Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[nasontherails]

Hi, congratulations! Is there anywhere near there to get lunch? Good luck with your MMI

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Afternoon guys, on the ATAVT are all of the images of traffic with the same group of multiple choice answers or do the multiple choice answers change for each image?

I brought some food and put it in the fridge to warm up. Though I wouldn't recommend it unless you're confident enough that you will pass the tests and have the opportunity to have the 30 minute break before the final test...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2025 ==

Is the MMI done on a separate day to the paper/computer assessments?

I believe they are able to do it same time, depends if they have time and how many people are successful in the last test. Apparently they only do 6 interviews for MMI a week, also they whine down in December due to people in the past not turning up even though they book their slot.

I will most likely be asked to do the MMI in the new year. Can't wait!

 

[matcha]

I brought some food and put it in the fridge to warm up.

I'm surprised it warmed up in the fridge, was it frozen originally?

 

[nasontherails]

I'm surprised it warmed up in the fridge, was it frozen originally?

Hahaha fridges in 2025 can warm up food aswell, didnt you know?

 

[re320]

Have my assessment day next week!!
All the tips are very useful so thanks for all your input.
To confirm.... the MMI will not be the same day regardless of passing tests?

Thanks

 

[jjjjjjonny]

Have my assessment day next week!!
All the tips are very useful so thanks for all your input.
To confirm.... the MMI will not be the same day regardless of passing tests?

Thanks

Correct, or at least it wasn't for me or seemingly anyone else on this thread.

Can I ask what depot you're applying for?

 

[re320]

Correct, or at least it wasn't for me or seemingly anyone else on this thread.

Can I ask what depot you're applying for?

Yeah that's the conclusion I came too as well, thanks for confirming I don't need to continue prepping for that just yet.

Grove park, you?

 

[newbiewannabe]

Afternoon people, happy Friday! On the VSE assessment is it the track and shapes or track and letters as in the practice material? I’m struggling a little with the letters and figure shapes will be easier.

 

[AWB2000]

Had my DMI yesterday, went alright. Think it could’ve gone better but also could’ve gone worse. Remembered everything on the TPWS and had a good chat about my knowledge of the company. So confident I’ve made it hard for them to select which I’m happy with. How long did you wait after DMI to hear anything? Im not expecting it for a while. Just want a rough idea

 

[driver333]

Had my DMI yesterday, went alright. Think it could’ve gone better but also could’ve gone worse. Remembered everything on the TPWS and had a good chat about my knowledge of the company. So confident I’ve made it hard for them to select which I’m happy with. How long did you wait after DMI to hear anything? Im not expecting it for a while. Just want a rough idea

It varies, I heard 2 days later, people I know didn’t hear for a couple weeks

 

[NeoNeko]

Afternoon people, happy Friday! On the VSE assessment is it the track and shapes or track and letters as in the practice material? I’m struggling a little with the letters and figure shapes will be easier.

It's track and shapes. I used this software to help me practice: https://traineetraindriverinfo.com/product/dynamic-visual-search-train-driver-tests/

Had my DMI yesterday, went alright. Think it could’ve gone better but also could’ve gone worse. Remembered everything on the TPWS and had a good chat about my knowledge of the company. So confident I’ve made it hard for them to select which I’m happy with. How long did you wait after DMI to hear anything? Im not expecting it for a while. Just want a rough idea

I heard an hour afterwards, but I reckon that was probably something of an exception! Maybe it was because they already had space for the next training course, and didn't want to keep people waiting.

 

[LocGurl]

Hi good morning.

Finally my Assessment Test is coming up in a few weeks after waiting for over a year !

I think I missed this conversation in the thread but may someone please let me know if the Group Bourdon Test is done on the CPU or on paper at the assessment centre please ?

 

[newbiewannabe]

Hi good morning.

Finally my Assessment Test is coming up in a few weeks after waiting for over a year !

I think I missed this conversation in the thread but may someone please let me know if the Group Bourdon Test is done on the CPU or on paper at the assessment centre please ?

I have my assessment next week and as far as I know the group bourdon is on paper.

 

[LocGurl]

I have my assessment next week and as far as I know the group bourdon is on paper.

Thank you, I've just started practicing on the CPU and paper, either one I'm confident in doing (preferably would like to do on the CPU).

Good Luck for your Assessment !!!

GET THAT PRACTICE IN !!!!

 

[newbiewannabe]

Thank you, I've just started practicing on the CPU and paper, either one I'm confident in doing (preferably would like to do on the CPU).

Good Luck for your Assessment !!!

GET THAT PRACTICE IN !!!!

