Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Neilthegooner]

Yeah Ashford.
I had 2 birthdays inbetween taking the online tests to the actual assessment centre last month.
Strap your self in and get comfy, you could be waiting a while.

Yea I've heard it could be a while. Hoping to get in before the new tax rules come in for self employed in 2027.

 

[CFRAIL]

Yea I've heard it could be a while. Hoping to get in before the new tax rules come in for self employed in 2027.

Lots depends on your desired depot. I think mainline depot's have recruited heavily recently so I imagine the wait for those will be 12 months or so. Metro depot's experience higher turnover, so generally the wait is shorter.

 

[Neilthegooner]

Lots depends on your desired depot. I think mainline depot's have recruited heavily recently so I imagine the wait for those will be 12 months or so. Metro depot's experience higher turnover, so generally the wait is shorter.

I'll be looking at Ashford.

 

[Pablo 45]

I’ve been with SE for a a year and a half now, and it certainly is a life changing career, all I’d say regarding DMI to be honest, is the only company information they kind of expect is general knowledge of the company, I.E, where SE operates, such as Kent, London and East Sussex, how many stations, ammount of staff, this can ALL be found on SE main website on information.

They don’t expect you to know what the company’s structure is and anything to do with depots, all they are testing is you have put in the effort to research the company, MEMORIse The TPWS sheet, as they literally tick off how much info you retain and give back to them (memory test)

Other then that,have a good reason for wanting the job, not “I want the responsibility” an answer as simple as I think driving trains would be awesome (my answer I gave) is more honest and truthful, they want no bs, and to make sure your for for the job,

So again, don’t go in there with an overload of information regarding how the company operates and what it’s been up too recently unless you seriously understand it, as stuff like that can open you up down a road you don’t know the rest of the answers too,

Hope you do well, don’t stress, be honest and learn some bits, they will teach you the rest.

Hello driver 333, hope you are well. How is to work for southeastern? Salary? Career prog? Etc
Thanks

 

[driver333]

Hello driver 333, hope you are well. How is to work for southeastern? Salary? Career prog? Etc
Thanks

Me personally I love it, I was outside the railway before i joined and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I love the shifts, 4 days a week work, the money is great, the conditions are great. I have kids and it works amazingly I see them 100x more than I did. People you’ll work with will constantly moan saying other TOC’s are better and better conditions etc, but ignore it. Progression wise is slim and few, obvs can go high speed, become a DI but there are options. Pay talks still on going but attempting to match other TOC’s apparently so yeah. Any questions do ask,

 

[Pablo 45]

Good Morning.
I had that impression, the moan thing. I just recently joined railway but as customer service and going now for trainee driver if everything goes according to the plan. But yeah, a lot of my colleagues moan about SE so I wonder why.
Thank you for answer

 

[driver333]

Good Morning.
I had that impression, the moan thing. I just recently joined railway but as customer service and going now for trainee driver if everything goes according to the plan. But yeah, a lot of my colleagues moan about SE so I wonder why.
Thank you for answer

Oh nice, where you based? They moan as other TOC’s have better conditions, their Sundays are outside the working week so paid extra, they are paid more (a fair bit) so naturally they moan. But forget that outside this industry we are on mega money compared to most. And quite frankly are conditions aren’t bad.

 

[Pablo 45]

Personally, from customer service to trainee driver is a massive step! But plenty of moaning from colleagues regarding SE.
I’m based in Lewisham, applied for Victoria.

 

[driver333]

Personally, from customer service to trainee driver is a massive step! But plenty of moaning from colleagues regarding SE.
I’m based in Lewisham, applied for Victoria

course it is

Yeah mate course it is, ah well just ignore it

 

[CFRAIL]

I'll be looking at Ashford.

They advertised recently for Ashford, so I imagine they have a greater need.

 

[newbiewannabe]

Afternoon all. I applied for GTR last week for trainee train driver, completed the online assessment and got the email today to say I failed, i passsed the M7JT last year for southeastern and my practical assessments in September this year. So much for having a head start!

 

[Pablo 45]

Sorry to hear about GTR

 

[newbiewannabe]

Sorry to hear about GTR

Cheers mate. Just have to make sure I give it my best shot with southeastern, just wanted to improve my chances.

 

[mickeyC]

Afternoon all. I applied for GTR last week for trainee train driver, completed the online assessment and got the email today to say I failed, i passsed the M7JT last year for southeastern and my practical assessments in September this year. So much for having a head start!

Hi, funny enough the exact same thing happened to me last week also, I was sure I would breeze past all the newbie applicants.

