Gemz91
Member
Think you’ve mistaken me for another poster. I have no idea if they check or not but I would assume that they do, I wouldn’t advice lying on a job application though.
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A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
- Start date
Think you’ve mistaken me for another poster. I have no idea if they check or not but I would assume that they do, I wouldn’t advice lying on a job application though.
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RailUK Forums
Yes my bad was another poster…..the beauty of getting up at 3am for the 5rh day in a row making the mind believe the easy choice before it engages….apologies
Gemz91
Member
No worries, just wanted to make it clear it wasn’t me, you never know who’s reading these forums and the trouble you can get into.
Very true…. I worked out who someone on here was based on how they started every post/reply
Hi All,
I used to work for a TOC as a depot driver about 3 years and left the company over a year ago for personal/family reasons.
Although I worked as a depot driver, I have full EU train driver license Issued by ORR. And I have had full train driver rules training with the mainline drivers in the academy. I have a small experience on driving on the mainline as part of the route from depot to the platforms was on the mainline and also I have done many mainline shunts but I didn't spend over 200 hours on the mainline with an instructor.
In the past year I have applied for a couple of qualified mainline driver jobs for different cities as I don't mind relocating but no luck.. Also applied for freight driving but same.. I sent emails to TOCs HR in order to see if I can apply mainline driver positions but no one got back to me, I also applied trainee train driver position, came to driver manager interview but I was unseccessful.
There was also no qualified depot driver advertising last year only trainee anywhere in the UK or I missed it.
I don't really know what to do. Should I keep applying for qualified mainline driver positions as there seems to be quite a few advertising? Should I wait to see if any TOC open qualified depot driver jobs? Should I try trainee jobs?
If anyone has got any suggestions, ideas or advice, I would be greatfull.
I used to work for a TOC as a depot driver about 3 years and left the company over a year ago for personal/family reasons.
Although I worked as a depot driver, I have full EU train driver license Issued by ORR. And I have had full train driver rules training with the mainline drivers in the academy. I have a small experience on driving on the mainline as part of the route from depot to the platforms was on the mainline and also I have done many mainline shunts but I didn't spend over 200 hours on the mainline with an instructor.
In the past year I have applied for a couple of qualified mainline driver jobs for different cities as I don't mind relocating but no luck.. Also applied for freight driving but same.. I sent emails to TOCs HR in order to see if I can apply mainline driver positions but no one got back to me, I also applied trainee train driver position, came to driver manager interview but I was unseccessful.
There was also no qualified depot driver advertising last year only trainee anywhere in the UK or I missed it.
I don't really know what to do. Should I keep applying for qualified mainline driver positions as there seems to be quite a few advertising? Should I wait to see if any TOC open qualified depot driver jobs? Should I try trainee jobs?
If anyone has got any suggestions, ideas or advice, I would be greatfull.
Sorry to but to me you're not a mainline qualified driver, if you haven't done the minimum driving hours at your last toc then I dont see how you can be a qualified driver.
I've never heard of any depot drivers being classed a mainline qualified drivers.
I've never heard of any depot drivers being classed a mainline qualified drivers.
Thanks for the reply, any suggestions, ideas to get back to rail anybody?
At my TOC you would still be within competence as it takes 2yrs to fully expire. You could try and contact your old TOC and see if they would re employ you.
Thanks. Any other ideas anybody?
There isn't any other options. Unless there is a qualified depot driver role(I haven't seen such personally) the only.option is to try and contact your old TOC as ComUToR says.
If you fall within the 2Yr validity and assuming you left on a good enough note then it could be possible to assume your old role. You would have to work an amount of time reliably if they gave you the chance again and then eventually they progress you to mainline if its something the TOC does.
From then as a Qualified driver could you possibly be able to return to service after a 1 or 2 year Gap by applying to Qualified Train driver roles.
Hope whatever is next goes well for you!
If you fall within the 2Yr validity and assuming you left on a good enough note then it could be possible to assume your old role. You would have to work an amount of time reliably if they gave you the chance again and then eventually they progress you to mainline if its something the TOC does.
From then as a Qualified driver could you possibly be able to return to service after a 1 or 2 year Gap by applying to Qualified Train driver roles.
Hope whatever is next goes well for you!
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Blunt answer is that different companies will have different standards as to what they look for in qualified drivers. When they find the suitable candidate they will draw up a training plan for the elements needed to get you productive with your new company. Seeing as you weren't a mainline driver and have had a period out you will require significant additional training to become productive.
Companies will advertise for qualified drivers to get experienced staff in quickly.
Say for example they require 1 qualified driver. It's you vs someone with 10yrs mainline experience, already signs the routes with their current company and maybe some of the same traction. It's an absolute no-brainer to choose the other person as while on paper you're a qualified driver you'll require a lot of time to become productive.
Hello Everyone,
I am new here so not sure I am posting in the right place.
I have recently passed the managers interview with a TOC for Apprentice TD role. The recruitment team got back to me asking for GCSE certificates.
I am not from the UK originally and because I have studied English as a second language, my grade isn't equivalent to GCSE. (they have accepted math's)
Recruitment told me they would get back to me on the day after about what English certificates I should obtain to be passed to psychometrics, but I haven't heard from them ever since.
At the moment I am being kept in the dark.
I find this all a bit frustrating as I have been living and working here for almost 10 years. I have already passed 2 spoken interviews with this TOC and I have extensive proof about my level of English, but apparently the company / government will only accept GCSE grades or an equivalent certificate as proof. I am just not sure which one.. I wonder how non-British drivers have made it before.
