SWR - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[1stClassAcw]

I had my DMI (not for waterloo) on Thursday and they wanted to get back to pre covid levels and have a massive recruitment drive ongoing and training starting every month 12 drivers at a time. So in my opinion Waterloo will be advertised again before end of year for sure!! Keep an eagle out for it and good luck@

How did it go ?

 

[WillAlf]

I had my DMI (not for waterloo) on Thursday and they wanted to get back to pre covid levels and have a massive recruitment drive ongoing and training starting every month 12 drivers at a time. So in my opinion Waterloo will be advertised again before end of year for sure!! Keep an eagle out for it and good luck!!

Hi, I also had my DMI recently and I am now waiting to be called for an MMI.
Are you currently working for SWR?
I am just curious on how you know they are trying to get back to pre Covid levels?…
Thanks!

 

[TrainEnthusia]

Applied from trainee driver role.for Basingstoke in Dec 2025. Had my assessment centre and tests in Feb which I passed. Waiting to hear on my interview

Anyone else apply on that occasion? And had their interview / got it booked in? How long does it usually take for that to happen.

 

[simonh97]

Applied from trainee driver role.for Basingstoke in Dec 2025. Had my assessment centre and tests in Feb which I passed. Waiting to hear on my interview

Anyone else apply on that occasion? And had their interview / got it booked in? How long does it usually take for that to happen.

I’m in the same position. Applied for Basingstoke in December, had tests etc in Feb and now just waiting to hear about interviews etc. nothing confirmed yet

 

[30022]

Applied from trainee driver role.for Basingstoke in Dec 2025. Had my assessment centre and tests in Feb which I passed. Waiting to hear on my interview

Anyone else apply on that occasion? And had their interview / got it booked in? How long does it usually take for that to happen.

Applied for Farnham in December 2025. I had valid assessments including an MMI from a FOC who then pulled the plug on trainee driver vacancies, but I managed to hit the sweet spot with SWR’s recruitment for trainee drivers. DMI was early April, medical the following week, and I start on the 5th May.

 

[TrainEnthusia]

Well done 30022

 

[Tommy1414]

According to the RSSB, the MMI is now valid for the same length of time as the other application assessments, which is now five years.

Thank you, that’s great.

 

[Big O 82]

Sorry for delay for those asking I passed my DMI. I had to call and chase to get the outcome including being put on hold for a few minutes!! Been a long 2 weeks wait!!! Just have to await an MMI date now!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2026 ==

Hi, I also had my DMI recently and I am now waiting to be called for an MMI.
Are you currently working for SWR?
I am just curious on how you know they are trying to get back to pre Covid levels?…
Thanks!

The driver managers in my DMI told me plus I know a few drivers. Good time to get into SWR if you can.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 May 2026 ==

How did it go ?

Really good obviously I've passed so I can say that now! Time to tune in to MMI now very different style!

 

[1stClassAcw]

Might be a long shot but does anyone have any advice for the computer assessments any small bit of advice goes a long way

Many thanks

 

[Big O 82]

Might be a long shot but does anyone have any advice for the computer assessments any small bit of advice goes a long way

Many thanks

Dropped you a DM

 

[RollingStockw]

Has anyone recently completed, or are currently waiting for, a DMI date? I recently passed the day 2 assessment and I’m now waiting for my DMI date. Just trying to get an idea of how long people have waited between the day 2 assessment and the DMI.

 

[Big O 82]

Has anyone recently completed, or are currently waiting for, a DMI date? I recently passed the day 2 assessment and I’m now waiting for my DMI date. Just trying to get an idea of how long people have waited between the day 2 assessment and the DMI.

For me it was 20th Feb to 23rd April it's been 2 months per thing so far! But not sure MMI will be the same lol! Good luck!

 

[lee1234]

This may be of interest to some. I don't live near Weymouth.

Trainee Train Driver - Weymouth

 

[CoolDriver]

Hi, I also had my DMI recently and I am now waiting to be called for an MMI.
Are you currently working for SWR?
I am just curious on how you know they are trying to get back to pre Covid levels?…
Thanks!

Hi mate, congrats on getting passed the DMI. I got called up yesterday and have mine booked in for mid June. Was hoping you could give some advice and recall some of the questions asked?

