How Road Train Drivers Get Licensed

Road train drivers are licensed by obtaining the highest heavy‑vehicle class available in their jurisdiction (for example, Multi‑Combination “MC” in Australia, Class 1 with an LCV permit in parts of Canada, and a CDL Class A with doubles/triples plus Longer Combination Vehicle certification in select U.S. states), then completing specialist training, medicals, and route-specific permits. In practice, that means upgrading through heavy-vehicle classes, passing knowledge and practical assessments, meeting commercial medical standards, and securing network access permissions and fatigue-management compliance before operating multi-trailer combinations on approved routes.

What “road train” means and where the rules apply

“Road train” is most widely used in Australia to describe multi-trailer combinations operating on designated networks, but similar long combination vehicles (LCVs)—such as doubles, triples, and B‑trains—operate under permit in parts of Canada and on limited corridors in the United States. Licensing pathways share common themes (top-tier heavy-vehicle licence, medicals, specialist training), but exact steps and terminology differ by country and even by state or province.

Australia: The pathway to Multi‑Combination (MC)

In Australia, driving a road train requires an MC licence, which authorizes operation of B‑doubles and road trains on approved networks. The pathway is staged, with prerequisite experience on lower classes and both knowledge and competency-based assessments.

Eligibility and prerequisites

The following points outline the typical entry requirements and prerequisites for stepping up to an MC licence. Exact details vary by state or territory, so drivers should confirm local rules before booking training.

• Hold the prerequisite heavy-vehicle class (HR or HC) for the mandated period, commonly at least 12 months, before upgrading to MC.
• Hold a full car licence and meet the minimum age set by your state or territory (insurers and employers often require 21+ even if the law allows earlier).
• Pass an MC knowledge test and eyesight checks with your licensing authority.
• Undertake a commercial driver medical in line with Austroads “Assessing Fitness to Drive” standards.

Together, these prerequisites are designed to ensure drivers have sufficient heavy-vehicle experience and fitness before being assessed in multi‑trailer operation.

Training and assessment

MC licensing is usually achieved via accredited training and assessment with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) under state programs such as the Heavy Vehicle Competency Based Assessment (HVCBA).

• Complete MC practical training focused on coupling/uncoupling (including converter dollies), reversing, turning paths, stability, and emergency procedures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of vehicle dynamics, brake systems (including air and ABS/EBS), and safe operating speeds and following distances for multi‑trailer combinations.
• Pass a practical driving assessment in representative equipment with an accredited assessor or transport authority examiner.
• Receive your MC licence endorsement upon successful completion and submission of results to the licensing authority.

This structured approach ensures drivers can apply theory on public roads and in yard environments before being licensed for complex combinations.

Compliance beyond the licence

An MC licence is necessary but not sufficient for road train operations. Operators must also comply with access, fatigue, and load rules, some of which are route- or commodity-specific.

• Access and permits: Operate only on approved road-train networks or routes. In HVNL jurisdictions, access is managed by the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) via notices or permits; in WA and NT, Main Roads WA and NT authorities administer separate Restricted Access Vehicle (RAV) networks.
• Fatigue management: Use a National Driver Work Diary or an approved Electronic Work Diary and follow Basic Fatigue Management (BFM) or Advanced Fatigue Management (AFM) if operating schedules require extended hours.
• Load restraint and vehicle standards: Comply with the National Transport Commission’s Load Restraint Guide and ensure vehicles meet dimension, mass, and PBS or network conditions.
• Dangerous goods and special cargo: Obtain additional licences/endorsements when carrying dangerous goods or oversize/overmass loads.
• Insurance and employer policies: Many employers require minimum ages, verified experience, and clean driver histories that exceed legal minima.

These layers of compliance reduce risk and ensure road trains operate only where infrastructure and safety controls are adequate.

Canada: Class 1 plus LCV permits for multi‑trailer combinations

Canada’s “road train” equivalents are generally called LCVs (e.g., turnpike doubles, triples in limited areas, and B‑trains). Licensing is provincial, with specific LCV programs common in the Prairie provinces and some northern territories.

Below are the typical steps for Canadian drivers who intend to operate LCVs; details vary by province and corridor.