Has anyone experienced this in the past? Or have heard anything about this? How should I approach the TOC?
Many Thanks for your help and all the best to all trainee drivers!
Cheers
N
I am new here so not sure I am posting in the right place.
I have recently passed the managers interview with a TOC for Apprentice TD role. The recruitment team got back to me asking for GCSE certificates.
I am not from the UK originally and because I have studied English as a second language, my grade isn't equivalent to GCSE. (they have accepted math's)
Recruitment told me they would get back to me on the day after about what English certificates I should obtain to be passed to psychometrics, but I haven't heard from them ever since.
At the moment I am being kept in the dark.
I find this all a bit frustrating as I have been living and working here for almost 10 years. I have already passed 2 spoken interviews with this TOC and I have extensive proof about my level of English, but apparently the company / government will only accept GCSE grades or an equivalent certificate as proof. I am just not sure which one.. I wonder how non-British drivers have made it before.
Has anyone experienced this in the past? Or have heard anything about this? How should I approach the TOC?
Many Thanks for your help and all the best to all trainee drivers!
Cheers
N
AverageJoe
Member
I’m British and I had to provide proof of English, maths, IT qualifications.
I didn’t have them so I was assigned to sit the functional skills exams.
It’s nothing to do with you not being a national it’s the fact that trainee train driver is now an apprenticeship so there is specific things they require.
I’ve know of some who have had degree’s in IT or were high level engineers with qualifications far higher than GCSE C standard but they still had to sit the exams and do it again because the qualifications they had couldn’t be accepted.
Hopefully they will be in touch and offer you the chance to take the functional skills.
If they don’t however it’s something you can pay for yourself to make sure you have the qualification in the future.
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AndySV1K
Member
What were the functional skills like to get through? Been a long time since I left school!
AverageJoe
Member
English and IT was pretty straightforward but I found maths a nightmare.
In the end with some homework I managed it.
LAbirdy
Member
Hi AverageJoe
How long did it take to get through the functional skills stuff as part of the apprenticeship whilst a trainee driver?
I think I’ll need to do at least maths and IT and probably English if I can’t find my very old GSCE results.
AndySV1K
Member
I’ve just started the training and we only have maths and English to do, no ICT.
it’s quite tough going as it’s been so many years since I was at school but I’m trying to study a bit each day and hopefully it will sink in before the exams.
AverageJoe
Member
1 day per subject.
you come in, have a few hours worth of revision and then sit a test.
We were sent study material via email but none of us did it as were also working full time driving with our instructors.
marco sadler
Member
its all about you getting you apprenticeship completed which is why its required
Hi All,
I’m looking to potentially take up a job as a Driver for Northern in the future. If I were, hypothetically, to be running the last service out of Leeds to say Harrogate, where would I find the Harrogate Depot? Just so I can look at Hotels and the like because I live in Leeds and don’t own a car.
Cheers!
P.S I have 0 prior experience in the industry but Northern are looking for 0 experienced employees somepoint soon as seen in the national media.
I’m looking to potentially take up a job as a Driver for Northern in the future. If I were, hypothetically, to be running the last service out of Leeds to say Harrogate, where would I find the Harrogate Depot? Just so I can look at Hotels and the like because I live in Leeds and don’t own a car.
Cheers!
P.S I have 0 prior experience in the industry but Northern are looking for 0 experienced employees somepoint soon as seen in the national media.
Depots can be found here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/different-driver-depot-route-and-traction-cards.205085/
In the case of Harrogate the "depot" is probably just the station buildings. Also note that on any job application they are going to ask how are you going to get to/from locations very early morning and late at night and I don't think a hotel is sustainable.
If I’m starting a shift from Leeds then I can get a Taxi from my house but if I end at a different location and I have to return to depot then depending where I am I may have to stay overnight because I don’t drive. My issue is if I’m runnning all the way and have to depot in Bradford, Harrogate or anywhere in West Yorkshire then it’ll be impossible to get back using a Taxi, unless someone else who is at the Depot is going my way and I can Carpool.
Sorry mate but the railway isn't really that flexible, if you cant reliably show you can get in for all jobs you're unlikely to get far in the process, while its not normally a requirement to have a car licence it is normally the easiest way for you to get to work and they want stability and reliability so I dont think carpooling and the likes would be looked upon favourably.
AverageJoe
Member
You’d end up spending a ton on taxis or hotels and I don’t think you’d be able to sustain it.
A lot of shifts start before or finish after normal public transport hours.
You’d also need to consider fatigue management if you are taking other forms of public transport.
Best suggestion is if it’s a job you really want then get a drivers licence or move walking distance to a depot that is recruiting. Obviously the later would be difficult such short notice.
Keep in mind that thousands of people will also apply for the same job you do and there may only be a few jobs going.
Ashfordian6
Member
In the above example your TOC will taxi you back to Leeds.
Or more likely, you will finish at Leeds, and another driver take over the train whose starting depot is the final location, if applicable.
You will always start and end your shift at your home depot, so Leeds in your example. If required you will be provided a taxi back to your home depot. From memory the earliest start is around 0350 and latest finish about 0230 (plus night shifts).
The reality is - if you are unable to drive into Leeds for those shifts then you are going to struggle. Taxis will cost a load as you'll be unable to get public transport at one end of your shift for the majority of your rota. Staying in a hotel is completely impractical too.
While it's not a requirement to hold a car licence unless you have a realistic plan for getting to and from work under your own steam you will struggle to get a job offer.
12LDA28C
Established Member
No, no age limit although maybe if you were 60 a TOC might not consider you a worthwhile investment even though they might get ten years out of you. Mid-40s is nothing.