If you wish to work as a transport truck driver in Canada and ultimately become a permanent resident, you’re in luck since Canada has a strong labor market for people in this profession.
No matter what, we’ve got you covered if you think you have what it takes to work as a truck driver in Canada’s transportation industry.
In addition, Canada is among the top nations in which to migrate in order to take advantage of the greatest services available in a wide range of industries, making it a very desirable option. You don’t have to worry about your health, education, or anything else if you live in Canada.
Do you desire to get more knowledge? In this article, we will walk you through the process of becoming a transport truck driver in Canada and expose all you need to know to get started. It includes a definition, title, and description of the job, in addition to the most effective routes and measures to take in order to get employment in Canada.
What responsibilities does a driver of a transport truck have?
When working for a transportation firm, a transport truck driver is responsible for delivering goods to various locations around the nation. They are able to transport hazardous materials throughout the nation as well as consumer products inside a local area.
When it comes to transporting goods and provisions, heavy truck drivers are responsible for operating huge trucks on urban, interurban, provincial, and international routes.
Truck drivers have the option of working for companies that specialize in transportation, manufacturing, distribution, and relocation, as well as trucking employment service agencies, or they may choose to be self-employed.
This unit group includes not only the drivers of special purpose trucks but also shunters, who are the individuals responsible for moving trailers to and from loading docks inside trucking yards or lots.
Job Descriptions
The following is a list of common activities that transport truck drivers must do in Canada:
Long-haul transport truck drivers
- Pre-trip, en route, and post-trip inspections of vehicle systems, equipment, and accessories such as tires, lights, turn signals, brakes, and cold storage are all recommended.
- Operate and operate predominantly straight trucks on local and short interurban routes to convey products and supplies.
- Plan the logistics of your journey and secure the papers you’ll need to transport items.
- To transport merchandise on foreign lines, you’ll need to obtain special permissions and other documentation.
- Ensure cargo is adequately secured in compliance with safety requirements, and follow dangerous goods transportation safety measures.
- Drive in a convoy or as part of a two-person squad.
- Keep track of cargo information, service hours, distance traveled, and fuel consumption.
- Transporting hazardous materials or dangerous goods is possible.
- Maintain logbooks, either manually or electronically, and administer bills of lading.
- It’s possible that you’ll have to fix something on the side of the road in an emergency.
- Using communication devices and onboard computers, communicate with the dispatcher, other drivers, and clients.
Short-haul and local transport truck drivers
- Tow trucks, dump trucks, hydrovac trucks, and cement mixing trucks are examples of special-purpose trucks that may be driven.
- Operate and operate predominantly straight trucks on local and short inter-urban routes to convey products and supplies.
- Perform pre-trip, en-route, and post-trip inspections and supervise all parts of the vehicle, including equipment condition and cargo loading and unloading.
Job Examples
In Canada, some examples of job titles that fall within the category of transport truck drivers
If you wish to work as a transport truck driver in Canada, it is very necessary for you to be familiar with the job descriptions. You should also be informed of the many different job titles and responsibilities that are available to you.
- Bulk goods truck driver
- Dumpster truck driver
- Coal hauler (except underground mining)
- Heavy truck driver
- Flatbed truck driver
- Escort transportation
- Gravel hauler
- Cement truck driver construction
- Logging truck driver
- Moving truck driver
- Gravel truck driver
- Low-bed semi-trailer driver
- Gasoline truck operator
- Muskeg tractor operator
- Liquid fertilizer truck driver
- Oil transport driver
- Log hauler
- Log truck driver
- Freight truck driver
- Dump truck driver
- Dangerous goods truck driver
- Fuel oil truck driver
- Automobile transport driver
- Hydrovac truck operator
- Mobile cement mixer driver
- Line-haul driver
- Explosives truck driver
- Groceries long haul driver
Requirements
- To operate as a transport truck driver in Canada, you must have the following requirements:
- Secondary school graduation is frequently required.
- On-the-job training is available.
- Driving articulated trucks may necessitate additional endorsements or certifications.
- It may be necessary to complete a five-month recognized driver’s education course at a trade school or community college.
- Straight-body trucks require a Class 3 or D driver’s license.
- Drivers who transport hazardous items or dangerous commodities must have Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) accreditation.
- Drivers who operate vehicles with air brakes must have the air brake endorsement (Z).
- Driving long combination vehicles necessitates a Class 1 or A license.
- With extra training or experience, you may be able to advance to supervisory positions or non-driving jobs such as driver trainer, safety officer, or truck dispatcher.
Exclusions for transport truck drivers under NOC code 7511
In Canada, the following groups are not included in the category of transport truck drivers. They are as follows:
- Those who operate light trucks.
- Drivers of snowplows and garbage trucks.
- Supervisors, drivers, and other ground transportation operators.
- Dispatchers.
- Assisting drivers
- Trainers for truck drivers.
Conditions that must be met in order to work as a truck driver in Canada.
It is normally required of you if you want to work as a truck driver in Canada, that you achieve certain qualifications. These requirements may be broken down into two distinct classes. The following are some examples of them:
- The General requirements
- The specific requirements
General requirements to move to Canada as a transport truck driver
The following are the basic requirements that must be met in order to relocate to Canada in the role of a truck driver:
1. Language
In most cases, if you wish to find job in Canada, you will be required to provide evidence that you are proficient in the local language.
As a consequence of this, you are required to provide evidence that you are able to read, write, and communicate in one of the official languages of Canada (English and French). Because of this, you will be required to sit for at least one of the examinations that assess language proficiency, such as the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or CAEL.
2. Age
In Canada, the minimum age to operate as a transport truck driver is 18 years old, while the maximum age is 35 years old.
3. Education
You are need to have completed the necessary level of education in order to move to Canada. A minimum requirement in most cases is completion of high school. However, in order to work in Canada in a sensitive job like yours, you are required to have completed a driving training course that lasted for at least four months and no more than five months. Additionally, you will need a report from Educational Credential Assessment so that your educational credentials may be verified (ECA).
4. Work Experience
You are need to have previous job experience in order to work as a transport truck driver in Canada. To meet the requirements for this certificate, you must have at least three years of experience working full-time.
5. Adaptability
This is yet another essential need that must be met before one may begin working as a driver for a transportation company in Canada. First and foremost, you are required to give a medical evaluation that demonstrates your ability to adapt to the climate in Canada.
6. Your Spouse’s abilities
It may be easier for you to get work as a travel and tour guide in Canada if your spouse or common-law partner already has experience in the field, has certain skills, is fluent in the local language, and is of a certain age. Because of this, the abilities or talents that your spouse has have the potential to increase your CRS point.
Specific requirements to move to Canada
The following is a list of the specific requirements that must be met in order to become a truck driver in Canada.
- Transporters of hazardous materials or dangerous goods are required to have Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certification..
Pathways to move to Canada as a Transport truck driver
The government of Canada has developed pathway programs to make it possible for professionals who seek to work as transport truck drivers in Canada to do so, in addition to giving a great number of chances for people from other countries. If you choose one of these routes, it is possible for you to meet the requirements necessary to live and work in Canada.
On the other hand, there are procedures that may be followed in order for you to get a job driving a truck in Canada’s transportation industry. In this section, we will discuss a few of the pathways that may lead to a successful career as a truck driver in Canada.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
This path may be taken by immigrants who are interested in settling and working in a certain province. In addition, each province has its own provincial police force (PNP), complete with its own specific requirements.
If you are able to meet the requirements for one of the provincial nominations, you will be granted the opportunity to work and reside in that province for a period of two years. After that, you’ll have the freedom to select where in Canada you want to work and call home. Some examples of provincial nominee programs include the following:
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
Quebec Experience Class
This is for persons who are exclusively interested in living in the province of Quebec. However, given that Quebec is a French-speaking province, you will be required to provide evidence that you are proficient in the language.
Express Entry
Express Entry is a new immigration scheme that was developed by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) (IRCC). In addition, this program is for those who are interested in applying for permanent residence.
The following is a list of the three categories that are included in the Express Entry program:
- Federal skilled worker
- Canada experience class
- Federal skilled trades program
If you wish to work as a transport truck driver in Canada, you can apply for a visa through the federal skilled program.
Steps to move to Canada as a transport truck driver
As a potential transport truck driver, you must adhere to these guidelines. They are as follows:
Step 1: Open and Express Entry account
If you go to the IRCC website, you will be asked to sign up for an account as soon as you get there. In addition to that, you will be given all of the information that is required to create an express entry account.
Step 2: Choose a Program
You have the option of going in any of the aforementioned directions. As was said before, the Federal Skilled Worker Program is the most suitable option for someone with your qualifications.
Step 3: Find a job offer
If you get a work offer in Canada that allows for you to drive a cargo truck, you may easily relocate there.
If you already have a job lined up in Canada before you go there, you may reassure the government there that you will not be a financial drain on the nation when you settle there.
Step 4: Receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply)
This happens when you have successfully made your account and filled out all of the necessary paperwork. On the other hand, you will only be requested to apply if your CRS score is very high.
After that, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada on the basis of your work as a truck driver.
Step 5: Submit your application with supporting documents
After getting an ITA, you are required to provide a response as soon as you possibly can. Should you fail to react within the following sixty days, your reservation may be cancelled without further notice.
You will furthermore be asked to pay an application fee of 150 Canadian Dollars.
Step 6: Get your work permit
Because you have a work permit, you will be able to find employment in Canada. Nevertheless, you need to get everything done as quickly as possible. At the United States-Canadian border, this will be made accessible to you.
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite the many advancements that have been made in the sector of transportation in the modern world, the use of huge vehicles and trucks as a mode of choice for long-distance transportation is still rather common.