• Obtain a Class 1 licence with Mandatory Entry‑Level Training (MELT) where required.
• Meet experience thresholds (often around two years and a minimum verified mileage) and maintain a clean driver abstract.
• Complete an approved LCV Driver Training Program covering dynamics, coupling, inspections, and emergency procedures.
• Pass a commercial medical and comply with hours‑of‑service and electronic logging requirements.
• Operate under a carrier’s LCV permit, in compliant tractors (e.g., power, braking, stability, tires), on designated routes with weather, speed, and visibility restrictions.

Because LCV programs are permit-based, carriers typically sponsor drivers once they demonstrate solid Class 1 experience and safety performance.

United States: CDL plus LCV certification on limited corridors

In the U.S., multi‑trailer combinations are regulated under federal and state rules. Differences are significant: doubles are common in many states, while triples and extra‑long combinations are confined to specific corridors due to the federal “LCV freeze” dating to 1991.

The following elements summarize how U.S. drivers qualify to tow multiple trailers on permitted routes.

• Hold a CDL Class A and pass the knowledge test for the doubles/triples (T) endorsement.
• Maintain a current DOT medical certificate and comply with FMCSA hours‑of‑service and ELD rules.
• Complete Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) driver training and obtain an LCV driver‑training certificate as required under 49 CFR Part 380 (where applicable), typically issued via the employer or an approved program.
• Meet state‑specific experience and company policy requirements (e.g., minimum years/miles, clean record).
• Operate only on designated LCV corridors with any required state permits; many states prohibit triples entirely.

Because access is corridor‑specific, carriers usually provide route training and certify drivers for the configurations they’ll actually run.

How long it takes and what it costs

Time and cost vary with prior experience, location, and whether an employer sponsors training. These ranges reflect typical current conditions.

• Australia: Upgrading to MC after HR/HC often takes 1–3 days of RTO training and assessment once eligibility is met. Course fees commonly range from AUD 1,200 to 2,500, plus knowledge test, licence issue fees, and a commercial medical. Fatigue‑management courses and permits add modest extra costs.
• Canada: Class 1 MELT programs often run several weeks and cost several thousand dollars (varies by province). The LCV course is shorter and often employer‑sponsored; permitting is via the carrier.
• United States: CDL Class A school typically costs USD 3,000–7,000 (often employer‑funded with a work commitment). The T endorsement is a written test with a small fee, while LCV certification is usually delivered by carriers at no direct cost to the driver.

Once you hold the base heavy‑vehicle licence, the “multi‑combination” upskill is relatively quick; the longer lead time is usually reaching prerequisite experience levels and completing base CDL/Class 1 training.

Core skills examiners and employers look for

Beyond passing tests, drivers must demonstrate consistent, safe handling of long, heavy combinations in varied conditions.

• Thorough pre‑trip inspections, including air systems and brake performance checks for every unit and dolly.
• Coupling/uncoupling accuracy, dolly positioning, and verification of fifth‑wheel lock and safety chains where applicable.
• Space and speed management to control off‑tracking, rear swing, and trailer cut‑in on turns and roundabouts.
• Progressive braking and stability awareness to avoid trailer sway and brake fade, with proper following distances.
• Fatigue risk management, trip planning, and use of work diaries or ELD/EWD systems to stay compliant.
• Remote‑area readiness for outback or corridor operations: water, comms, breakdown protocols, and hazard awareness.

These competencies are critical to safe operations and are often evaluated continuously by employers through telematics, audits, and ride‑along assessments.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Several recurring issues delay or derail road train licensing and deployment; awareness helps new drivers plan effectively.

• Upgrading too quickly without enough HR/HC seat time, which can lead to assessment failures and insurance knockbacks.
• Overlooking route access rules; an MC or Class 1/LCV permit doesn’t grant blanket access to every road.
• Poor logkeeping or misunderstanding fatigue rules, especially when swapping between states or fatigue schemes.
• Operating in unsuitable weather; many Canadian LCV permits restrict operations in high winds or low visibility.
• Assuming uniform national rules; Australia’s WA/NT frameworks and the U.S. state‑by‑state LCV limits differ from neighboring jurisdictions.

