LNER Apprentice Train Driver Guide
At LNER the national psychometric tests come fifth, after four rounds of LNER’s own. What each step involves, who can apply and how the York training works
LNER’s six steps
LNER publishes its apprentice train driver process step by step on its recruitment process page:
- Chat Interview.A text-based interview of five behavioural questions that you answer in writing, on a phone, tablet or computer, in your own time. "Every candidate is AI assessed on the same set of attributes", and you get a free personality profile afterwards.
- Online testing. A Situational Judgement Test of how you handle real-life scenarios, and a timed Detail Checking Test in which you spot errors in a mass of information.
- Video interview, on your communication and your motivation for driving at LNER.
- Assessment day. Two group exercises, then an interview with a Driver Team Manager and someone from the People Team.
- Psychometric testing."Our short-listed candidates are now invited to take part in a full day of psychometric testing." The tests are timed.
- Medical, to the railway industry’s health standards.
Who can apply
- Age. Over 18, with no upper age limit. If you are 18 you must show GCSE grade 9 to 4 in English and maths, or a Level 2 equivalent such as SCQF National 5. That condition does not apply from 19.
- Distance. Within 60 minutes of the depot.
- Previous attempts.You must "Not have failed psychometric tests with any Train Operating Company in the last six months." RSSB’s current rules are stricter: a failed attempt means waiting at least a year before the next, with any company.
- Shifts, including nights and weekends.
Training in York
LNER’s apprenticeships page sets out the Level 3 Train Driver programme: 13 months plus three months of end-point assessment, starting with 15 weeks of classroom training at The Academy in York, then around 300 hours of practical handling under an instructor, with progress reviews every 12 weeks. The posts are full-time and salaried; LNER gives the salary in each vacancy rather than on this page.
On numbers, LNER said in February 2026 that 38 drivers started an apprenticeship in 2024 to 2025, among more than a hundred apprentices across the business.
When LNER recruits
Apprenticeship vacancies "are advertised based on business demand", and LNER recommends registering for Operations and Safety job alerts so you hear when one opens. On 5 November 2026 its apprenticeships page showed no current driver opportunities.
The national tests in brief
LNER does not name the tests at step 5. The national train driver battery, set by RSSB’s standard RIS-3751-TOM, is a set of paper and computer tests of attention, memory, reasoning, vigilance and reaction, each passed or failed separately, and it is the assessment LNER’s rule about failing psychometric tests "with any Train Operating Company" refers to. In The OPC’s 2020 list LNER used the enhanced standard, a higher pass level than the national minimum; current LNER pages do not say. Our train driver tests page covers the battery in full. You can practise six of the tests:
- Group Bourdon (Dots Test) (11 minutes, free)
- TEA-Occ Attention (Lift and Directory) (10 minutes)
- TRP1 Rules and Procedures Memory (21 minutes)
- TRP2 Dials Reasoning (8 minutes)
- ATAVT Traffic Perception (6 minutes)
- WAFV Vigilance (Grey Square) (32 minutes)
The attempt limits are explained in our guide to train driver attempts and standards.
Common questions
Who marks the LNER chat interview?
LNER says every candidate is "AI assessed" on the same attributes drawn from their answers, that sensitive characteristics such as gender, age and ethnicity are not used, and asks you not to include personal information in your answers.
Do I need railway experience for the assessment day?
No. LNER says the group exercises need no railway knowledge and look at how you work with others, take in information and make decisions.
Comparing operators? Avanti West Coast also puts online tests before the assessment centre, and Northern asks for an enhanced pass.