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Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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newbiewannabe

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2024
Messages
157
Location
London
Good luck! I memorised the sheet word for word. Def worth doing, if anything to boost your confidence. Sound like you're very well prepped!
Cheers mate, I’ve done nothing but revise since I found out and I’m reading the tpws word for word in my sleep! Confused as to why I’m having the DMI before the MMi though. Hopefully I won’t be waiting too long for it if I get through this stage.
 

CFRAIL

Member
Joined
17 May 2019
Messages
336
Cheers mate, I’ve done nothing but revise since I found out and I’m reading the tpws word for word in my sleep! Confused as to why I’m having the DMI before the MMi though. Hopefully I won’t be waiting too long for it if I get through this stage.
They did say at my assessment centre that the order varies depending on depot.
 

mickeyC

Member
Joined
14 Jun 2024
Messages
173
Location
kent
Ah that makes sense. Hopefully I won’t be waiting another year for the MMI!
My DMi was before my MMI, so I wouldn’t read anything into it but
I’d say it’s better that way, the driver manager might be able to pull strings and get say they want you asap.
 

DLRfan1

Member
Joined
4 Jan 2023
Messages
40
Location
London
Cheers mate, I’ve done nothing but revise since I found out and I’m reading the tpws word for word in my sleep! Confused as to why I’m having the DMI before the MMi though. Hopefully I won’t be waiting too long for it if I get through this stage.
Strongly believe this is being done to ensure that SE don’t end up paying for all the tests, and then people taking all their passes to other TOCs when they recruit for trainee drivers.
 

newbiewannabe

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2024
Messages
157
Location
London
My DMi was before my MMI, so I wouldn’t read anything into it but
I’d say it’s better that way, the driver manager might be able to pull strings and get say they want you asap.
Hopefully! If I get through I’m itching to get started asap!

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Strongly believe this is being done to ensure that SE don’t end up paying for all the tests, and then people taking all their passes to other TOCs when they recruit for trainee drivers.
Makes sense as SE are the lowest paid. Southern pay 10k more even while training.
 

CFRAIL

Member
Joined
17 May 2019
Messages
336
Hopefully! If I get through I’m itching to get started asap!

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Makes sense as SE are the lowest paid. Southern pay 10k more even while training.
And I think if the pay deal is accepted the trainee wage duration will last longer.
 

FR510

Member
Joined
20 Oct 2020
Messages
111
Location
Kent
Yes, there is a train crew car park. You may have to press a buzzer to get let in through the gate.
 

lee1234

Member
Joined
23 Dec 2025
Messages
16
Location
Lee SE12
A bit last minute but does anyone know if there is parking at Grove Park depot?
If you can't get into the depot itself then Gables Close is a residential street outside the depot entrance which is free, anyone can park there, there is no residents parking.
 

newbiewannabe

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2024
Messages
157
Location
London
Just had a phone call to say I passed my DMI, I’m over the moon just the MMI to go. Unfortunately, there are no vacancies at my depot at the moment so it looks like more waiting.
 

mickeyC

Member
Joined
14 Jun 2024
Messages
173
Location
kent
Just had a phone call to say I passed my DMI, I’m over the moon just the MMI to go. Unfortunately, there are no vacancies at my depot at the moment so it looks like more waiting.
Congratulations, that’s a quick turn around on same day.
Fingers crossed you get something soon.
 

driver333

Member
Joined
27 Oct 2024
Messages
77
Location
Kent
You’ll all b happy, pay rise has gone threw, by the time any of you pass out as drivers you’ll see a big difference to the advertised pay.
 

newbiewannabe

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2024
Messages
157
Location
London
Yes but we’ve already had 2 of those years it’s 25/26/27 pay so backdated 25&26 pay. By March 27, pay is now 72,751
Ah I see…. That’s brilliant!

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Fantastic news! Congratulations! :D
Cheers mate, got my MMI on 5th of may then will probably be in the talent pool until the end of the year. Just relieved now after waiting so long!
 

Gul

Member
Joined
15 Jul 2025
Messages
12
Location
South East
Just had a phone call to say I passed my DMI, I’m over the moon just the MMI to go. Unfortunately, there are no vacancies at my depot at the moment so it looks like more waiting.
Great news, good luck with the MMI.

I've just passsed my assessment day and am now waiting on DMI and MMI but they said it could be either one first.
 

newbiewannabe

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2024
Messages
157
Location
London
Great news, good luck with the MMI.

I've just passsed my assessment day and am now waiting on DMI and MMI but they said it could be either one first.
Cheers! Brilliant, good luck! Did they give any idea how long you’ll have to wait? I had to wait 7 months for mine after the assessments.
 

Gul

Member
Joined
15 Jul 2025
Messages
12
Location
South East
Did they give any idea how long you’ll have to wait?
They said don't be suprised if nothing is heard for a few months, depends on the depots. I gather some of the non-metro depots have quite healthy talent pools now.

I'm just pleased I passed the assessment day, makes me keener to progress but just have to let the process run its course. The assessment day is very smoothly run now it's based in Ashford.
 

newbiewannabe

Member
Joined
10 Jul 2024
Messages
157
Location
London
They said don't be suprised if nothing is heard for a few months, depends on the depots. I gather some of the non-metro depots have quite healthy talent pools now.

I'm just pleased I passed the assessment day, makes me keener to progress but just have to let the process run its course. The assessment day is very smoothly run now it's based in Ashford.
That’s exactly how I felt. I found reading up on info about the company on a regular basis and retaining it goes a long way. They’re looking for good memory to make sure you can handle the course, that’s what I got from it anyway as well as being very safety aware and honest.
 
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