LNER · OPC Practice

Applying to drive for LNER?

LNER (London North Eastern Railway) operates high-speed services on the East Coast Main Line, one of the most iconic rail routes in Britain. Driving an Azuma at speeds up to 125mph demands the highest levels of attention — and the OPC psychometric test battery is designed to find candidates capable of exactly that.

London King's Cross to Edinburgh, Leeds, York, Newcastle & beyond

Start Practising — £14.99 Try free demo

The LNER OPC Assessment

At LNER operating speeds, reaction times matter enormously. The Vigilance Test's 1.5-second response window mirrors real-world demands — on a 125mph service, a delayed reaction to a signal or lineside hazard could be catastrophic. Practising until your response is instinctive is the best preparation.

The ATAVT tests your ability to read a visual scene in one second and accurately report what you saw. At high speed, lineside information passes in fractions of a second. The skills the ATAVT measures — rapid perception, organised recall, accuracy under pressure — are directly relevant to LNER's operating environment.

LNER is a publicly owned company operating under a government contract. It recruits train drivers regularly and its OPC assessments are held at assessment centres along the East Coast Main Line corridor. Applications are advertised on the LNER careers page.

What you'll practice

Four practice tests included

👁

Vigilance Test

A grey square sits in the centre of the screen. Watch it for 30 minutes and press Space the moment it turns black. Tests sustained attention — a core skill for train drivers.

✓30-minute full-length simulation
✓Random stimulus intervals
✓Scored on hits, misses & reaction time

🚦

ATAVT

A traffic scene flashes for 1 second. Identify which elements you saw — lights, vehicles, pedestrians, signs, bicycles, motorcycles. Tests perceptual speed and scene awareness.

✓20 scenes per session
✓Brief flash per scene
✓Per-element identification scoring

📋

TRP1 — Rules & Procedures

Read a set of train operating rules for 5 minutes, then answer 18 questions from memory in 15 minutes. Tests comprehension and rule retention under time pressure.

✓6 different question sets
✓18 questions per session
✓Timed reading & recall phases

🔵

Group Bourdon

A printable concentration test. Scan rows of dot groups and mark every group containing exactly four dots. Tests sustained concentration and systematic accuracy.

✓Randomly generated each time
✓Print-at-home format
✓Answer key included on page 2

FAQ

Common questions

Do LNER recruit trainee train drivers or experienced drivers only?

LNER recruits both. Trainee train driver (TTD) vacancies require no prior driving experience and include a full training programme. Experienced driver vacancies require existing traction qualifications. Both routes include the OPC assessment.

Which tests are included in the OPC battery?

The OPC (Occupational Personality and Cognitive) battery includes the Vigilance Test (WAFV), ATAVT, Group Bourdon, and several other assessments. The exact combination varies slightly by operator but all are governed by RSSB standard RIS-3751-TOM.

Is this the same as the real test?

Our tests match the format and parameters of the real OPC assessment — 30 minutes for the Vigilance test, brief flashes for the ATAVT. No practice site can replicate the exact proprietary software, but the format is calibrated to match.

What happens after I pay?

You get instant access to all four tests with unlimited attempts. Access never expires.

Can I get a refund?

If you're not happy with the product, contact us within 7 days and we'll make it right — either by resolving the issue or issuing a full refund.

Free preparation guides

How to Become a Train Driver in the UK: The Complete Guide

9 min read

→

How to Pass the UK Train Driver Vigilance Test (WAFV)

6 min read

→

How to Pass the Train Driver ATAVT Test