TRAIN DRIVER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Sample interview questions proven to help you pass your train driver interview in 2025.
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TRAIN DRIVER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
On this webpage we have provided you with some advanced tips and techniques for passing the train driver criteria-based interview and the manager’s interview. Once you have read and absorbed the information provided we recommend that you obtain a copy of my Train Driver Interview Questions and Answers downloadable resource which you find at the bottom of this page.
THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRAIN DRIVER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
There are two different types of interview questions that you could be asked. We will now explain each of them and what they mean:
1. GENERIC QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TOC AND THE TRAIN DRIVERS ROLE.
Generic questions can be in any format. There is no particular structure to this type of question but they are generally far easier to respond to.
Examples of generic questions would include:
- Why do you want to become a Train Driver?
- What has attracted you to this TOC in particular?
- What have you learnt about the role of a Train Driver?
- Why should we choose you against the other applicants?
2. ROLE RELATED QUESTIONS
This type of question is more common during the structured interview and includes questions that are based around the job description/person specification. Examples of role related questions include:
- Being able to work under pressure.
- Providing a high level of customer care and service.
- Working as part of a team to achieve a task.
- Communicating a message to a group of people.
- Working with people from different backgrounds.
- Dealing with difficult and aggressive people.
SAMPLE STRUCTURED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Here are a few examples of structured interview questions:
Q. Provide an example of when you have worked as part of a team. Within your response please explain what you did and how you contributed towards the team.
Q. Provide an example of when you have had to communicate an important message to a group of people.
Q. Provide details of where you have carried out a safety-critical task.
Q. Provide an example of when you have delivered high-quality customer service.
Q. Provide details of a situation where you had to concentrate for long periods of time whilst working on a difficult task.
Q. Provide details of when you have learnt a large amount of job-related information.
The above sample structured interview questions all require you to provide a specific example of where you carried out a task or took a particular course of action. You will notice that the sample questions are all within the realms of the role of a train driver; therefore, it is perfectly acceptable for the interviewing panel to want to see EVIDENCE of where you meet each particular area being assessed.
- You will notice that I have capitalised the word EVIDENCE; this is because it is vitally important that you provide specific details of where you have already carried out the task or action in question in a previous or current role.
- Anybody can say at interview what they would do in a given situation, but actually providing details and EVIDENCE of what they have done in a similar situation is a far harder task.
HOW TO GET THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE
As you can imagine, many people worry that they do not have the life experiences to answer these types of questions. The simple answer is that they need to go out there and get the experience necessary.
- The simple fact is this: you are applying for a position that carries a huge amount of responsibility and as such, it is vital that you have the knowledge, skills and experiences to do the job safely and competently.
- If you don’t currently have the experiences to answer the questions then you need to find ways of gaining the required level of experience.
health and safety course
1. There is nothing to stop you from embarking on a Health and Safety course in order to gain the skills and experiences required to answer the following two questions:
Q. Provide an example of when you have followed rules and procedures to complete a specific task.
Q. Provide details of where you have carried out a safety-critical task.
DELIVERING PRESENTATIONS
2. There is also nothing to stop you from asking your boss at work if you can deliver a presentation to your co-workers on an interesting subject that relates to your work.
By doing this you will be able to answer the following question:
Q. Provide an example of when you have had to communicate an important message to a group of people.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
3. If you are struggling to think of a situation where you have learnt a large amount of work-related information then why not embark on an evening class or learn a musical instrument?
Just think outside of the box a little!
The important factor to remember of that at no point should you be dishonest during the interview. People have asked me during my 1-day train driver course if it is wise for them to ‘make up’ fictitious scenarios so that they can answer the questions; my response is a resounding NO! There is absolutely no way that I want a train driver driving a train that I am a passenger on if he or she has lied at the interview; would you?
SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY!
The role of a train driver is one that is called in the industry ‘safety-critical’.
