Southeastern - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Twin82]

Massive congratulations!! Hopefully I see you around!

Thank you!! For sure!!! Looking forward to that!

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Great news, well done!

Appreciate it

 

[Brickz]

I'm slightly concerned about the hearing test on the medical. Can somebody tell me what it consists of and if they test both ears independently or just together? My right ear is much weaker than my left...

If you get your ears checked in advance and if needed get hearing aids as that won't affect passing a medical if you have them

 

[jjjjjjonny]

If you get your ears checked in advance and if needed get hearing aids as that won't affect passing a medical if you have them

That's a good idea, I'll go to the GP asap.

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/ free hearing test of Specsavers. Thanks guys

 

[typicalalex1]

That's a good idea, I'll go to the GP asap.

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/ free hearing test of Specsavers. Thanks guys

As someone who wears hearing aids and has recently had their medical, go and get your hearing checked in advance.
It is free to do at Specsavers and they will give you a print out of your results. You can use this print out as evidence and they will skip the hearing test on the day provided you meet the guidelines.
Guidelines are no more than 40db of loss at 500hz and 1000khz and no more than 45db of loss at 2000khz. Ears are tested individually.

If you do not meet those guidelines, you will need hearing aids to pass the medical.

 

[jjjjjjonny]

As someone who wears hearing aids and has recently had their medical, go and get your hearing checked in advance.
It is free to do at Specsavers and they will give you a print out of your results. You can use this print out as evidence and they will skip the hearing test on the day provided you meet the guidelines.
Guidelines are no more than 40db of loss at 500hz and 1000khz and no more than 45db of loss at 2000khz. Ears are tested individually.

If you do not meet those guidelines, you will need hearing aids to pass the medical.

That's very reassuring, many thanks. I've got a hearing test booked in so fingers crossed.

 

[FuseHelium3]

Spot on advice, if you prepare your answers for the MMI properly including safety, following rules and procedures, remaining calm under pressure and customer service to each answer you will pass.

DMI I found was more a case of having to remember and recite so much information.

If you get to that stage the one thing I kept telling myself was, "They want to employ me"

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Anyone have their interview at Dartford today?

Hope you don't mind me asking since I have my DMI next month.

Were you asked many questions from the question bank? There are 30 there and a few I'm really scratching my head to think of examples for. I feel like some questions are probably more geared towards head office type roles? I can absolutely see the merit in some questions but others don't seem too relevant for the train driver role.

 

[Twin82]

Hope you don't mind me asking since I have my DMI next month.

Were you asked many questions from the question bank? There are 30 there and a few I'm really scratching my head to think of examples for. I feel like some questions are probably more geared towards head office type roles? I can absolutely see the merit in some questions but others don't seem too relevant for the train driver role.

Have you done your MMI already? What depot are you going for? Good luck for when the time comes.

 

[typicalalex1]

Hope you don't mind me asking since I have my DMI next month.

Were you asked many questions from the question bank? There are 30 there and a few I'm really scratching my head to think of examples for. I feel like some questions are probably more geared towards head office type roles? I can absolutely see the merit in some questions but others don't seem too relevant for the train driver role.

You will be asked multiple questions from this question bank.

 

[FuseHelium3]

Have you done your MMI already? What depot are you going for? Good luck for when the time comes.

Yes, did the MMI last week. The DMI now is the final hurdle. I'll be at interviewing at the Gillingham. Thanks for the well wishes, I'm anxious but still have plenty of time to prep for now!

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You will be asked multiple questions from this question bank.

Do you recall which ones you were asked? I imagine it's unlikely questions about project work or innovative change in products or processes will come up?

 

[mickeyC]

Yes, did the MMI last week. The DMI now is the final hurdle. I'll be at interviewing at the Gillingham. Thanks for the well wishes, I'm anxious but still have plenty of time to prep for now!

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Do you recall which ones you were asked? I imagine it's unlikely questions about project work or innovative change in products or processes will come up?

I had my DMI at Gills with Craig Rickwood and Scott (driver manager).
I was nervous as hell before going in but it really was a breeze, the guys put me at ease real quick. The DMI was booked for about an hour but we was chatting for about 1hr 45mins.
I was asked 2 questions per ways of working heading.
Good luck with it all.

 

[Twin82]

I had my DMI at Gills with Craig Rickwood and Scott (driver manager).
I was nervous as hell before going in but it really was a breeze, the guys put me at ease real quick. The DMI was booked for about an hour but we was chatting for about 1hr 45mins.
I was asked 2 questions per ways of working heading.
Good luck with it all.

How is the training goin Mickey? Are you still in the classroom? What advice do you have for those who will be starting their courses soon?

 

[mickeyC]

How is the training goin Mickey? Are you still in the classroom? What advice do you have for those who will be starting their courses soon?

Morning Twin82, currently in the middle of traction on the electrostars, then once I pass that I’ve got another 12 days traction for networkers.
My advice would be to listen to your trainer, trust the process and follow the advice given in class.
All the classroom training is layered, one day the content might not click with you straight away, but give it a day or 2 and it will.
2-3hrs minimum revision most nights and I did all day Sunday.
(Saturdays I didn’t do anything with class work)

 

[Lukeyp]

Regarding the MMI which I have coming up on Monday, other than preparing for the 6 questions that have been put on this forum, is there anything else anyone would recommend having a read over? I imagine the DMI is where you would do more train related research so I have put that to the back of my mind for now.

 

[Folkestonechap]

Morning Twin82, currently in the middle of traction on the electrostars, then once I pass that I’ve got another 12 days traction for networkers.
My advice would be to listen to your trainer, trust the process and follow the advice given in class.
All the classroom training is layered, one day the content might not click with you straight away, but give it a day or 2 and it will.
2-3hrs minimum revision most nights and I did all day Sunday.
(Saturdays I didn’t do anything with class work)

Thanks, you've been a great source of help in this forum.

I start my training in a few weeks, was wondering, how soon did you get your uniform issued when you started?

 

[mickeyC]

Thanks, you've been a great source of help in this forum.

I start my training in a few weeks, was wondering, how soon did you get your uniform issued when you started?

Uniform took approx 6 weeks to arrive but some had it arrive within 3 weeks.
Just wear smart attire to training school till it arrives, I wore trousers and shirts for a few weeks till the weather got hot then switched to smart polo tops.

 

[Sotac464]

Regarding the MMI which I have coming up on Monday, other than preparing for the 6 questions that have been put on this forum, is there anything else anyone would recommend having a read over? I imagine the DMI is where you would do more train related research so I have put that to the back of my mind for now.

No just concentrate on the MMI, I only focused on that and then when I passed I then only had 4 days for the DMI. So its doable the hardest part is learning the TPWS sheet, so you could start practicing that.

 

[jackf15]

Mmi passed DMI now on Monday.

How did you get on?

 

[FuseHelium3]

I had my DMI at Gills with Craig Rickwood and Scott (driver manager).
I was nervous as hell before going in but it really was a breeze, the guys put me at ease real quick. The DMI was booked for about an hour but we was chatting for about 1hr 45mins.
I was asked 2 questions per ways of working heading.
Good luck with it all.

Ah pleased to hear that! To be fair, I was a bit anxious for the MMI too but it turned out to just be a really nice chat.

Thanks for your reply, really appreciate it!

 

[Twin82]

Morning Twin82, currently in the middle of traction on the electrostars, then once I pass that I’ve got another 12 days traction for networkers.
My advice would be to listen to your trainer, trust the process and follow the advice given in class.
All the classroom training is layered, one day the content might not click with you straight away, but give it a day or 2 and it will.
2-3hrs minimum revision most nights and I did all day Sunday.
(Saturdays I didn’t do anything with class work)

Sound advice. I’ll definitely take on that approach when the time comes. Thanks for all the help you’ve given us. Valuable advice. I’m sure we all will be happy for you when you pass out.

 

[Sotac464]

How did you get on?

I start a week on Monday.

 

[mickeyC]

I start a week on Monday.

You’ve probably mentioned it, but are you training at Ashford or Tonbridge?

 

[Twin82]

You’ve probably mentioned it, but are you training at Ashford or Tonbridge?

I thought the training schools were either Ashford or Orpington. For some reason I thought they got rid of the training school in Tonbridge. Isn’t that the case?

 

[Sotac464]

You’ve probably mentioned it, but are you training at Ashford or Tonbridge?

2 days in Ashford then the rest is in Orpington. 10 of us on my course.

 

[mickeyC]

I thought the training schools were either Ashford or Orpington. For some reason I thought they got rid of the training school in Tonbridge. Isn’t that the case?

Sorry yes your right, Orpington and Ashford.

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2 days in Ashford then the rest is in Orpington. 10 of us on my course.

Nice, good luck and all the best.
I only know Russ and Ross who are trainers at Orpington, not sure who else teaches there.

