Work as a truck driver in Canada

Learn about the working conditions and salaries for the most in-demand profession in Canada – truck driver.

It's no exaggeration to say that truck driver is the most in-demand profession in Canada. If you have work experience, you can easily move to Canada, get a job and get permanent residency in the future. However, even if you have never worked as a truck driver, it is enough to learn this occupation. Some people even switch from being a programmer to a truck driver in order to immigrate to Canada.

In this article, we'll look at:

the wage levels of truckers in Canada;
what truckers do during working hours;
employment requirements;
where to look for jobs;
how to get to work;
immigration options for truckers;
the success story of a real person.

Canada is a country of great distances. Every day thousands of trucks transport goods from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific, from the southern prairies to the northern, most remote regions. Truck drivers are in short supply, and Canadian authorities are actively seeking such workers among immigrants.

Wages for truckers in Canada

According to neuvoo.ca, the average wage for a truck driver in Canada is $48,750 CAD per year or $4,060 CAD per month ($25 CAD per hour). Beginning truck drivers earn about $41,000 CAD per year ($3,400 CAD per month) while most experienced drivers have a salary of up to $68,000 CAD per year ($5,700 CAD per month).

You can compare the approximate wages of truck drivers in Canada and USA.

Apart from the fact that truckers get salaries higher than the market average, good working conditions are arranged for drivers. For example, if a truck breaks down and the trucker is unable to go on a trip, he will still receive a salary at the rate of 50 hours a week. Moreover, those who work as drivers do not do the repairs themselves. They call a dispatcher, who contacts the nearest service center and sends a repairman. In Canada, there is a strict division of labour, and no one does the work for other people.

Occupational Description

What do long-haul truck drivers do? According to the Canadian Occupational Handbook, truck drivers in Canada

Operate and drive mainly heavy-duty vehicles over 4500 kg for long-distance transport of goods and materials.
Plan the logistics of the trip and obtain the necessary documentation to transport the goods.
Perform checks on vehicle systems, equipment and accessories such as tires, lights and turn signals, brakes and cooler.
Ensure cargo is properly secured in accordance with safety requirements and follow safety procedures when transporting dangerous goods.
Obtain special permits and other documents required for the transport of goods on international routes.
Records load information, operating hours, distance travelled and fuel consumption.
Maintain records of bills of lading and manual or electronic logs.
Communicate with the dispatcher, other drivers and customers using communication devices and on-board computers.
Can carry out emergency road repairs.
Can ride as part of a two-person team or convoy.
May carry hazardous products or dangerous goods.