Are you interested in becoming a truck driver in Canada? Do you want to know what it takes to get started in this rewarding and challenging career? If so, you have come to the right place.
In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about becoming a truck driver in Canada, from the requirements and qualifications to the training and licensing to the benefits and challenges of the job.
Advertisement
in this article
show
Why Become a Truck Driver in Canada?
Truck driving is one of the most in-demand and essential occupations in Canada.
According to Statistics Canada, over 300,000 truck drivers were employed in Canada in 2019, and the demand is expected to grow by 25% by 2029.
Truck drivers are responsible for transporting goods and materials across the country and beyond, supporting various industries and sectors of the economy.
There are many reasons why you might want to become a truck driver in Canada, such as:
- Flexibility: You can choose from different types of truck driving jobs, such as long-haul, regional, local, or specialized. You can also set your own schedule and work hours, depending on your preferences and availability.
- Independence: You can enjoy the freedom and autonomy of working on your own, without having to deal with a boss or coworkers. You can also travel to different places and see new sights along the way.
- Income: You can earn a decent and stable income as a truck driver in Canada. According to Indeed, the average annual salary for a truck driver in Canada was $48,710 in 2020. However, this can vary depending on your experience, location, and type of truck driving job. Some truck drivers can earn up to $80,000 or more per year.
- Opportunity: You can have plenty of opportunities for career advancement and growth as a truck driver in Canada. You can gain more skills and experience, obtain additional endorsements and certifications, and apply for higher-paying, specialized truck driving jobs. If you have the capital and ambition, you can also start your own trucking business or become an owner-operator.
What Are the Requirements and Qualifications to Become a Truck Driver in Canada?
To become a truck driver in Canada, you need to meet some basic requirements and qualifications, such as:
- Age: You need to be at least 18 years old to drive a truck within a province or territory and at least 21 years old to drive a truck across the border or internationally.
- Education: You need to have a high school diploma or equivalent or at least some secondary school education. You also need to have good English or French language skills, as these are the official languages of Canada.
- Health: You need to have good physical and mental health and pass a medical examination every five years (or more frequently, depending on your age and medical condition). You also need to have good vision, hearing, and reflexes, and be free of any substance abuse or addiction issues.
- Driving Record: You need to have a clean driving record with no major violations or convictions, such as impaired driving, reckless driving, or speeding. You also need to have no more than four demerit points on your driver’s license.
- Criminal Record: You need to have a clean criminal record, with no outstanding warrants, charges, or convictions, especially for serious or violent crimes. You also need to pass a background check and a security clearance, especially if you want to drive a truck across the border or internationally.
How to Get Trained and Licensed as a Truck Driver in Canada?
To get trained and licensed as a truck driver in Canada, you need to follow these steps:
- Get a Class 5 Driver’s License: The standard driver’s license allows you to drive a car or a light truck in Canada. You need to have this license before you can apply for a higher class of driver’s license, such as a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4, which are required for driving different types of trucks. To get a Class 5 driver’s license, you must pass a written test, a vision test, and a road test and pay the applicable fees.
- Get a Class 1 Driver’s License: This driver’s license allows you to drive a semi-trailer truck or a combination of vehicles with a gross weight of more than 11,794 kg in Canada. This is the most common type of driver’s license for truck drivers in Canada. To get a Class 1 driver’s license, you need to have a Class 5 driver’s license, pass a knowledge test, a pre-trip inspection test, and a road test, and pay the applicable fees. The requirements and fees may vary slightly depending on the province or territory where you apply.
- Get a Professional Driver Improvement Course (PDIC): This is a course that teaches you the skills and techniques of safe and defensive driving, as well as the rules and regulations of the road. This course is mandatory for all truck drivers in Canada, and you need to complete it within six months of getting your Class 1 driver’s license. You can take this course online or in person, which usually costs around $100.
- Get an Air Brake Endorsement: This is an endorsement that allows you to operate a vehicle with air brakes, such as a semi-trailer truck. This endorsement is mandatory for all truck drivers in Canada, and you need to get it before you can drive a truck with air brakes. To get an air brake endorsement, you must have a Class 1 driver’s license, pass a written and practical test, and pay the applicable fees. The requirements and fees may vary slightly depending on the province or territory where you apply.
- Get Other Endorsements and Certifications: Depending on the type of truck driving job you want, you may need to get other endorsements and certifications, such as a Dangerous Goods Endorsement, a Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Certificate, a FAST Card, a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR), or a National Safety Code (NSC) Certificate. These endorsements and certifications allow you to transport certain types of goods or materials, cross the border or enter certain areas, or operate a commercial vehicle in Canada. To get these endorsements and certifications, you need to meet the specific requirements pass the relevant tests and courses, and pay the applicable fees.
What Are the Benefits and Challenges of Being a Truck Driver in Canada?
Being a truck driver in Canada has its benefits and challenges, such as:
- Benefits:
- As mentioned above, you can enjoy the flexibility, independence, income, and opportunity that come with being a truck driver in Canada.
- You can also benefit from the perks and incentives that some trucking companies offer to their drivers, such as bonuses, health insurance, retirement plans, paid vacation, and more.
- You can also join a union or an association that represents and supports truck drivers in Canada, such as Teamsters Canada, the Canadian Trucking Alliance, or the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. These organizations can help you with issues such as wages, working conditions, safety, training, and advocacy.
- Challenges:
- You may have to deal with the stress and fatigue that come with driving long hours, often in harsh weather and traffic conditions. You may also have to cope with the loneliness and isolation that come with being away from your family and friends for extended periods of time.
- You may also have to face the risks and hazards that come with driving a large and heavy vehicle, such as accidents, injuries, breakdowns, theft, or vandalism. You may also have to deal with the liability and responsibility that come with transporting valuable or dangerous goods or materials.
- You may also have to comply with the strict and complex rules and regulations that govern the trucking industry in Canada, such as the hours of service, the weight and size limits, the logbooks, the inspections, the taxes, and the permits. You may also have to deal with the inspections and audits that are conducted by the authorities, such as the police, the border agents, or the transport ministry.
Conclusion
Becoming a truck driver in Canada is a great career choice for anyone who enjoys driving, traveling, and working independently.
Advertisement
However, it also requires meeting certain requirements and qualifications, getting trained and licensed, and facing some benefits and challenges.
References and Useful Links
Here are some references and useful links that you can check out for more information on how to become a truck driver in Canada: