• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

A career as a train driver

Bridger

Member
Joined
18 Jul 2018
Messages
76
Hi all.

Glad to say I've just signed the contract for my new trainee driver role, starting in two weeks time! Thank you to all of those on these forums who have taken the time to offer advice on getting the job. I've been a guard for just over two years, and had an internal promotion within my TOC to the drivers role.

Good luck to all of those applying! :)
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

Twotwo

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2018
Messages
586
Hi all.

Glad to say I've just signed the contract for my new trainee driver role, starting in two weeks time! Thank you to all of those on these forums who have taken the time to offer advice on getting the job. I've been a guard for just over two years, and had an internal promotion within my TOC to the drivers role.

Good luck to all of those applying! :)


Congratulations! Not long to go at all. Any reasons why you opted to do it internally and not with gwr?
 

Bridger

Member
Joined
18 Jul 2018
Messages
76
Congratulations! Not long to go at all. Any reasons why you opted to do it internally and not with gwr?

In all honesty I enjoy working at my current TOC, so it was definitely the preferable choice. Location wise it's much easier for me to get to, and I feel like my current knowledge as a guard, both with routes and just the company in general will really help me out, rather than starting from scratch again at GWR. Even though GWR do pay more, I'm very happy to be staying at SWR :)
 

NewbieDoobie

Member
Joined
20 Mar 2018
Messages
35
In all honesty I enjoy working at my current TOC, so it was definitely the preferable choice. Location wise it's much easier for me to get to, and I feel like my current knowledge as a guard, both with routes and just the company in general will really help me out, rather than starting from scratch again at GWR. Even though GWR do pay more, I'm very happy to be staying at SWR :)
Nice, well done! My partner is at final interview stage for commercial guard at SWR and I’m just waiting to sign my driver contract for my current TOC; GWR! Keeping it in Group over here :lol::E
 

severussnape

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
85
Hi, im trying to prep for potentional questions on my MMI. Just a quick question for example the rules and regs question, could you use a generic response? For example, I work as a fire fighter, and talk about the different rules with in the job or would they require a specific time such as an incident I have responded to?
 

ComUtoR

Established Member
Joined
13 Dec 2013
Messages
9,399
Location
UK
Specifics are much better. They give you an opportunity to discuss more about yourself and how you dealt with rules. It also helps display aptitude and competence skills.
 

NewbieDoobie

Member
Joined
20 Mar 2018
Messages
35
Hi, im trying to prep for potentional questions on my MMI. Just a quick question for example the rules and regs question, could you use a generic response? For example, I work as a fire fighter, and talk about the different rules with in the job or would they require a specific time such as an incident I have responded to?
Definitely find a specific example. All questions asked want 1 specific example only.
 

Alicia100

New Member
Joined
27 Apr 2019
Messages
2
Hi all.

Glad to say I've just signed the contract for my new trainee driver role, starting in two weeks time! Thank you to all of those on these forums who have taken the time to offer advice on getting the job. I've been a guard for just over two years, and had an internal promotion within my TOC to the drivers role.

Good luck to all of those applying! :)
Hi and congratulations!!
Would you share your experience here with about structure interview with HR please? What kind of questions they asked?
Cheers
 

Maverick88

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2019
Messages
9
Hiya I’m looking for any tips for the structure interview with HR please?
Sell yourself would be me my main advice! The DMI can differ in the way it is structured depending on the TOC. You only need yo look on this forum and you can see that some have experienced quite informal discussions where as others have been quite rigid, and in depth with lots of questions. They tend to centre around non-technical skills, and they are looking for appropriate behaviours and ultimately need to be confident that you are suitable for the role. Arm yourself with lots of examples to a whole range of questions that are similar to the questions you would be asked during an MMI. Get a heads up on the company itself, and be fully conversant with the owners, what the mission or vision statement is, and what the passenger charter outlines etc. . . As always, mentioning a few "buzz words" will always go down a treat. Hope this helps.
 

1812_s

Member
Joined
22 Feb 2018
Messages
70
Hi all

For MMI, am I correct in saying it is the 6 questions and that's it.

There is no asking about 'what do you know about company? etc'

As this was covered in DMI
 

ferhat

Member
Joined
5 May 2019
Messages
18
Guys I have just joined the group.

I have passed my assessment centres tests with London Overground (then run by LOROL in june 2015; now called Arriva London).

I only failed the VSE test which is not compulsory, but still want to get a chance with VSE test to pass the tests.

I have been applying but never got a chance. I am currently an Aarriva bus driver. I don't know how to get around this.

To anyone who has passed their TOC test: congratulations!!! Good luck to anyone on the assessment centre.

Ferhat
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Arvz

Member
Joined
18 Aug 2018
Messages
23
Keep at it, you can still have another chance with the VSE and still have chances with TOCs that does not use it.
 

severussnape

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
85
Hi, I have the OPC stage 2 assessment next week. Just looking through the practice material and seen the example of a question with the response area. The response contains about 28 words. I'm trying to break down my answers to the standard list of questions to a couple of sentences and really struggling to put anything together. How much space do you actually get? Might be over thinking this.
 