 

[stevos journey]

Hello everyone. New to the forum and I must say, it's massively helpful. I've just passed my computer tests so now awaiting dates for the interview. I keep reading here that there are 6 questions that get asked - and that they're on this forum multiple times - but I am unable to find them when I search. If anyone can please help me regarding the DMI and MMI, I'd be very grateful.
BW
Steve

 

[Reactor Scram]

Hello everyone. New to the forum and I must say, it's massively helpful. I've just passed my computer tests so now awaiting dates for the interview. I keep reading here that there are 6 questions that get asked - and that they're on this forum multiple times - but I am unable to find them when I search. If anyone can please help me regarding the DMI and MMI, I'd be very grateful.
BW
Steve

When I was applying for driver jobs I did a lot of research into the MMI and how it works. The questions are set by RSSB and are standard across every interview but the wording can vary slightly. They haven't changed since the MMI was introduced in 2013. I collated the following questions from posts on this forum, elsewhere on the internet and my own experience of sitting two MMIs:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 Question about rules and procedures

Describe a time when you had to follow rules and procedures.

When have you previously had to follow strict rules to complete a process?

Tell me about a time you've had to follow rules or step-by-step procedures to complete a task.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Question about tenacity and persistence

Describe a time you have been on a training course over 2 weeks.

Give an example of where you had to persevere whilst learning.

Describe a time when you’ve had to work hard to achieve something.

Tell me about a time when you have had to work hard and persevere to learn something new
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3 Question about a role similar to train driver/working alone

Describe a role you have previously done similar to a train driver.

Describe a time you completed a task similar to a task a train driver does.

Tell me about a task or job you have undertaken that shares similarities with the train driver role.

Describe a role which you think is similar to a train driver.

Describe a time when you have worked for long periods of time alone.

Tell me about a time where you've had to work for long periods of time alone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 Question about working to a high standard

Give an example of a situation where it was important that you did not make a mistake.

Describe a time when you have worked to a very high standard.

Tell me about a time you had to do something where it was very important not to make a mistake.

Describe a time you had to maintain a high standard of work while under pressure
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 Question about an emergency

Describe a time you have handled an emergency situation.

Describe a time where you've been involved in an emergency or unexpected situation.

Give an example of a time when you have had to deal with an emergency, either in or outside work.

Tell me about a time you had to deal with an emergency.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 Question about difficult situations

Describe a time you had to complete a task in the face of difficulty.

Describe a time when you have solved a difficult problem.

Give an example of a time you gave good service whilst experiencing difficulty.

Tell me about a time when you had to overcome significant difficulties to complete something.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the driver manager interview it's more like a normal job interview and they could ask you anything but the MMI is highly structured and they'll always ask you a question from each of those six topics. The follow up probing or hypothetical questions you're asked are based on your answers to the situational judgement test carried out before the MMI (not to be confused with any SJT they may give you as part of your application before you get to the official RSSB/OPC assessments). I believe the results of the SJT affect the way your MMI answers are scored but I have no proof of that.

From another thread

 

[stevos journey]

From another thread

Thanks a lot - I appreciate your response!

 

[005leo]

Hi, just completed my paper and computer tests for SWR. Passed them and have told that next is DMI. Does anyone knows how long does it take for them to book us for DMI for SWR?
Also if someone have done a DMI for SWR, could you please share some questions asked on that day. Thanks

 

[DanTaylor]

Hi, just completed my paper and computer tests for SWR. Passed them and have told that next is DMI. Does anyone knows how long does it take for them to book us for DMI for SWR?
Also if someone have done a DMI for SWR, could you please share some questions asked on that day. Thanks

Congrats! Im in the same boat, passed the 2nd assessment just over 4 weeks ago. Don’t have a date yet for my DMI, just trying to do all the prep I can in the meantime.
Seems 2 month wait is quite common for SWR after passing assessments. Of course could be a lot longer or shorter wait time.
Good luck when you get your date

 

[simonh97]

I passed my computer tests in Jan and Paper tests in Feb and they called me about 2 weeks ago to say they had a DMI date next Monday which I couldn’t make . So little over 3 months wait time for Bournemouth depot

 

[005leo]

Congrats! Im in the same boat, passed the 2nd assessment just over 4 weeks ago. Don’t have a date yet for my DMI, just trying to do all the prep I can in the meantime.
Seems 2 month wait is quite common for SWR after passing assessments. Of course could be a lot longer or shorter wait time.
Good luck when you get your date

Congrats! Which depot did you apply for?