 

[Lukeyp]

When at the MMI and you have to fill in the pre interview form, how much detail do you have to put in? Is it minimal like on the practise material given and you elaborate more in the interview or do you write the whole scenario and speak on it?

 

[ollie_3D]

Signed my contract the other day and passed all the background checks which I believe means I’m in now! I’m very thankful for all those who have helped me and for all the great advice! I start in a couple weeks and im really looking forward to getting started with the training

 

[Twin82]

When at the MMI and you have to fill in the pre interview form, how much detail do you have to put in? Is it minimal like on the practise material given and you elaborate more in the interview or do you write the whole scenario and speak on it?

Just a lone or 2 on the MMI pre interview form. They do not want a lot of detail as they want to probe the answers you give whilst you’re executing it. My interviewer told me that in my interview

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Jul 2026 ==

Signed my contract the other day and passed all the background checks which I believe means I’m in now! I’m very thankful for all those who have helped me and for all the great advice! I start in a couple weeks and im really looking forward to getting started with the training

Congrats mate. Life changing opportunity! All the best. Let us know how it’s going.

 

[GemmaLouise]

So I had my DMI yesterday for the Victoria/Charing X depots and am excited to say that I have passed! This thread has been instrumental in my whole progress. Thanks to the people who continue to share their experiences after going through the whole process. Special thanks to Sotac who has always been helpful and patient. God bless you all.

I just want to say to all aspiring train drivers, you don’t have to be super smart or well spoken. Work hard,ask questions even if you think they’re silly. I am lucky enough to be a bus driver, which a few of our routes changeover in Victoria. I would use my lunch break to find drivers to speak to. Was lucky enough to speak to a depot manager. I found the ideal drivers to speak to were the ones who recently gone through the process. Things have changed considerably since the senior drivers gone through it.

Find strong answers for the questions, have a good reason why do you want to be a train driver, why SE, research the company well, and very important, have smart questions ready to ask at the end of the interview, nothing to do with pay or perks. Get enough sleep the night before, and get there early. Thank you and good lucky to all!!!

Massive congratulations I'm so pleased for you. Well done.

I agree this thread has been absolutely amazing.

I had my MMI today, I felt sick with nerves this morning. I am going to receive an email later on today to let me know if I've passed.

She said that Charing x and Victoria come up all the time which I was surprised to hear so I am feeling hopeful that if I do pass the MMI and DMI I won't be far behind you.

Good luck for your journey ahead. You must be so excited and proud of yourself

 

[Twin82]

Massive congratulations I'm so pleased for you. Well done.

I agree this thread has been absolutely amazing.

I had my MMI today, I felt sick with nerves this morning. I am going to receive an email later on today to let me know if I've passed.

She said that Charing x and Victoria come up all the time which I was surprised to hear so I am feeling hopeful that if I do pass the MMI and DMI I won't be far behind you.

Good luck for your journey ahead. You must be so excited and proud of yourself

Thank you Gemma. I really appreciate it.

This forum has been nothing short of amazing.

My experience was very similar in how I felt. I didn't sleep at all and was asked if I would like to reschedule which I kindly said no to. I hope it all went well for you. How did you find it? Who conducted your interview? Jemma conducted mine. She put my nerves at ease. They are very good at helping the interviewees to relax. I was told in my interview they I passed.

I was told the same thing that CX and Vic have regular vacancies and ask if I wouldn't mind if I was placed in Vic pool instead of Grove Park, which I was really happy about. My 2 ideal depots. You will be fine. Courses for this year are fill so there might be a chance we will be on the same course.

Thanks again Gemma. I am really proud of myself. Not a lot of people get to the stages we got to. So it's a big achievement.

When you're up for you dmi, make sure to research the company properly, know SE by numbers, rolling stock, London terminals, some of the destinations we serve, have a good reason as to why you want to be a train driver and why SE. Look into a day in the life of a train driver. Prepare answers for the question bank they send you and lastly, mKe sure to ask smart questions at the end of interview. Dress smart and get there early. You'll have to get a security pass if you have your interview at Vic. And smile. Be yourself.

Good luck Gemz and hope to see you on the course

 

[Lukeyp]

I agree that Jemma was really good at putting me at ease from the minute I walked in. She was very reassuring that the day will go well, almost as if she was telling me I had passed before starting. I had Paul the manager who had came down for the day conduct mine which instantly made my nerves come back but he was great aswell and asked some good questions to get better answers out of me. DMI at dartford next, who knows what the wait time will be, but I can at least get a head start with the info shared on here.