Stigy

Established Member
Joined
6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,879
Hi, I have the OPC stage 2 assessment next week. Just looking through the practice material and seen the example of a question with the response area. The response contains about 28 words. I'm trying to break down my answers to the standard list of questions to a couple of sentences and really struggling to put anything together. How much space do you actually get? Might be over thinking this.
Which test are you referring to? It sounds like the sort of thing you do during the MMI, but I’ve not known there to be any practice material for this assessment?
 

severussnape

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
85
Which test are you referring to? It sounds like the sort of thing you do during the MMI, but I’ve not known there to be any practice material for this assessment?
Sorry it's the MMI. Page 69 of the RSSB train driver assessment revision (2016-17)
 

Stigy

Established Member
Joined
6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,879
Sorry it's the MMI. Page 69 of the RSSB train driver assessment revision (2016-17)
Oh right, okay. In that case I believe it’s a case of as long as you can fit it in that space and do it in a reasonable time that’s okay. This part is solely to briefly answer the set questions. As long as you put a rough outline, the aim of the interview is to elaborate etc.
 

severussnape

Member
Joined
7 Feb 2019
Messages
85
Oh right, okay. In that case I believe it’s a case of as long as you can fit it in that space and do it in a reasonable time that’s okay. This part is solely to briefly answer the set questions. As long as you put a rough outline, the aim of the interview is
Ok cheers. Thanks for the reply.
 

Stigy

Established Member
Joined
6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,879
Hi can someone explain what MMI and DMI abbreviations stand for
MMI - Multi Modal Interview
DMI - Driver Manager Interview

The former is part of the Psychometric assessments but the latter isn’t.

If you search the forum you’ll find specific info and advice for both.
 

Tony136

New Member
Joined
26 Feb 2018
Messages
3
MMI - Multi Modal Interview
DMI - Driver Manager Interview

The former is part of the Psychometric assessments but the latter isn’t.

If you search the forum you’ll find specific info and advice for both.
Thanks
 

thin_richmond

Member
Joined
3 Oct 2018
Messages
14
Quick question on the Health and Fitness aspect of this.

I have a condition known as Microtia which means my left ear hasn't properly developed. Now going by the literature I have read, this would appear to rule me out of driving career as it states you need to have sufficient hearing in both ears. Fair enough. I mailed the HR dept at Scotrail yesterday and was advised that this would be addressed at any medical should I make it that far etc. You'll understand that im somewhat in two minds to press ahead with any application if its doomed from the start etc.

On the wider health spectrum, I run marathons, my eyesight is 20/20 and I can hear things with my good ear that even my partner with two cant :D

So what would be the general consensus, I personally think it will be a blocker/non-starter etc.
 

Stigy

Established Member
Joined
6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,879
Quick question on the Health and Fitness aspect of this.

I have a condition known as Microtia which means my left ear hasn't properly developed. Now going by the literature I have read, this would appear to rule me out of driving career as it states you need to have sufficient hearing in both ears. Fair enough. I mailed the HR dept at Scotrail yesterday and was advised that this would be addressed at any medical should I make it that far etc. You'll understand that im somewhat in two minds to press ahead with any application if its doomed from the start etc.

On the wider health spectrum, I run marathons, my eyesight is 20/20 and I can hear things with my good ear that even my partner with two cant :D

So what would be the general consensus, I personally think it will be a blocker/non-starter etc.
I can see your predicament. You don’t want to get your hopes up after progressing through the stages only to be knocked back at what is the last hurdle of the recruitment process. Even if you tell yourself you may not be okay at medical stage, you’ll still be disheartened, naturally.

I personally would go for it anyway, as you just don’t know unless you crack on a try. I had doubts about my eyesight (uncorrected it’s rubbish) and to an extent hearing (slight tinnitus which I only notice when I think about it lol). Both were absolutely fine. I’m also on medication that I wasn’t sure about. I passed okay with a gentleman’s agreement between the quack and I that I’ll lose some weight as my BMI is high.

Do you have any hearing at all in that ear?
 

thin_richmond

Member
Joined
3 Oct 2018
Messages
14
I can see your predicament. You don’t want to get your hopes up after progressing through the stages only to be knocked back at what is the last hurdle of the recruitment process. Even if you tell yourself you may not be okay at medical stage, you’ll still be disheartened, naturally.

I personally would go for it anyway, as you just don’t know unless you crack on a try. I had doubts about my eyesight (uncorrected it’s rubbish) and to an extent hearing (slight tinnitus which I only notice when I think about it lol). Both were absolutely fine. I’m also on medication that I wasn’t sure about. I passed okay with a gentleman’s agreement between the quack and I that I’ll lose some weight as my BMI is high.

Do you have any hearing at all in that ear?

Next to none buddy, if you look here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtia

What the wee kid has in that pic is exactly what I have on my left side. Missus was saying that technically it could be said you only have one ear and as that works fine you should be fine too, sure it will be that simple :lol:

But yes, like you say I am going to apply, another driver has advised me as such as well!
 

Stigy

Established Member
Joined
6 Nov 2009
Messages
4,879
Next to none buddy, if you look here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microtia

What the wee kid has in that pic is exactly what I have on my left side. Missus was saying that technically it could be said you only have one ear and as that works fine you should be fine too, sure it will be that simple :lol:

But yes, like you say I am going to apply, another driver has advised me as such as well!
Are you currently on the railway, in a safety critical role?

Although you can hear just as well with one ear, I suppose the issue may arise because during the test each ear is assessed individually in a sound proof room. Definitely still apply though as you may find with one really good ear, it’s not that much of an issue what the other ear is doing. Can you hear stuff happening at you deaf side, with your other ear?
 

thin_richmond

Member
Joined
3 Oct 2018
Messages
14
Are you currently on the railway, in a safety critical role?

Although you can hear just as well with one ear, I suppose the issue may arise because during the test each ear is assessed individually in a sound proof room. Definitely still apply though as you may find with one really good ear, it’s not that much of an issue what the other ear is doing. Can you hear stuff happening at you deaf side, with your other ear?

Not in rail environment at present, as for hearing and associated tests, they are not something that phase me, when we got them regularly at school I regularly came near the top of the pile (in terms of diminishment/age, I am in mid 30's etc) and yes I can hear whats going on in my left side with my other.
 

Top