TransPennine Trains - Trainee Driver Recruitment Discussion

[Bandit_David]

Had my DMI date come through, but noticed it says to upload a picture of yourself on the interview page so they know who to look out for.

I've only by chance come across this, have people done this?

Does anyone have any tips or advice what happens at DMI, as there's no guidance with this, like the rest of the process?

Yeah, upload a reasonable picture of yourself as depending on the depot, they'll come and meet you on a platform.

Make sure you know the depot tractions and routes.
Know TPEs vision and values.
Have some examples you can use ready for general interview questions, when you've worked as a team, when has something you've done globe wrong and what did you do about it, etc.
STAR method your answers

What depot are you interviewing for?

Good look

 

[Toastyrail]

Yeah, upload a reasonable picture of yourself as depending on the depot, they'll come and meet you on a platform.

Make sure you know the depot tractions and routes.
Know TPEs vision and values.
Have some examples you can use ready for general interview questions, when you've worked as a team, when has something you've done globe wrong and what did you do about it, etc.
STAR method your answers

What depot are you interviewing for?

Good look

Thanks for the heads up. Preston for me

 

[afloattoast]

Just had an email for my Glasgow application, advising that it is still under consideration and will have an update as soon as they have one

 

[Jedi]

Just had an email for my Glasgow application, advising that it is still under consideration and will have an update as soon as they have one

 

[blue knight]

I got the email still under consideration. Anyone know the next steps after this? Like a proper timeline and how many drivers they’re looking for in Glasgow

 

[afloattoast]

I got the email still under consideration. Anyone know the next steps after this? Like a proper timeline and how many drivers they’re looking for in Glasgow

I don’t know if they are looking for any drivers, this is just for a place on the talent bank

 

[will1989]

I got the email still under consideration. Anyone know the next steps after this? Like a proper timeline and how many drivers they’re looking for in Glasgow

Unfortunately no-one (other than TPE recruitment/management) really knows how many drivers (if any!). The timeline is pretty well documented on here but it's basically: initial sift/online tests, in-person psychometrics (paper tests) then if you pass those it's in-person computer tests and an interview (that is part of the psychometrics) and after that is an interview with a Driver Manager(s).

Driver recruitment is so competitive, so be very prepared for long waits between stages.

Basically if you haven't had an unsuccessful email, you're in the best possible position!

 

[Jedi]

Just had an email for my Glasgow application, advising that it is still under consideration and will have an update as soon as they have one

I got this email too. I guess it’s just a holding email?

 

[Toastyrail]

Unfortunately no-one (other than TPE recruitment/management) really knows how many drivers (if any!). The timeline is pretty well documented on here but it's basically: initial sift/online tests, in-person psychometrics (paper tests) then if you pass those it's in-person computer tests and an interview (that is part of the psychometrics) and after that is an interview with a Driver Manager(s).

Driver recruitment is so competitive, so be very prepared for long waits between stages.

Basically if you haven't had an unsuccessful email, you're in the best possible position!

I second this. I'm 11 months into my application.
Patience is the key

 

[MagnusThunder]

Had my DMI yesterday, they said if successful the intake was for October.

 

[Toastyrail]

Had my DMI yesterday, they said if successful the intake was for October.

Good luck, I had mine today.
Also told October, if successful
Which depot was yours for?

 

[nical]

Had my DMI yesterday, they said if successful the intake was for October.

I just got an email saying I was successful and I will be starting in October if I pass my medical

 

[will1989]

Congratulations all receiving good news. Interesting to know there's an October intake, keeping my fingers crossed I hear something soon as someone who's in the talent pool!

 

[blue knight]

I just got an email saying I was successful and I will be starting in October if I pass my medical

How has it taken you to get that far?

 

[MagnusThunder]

Good luck, I had mine today.
Also told October, if successful
Which depot was yours for?

Preston, you?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 May 2026 ==

I just got an email saying I was successful and I will be starting in October if I pass my medical

Congratulations, which depot is that for?

 

[Toastyrail]

Preston, you?

I was also for Preston, however, I have not passed the DMI on this occasion.

 

[Carl0s]

I had my second stage earlier this month for hull talent bank. Passed the initial part and went on to the MMI, got an email the next day saying I was unsuccessful.

Strangely, my brother applied a year ago for York and has heard nothing since, got an email today inviting him to an assessment centre! I had an assessment centre date within 3 weeks of application so it’s absolutely true. If you’ve not had a knock back email you’re still in the running!

 

[marcy]

I had my second stage earlier this month for hull talent bank. Passed the initial part and went on to the MMI, got an email the next day saying I was unsuccessful.

Strangely, my brother applied a year ago for York and has heard nothing since, got an email today inviting him to an assessment centre! I had an assessment centre date within 3 weeks of application so it’s absolutely true. If you’ve not had a knock back email you’re still in the running!

