A drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle has an engine, first and second motor/generators, a third motor, and a transmission in connecting relationships with the engine, the motor/generators, and the third motor. The transmission has planetary gear sets to be shifted among a plurality of running modes including a large driving force running mode. A controller controls surplus power caused by power balance between the first and second motor/generators to be supplied to the third motor when the surplus power is generated and the vehicle starts with the transmission being operated in the large driving force running mode.