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A driver who wishes to operate a longer combination vehicle (LCV) must take and successfully complete an LCV driver-training program. The program must provide the knowledge and skills necessary to operate an LCV.
Scope
These requirements apply to both those who wish to operate an LCV as well as those who instruct.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 380, Subpart A — Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV) driver-training and driver-instructor requirements—general
Key definitions
- Longer combination vehicle (LCV): Any combination of a truck-tractor and two or more trailers or semi-trailers, which operate on the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways with a gross vehicle weight greater than 80,000 pounds.
- Longer combination vehicle (LCV) Double: An LCV consisting of a truck-tractor in combination with two trailers and/or semitrailers.
- Longer combination vehicle (LCV) Triple: An LCV consisting of a truck-tractor in combination with three trailers and/or semitrailers.
Summary of requirements
Before receiving the required LCV training, an individual must present evidence to the LCV driver-instructor showing the driver-trainee meets certain, specific general requirements for the specific type of LCV training to be taken.
The LCV driver-instructor must verify that each trainee applicant meets all of the general training requirements for the type of LCV training to be taken.
Upon successful completion of the training, the driver-student must be issued an LCV Driver Training Certificate by a certifying official of the training entity. The certificate must meet the requirements of Part 380, Subpart D.
Testing methods. The driver-student must pass both knowledge and skills tests to determine successful completion of the training program. The written knowledge test may be administered by any qualified driver-instructor. The skills test, based on the actual operation of an LCV, must be administered by a qualified LCV skills instructor.
All tests must be constructed to determine if the driver-student possesses the required knowledge and skills for the specific type of LCV training being taught.
Instructors must develop their own tests for the specific type of LCV training program being taught and establish specific methods for scoring the knowledge and skills tests.
Knowledge and skills tests must be based on the information taught in the LCV training programs as set forth in Appendix F to Part 380.
Each knowledge test must address the training provided during both theoretical and behind-the-wheel instruction. The test must include at least one question from each of the units listed in Appendix F to Part 380 for the specific type of LCV training program being taught.
Each skills test must include all of the maneuvers and operations practiced during the Proficiency Development unit of instruction (behind-the-wheel instruction) as described in Appendix F to Part 380 for the specific type of LCV training program being taught.
Proficiency determinations. The driver-student must meet the following conditions to be certified as an LCV driver:
- Answer correctly at least 80 percent of the questions on each knowledge test; and
- Demonstrate that the driver-student can successfully perform all of the skills practiced during the Proficiency Development unit of instruction.
Automatic test failure. Failure to obey traffic laws or involvement in a preventable crash during the skills portion of the test will result in automatic test failure.
Automatic test failure determinations are made at the discretion of the qualified LCV driver-instructor.