 

[Big O 82]

Done my DMI 6 weeks ago thankfully passed but it's all very quiet on the MMI front no movement recruitment feels laggy at the moment anyone else had the same vibe? Appreciate there is a process and got to wait but you know when you sense something! I hope it's nothing similar to GWR who suddenly froze recruitment not long ago!

 

[GYorke]

Done my DMI 6 weeks ago thankfully passed but it's all very quiet on the MMI front no movement recruitment feels laggy at the moment anyone else had the same vibe? Appreciate there is a process and got to wait but you know when you sense something! I hope it's nothing similar to GWR who suddenly froze recruitment not long ago!

Recruitment feels slow for me, too... but I have no frame of reference, as this is the first time I have applied for a role with SWR (or any rail operator). For anybody reading to gauge a timeline (as I often do!) I'll throw my experience in so far. I applied in December '25, computer assessments passed in March & April and I have just been invited to my DMI.

So, seems things are moving, albeit slowly. For what it's worth I have heard several times now on the forum and in conversation at my assessments that SWR are recruiting more than usual this year and next, and that it's a "good time" to be part of the process. I sometimes read through the forums for other rail operators across the country and feel good about being in the SWR catchment area & recruitment process - from what I gather it is actually one of the faster operators to get through the process!

Overall I'm working under the expectation that the process from application to offer can take anything from 9-18 months, with multiple months between each stage pretty common.

Well done on passing the DMI & best of luck when you do hear regarding MMI.

 

[akaMcMonagle]

For anyone interested, 3 Adverts have been posted today for Trainee Drivers.

Basingstoke: NOW CLOSED

Trainee Train Driver - Basingstoke - Basingstoke, Hampshire, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

Bournemouth: NOW CLOSED

Trainee Train Driver - Bournemouth - Bournemouth, Dorset, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

Fratton: NOW CLOSED

Trainee Train Driver - Fratton - Fratton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

*Please note that we are assembling a talent pool for the Trainee Train Driver position, as the selection process is extensive, and an immediate start is not guaranteed. Who are we? South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than...

careers.southwesternrailway.com

 

[DanTaylor]

Congrats! Which depot did you apply for?

Wimbledon, yourself?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jun 2026 ==

Recruitment feels slow for me, too... but I have no frame of reference, as this is the first time I have applied for a role with SWR (or any rail operator). For anybody reading to gauge a timeline (as I often do!) I'll throw my experience in so far. I applied in December '25, computer assessments passed in March & April and I have just been invited to my DMI.

So, seems things are moving, albeit slowly. For what it's worth I have heard several times now on the forum and in conversation at my assessments that SWR are recruiting more than usual this year and next, and that it's a "good time" to be part of the process. I sometimes read through the forums for other rail operators across the country and feel good about being in the SWR catchment area & recruitment process - from what I gather it is actually one of the faster operators to get through the process!

Overall I'm working under the expectation that the process from application to offer can take anything from 9-18 months, with multiple months between each stage pretty common.

Well done on passing the DMI & best of luck when you do hear regarding MMI.

Good luck in your DMI DYorke

 

[005leo]

Wimbledon, yourself?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Jun 2026 ==


Good luck in your DMI DYorke

Strawberry hill depot

 

[thejedtrain]

Applied in Feb, have all tests passed, still no DMI. Anyone in the same boat. Waterloo depot. It has opened twice since, March and June.

 

[005leo]

Applied in Feb, have all tests passed, still no DMI. Anyone in the same boat. Waterloo depot. It has opened twice since, March and June.

Same here but I did my tests in May for strawberry depot

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jun 2026 ==

When did you do your tests?

Applied in Feb, have all tests passed, still no DMI. Anyone in the same boat. Waterloo depot. It has opened twice since, March and June.u

 

[thejedtrain]

Same here but I did my tests in May for strawberry depot

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jun 2026 ==

When did you do your tests?

Done it with a TOC before I applied in Feb.

 

[005leo]

Done it with a TOC before I applied in Feb.

Woah!! It seems like SWR are taking their own time to hire trainee drivers. Usually they say that the wait time is 2 months...