Sorry to hear, passing all stages of the process only to not pass the MMI at the end is a very tough pill to swallow , it happened to me 2 years ago with different TOC

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I've had an email today asking me to attend testing in 2 weeks...

I originally applied last July, sat testing in October but fell short of standard on GB (OPC said it was extremely close).
I cheekily reapplied back in Feb, hoping that it would take a little while to get an invite for testing (like I did previously) but they were quick to invite.

As I knew my 6 month wait wasn't complete I emailed them explaining the situation and asked to be kept on file if possible, otherwise I'd reapply next time. I didn't get any kind of response, just the assessment booking disappeared from my account.

Looks like they did take my message into account after all! Now to make sure I bloody will pass it this time.

 

[GPR]

I've had an email today asking me to attend testing in 2 weeks...

I originally applied last July, sat testing in October but fell short of standard on GB (OPC said it was extremely close).
I cheekily reapplied back in Feb, hoping that it would take a little while to get an invite for testing (like I did previously) but they were quick to invite.

As I knew my 6 month wait wasn't complete I emailed them explaining the situation and asked to be kept on file if possible, otherwise I'd reapply next time. I didn't get any kind of response, just the assessment booking disappeared from my account.

Looks like they did take my message into account after all! Now to make sure I bloody will pass it this time.

Is it 6 months you have to wait to do a partial retest then?
I believed it was 12 months which would mean you would have to wait till October to resit the GB.

Good luck

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Is it 6 months you have to wait to do a partial retest then?
I believed it was 12 months which would mean you would have to wait till October to resit the GB.

Good luck

Depends when you 1st sat testing. As I previously tested back in 2020 I'm under the old rules of 6 month wait, 2x lives

 

[GPR]

Depends when you 1st sat testing. As I previously tested back in 2020 I'm under the old rules of 6 month wait, 2x lives

That’s good news for yourself then as there’s a course in October so it would be ideal if you could pass the GB and DMI and find your way on to the course.

 

[blue knight]

I've had an email today asking me to attend testing in 2 weeks...

I originally applied last July, sat testing in October but fell short of standard on GB (OPC said it was extremely close).
I cheekily reapplied back in Feb, hoping that it would take a little while to get an invite for testing (like I did previously) but they were quick to invite.

As I knew my 6 month wait wasn't complete I emailed them explaining the situation and asked to be kept on file if possible, otherwise I'd reapply next time. I didn't get any kind of response, just the assessment booking disappeared from my account.

Looks like they did take my message into account after all! Now to make sure I bloody will pass it this time.

What station did you apply for?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

What station did you apply for?

Piccadilly

 

[Fishplate22]

I had my second stage earlier this month for hull talent bank. Passed the initial part and went on to the MMI, got an email the next day saying I was unsuccessful.

Strangely, my brother applied a year ago for York and has heard nothing since, got an email today inviting him to an assessment centre! I had an assessment centre date within 3 weeks of application so it’s absolutely true. If you’ve not had a knock back email you’re still in the running!

I’m the same I applied for York almost a year ago and never had an email after I completed the initial tpe tests so it came as a pleasant suprise to be invited for stage 1 next week

 

[Gwain46]

I have an assessment day booked this week, it’s half a day and for the computerised tests but I just wondered if anyone knew if the day would also include an interview?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I have an assessment day booked this week, it’s half a day and for the computerised tests but I just wondered if anyone knew if the day would also include an interview also?

Computer testing and MMI are usually done same day. Though I would expect you to need a full day. Both times I've done both it's been roughly 9am-2/3pm. But neither time was with TPE so may be different

 

[GPR]

I have an assessment day booked this week, it’s half a day and for the computerised tests but I just wondered if anyone knew if the day would also include an interview also?

Yes as long as you pass the computer tests.
If you don’t then you don’t do the MMI.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 May 2026 ==

Computer testing and MMI are usually done same day. Though I would expect you to need a full day. Both times I've done both it's been roughly 9am-2/3pm. But neither time was with TPE so may be different

Pretty much the timing with TPE.
5 candidates. 2 OPC staff.
Start at 0900 finished at 1400.

 

[Toastyrail]

I have an assessment day booked this week, it’s half a day and for the computerised tests but I just wondered if anyone knew if the day would also include an interview?

Stage 1 paper tests is a half day

Stage 2 computer tests, SJE and MMI takes a full day. You only complete the MMI if you pass the computer testing

 

[Gwain46]

Stage 1 paper tests is a half day

Stage 2 computer tests, SJE and MMI takes a full day. You only complete the MMI if you pass the computer testing

thanks everyone, im booked in for 12:45 until 17:00 so are we thinking there will be no MMI even with a pass. Probably just going to plan for it anyway just in case.