Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Savanuoris]

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! Could you tell which test centre you attended, and did you do the MMI on the same day?

 

[Az87]

I applied for trainee driver for Ashford last year, I was unsuccessful at the interview and was unable to reapply until a certain amount of time had passed. I saw this week that they advertised trainee driver for Ashford but I was unable to reapply for another 2 weeks, so I contacted them and asked if I could reapply a little early. They replied and said they have reinstated my application (which I'm incredible grateful for) and I will be called for an interview once they have availability.

I know this is a very uncommon situation as they get so many applications that they don't need to reinstate anyone's application but has anyone else been in the same situation?

Is anyone else waiting for their interview for Ashford or have it soon?

 

[eh21]

I applied for trainee driver for Ashford last year, I was unsuccessful at the interview and was unable to reapply until a certain amount of time had passed. I saw this week that they advertised trainee driver for Ashford but I was unable to reapply for another 2 weeks, so I contacted them and asked if I could reapply a little early. They replied and said they have reinstated my application (which I'm incredible grateful for) and I will be called for an interview once they have availability.

I know this is a very uncommon situation as they get so many applications that they don't need to reinstate anyone's application but has anyone else been in the same situation?

Is anyone else waiting for their interview for Ashford or have it soon?

That’s great they reinstated your application! How long did you have to wait before you were allowed to reapply? And do you go straight to the DMI or start again from the MMI?

 

[Lukeyp]

Does anyone who’s attended the assessment centre know how long you get to do each test? I’ve started looking through the documents sent and will practise the VSE first but I’m looking for a time per exercise to see where I’m at instead of just timing myself

 

[Ellwill]

I know this is a very uncommon situation as they get so many applications that they don't need to reinstate anyone's application but has anyone else been in the same situation?

Once you've passed assessments for any role with Southeastern, then your results are good for a couple of years. This means that if you don't pass interview and reapply after six months (or a year in your case) then you will go straight to interview again.

 

[Pablo 45]

Passed my MMI today, over the moon! DMI next. Been told I’ll have that in a few months. Anyone have any DMI tips for southeastern. Ashford is my chosen depot! Thank you in advance

Hello AWB2000, congrats on your interview pass!!! Want to ask you, what kind of question you had on your MMI please? Thank you, much appreciate it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Nov 2025 ==

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.

Hello c1403, congrats on you pass. Can you share how was and what question you’ve been asked at your MMI, please?
Thank you

 

[jebby21]

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

They take their time mate. Am still waiting on them. It’s been 3 months and counting

 

[Folkestonechap]

Anyone else attending the assessment at Ashford on Tuesday 11th this week?

 

[elle1630]

I just watched a friend do their first stage online tests for this. Im a train driver for another toc. But bloody hell anyone that passed that, congratulations. Never had to do anything like those 3 tests for mine

 

[CamelotUK]

Anyone else attending the assessment at Ashford on Tuesday 11th this week?

Hi Folkestonechap. Yes I am attending the assessment at Ashford on Tuesday the 11th. Will be getting the train from Dover to Ashford. Just got to look up which one that I need to get. I've been practising as much as I can, but not as much as I would have like to have been able to. Hopefully I will be ok on the day and the nerves won't kick in too much...

 

[Lukeyp]

Hi Folkestonechap. Yes I am attending the assessment at Ashford on Tuesday the 11th. Will be getting the train from Dover to Ashford. Just got to look up which one that I need to get. I've been practising as much as I can, but not as much as I would have like to have been able to. Hopefully I will be ok on the day and the nerves won't kick in too much...

How did the assessment go?

 

[CamelotUK]

Unfortunately I failed on the computer test, where the grey square changes to the black square and you have to press the green button as soon as you see it change. Apparently I was only just off of the pace. But they are not allowed to say how much by though.

 

[Lukeyp]

Unfortunately I failed on the computer test, where the grey square changes to the black square and you have to press the green button as soon as you see it change. Apparently I was only just off of the pace. But they are not allowed to say how much by though.

That’s unlucky mate, can always go again! How was the other tests?

 

[CamelotUK]

Yeah it was. I am obviously disappointed, but there isn't a lot that I can do about it and at the end of the day, I know that I tried my best. At least I can have up to another 2 goes at it, now the rules have changed. I actually found most of the other tests ok on the whole. Which was surprising to me, considering that I didn't get as much practice in as I would have liked to have done and I am normally pretty nervous when it comes to doing tests.

Did you do your assessments today? If so, was you the group that did the paper tests first and then the computer tests and how did you get on?