 

[newbiewannabe]

Hi, funny enough the exact same thing happened to me last week also, I was sure I would breeze past all the newbie applicants.

I did find the assessment trickier than the M7SJT to be fair. I’ll probably still be waiting for my interviews with southeastern in 6 months time so I’ll reapply!

 

[traineeyh]

Hi,
I have a Driver Manager Interview with GWR, and if successful this would lead to a conditional job offer.
However, I have also applied to Southern, who require me to sit an additional assesment (fault finding).

My question is: if I were to pass the GWR Driver Manager Interview and receive a conditional offer, but then fail Southern’s nationally standardised assessment, could that failure trigger a national “cool-off” period and therefore invalidate or jeopardise the GWR offer?

Thanks, in advance

 

[Sefason]

It was very useful to me, I’ve already passed southeastern assessments so have applied for GTR last night.
Thanks

Hi Mickey, congrats on passing the assessment for southeastern. would you mind sharing information on what to prepare for the assessment. thank you

 

[mickeyC]

Hi Mickey, congrats on passing the assessment for southeastern. would you mind sharing information on what to prepare for the assessment. thank you

Thanks
Most of the info is all written in this thread if you start from the beginning.
To be honest I panicked a little not knowing what the tests are all about, but you’ll get a welcome pack from southeastern with plenty of time to prepare.
I only found the group bourdon test helpful, all the rest of the paperwork you get sent doesn’t really represent the actual testing day at all.
I’d wait till you actually get a date booked before jumping the gun and practicing too much, I practiced daily for 3 weeks once my date was confirmed and my brain was frazzled afterwards.

 

[CFRAIL]

To echo Mickey above. By all means practice the group bourdon in advance, in my opinion this helps to recognise the 'shapes' of dots. With the other assessments, the practice material helps to give you an understanding of what to expect, but won't be like for like with the assessments on the day. Pay attention at the beginning of each assessment, the instructions are really clear and ask if you don't understand. For most you'll get a practice attempt before each one, take your time to understand what is required. For most of them they're looking for a combination of accuracy AND speed, but I'm fairly sure accuracy is the number one priority. Good luck!

 

[Sefason]

Thanks to both Mickey and CFRAIL. this was really helpful. I will look into the group bourdon test and practice til my assessment date. cheers!

 

[Pablo 45]

Thanks to both Mickey and CFRAIL. this was really helpful. I will look into the group bourdon test and practice til my assessment date. cheers!

Hi there, just a tip but worth it defenetly!!! 2 colleagues of mine fail on bourdon test for not follow the instructions!!! Make sure you’ll do it from left to right!! Not zig zag, up and down, no nothing! Stick to their instructions

 

[Unobrow]

Hi there, just a tip but worth it defenetly!!! 2 colleagues of mine fail on bourdon test for not follow the instructions!!! Make sure you’ll do it from left to right!! Not zig zag, up and down, no nothing! Stick to their instructions

I find it baffling that they wouldn‘t do each line in turn. Going zig zag, up and down etc doesn’t complete full lines, let alone not following simple instructions!

 

[mickeyC]

check your emails all
DMI booked for January 20th at Gillingham depot

 

[CFRAIL]

check your emails all
DMI booked for January 20th at Gillingham depot

Good luck with it, let us know how you get on! It's got me wondering whether I should throw my hat into the ring for Gillingham, or wait for my preferred depot...

 

[jpmateta14]

View attachment 193783

I had a slightly different one. At least I passed that online assessment. That was mind boggling.

Hi I also had this email, applied for Grove Park Trainee in June 2025. Passed the arctic shores, and yourself?

 

[mickeyC]

Hi I also had this email, applied for Grove Park Trainee in June 2025. Passed the arctic shores, and yourself?

What’s the Artic shores?
Don’t recall doing anything named like that?

 

[Folkestonechap]

Passed the assessment day back in mid November. Just booked for the interviews in a couple of weeks. Picked Ashford as my depot.

 

[jpmateta14]

What’s the Artic shores?
Don’t recall doing anything named like that?

It was an online assessment that I had to do after applying, a few small aptitude type tests?

 

[mickeyC]

It was an online assessment that I had to do after applying, a few small aptitude type tests?

Ahh ok thanks
Must of changed the process slightly since 2024 when I applied.
Cheers

 

[CFRAIL]

Ahh ok thanks
Must of changed the process slightly since 2024 when I applied.
Cheers

Did you do the Magnificent 7 SJT? That was administered by Arctic Shores. I believe the Magnificent 7 has now been replaced.