East Midlands Railway Train Driver Application Guide 2025
Quick answer
East Midlands Railway recruits train drivers through an online application, online assessments, the standard RSSB train driver psychometric battery, a medical examination, and a structured interview. Qualified EMR drivers typically earn £55,000-£63,000 per year including shift allowances and enhancements.
East Midlands Railway (EMR) runs intercity and regional services between London St Pancras, Leicester, Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, and Lincoln, as well as local services in the East Midlands. With a modernising fleet including the new Class 810 Aurora trains, EMR offers a mix of long-distance and regional driving that many candidates find appealing. This guide explains how to navigate their recruitment process and what to expect at each stage.
About East Midlands Railway
EMR operates from London St Pancras International, sharing the Midland Main Line with Thameslink. Their network covers a wide range of journey types — from fast 90-minute London to Nottingham services to shorter local hops through Lincolnshire. EMR has been run by Abellio UK (now Transport UK) since 2019 and has been investing in fleet upgrades, including the phased introduction of the CAF Class 810 Aurora, replacing older HSTs and older DMUs. EMR has a reputation as a relatively stable and well-managed operator, and driver satisfaction tends to be positive.
EMR Train Driver Salary
During the training period, EMR trainee drivers typically earn in the region of £27,000-£31,000. Once passed out and driving solo, salaries rise significantly — qualified EMR drivers typically earn £55,000-£63,000 per annum including shift allowances and Sunday premiums. London-based working (St Pancras) may attract additional enhancements. Pay is collectively negotiated through ASLEF.
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Shortened Vigilance test, 5-scene ATAVT, and a TRP1 taster — no account needed.
East Midlands Railway Application Stages
EMR vacancies are advertised on their careers website and through the National Rail careers portal. Their recruitment process typically follows these stages: (1) Online application form; (2) Online tests — situational judgement and/or cognitive assessments; (3) train driver psychometric assessment centre; (4) Medical — to DVLA Group 2 standard or above; (5) Competency-based interview; (6) Traction and route training — typically 9 to 24 months (the national range). The pace of the process can vary depending on how many vacancies are open and the volume of applicants.
Train Driver Tests at East Midlands Railway
RSSB standard RIS-3751-TOM sets out the standard battery used across GB mainline operators: Group Bourdon and TEA-Occ (attention), the WAFV vigilance test, TRP1b and TRP2 (rules and procedures), the ATAVT (perception), 2HAND (hand coordination), a situational judgement exercise and a multi-modal interview. Each company chooses its own pass marks and may add tests. Results are recorded on a national database. Preparing properly for every test is essential.
What Driving for EMR Involves
EMR drivers experience a mix of intercity and regional driving. On the Midland Main Line, you'll operate modern intercity services at higher speeds, stopping at a limited number of key stations. Regional workings through the East Midlands involve more frequent stops and shorter timings — a different driving style requiring precise braking and timing. Long-distance drivers based at St Pancras may work through peak commuter periods on busy infrastructure shared with Thameslink. Route learning is a significant investment of time and effort during training.
EMR Interview Advice
EMR's structured interview focuses on core competencies including safety awareness, self-management, communication, and your specific motivation for the role and company. Knowing EMR's network — including the Midland Main Line, the Aurora fleet introduction, and routes through Lincolnshire and beyond — will set you apart. Prepare examples from previous work that demonstrate reliability, responsibility, and calm performance under pressure. The STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is the most effective structure for competency answers.
Frequently asked questions
Is EMR a good operator to drive for?
EMR has a generally positive reputation among drivers. The mix of intercity and regional work keeps the role varied, and investment in new rolling stock has improved the fleet. ASLEF representation means pay is collectively bargained and competitive within the sector.
What fleet do EMR drivers operate?
EMR operates the CAF Class 810 Aurora on intercity services, phasing out older HSTs. Regional services use Class 158 and Class 156 DMUs. Drivers qualify on specific traction types during training.
Does EMR only recruit at certain times of year?
EMR runs recruitment campaigns as needed based on operational demand and planned retirements. Vacancies can appear at any time — setting up job alerts on their careers site ensures you don't miss opportunities.
How far in advance should I start train driver test preparation?
Ideally 4-6 weeks before your assessment. This gives enough time to complete multiple practice sessions for each test type, identify any areas of weakness, and build the sustained concentration habits that the Vigilance Test in particular demands.