Canada

How to Immigrate to Work as a Truck Driver in Canada

If you are looking for one of the best countries to travel to and enjoy your career life, then Canada is probably your best bet! The country has a good health system, educational system, hospitable people and a high level of security. If you are a truck driver then you are in luck as Canada is in dire need of truck drivers. Truck drivers are not so many in Canada even if it is the second-largest country in the world. Hence, the country keeps looking for ways to immigrate them to reduce its shortage. This is one of the reasons truck driving is a lucrative career in Canada.

So if you are thinking of immigrating to Canadian to work as a truck driver, then it’s a good thing you are here! In this article, we would be discussing how to immigrate to work as a truck driver in Canada, what truck drivers do, their jobs, their duties, the requirements to meet to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver and other relevant information.

What do Truck Drivers do?

Under the National Occupation Code list (NOC), truck drivers are listed at 7511. They are responsible for the operation of heavy trucks in order to transport goods and materials on urban, interurban, international and provincial routes. In other words, they are transportation agents that deliver goods on behalf of the company across the country. Truck drivers are recruited by production, transportation, and distribution companies. However, some of them are self-employed, helping their own businesses.

Furthermore, they consist of transporters who move trailers and lorries to and from loading docks across and within truck yards.

What are the Duties of Truck Drivers?

Truck drivers are saddled with the following general responsibilities:

• Acquired documentation to transport goods, materials etc and organize trip logistics.

• Drive trucks to transport goods on the urban, interurban, and local routes across the country.

• Inspect equipment, accessories and parts of the vehicle such as engines, tires, brakes etc before embarking on a journey.

• Comply with safety regulations for the transportation of hazardous materials and ensure the proper security of cargo.

• Get special documents needed to transport cargo via international routes.

• Document cargo information, distance travelled, hours of service and amount of fuel consumed.

• Maintain log books and give out bills of lading.

• Converse with dispatchers, customers and other drivers using communication gadgets and devices.

• Perform vehicle repairs if need be.

• Drive special trucks including dump trucks, cement mixing trucks etc.

Why should you Consider Truck Driving in Canada?

• Travel while you work

Truck driving is an exciting opportunity to see the nature and thrills of Canada. You get to observe picturesque landscapes and cityscapes while getting paid as you work.

• Earn a good salary

As a truck driver your average salary per year is $46k which is a good pay for an entry-level job with the possibility of being increased and some bonus payments.

• Insurance

This would depend on your employer. Some employers permit you to obtain extra insurance coverage.

• Job security

Fortunately, truck drivers are in high demand in Canada and so once you have a job and you are good at what you do, you have a high chance of retaining it for long.

What are the Jobs of Truck Drivers in Canada?

The different job titles or positions you can assume as a truck driver in Canada are listed below:

• Automobile carrier driver

• Bulk goods truck driver

• Automobile transport driver

• Bulk truck driver

• Cement truck driver – construction

• Coal haulier (except underground mining)

• Dangerous goods truck driver

• Dump truck driver

• Escort – transportation

• Explosives truck driver

• Flatbed truck driver

• Freight truck driver

• Fuel oil truck driver

• Gasoline truck operator

• Gravel haulier

• Dumpster truck driver

• Gravel truck driver

• Groceries long haul driver

• Heavy truck driver

• Hydrovac truck operator

• Line-haul driver

• Logging truck driver

• Liquid fertilizer truck driver

• Log haulier

• Low-bed semi-trailer driver

• Mobile cement mixer driver

• Moving truck driver

• Log truck driver

• Muskeg tractor operator

• Oil transport driver

What Requirements does a Truck Driver Need to meet to Immigrate to Canada?

In order to immigrate to Canada and work as a truck driver, there are some specific and general requirements that must be met before you can be considered for the role. The specific requirements include:

• You must have completed high school

• Learning on the job is provided.

• You must have completed a driver training course from an accredited vocational school or community college. The duration of the course should be at least five months.

• You would require a Class 3 or D licence to operate straight body trucks.

• You would require Class 1 or A to operate long combination trucks

• You would require an air brake endorsement (Z) to drive trucks equipped with air brakes.

• You would require a Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certification before you can transport hazardous goods and materials.

• It is possible to move to supervisory roles or non-driving roles such as safety officer, truck dispatcher etc if you have additional training or experience.

What are the General Requirements for Working in Canada as a Truck Driver?

Apart from the specific requirements highlighted above to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver, the following are the general requirements you need to meet to work in Canada as a truck driver:

1. Language

Before you immigrate to Canada, you need to be accustomed to the Canadian way of life. You need to know how Canadians speak, write and read. You would have to prove your language proficiency, whether English or French through an exam which could be IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL, PTL etc.

2. Age

Generally, you have to be at least 18 years old to be able to work in Canada. However, the average age for truck drivers is between 18 – 35 years old.

3. Education

Becoming a truck driver in Canada does not require too much educational qualification. All you would need to qualify to be one is a high school education at least. However, many employers would require you to have completed a driver training course of up to 5 months duration. In addition, to validate your educational qualification, you would need a report from the Educational Credential Assessment ( ECA).

