I’m in Newcastle near the port, and it’s early September—windy afternoons and bursts of drizzle rolling in from the coast. My employer’s hinted at a promotion if I can move up to multi-combination before the Christmas freight peak. I’ve got HC for 14 months, booked the knowledge test, and I’m calling around for HVCBA slots. Some providers say they can fit me in next week; others are quoting a month or more, especially for B-double assessments. I’m juggling rotating day/night shifts and childcare. From first booking to final pass, how long did the whole process take you here in the Hunter, and what bottlenecks should I expect?