start regardless of school grades?

Yes. Did you watch the intro video for the Maths test? The algebra looks difficult to me.