Great Western Railway (GWR) Train Driver Application: Process, Salary and How to Prepare
Quick answer
Great Western Railway (GWR) recruits trainee train drivers across its network from London Paddington to the West of England, South Wales and the South West. Trainees typically start at around £32,489, rising to roughly £59,000–£69,000 once qualified. Selection uses the standard train driver psychometric battery, training takes around 9–24 months, and no previous railway experience is required.
Great Western Railway runs one of the most varied networks in Britain — high-speed Intercity Express Trains from London Paddington to Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea and the West Country, alongside regional and commuter services. For aspiring drivers across the south and west, GWR is a major employer that recruits in cohorts and through a talent pool. As with every operator, the gateway is the train driver selection process — here is what to expect and how to prepare.
Salary and Progression
GWR trainee drivers typically start on a training rate of around £32,489, with pay rising as you progress through training to a qualified driver salary commonly reported in the region of £59,000 to £69,000, depending on the agreement and depot. You are paid throughout the training programme.
As with all operators, these figures are set through collective agreements and move over time, so treat them as a guide and confirm the current rates on GWR's own careers pages when you apply.
Where You Would Be Based
GWR recruits trainee drivers at depots across its network and often runs a talent pool that candidates join ahead of specific intakes. Recruitment is depot-specific, and you will generally need to live within a reasonable travelling distance of the depot you apply to.
- ✓Depots and recruiting locations including Bristol (Parkway and Temple Meads), Swansea, Gloucester, Westbury, Fratton, Reading and London Paddington
- ✓GWR maintains its Intercity Express fleet at depots including Stoke Gifford (Bristol), Maliphant (Swansea) and North Pole (London)
- ✓Exact recruiting depots vary by campaign — check the live vacancy or talent-pool intake
Existing customers
Log in to practise
Interactive simulations of the train driver tests — log in to your account to keep practising.
The Selection Process
GWR follows the standard train driver battery set out in RSSB standard RIS-3751-TOM, like other GB mainline train companies, though each company chooses its own pass marks. The process focuses on testing the innate abilities the role requires — the ability to concentrate for long periods, stay calm under pressure, and follow safety procedures precisely — through psychometric tests, assessment and interview.
Selection typically runs from an online application and sift, through the train driver aptitude tests and an assessment day, to a structured competency interview and medical checks. No prior railway experience is needed.
- ✓Vigilance (WAFV) — sustained attention over a long session (widely reported as about 30 minutes)
- ✓ATAVT — rapid perception and recall of a visual scene
- ✓TRP1 — following rules and procedures accurately
- ✓TEA-Occ — divided attention
- ✓Group Bourdon — concentration and perceptual speed
- ✓Competency interview — safety-focused behavioural questions
How to Prepare
GWR is explicit that it is testing inherent abilities — concentration, composure under pressure, and adherence to procedure. Those are the qualities the train driver test battery measures. Practising similar tasks under timed conditions can make the difference between a confident, well-paced performance and the hesitation that screens people out.
Work through each test in the battery, and prepare safety-focused STAR examples for the competency interview. Work through the official practice materials the train company sends you, and our assessment day guide walks you through the whole process.
Frequently asked questions
How much do GWR train drivers earn?
GWR trainee drivers typically start at around £32,489, rising to a qualified salary commonly reported in the region of £59,000 to £69,000 depending on the agreement and depot. You are paid throughout training. Confirm current figures on GWR's careers site, as pay is set through collective agreements.
Do you need experience to become a GWR train driver?
No. GWR recruits trainee drivers without prior railway experience and provides full training. The process tests inherent abilities — concentration, composure under pressure, and adherence to procedure — through the train driver psychometric battery, assessment and interview.
Where does GWR recruit train drivers?
GWR recruits at depots across its network, including Bristol (Parkway and Temple Meads), Swansea, Gloucester, Westbury, Fratton, Reading and London Paddington, often through a talent pool. Recruitment is depot-specific, so check the live vacancy.
What tests does GWR use for train drivers?
GWR uses the standard train driver psychometric battery set out in RSSB standard RIS-3751-TOM — Group Bourdon, TEA-Occ, the WAFV vigilance test, TRP1b, TRP2, the ATAVT, 2HAND, a situational judgement exercise and a multi-modal interview — alongside its own interview. Each company chooses its own pass marks.
How long is GWR train driver training?
Train driver training generally takes around 9 to 24 months, combining classroom learning, rules and traction knowledge, simulator work and supervised driving before you are signed off as competent. You are paid throughout.