 

[newbiewannabe]

Can anyone who has passed their driver assessments recently and had the MMI tell me how long you had to wait for the MMI? The assessors on the day said it should be within the next four weeks. That was seven weeks ago and I’ve not heard a thing.

 

[morris1992]

Good morning all, new poster here

Applied on 3rd Nov completed and passed my online exam, waiting to hear for an assessment date

I have heard that SE are a little slow in the hiring process, when do you think I will hear about the assessment center date?

 

[newbiewannabe]

Good morning all, new poster here

Applied on 3rd Nov completed and passed my online exam, waiting to hear for an assessment date

I have heard that SE are a little slow in the hiring process, when do you think I will hear about the assessment center date?

Could be any time. I applied June last year and only sat my assessments in September this year!

 

[jcrouchy]

Good morning all, new poster here

Applied on 3rd Nov completed and passed my online exam, waiting to hear for an assessment date

I have heard that SE are a little slow in the hiring process, when do you think I will hear about the assessment center date?

How did you find out?
I applied on 27th October and haven’t heard anything or any feedback from the online assessments. Still says “in process” on the job application portal.
Reckon that’s bad news?

 

[morris1992]

How did you find out?
I applied on 27th October and haven’t heard anything or any feedback from the online assessments. Still says “in process” on the job application portal.
Reckon that’s bad news?

Previously I applied in September last year for apprenticeship movement engineer, still hadn't heard anything
When I clicked the link I didn't receive an email from ArcticShores so I called to ask for help, only then did they confirm that i had passed, I imagine they email almost immediately if you haven't passed *shrugs* but honestly who knows

Could be any time. I applied June last year and only sat my assessments in September this year!

Heartbreaking, hopefully I hear back in under a year then haha!

 

[jebby21]

Good morning all, new poster here

Applied on 3rd Nov completed and passed my online exam, waiting to hear for an assessment date

I have heard that SE are a little slow in the hiring process, when do you think I will hear about the assessment center date?

Hi mate.., same here. Done mine a few months ago with SE. for Grove Park. Still waiting to hear from them. I did email them about it they said they’ve had a lot of applicants. As slots come up they will allocate. Unfortunately we just have to wait

 

[newbiewannabe]

Previously I applied in September last year for apprenticeship movement engineer, still hadn't heard anything
When I clicked the link I didn't receive an email from ArcticShores so I called to ask for help, only then did they confirm that i had passed, I imagine they email almost immediately if you haven't passed *shrugs* but honestly who knows


Heartbreaking, hopefully I hear back in under a year then haha!

Who knows, nobody seems to know the process. Could be next month! It really is a mysterious waiting game!

 

[Folkestonechap]

I managed to pass the assessment this week, applied in June 2024. So a bit of a wait!

 

[morris1992]

I managed to pass the assessment this week, applied in June 2024. So a bit of a wait!

Brilliant news! Congratulations man, any advice?

 

[SETrainee]

I've passed my online tests and in-person assessments for Southeastern, including advanced assessment - so very happy with that!

I waited around a month to hear back about MMIs but then was told they could be arranged as far back as late 2026 - is this normal?

Part of me is wondering about applying to other TOs now that I've passed all of my assessments.

 

[Lukeyp]

I've passed my online tests and in-person assessments for Southeastern, including advanced assessment - so very happy with that!

I waited around a month to hear back about MMIs but then was told they could be arranged as far back as late 2026 - is this normal?

Part of me is wondering about applying to other TOs now that I've passed all of my assessments.

What’s an advanced assessment?

 

[Folkestonechap]

Brilliant news! Congratulations man, any advice?

Just stay calm, relax and focused. Dont let anything distract you. As long as you have done some practice so you know what to expect, it should be ok.

 

[SETrainee]

What’s an advanced assessment?

Six of us had to sit a third round of assessments they described as "advanced", and the trainers noted that Southeastern will not add you to their talent pool for future hiring if you do not pass this third round of assessments.

 

[Pintman]

Unfortunately I failed on the computer test, where the grey square changes to the black square and you have to press the green button as soon as you see it change. Apparently I was only just off of the pace. But they are not allowed to say how much by though.

Did they straight up say you were close? Seems harsh to say you're close but not how close

 

[Neilthegooner]

They take their time mate. Am still waiting on them. It’s been 3 months and counting

Ok. Sorry for the late reply, been on holiday. Nothing seems to happen fast.

 

[Lukeyp]

Six of us had to sit a third round of assessments they described as "advanced", and the trainers noted that Southeastern will not add you to their talent pool for future hiring if you do not pass this third round of assessments.

What did you have to do?