4. Work experience

For such a sensitive career as truck driving, it is necessary to have a previous work experience in Canada. Most employers would require you to have worked for at least three years to qualify for the role.

5. Adaptability

This is one major requirement to be able to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver. You would have to prove that you can adapt to the Canadian weather and conditions by providing a medical report.

6. Your partner’s ability or skills

It could be a plus for you if your partner already has work experience, language proficiency and skills. With this, your chances to move into Canada increase and your CRS points are boosted.

What are the Steps to Move to Canada as a Truck Driver?

Before we consider the steps to move into Canada as a truck driver,it is pertinent to discuss the available options to immigrate toCanada as a truck driver. The Canadian government has provided different programs to make the experience easier for individuals who want to immigrate to Canada as truck drivers. Through these programs, you would be eligible to reside and work in Canada. These programs include:

1. Express Entry

This is one of the commonest alternatives to immigrate to Canada.Express Entry is made accessible by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The program is tailored for individuals who want to migrate to Canada to apply for permanent residency.

The Express Entry program is grouped into 3 categories:

• Canada experience class

• Federal skilled worker program

• Federal skilled trades program

Note that you can immigrate to Canada if you want to work as a truck driver through the Federal Skilled Program. Also, the IRCC is responsible for assessing, recruiting and selecting candidates who fulfil the requirements under the three economic programs highlighted above.

2. Provincial Nominee Program ( PNP)

If you are a potential immigrant seeking to live and work in a particular province, then this is for you. Bear in mind that every Canadian province has its own PNP with different requirements to tackle its labour shortages. As soon as you qualify for any Canadian provincial nomination, you will be able to reside and work in that particular province for a period of two years. Then you can move to anywhere else you like in Canada. This option can add value to your immigration process as it is often faster and delivers 600 additional points to your CRS score.

Some Provincial Nominee Programs include:

• Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)

• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)

• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)

• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)

• Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)

• Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)

• Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)

• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)

• Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP)

• Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

3. Job Offer

If you want to move to Canada as a truck driver, it is best to secure a legitimate job first. This would make it easier for you to immigrate without any hassles. Also, your employer must obtain a certificate from the Labour Market Impact Assessment before you are employed.

4. Quebec Experience Class

If you desire to reside in Quebec, then this is for you. Note that Quebec is a French-speaking province and you must provide proof of your proficiency in the French language.

5. Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Another pathway to immigrate to Canada and work as a truck driver is through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This program permits non-Canadians or individuals who do not have permanent residency to work in places where there are labour shortages. However, if you are going through this method, you have to apply for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This can be called a confirmation letter and it would show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill in the position. The TPWP gives you the temporary opportunity to gain Canada PR in the future.

6. Atlantic Immigration Pilot

If you are seeking permanent residency in one of the four Atlantic provinces in Canada, then this may be your best bet. These provinces include Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The Atlantic Immigration Pilot program is also open to international graduates who finished their studies in any of the above provinces.

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot has three other programs namely:

• Atlantic International Graduate Program

• Atlantic High-Skilled Program

• Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program

However, if you desire to work as a truck driver in Canada, the program you should give close attention to is the Atlantic Intermediate Skilled Program.

To successfully apply for the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program you need to:

• Get at least one year of experience working in a job that requires a high school diploma or on-the-job training.

• Have a high school diploma that is equivalent to a Canadian credential. You’ll need to submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to demonstrate this.

• To establish that you are fluent enough in English or French to work and live in Canada, you must take an approved language exam.

• Whether or not your dependents are joining you in Canada, you must show proof of sufficient finances to maintain yourself and your dependents.

• Check to ensure you meet the standards if you wish to work as a truck driver in one of these provinces.

What are the Steps to move to Canada as a Truck Driver?

Step 1: You need to open an Express Entry account

This can be done when you visit the IRCC site. You would find all the information you seek there as well as directions to open an Express Entry account.

Step 2: Select a Program

Select any of the alternatives above suitable for your needs.

Step 3: Discover a job offer

Finding a legitimate job offer can enable you to immigrate to Canada easily and work as a truck driver. Having a job offer before you immigrate hints the Canadian government that you would not cause burdens to the country.

Step 4: Obtain an ITA (Invitation to Apply)

Once you have created the account and filled in the correct information, you may receive an invitation to apply. You can also get this if your CRS score is well above average. You can then apply for PR.

Step 5: Submit your application and support with the relevant documents

Once, you receive your ITA, ensure you respond to it as soon as possible. This response should be within the next 60 days and if you fail to do so, you may lose your slot. You would also be required to pay CAD 150 as your application fee.

Step 6: Acquire your work permit

You would need your work permit to work in Canada. This would be given to you at your port of entry.

Conclusion

Truck drivers play a huge role in companies as they transport goods from one place to another. Thus, there is a high demand for truck drivers in Canada. So, if you have been looking for ways to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver then we have made things easier for you, providing you with all the information you need so you have no troubles. All you need to do is to follow all the guidelines in this article and start your journey hitch-free!