Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Folkestonechap]

Thanks both.

Just bring yourself, some food and something to drink, the food is pricey around the training centre in Ashford, unless you walk into town but you generally don’t have enough time.

Within the 1st week of induction you’ll be given your rucksack, company phone and tablet plus pens and books etc and order your uniform sizes.

I brought a notebook, pens, pencils, etc., but when I was training last year, the first day was just an induction experience, get to know everyone, some group work, etc., and once we actually started in the classroom, they gave us things like notebooks, pens, pencils and highlighters.

Thanks both.

 

[Sotac464]

Just bring yourself, some food and something to drink, the food is pricey around the training centre in Ashford, unless you walk into town but you generally don’t have enough time.

Within the 1st week of induction you’ll be given your rucksack, company phone and tablet plus pens and books etc and order your uniform sizes.

Hi Mickey,

I live in Dartford I still have to pass the Medical, hopefully I will, do you know if the training is in Ashford only or Orpington as well?

Thanks mate.

 

[mickeyC]

Hi Mickey,

I live in Dartford I still have to pass the Medical, hopefully I will, do you know if the training is in Ashford only or Orpington as well?

Thanks mate.

You'll be assigned a training centre either Ashford or Orpington
I know a group started in Orpington 2 weeks ago.
We’ve got a group starting in ashford Monday week.

 

[Sotac464]

You'll be assigned a training centre either Ashford or Orpington
I know a group started in Orpington 2 weeks ago.
We’ve got a group starting in ashford Monday week.

Thanks mate, hopefully I get Orpington as its a lot closer.

 

[Class2ldn]

It used to be metro depots are orpington, ashford is for mainline depots , not sure if its changed now and they utilise both so may depend which depot you've applied for.

 

[ollie_3D]

Hi all, just got one more question regarding references, do I need to provide the relevant contact details such as emails/phone numbers from my previous employers or is that something that they go out of their own way to source. Many thanks!

 

[Folkestonechap]

Hi all, just got one more question regarding references, do I need to provide the relevant contact details such as emails/phone numbers from my previous employers or is that something that they go out of their own way to source. Many thanks!

I just provided the email address of the HR department.

 

[NeoNeko]

It used to be metro depots are orpington, ashford is for mainline depots , not sure if its changed now and they utilise both so may depend which depot you've applied for.

They use both for everything - I'm metro, and was training in Ashford, with 99% of our group being metro.

 

[Sotac464]

They use both for everything - I'm metro, and was training in Ashford, with 99% of our group being metro.

I'll be Metro so looks like it could be Ashford then.

 

[mickeyC]

I'll be Metro so looks like it could be Ashford then.

Depending on which side of dartford you live, if you can get to Ebbsfleet for the high speed it’s only 19 mins to Ashford.
07:59 and 08:23 both get you onto the classroom on time.
You’ll be leaving the classroom most days before 3pm

 

[Sotac464]

Depending on which side of dartford you live, if you can get to Ebbsfleet for the high speed it’s only 19 mins to Ashford.
07:59 and 08:23 both get you onto the classroom on time.
You’ll be leaving the classroom most days before 3pm

I'll probably just drive Mickey, although thats a good alternative if some days I dont fancy it.

I live in da2.

 

[mickeyC]

I'll probably just drive Mickey, although thats a good alternative if some days I dont fancy it.

I live in da2.

Parking will set you back £10 or so a day in that area, you’ll get free travel with Southeastern.
See how you get on.

 

[driver333]

Parking will set you back £10 or so a day in that area, you’ll get free travel with Southeastern.
See how you get on.

Parking is free at Ashford aslong as your register with a permit via Apcoa. Which your DM should have set you up with by now. And park in car park B as we aren’t restricted to our depot. You can park in nearly all station car parks.

 

[Sotac464]

Parking is free at Ashford aslong as your register with a permit via Apcoa. Which your DM should have set you up with by now. And park in car park B as we aren’t restricted to our depot. You can park in nearly all station car parks.

I think Mickey is referring to parking at Ebbsfleet train station, but vast majority of the time I'll drive, so good to know I can park for free in Ashford.

 

[Cookie_Monster]

Congrats to all those that have a start date. I have my MMI next week and saw a few people post about 21 questions. Are these sent out prior as ive not had them or just something people have passed on after the tests themselves?

Cheers

 

[Sotac464]

Congrats to all those that have a start date. I have my MMI next week and saw a few people post about 21 questions. Are these sent out prior as ive not had them or just something people have passed on after the tests themselves?

Cheers

Sjt 21 questions that you answer on the computer, you then get given the piece of paper with the 6 questions on.

The Sjt forms part of the probing questions that they will ask you during your MMI.

 

[Cookie_Monster]

Sjt 21 questions that you answer on the computer, you then get given the piece of paper with the 6 questions on.

The Sjt forms part of the probing questions that they will ask you during your MMI.

Sound, thanks for the reply bud.

 

[Sotac464]

Sound, thanks for the reply bud.

Good luck

 

[jjjjjjonny]

Passed the MMI! Got the DMI booked in if anyone has any advice? I was planning on studying the TPWS sheet, researching as much as possible about SE and reusing some of my MMI answers tbh.

Also can anybody confirm if the pay has changed for trainee drivers or is it still £27,639 - £33,867 - £54,002 - £62,727?

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help, I don't think I could've done it without it.

 

[newbiewannabe]

Passed the MMI! Got the DMI booked in if anyone has any advice? I was planning on studying the TPWS sheet, researching as much as possible about SE and reusing some of my MMI answers tbh.

