Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[justwondering0]

I applied for Grove Park trainee train driver. Had the assessment day end of August which I passed and still waiting to hear back for the MMI. Is anyone else in the same boat? They implied there is big demand for this depot

 

[newbiewannabe]

I applied for Grove Park trainee train driver. Had the assessment day end of August which I passed and still waiting to hear back for the MMI. Is anyone else in the same boat? They implied there is big demand for this depot

I passed assessments sept 23rd and was told MMI should be within the next 4 weeks. I also applied for Grove Park.

 

[jjjjjjonny]

I applied for Grove Park trainee train driver. Had the assessment day end of August which I passed and still waiting to hear back for the MMI. Is anyone else in the same boat? They implied there is big demand for this depot

Email them, they may have changed you to another depot... That's what they've done to me. Apparently they already did a lot of MMI's and DMI's for Grove Park.

 

[Folkestonechap]

Hello, applied last spring for a position at Ashford. Is anyone else still waiting for an assessment?

 

[matcha]

Hello, applied last spring for a position at Ashford. Is anyone else still waiting for an assessment?

Yes. Applied for Dover last July. Still waiting.

 

[CFRAIL]

Applied last year (July?), still waiting. I'm in the catchment for Faversham, Ramsgate (as well as Gillingham, Dover and Ashford). I believe the 'coastal' depots have less openings compared to the 'metro' depots.

 

[mickeyC]

Check your inbox everyone, applied June 2024 and today i finally got the assessment day booked for November, applied for Gillingham depot.
A good friend of mine also got assessment booked next week and applied for Ashford depot.

 

[niveknewo]

Hi everyone, I've got paper tests coming up for driving and wondering if anyone has a link to printable practice Group Bourdon tests. I found one on here but my computer won't open it.
Many thanks

 

[Lukeyp]

Had an email come though 20 minutes ago for an assessment centre date, I applied last June for Dartford so best to check your email if anyone is waiting on the same depot. Only a handful of dates with one time slot available so be quick.

 

[Chibi_robo]

I applied for Grove Park trainee train driver. Had the assessment day end of August which I passed and still waiting to hear back for the MMI. Is anyone else in the same boat? They implied there is big demand for this depot

Yep, applied in July 2024, passed my MMI end of August this year and waiting for DMI at either Grove Park or Orpington.

Do they order the waitlist by score or something else does anyone know?

 

[jjjjjjonny]

Yep, applied in July 2024, passed my MMI end of August this year and waiting for DMI at either Grove Park or Orpington.

Do they order the waitlist by score or something else does anyone know?

I think they just have you down for one station so if you're closer to Orpington they'll probably just have you down for there and you'll have to wait until they start recruiting trainee drivers for there.

 

[Tigerstripe]

Hi everyone, I've got paper tests coming up for driving and wondering if anyone has a link to printable practice Group Bourdon tests. I found one on here but my computer won't open it.
Many thanks

I used the free resources on www.traindriver.org - you can print the paper tests

 

[eh21]

Hi everyone, I’ve got my DMI coming up with Southeastern in a few weeks, and I was wondering if anyone knows roughly how many questions are usually asked from the 30-question sheet they provide beforehand? Just trying to get a feel for how many they typically pick out on the day.

Also, apart from reviewing the TPWS sheet, is there any other information or topics worth brushing up on?

Any advice or recent experience would be massively appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[Savanuoris]

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.

Well done! And best of luck with your MMI. Could you share any tips that helped you pass? What was the easiest part, and what was the most difficult? Where did most people fail?

 

[newbiewannabe]

Well done! And best of luck with your MMI. Could you share any tips that helped you pass? What was the easiest part, and what was the most difficult? Where did most people fail?

Thank you, the only advice I can give you is practice with the material they send you. I think a lot of the assessments are judged on accuracy although speed is also important. In our group half of them failed the first computer tests (grey square and traffic images) then we moved on to the paper tests which I found quite easy. The hardest on the day for me was the final test, the VSE where you have to complete two computer tests at the same time. On the day remain as calm as possible. If you make a mistake on anything don’t dwell on it, just forget it and carry on at a steady pace. If you dwell on it you’ll lose concentration. Good luck!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Oct 2025 ==

Hi everyone, I’ve got my DMI coming up with Southeastern in a few weeks, and I was wondering if anyone knows roughly how many questions are usually asked from the 30-question sheet they provide beforehand? Just trying to get a feel for how many they typically pick out on the day.

Also, apart from reviewing the TPWS sheet, is there any other information or topics worth brushing up on?

Any advice or recent experience would be massively appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Can I ask how long roughly you waited between MMI and DMI? And best of luck with your DMI!