Thank you! Same to you! I see dots before I go to sleep every night now lol

 

[LocGurl]

Thank you! Same to you! I see dots before I go to sleep every night now lol

HA HA !!

 

[nasontherails]

Passed my MMI, I had to do a psychometric test in the computer room before it, which they take in consideration for the face to face interview.

Now the wait begins for a depot interview. Thankfully I got given lots of useful information to study which should help. It's mostly around South Easterns core values, and reasons to want to be a train driver.

 

[NeoNeko]

Passed my MMI, I had to do a psychometric test in the computer room before it, which they take in consideration for the face to face interview.

Now the wait begins for a depot interview. Thankfully I got given lots of useful information to study which should help. It's mostly around South Easterns core values, and reasons to want to be a train driver.

Make sure you also take the time to really learn the TPWS info sheet they send through

 

[reg_91]

Passed my MMI, I had to do a psychometric test in the computer room before it, which they take in consideration for the face to face interview.

Now the wait begins for a depot interview. Thankfully I got given lots of useful information to study which should help. It's mostly around South Easterns core values, and reasons to want to be a train driver.

Congratulations mate

Any chance you recall roughly what 6 questions you were asked for your MMI?

 

[CFRAIL]

Heads up,

Applications are open for Charing Cross ONLY

Trainee Train Driver | 1 January, 2026 | Jobs and careers with Southeastern

Jobs and careers with Southeastern - Please read the geographical requirements before applying. Your postcode will be reviewed and your application will be withdrawn if you do not meet the requirements.Looking for a career that can take you places? Become a Southeastern Train Driver at our...

jobs.southeasternrailway.co.uk

 

[Owen2323]

I've no idea what SE are like to work for but that pay seems pretty low by London standards (not that money is everything of course.....)

And to be within a 20min commute by public transport, in London!!! That must rule out everyone except those within about a 2 mile radius

I'm a driver at one of the lower paid up north Toc's. I was perfectly happy with my job until I saw this advert (I'm now delighted with it )

 

[Horizon22]

I've no idea what SE are like to work for but that pay seems pretty low by London standards (not that money is everything of course.....)

That’s because it is. Southeastern is one of, if not the lowest paid TOC for drivers.

 

[Class2ldn]

That’s because it is. Southeastern is one of, if not the lowest paid TOC for drivers.

With pretty poor conditions to add, sundays included in the week as well.

 

[greatkingrat]

Particularly ironic in this case, as even if the salary was twice as much, you still probably couldn't afford to live within 20 minutes of Charing Cross!

 

[newbiewannabe]

Finally had my assessments yesterday after waiting for over a year and pleased to say I passed! Thank you to everyone on this forum for the info and advice, keep it up! I was surprised how many I spoke to yesterday that didn’t prepare for it! Out of 10 only 2 of us passed.

 

[NCDA79]

Congratulations!

 

[newbiewannabe]

Congratulations!

Thank you, I’m over the moon!

 

[kenchad4]

Did another else apply for the Grove Park position in August last month ? Have you heard anything after the online assessment ?

 

[c1403]

I passed my MMI earlier this year. Have applied for Gillingham Depot as its my closest...anyone have any idea when I may hear back regarding DMI?
I have been involved in this recruitment process for almost 3 years now so waiting a little longer not a huge deal but hope to hear back soon.

 

[ellimogg]

Hi all I’m just looking for some advice please, I applied June 2024, passed the online tests but I’m still waiting for my assessment date to come through. Just wondering if anyone has been waiting this long and also when the date comes through what to expect , what to study to prepare? Thank you

 

[Lou_Myrtille]

Hi all I’m just looking for some advice please, I applied June 2024, passed the online tests but I’m still waiting for my assessment date to come through. Just wondering if anyone has been waiting this long and also when the date comes through what to expect , what to study to prepare? Thank you

Hi! I had also applied in June 2024, received an email to invite me for an assessment end of August this year, went to the assessment end of September (could have gone earlier but needed to book the day off from my current job). I think it depends on which depot you've applied for. They will definitely contact you when they'll have openings for your chosen depot. Once you get the invite, they'll attach a hefty booklet with everything you need to know to prepare for the day. I think the only thing you could prepare is the Bourdon test (the one with the dots), you can find a lot of them online, I think it helps to do a lot of them, to familiarise yourself with it, but everything else will be in the booklet (the Bourdon as well but they use letters whereas the real test uses dots, it helped me to actually train with dots and not letters).
That being said, I didn't succeed the assessment ahahah so maybe take my advice with a grain of salt. But I've passed my conductor assessment and interview, waiting for my medical, so we might see each other on the rails soon!

*edited: typo.