Also can anybody confirm if the pay has changed for trainee drivers or is it still £27,639 - £33,867 - £54,002 - £62,727?

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help, I don't think I could've done it without it.

Congratulations and good luck with the DMI. Sounds like you know what to do, all I’ll add is just be yourself, my DMI was very relaxed. I asked on here the other day about the pay and it has gone up. I’m not sure of the exact figures though.

 

[typicalalex1]

Passed the MMI! Got the DMI booked in if anyone has any advice? I was planning on studying the TPWS sheet, researching as much as possible about SE and reusing some of my MMI answers tbh.

Also can anybody confirm if the pay has changed for trainee drivers or is it still £27,639 - £33,867 - £54,002 - £62,727?

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help, I don't think I could've done it without it.

The pay deals that were accepted also apply to the trainee wages.
Congrats on the MMI.

 

[Twin82]

Congrats mate. Looks like SE are moving ahead with the interview processes. What date are you booked in for?

I got a feeling they may put out a vacancy soon to fill back the talent pool. Just speculating.

 

[Sotac464]

Passed the MMI! Got the DMI booked in if anyone has any advice? I was planning on studying the TPWS sheet, researching as much as possible about SE and reusing some of my MMI answers tbh.

Also can anybody confirm if the pay has changed for trainee drivers or is it still £27,639 - £33,867 - £54,002 - £62,727?

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help, I don't think I could've done it without it.

Tpws sheet definitely, ways of working, Southeastern the company and the role of a train driver.

You'll also have 3 describe a time questions, all very relaxed, be yourself and show your passion for wanting to work for them.

 

[jjjjjjonny]

The pay deals that were accepted also apply to the trainee wages.
Congrats on the MMI.

Thanks very much. Do you know how much it's gone up by?

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Tpws sheet definitely, ways of working, Southeastern the company and the role of a train driver.

You'll also have 3 describe a time questions, all very relaxed, be yourself and show your passion for wanting to work for them.

Thank you!

 

[theasdf]

Thanks very much. Do you know how much it's gone up by?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jun 2026 ==


Thank you!

As a trainee driver (metro), my salary is currently £39,755 (including regional allowance). It’ll go up to £61,890 as a first year driver and then £75,509 when on full pay. These figures include the pay deal increases, give or take a couple of quid.

 

[Sotac464]

As a trainee driver (metro), my salary is currently £39,755 (including regional allowance). It’ll go up to £61,890 as a first year driver and then £75,509 when on full pay. These figures include the pay deal increases, give or take a couple of quid.

On the sheet I have for Dartford including allowance final salary is £71,573.

How are you finding the training?

Thanks.

 

[jjjjjjonny]

As a trainee driver (metro), my salary is currently £39,755 (including regional allowance). It’ll go up to £61,890 as a first year driver and then £75,509 when on full pay. These figures include the pay deal increases, give or take a couple of quid.

Lovely jubly!!

 

[theasdf]

On the sheet I have for Dartford including allowance final salary is £71,573.

How are you finding the training?

Thanks.

It’s a three-year pay deal so I imagine your figure is the current (year 2) amount but by the time I’m on full driver pay it’ll have gone up to the third year’s amount.

Training has been great, as are the people. Rules was interesting and intense with very high exam pass requirements, especially coming in with no rail experience, but manageable nonetheless. I found traction a little more tricky as it covers 707s, Networkers and Electrostars - it’s a lot! Eventually you’ll even get to drive a train which again is intense as every unit handles differently; there’s hundreds of miles of route, station and depot knowledge to learn, including speeds, junction names and braking points, etc., in good visibility and zero.

All in all, I’m still loving it and wish I’d done it sooner.

 

[Sotac464]

On the sheet I have for Dartford including allowance final salary is £71,573.

It’s a three-year pay deal so I imagine your figure is the current (year 2) amount but by the time I’m on full driver pay it’ll have gone up to the third year’s amount.

Training has been great, as are the people. Rules was interesting and intense with very high exam pass requirements, especially coming in with no rail experience, but manageable nonetheless. I found traction a little more tricky as it covers 707s, Networkers and Electrostars - it’s a lot! Eventually you’ll even get to drive a train which again is intense as every unit handles differently; there’s hundreds of miles of route, station and depot knowledge to learn, including speeds, junction names and braking points, etc., in good visibility and zero.

All in all, I’m still loving it and wish I’d done it sooner.

Thank you for clearing that up, sounds amazing I know its intense but I cant wait to get started.

 

[ollie_3D]

Thank you for clearing that up, sounds amazing I know its intense but I cant wait to get started.

As am I, I’m really excited to get stuck in with everything!

Passed the MMI! Got the DMI booked in if anyone has any advice? I was planning on studying the TPWS sheet, researching as much as possible about SE and reusing some of my MMI answers tbh.

Also can anybody confirm if the pay has changed for trainee drivers or is it still £27,639 - £33,867 - £54,002 - £62,727?

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help, I don't think I could've done it without it.

And yeah as the previous people on here have said, the DMI is very relaxed but do as you said, study that TPWS sheet and make sure you know the contents of it, make sure you know their company policies and ways of working and make sure you know the SE by numbers on their website. Also make sure you know their London terminals as they asked me that on mine. Then it’s just 3 situation based questions based on the ways of working.

You’ll be fine though it’s a really pleasant experience as far as interviews go

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Also, anyone who’s sat there medical, how did it go?