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SWR - Trainee Driver - Recruitment Discussion

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TrainEnthusia

Member
Joined
19 Apr 2026
Messages
10
Location
Southampton
For anyone who has had a DMI… Do recruitment just ring you with details of the interview or do they send an email inviting you to book a time slot?

TIA
They called me yesterday and offered me a set time and date to see if I could make it. When I said yes they sent a confirmation email to me. Its in 2 weeks time.
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
266
Location
Wandsworth Road
Any chances the vacancies will open up again?
It’s either the 3rd or 4th vacancy posting for this year surprisingly. I’m sure about 3. Working backwards, the most recent posting, the one before that I managed to do the STJ, the one before that, the application closed whilst I was in the process of applying, and I believe there was one before that which I completely missed. SWR is the hardest company to catch as they normally closed after an hour or so.
 

nadiarail

Member
Joined
25 Jun 2026
Messages
41
Location
London
It’s either the 3rd or 4th vacancy posting for this year surprisingly. I’m sure about 3. Working backwards, the most recent posting, the one before that I managed to do the STJ, the one before that, the application closed whilst I was in the process of applying, and I believe there was one before that which I completely missed. SWR is the hardest company to catch as they normally closed after an hour or so.
Thank you Twin! I was a bit disappointed that I missed it but I've set up an alert now.
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
266
Location
Wandsworth Road
Thank you Twin! I was a bit disappointed that I missed it but I've set up an alert now.
You’re welcome. With the alerts they just don’t work for me. I think the only alerts I used to get was with GWR. You should still set up the alerts. What I do is to check the website every so often throughout the day. I actually checked and it wasn’t posted. I only found out through the forum of the posting. Are you waiting on a medical for any TOC? How many TOC’s are you still in the running with?
 

Bob813

Member
Joined
22 Jul 2026
Messages
6
Location
Sutton
Thank you Twin! I was a bit disappointed that I missed it but I've set up an alert now.
Twin is right, I set up alerts back in early June and not has one come through when a role has come available. I just check the SWR website multiple times a day and keep on top of it that way.
 

nadiarail

Member
Joined
25 Jun 2026
Messages
41
Location
London
You’re welcome. With the alerts they just don’t work for me. I think the only alerts I used to get was with GWR. You should still set up the alerts. What I do is to check the website every so often throughout the day. I actually checked and it wasn’t posted. I only found out through the forum of the posting. Are you waiting on a medical for any TOC? How many TOC’s are you still in the running with?
Im currently in the running for EMR and GWR. Completed my OPC to enhanced and MMI with FRL but wasn't successful this time around. It's my dream to be a train driver! What about you? Are you on a course yet?
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
266
Location
Wandsworth Road
Im currently in the running for EMR and GWR. Completed my OPC to enhanced and MMI with FRL but wasn't successful this time around. It's my dream to be a train driver! What about you? Are you on a course yet?
You’re in a strong position! I’m sure you will get on a course eventually. I’ have a medical booked in and if that goes to plan, then a conditional offer will be made. Hoping for a date I early next year. Been applying to other TOCs but can’t seem to pass the online assessment stage.
 

Waterlooville

On Moderation
Joined
19 May 2026
Messages
71
Location
Lambeth, London
You’re in a strong position! I’m sure you will get on a course eventually. I’ have a medical booked in and if that goes to plan, then a conditional offer will be made. Hoping for a date I early next year. Been applying to other TOCs but can’t seem to pass the online assessment stage.
Medical and offer come together and typically your medical will be the month before you start depending n notice period. What is yournotice period and when is your medical? E.g if your medical is this month and your notice is 90 days you will be Jan course.
 