- The criteria for what makes a job safety-critical will depend upon the regulatory environment and/or the safety standards applied to the role. The general consensus is that a job is safety-critical if it may lead to harm being caused (or not being prevented) to users, bystanders, other stakeholders, or the environment, although the range of causes and harm considered can vary.
- Basically, in a nutshell, the role of train driver is a highly responsible one which requires an ability to carry out the role safely, competently and professionally. If the job is not carried out in line with rules and safety procedures then harm may be caused.
During your preparation for both sets of interviews I recommend that you have the word safety at the forefront of your mind at all times.
In the following video Richard McMunn gives you a series of Train Driver Interview Questions and Answers to help you pass first time:
PASS THE TRAIN DRIVER INTERVIEWS
- Contains actual interview questions;
- Provides sample responses that you can use during your interview;
- Learn how you will be assessed at your interview;
- Sample questions for both managers and criteria based interviews;
- Written by rail industry recruitment experts.
Pass the Train Driver Interviews First time.
Crafted for everyone, no matter your skill level or background, this resource was made to help you achieve one goal: to pass your train driver interviews.
Scoring Criteria
Essential information about how you will be assessed during the interview stages of the selection process.
UP-TO-DATE FOR 2025
All questions have been verified by our assessment panel experts for the 2025 train driver interview.
SAMPLE RESPONSES TO EACH INTERVIEW QUESTION
Sample answers to help you construct your own winning train driver interview responses.
CAREFULLY CONSTRUCTED RESPONSES
Constructed answers for each question so you can be confident in learning and improving your score.
INSIDER SECRETS
Insider tips on how to answer the questions and a breakdown on how you will be scored.
SCORE-BOOSTING STRATEGIES
Get ahead of the competition with unique and proven strategies 16 years in the making.
Customer Success Stories
Having helped 1,000s of aspiring train driver candidates for over 16 years, it is no wonder our customers love us…
This book has been very helpful and I passed the interview for trainee train driver. I will be starting the training soon. It definetely helped a lot and made me feel more confident about my answers.
A must need for every wanna be train driver.
Great book highly recommended
I found this book useful in conjunction with other online research I did. It was great for getting me in the right frame of mind to word my own answers to the questions well. I passed so it can’t have hurt!
This book is worth purchasing if you are considering being a train driver or working with trains in general. i brought this book for my partner , as he was due to have an assesment to become a trainee train driver.
He claims that without this book, he would have failed as it gave very good tips on how to answer questions and good examples.
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WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR GUIDE?
- Lots of sample interview questions to help you get ready for your train driver interviews;
- Questions that are guaranteed to be very similar to the ones you will actually sit during the real train driver assessment centre.
- Advice and tips included that have been written by our panel of assessment experts.
- Written in conjunction with currently serving train drivers.
- A full breakdown of how to build your own answers;
- How you will be assessed – pass first time;
- A comprehensive overview of both interview sections, with tried and tested advice on each and every single one!
- Top tips on how to APPLY the core competencies to your responses;
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- Full and detailed answers to every question – ensure you always have the perfect answer!
- How to use the STAR method to come up with your own winning answers that match the experience, values, and skills the interview assessor is looking for.
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- 100s of Additional Questions on lots of different train driver tests to help boost your scores!
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✓ Learn how you will be assessed at your interview;
✓ Sample questions for both managers and criteria based interviews;
✓ Written by rail industry recruitment experts;
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✓ Advice on what the train operating company assessors are looking for from candidates;
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✓ Tips on what makes a successful train driver application form submission;
✓ Contains actual interview questions;
✓ Learn how you will be assessed at your interview;
✓ Provides sample responses that you can use during your interview;
Plus 30-days FREE ACCESS to the Train Driver online testing suite. Thereafter, just £5.95 +vat per month. No minimum term. You may cancel anytime. Cancel before the 30-days are up and you will not be charged.?
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Get instant access »“This is a great book. It has a lot of possible questions that you might be asked during a train driver interview and gives a detailed answer for each question.”