 

[eh21]

Thank you, the only advice I can give you is practice with the material they send you. I think a lot of the assessments are judged on accuracy although speed is also important. In our group half of them failed the first computer tests (grey square and traffic images) then we moved on to the paper tests which I found quite easy. The hardest on the day for me was the final test, the VSE where you have to complete two computer tests at the same time. On the day remain as calm as possible. If you make a mistake on anything don’t dwell on it, just forget it and carry on at a steady pace. If you dwell on it you’ll lose concentration. Good luck!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Oct 2025 ==


Can I ask how long roughly you waited between MMI and DMI? And best of luck with your DMI!

4 weeks! Thank you

 

[GemmaLouise]

Good morning everyone. First time posting here, I've never used a forum before. I have my in person assessment coming up at the end of the month. I've been going through all the practice material and been doing a few things online on YouTube. Are there any other tips or suggestions on how to prepare? I'm finding the image perception test very difficult. Is it just a case of practice practice practice? Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Have a great day everyone

 

[newbiewannabe]

Good morning everyone. First time posting here, I've never used a forum before. I have my in person assessment coming up at the end of the month. I've been going through all the practice material and been doing a few things online on YouTube. Are there any other tips or suggestions on how to prepare? I'm finding the image perception test very difficult. Is it just a case of practice practice practice? Any advice would be hugely appreciated. Have a great day everyone

Correct, just practice daily and hopefully you’ll be fine. Nobody is expected to get 100% on all of the assessments. If you make a couple of mistakes here and there don’t worry about it and just move on. Good luck!

 

[jebby21]

Hi, I recently applied for Trainee Train Driver role (southeastern) Grove Park.
I did the 1st online assessment I haven’t had from the company for at least 3 months. Has anyone been through this at all. My application status still says “in process “ so am confused

 

[newbiewannabe]

Hi, I recently applied for Trainee Train Driver role (southeastern) Grove Park.
I did the 1st online assessment I haven’t had from the company for at least 3 months. Has anyone been through this at all. My application status still says “in process “ so am confused

It’s normal, I applied in June 2024 and only attended the assessment centre to sit my assessments 4 weeks ago. Be prepared to wait.

 

[GemmaLouise]

Thankyou, with the perception test where they show the images on the computer, does anyone know if there is a set list of objects you have to look out for? Or do you not know what you are looking for until after you've seen the image and then you have to tick from the options you are given?

 

[Wizard77]

Thankyou, with the perception test where they show the images on the computer, does anyone know if there is a set list of objects you have to look out for? Or do you not know what you are looking for until after you've seen the image and then you have to tick from the options you are given?

It’s a set list of things that doesn’t change. The image will flash up briefly, disappear and you then tick the box next to any of the objects you think you saw….. or should I say, Know that you saw! A tip given to me on here was ‘don’t guess’.

 

[jebby21]

It’s normal, I applied in June 2024 and only attended the assessment centre to sit my assessments 4 weeks ago. Be prepared to wait.

Thank you

 

[Harlequinuk]

Recruitment now opened for Ashford and Tonbridge depots. Hard time constraints, no more than 40 minutes away. Sadly im a just under an hour away so was insta rejected.

 

[GemmaLouise]

It’s a set list of things that doesn’t change. The image will flash up briefly, disappear and you then tick the box next to any of the objects you think you saw….. or should I say, Know that you saw! A tip given to me on here was ‘don’t guess’.

Thankyou very much for confirming that. Hopefully I pass my assessments.

 

[Neilthegooner]

Just completed the Artic shore assessment. How long do they take to get back to you? That was a nightmare to do, I don't play computer games anymore. LOL

 

[GemmaLouise]

Just done my assessments today. That was so intense and so nerve racking ‍. The suspense when you are waiting in-between tests is crazy. Happy to say that I passed though so I am super excited. Now just have to wait to be invited for a DMI. Wahooo

 

[CFRAIL]

Just done my assessments today. That was so intense and so nerve racking ‍. The suspense when you are waiting in-between tests is crazy. Happy to say that I passed though so I am super excited. Now just have to wait to be invited for a DMI. Wahooo

Amazing news, well done! I've got mine in a few weeks, if you want to share any useful tips...

 

[newbiewannabe]

Just done my assessments today. That was so intense and so nerve racking ‍. The suspense when you are waiting in-between tests is crazy. Happy to say that I passed though so I am super excited. Now just have to wait to be invited for a DMI. Wahooo

Well done! That’s the worst part apparently. Passed mine in September and still waiting for my MMI.

 

[mickeyC]

Just done my assessments today. That was so intense and so nerve racking ‍. The suspense when you are waiting in-between tests is crazy. Happy to say that I passed though so I am super excited. Now just have to wait to be invited for a DMI. Wahooo

Congratulations, got mine in 2 weeks, really looking forward to it.