nadiarail

Member
Joined
25 Jun 2026
Messages
41
Location
London
You’re in a strong position! I’m sure you will get on a course eventually. I’ have a medical booked in and if that goes to plan, then a conditional offer will be made. Hoping for a date I early next year. Been applying to other TOCs but can’t seem to pass the online assessment stage.
Congratulations! I'm certain your medical will go swimmingly.
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
266
Location
Wandsworth Road
Medical and offer come together and typically your medical will be the month before you start depending n notice period. What is yournotice period and when is your medical? E.g if your medical is this month and your notice is 90 days you will be Jan course.
That’s what I thought! So for my dmi which I passed in March, I was told there were no more courses for the year and next courses should be early next year so there’s no rush to book dmi. Sorry for the long message that isn’t answering your question. lol Then in May, I was invited for dmi out of the blue which I booked for June and I passed it. Again was told no rush to book medical as next courses should be in the new year. So my medical will be this month which I thought to myself, that’s a bit far from the new year. Anything could happen by then. But here we are. I gave then a weeks notice so maybe that could work in my favour. ‍♂️

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Congratulations! I'm certain your medical will go swimmingly.
Thank you! I really hope so.
 

Purplerain77

Member
Joined
31 Jan 2026
Messages
69
Location
Dartford
Medical and offer come together and typically your medical will be the month before you start depending n notice period. What is yournotice period and when is your medical? E.g if your medical is this month and your notice is 90 days you will be Jan course.
It’s for southeastern, I’m in the same boat. They’re doing medical separately when slots are available due to no upcoming courses, so the offer comes when the training courses are decided instead. I’m hoping for a early 2027 start date too and passed my medical in August
 
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Waterlooville

On Moderation
Joined
19 May 2026
Messages
71
Location
Lambeth, London
That’s what I thought! So for my dmi which I passed in March, I was told there were no more courses for the year and next courses should be early next year so there’s no rush to book dmi. Sorry for the long message that isn’t answering your question. lol Then in May, I was invited for dmi out of the blue which I booked for June and I passed it. Again was told no rush to book medical as next courses should be in the new year. So my medical will be this month which I thought to myself, that’s a bit far from the new year. Anything could happen by then. But here we are. I gave then a weeks notice so maybe that could work in my favour. ‍♂️

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Thank you! I really hope so.
Bit confused as you say you did a DMI in March then June again... you mean MMI? If you have a medical then when you pass that you will get an offer and usually its to start within 4 weeks.
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
266
Location
Wandsworth Road
Bit confused as you say you did a DMI in March then June again... you mean MMI? If you have a medical then when you pass that you will get an offer and usually its to start within 4 weeks.
Sorry. MMI in March. DMI in June. Medical coming up this month. I think a few other guys said the same thing. No courses till next year. Just have to wait and see. I’ll happily take it before then but I can also wait if that window of opportunity doesn’t present itself
 

Waterlooville

On Moderation
Joined
19 May 2026
Messages
71
Location
Lambeth, London
Sorry. MMI in March. DMI in June. Medical coming up this month. I think a few other guys said the same thing. No courses till next year. Just have to wait and see. I’ll happily take it before then but I can also wait if that window of opportunity doesn’t present itself
SWR do DMI then MMI, so still confused. You talking about SWR or another TOC? I am part of a large group of people who have completed the process and the sequence is rigid, unless you have applied for multiple TOCs and thts why the order was different for you. If you have a medical with SWR this month then you will def be allocated a course / job offer almost immediately afterwards.
 

Twin82

Member
Joined
24 Mar 2026
Messages
266
Location
Wandsworth Road
That's the 6th advert for Waterloo in 12 months now.
Wow! I only know of 4!!!

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SWR do DMI then MMI, so still confused. You talking about SWR or another TOC? I am part of a large group of people who have completed the process and the sequence is rigid, unless you have applied for multiple TOCs and thts why the order was different for you. If you have a medical with SWR this month then you will def be allocated a course / job offer almost immediately afterwards.
You’re getting it wrong. Sorry if I confused you. You probably missed the part earlier on when I said I’m awaiting medical for a different TOC. Living in the heart of the city I think one should apply to more than one TOC, if they fall in the catchment zone. Best to have options even if it’s not your desired TOC. So yes, all the steps I mentioned was for a different TOC. Hope this is a bit clearer for you.
 

UddinS

New Member
Joined
16 Sep 2026
Messages
3
Location
London
I’ve only just found this forum, so I’m a bit late to the party. I applied previously and unfortunately wasn’t successful at the DMI stage in March this year.

I also missed the new vacancy that was posted last week even though I signed up to alerts, which I never get notified from. (Do they actually work?)
 
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