Planning with your employer or an accredited trainer, and verifying local rules before each job, prevents most of these setbacks.

Summary

To drive a road train, you need the top heavy‑vehicle licence for your jurisdiction and proof you can handle multi‑trailer dynamics: MC in Australia, Class 1 plus LCV permit in Canada, and CDL Class A with T endorsement and LCV certification in the U.S. The pathway typically involves prerequisite licence tenure, commercial medicals, accredited training and assessment, and route‑specific access permits, backed by fatigue‑management compliance. With the right preparation and employer support, most experienced heavy‑vehicle drivers can complete the multi‑combination upgrade in a matter of days once they meet eligibility and experience thresholds.

What is the difference between a CMV and a CDL?

CMV is an acronym for Commercial Motor Vehicle, which is a type of vehicle. CDL stands for Commercial Driver’s License, which is the specific license required to operate certain CMVs. In essence, a CMV is the vehicle, and a CDL is the certification needed to drive that vehicle, but not all CMVs require a CDL to operate.
 
Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

• A CMV is any vehicle used for business purposes that falls under specific Department of Transportation (DOT) weight, size, or passenger capacity regulations. 
• This includes various vehicles like trucks, buses, and vans used for commercial activities. 
• Examples of CMVs based on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) include: 
  • A single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,001 pounds or more. 
  • A combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. 
  • A vehicle designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver). 
  • Any vehicle transporting hazardous materials that require federal placarding. 

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) 

• A CDL is a special license required to operate certain, more complex CMVs. 
• To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skills tests geared to the higher standards of driving a commercial vehicle. 
• You need a CDL to operate a CMV that weighs over 26,001 pounds, transports hazardous materials, or carries 16 or more passengers. 

The Relationship

• You need a CDL to drive a CDL-required CMV. 
• However, you can be considered a CMV driver and still need to meet FMCSA requirements (like medical exams and hours of service rules) to operate a CMV that is over 10,000 pounds but does not require a CDL. 

Do you need CDL to drive trains?

To become a light rail operator, one typically needs a high school diploma, an accident-free driving record, pass a drug test and physical exam and to obtain a CDL or Commercial Driver’s license.

What is the easiest CDL to get?

The easiest CDL to obtain is arguably a Class B because the required road test is less comprehensive than a Class A, though the specific difficulty can vary by individual skill and the training program. However, a Class A CDL, which allows operation of larger tractor-trailer combinations, can be beneficial for a wider range of jobs and higher earning potential. Some driving academies and companies, such as Roehl Transport, offer training programs that make the process simpler for beginners. 
Understanding the Classes

• Class A: Opens in new tabFor the largest commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, requiring more complex skills and a more challenging road test. 
• Class B: Opens in new tabFor straight trucks (like box trucks and dump trucks) and buses. The vehicle has a trailer, but it weighs less than 10,000 pounds. 
• Class C: Opens in new tabFor smaller vehicles like school buses and passenger vans that are designed to carry 16 or more people. 

Why Class B is Often Easier

• Less Complex Skill Set: A Class B vehicle does not have a separate trailer, which simplifies maneuvers like backing and shifting compared to the 18-wheelers required for a Class A. 
• Less Comprehensive Test: The road test for a Class B CDL is slightly less demanding than for a Class A. 
• More Local Options: Class B driving jobs often involve local routes, which can be a simpler entry point into the industry. 

Alternative Approaches

• Start with Class B and Upgrade: Opens in new tabSome drivers begin with a Class B and then upgrade to a Class A, which can be an easier transition than going directly for a Class A. 
• Employer-Sponsored Training: Opens in new tabSome trucking companies offer training programs, sometimes even providing on-the-job training, which can make the process much easier and even pay you to learn. 
• Community College Programs: Opens in new tabMany community colleges offer truck driving programs that can guide you through the process of obtaining a CDL. 

How much does Roehl pay for training?

$616
What To Expect with Roehl’s Get Your CDL™ Driver Training Program. Phase One of Roehl’s CDL training program includes three weeks of training where you earn $616 when you work a full week. You’ll get your first paycheck at the end of your third week.