The choice is between community colleges with trucking courses and private schools that can sometimes work with trucking companies (like many local college programs). Some private schools don’t seem to have the best reputation, so the opinion seems to be a bit in favor of the colleges. Most programs are approximately 3 months long and require over 100 hours of training and may include, for example, additional airbrake training or include a MELT (compulsory entry level training) program. With that in mind, let’s look at some suggestions.

How to find a good driving school in Canada?

You can easily find them on the Internet. Here are some tips for filling your pump:

What are the expected costs?

Most truck driving programs and courses will set you back between $5,000 and $15,000. Yes, it’s expensive for a course that can last a month or two, but it’s mandatory. However, you can seek funding, especially from an employer who is willing to offer you a truck driver job and pay for at least part of your training. Here are some funding options available in Canada:

  • Canada and Ontario Job Grant (COJG): Provides financial support to employers who wish to provide short-term training to their existing and new employees. If you can get a trucking company in Ontario to offer you a job, this program will help the company pay the cost of your truck driving course.
  • Second Career: This covers living expenses and helps with training for unemployed and laid-off workers in Ontario.
  • Ontario Works: Also helps with the cost of training programs for recipients of this program.
  • Work BC – British Columbia Employer Training Grant – provides an employer up to $10,000 per employee to cover up to 80% of the cost of training. This is done to help employees improve their skills.
  • Canada and Alberta Job Grant (CAJG): This is similar to the COJG and requires the employer to apply on behalf of current and future employees for funding for their training costs. Funding is provided by the government under the Workforce Development Agreement. The government finances 2/3 of the cost and the employer finances 1/3 of the cost. If the worker is an unemployed Albertan citizen, then the government can fund up to 100% of the cost.

good school vs bad

The main standard for evaluating truck driving schools is  MELT  ,  Compulsory Entry Level Training  . Over the past few years, many provinces have changed their school standards for grades 1/A in Ontario commercial licenses to those set by MELT. For example:

  • MELT in British Columbia requires you to complete 140 hours of total time in class and on the road.
  • MELT in Ontario requires 103.5 hours of instruction in the classroom and on the road.
  • MELT in Saskatchewan requires a total of 121.5 hours of training, including in class and on the road.
  • MELT in Alberta requires 113 hours of total learning time.
  • MELTS in Manitoba requires 121.5 hours of total learning time.

Make sure your school adheres to these standards, depending on the province in which it is located.

Ask yourself if the school is a member of a trade association? For example, Truck Training Schools of Ontario or TTSAO in Ontario.

Ask if the school will take care of the testing. Or do they just provide training and send you to another place for testing?

Some private schools associated with several transport companies have a reputation for producing unqualified drivers without the necessary training for road work in Canada. While they may offer you an immediate job, make sure you don’t get stuck in a low-paying job with poor preparation that will put you at a disadvantage in the future. Truck training programs at community colleges tend to take longer, but they tend to work better.

Sample resume for truck driver in Canada.

This first section of no more than one or two paragraphs will be what makes someone decide to contact you or toss your resume aside. Get it right, for yourself.

NAME

Truck driver with –  type of license (with approvals if possible)

One or two easy-to-read sentences that describe your skills and any references you have. Use positive adjectives such as  fast, reliable, punctual  , or phrases such as ”  well versed in vehicle maintenance and inspection.”

CONTACT INFORMATION

Leave at least 2 ways to contact you: phone and email, add your whatsapp if you want.

The following sections have added information about your work experience, your education, and any certifications you may have. List your most recent work first, and work your way back to earlier work as you go down the page. The more experience you have, the more you will know what to write. Do not overdo it. Briefly list your responsibilities, focusing on the functions you performed.

Truck Driving Schools Abroad (Meeting Canadian Standards)

As we mentioned elsewhere, you will need to take a course of study and pass exams when you move to Canada. An overseas truck driving school may mean that you have a bit more experience and knowledge than someone starting from scratch. But remember that each country and each province/territory of Canada has slightly, and sometimes significantly, different regulations. Let’s just assume that you have to study and practice in Canada to become a truck driver.

How to become a truck driver in Canada

Read our  step-by-step guide  on how to get a job as a truck driver, whether you’re a person already living in Canada or a foreigner planning to move here. What you need to keep in mind is that truck driving is often a full time job and mostly paid. Usually it’s not about freedom of movement because you’re tied to a tight schedule and always trying to make sure you keep up with your deliveries.

It may be your childhood dream job, but the reality is a little different. Do you have what it takes to be a truck driver in Canada? Keep reading for the answers, because one thing is certain: Canada will need thousands of new truck drivers in the coming years. For example,  The Way Forward: Addressing Labor Shortage in Canada’s Freight and Logistics Industry  , based on a study by the Conference Board of Canada, suggests at least 25,000 job openings to be filled over the next few years.

First of all, let’s look at the pros and cons of this industry:

pros

  • good pay
  • Get the chance to see most of the country and most of the US
  • Strong demand for new drivers over the next decade
  • Can choose what work to do, although this will require some experience before you can choose work.

Minuses

  • long hours
  • Away from home for up to several weeks
  • Difficult driving conditions
  • Obligations to Pay for Your Large Rig and Cover Your Expenses – If You Are an Owner-Operator

How to become a truck driver in Canada for foreigners?

Even if you are a foreign truck driver who has experience and qualifications from your home country, you generally need to have your credentials recognized by provincial or territorial authorities before you can drive a truck in Canada. We will cover the basic steps for those who want to move to Canada to become a truck driver.

The main difference is that you must be admitted through one of Canada’s immigration streams, which often means you’ll be offered a job offer in Canada. Most foreigners interested in truck driving already have some experience. So the question is whether you can get any of your Canadian accepted credentials.

Basic requirements for foreigners to drive a truck in Canada

Remember, however, that the Canadian immigration authorities will have to take you in whichever direction you choose to apply. Because of this, the best way is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), if one exists. For example:

  • In British Columbia, you can apply through the entry level and semi-skilled categories for a job as a truck driver as a route to permanent residence. To qualify, you must:
    • Have a permanent full-time job offer
    • You have previously worked for your employer for at least 9 consecutive months, which means you must already be in Canada on a temporary work permit.
    • Be licensed or certified to do your job
    • Get paid according to existing provincial wage rates for this job.
    • Compliance with language requirements (proficiency in English) and education (high school completed)
    • Know how to support your family
    • Have legal status in Canada
    • To get started,  go to BCPNP Online  , register and start building your profile.
  • In Alberta, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) has several streams for workers. The Opportunity Stream is for foreign workers already living in Alberta, working full-time and with a permanent job offer from a qualified employer. You must also:
    • Have a positive LMIA (Labor Market Impact Assessment) or LMIA exemption
    • Not be a refugee claimant
    • Do not reside in another province or territory
    • Have valid temporary legal status in Canada
    • Be the right profession in Alberta – truck drivers are eligible. According to the Alberta government, taxi drivers and limousine drivers are not eligible.
    • You will need 4 CLB points in all English (or French) skills. This means: IELTS 4.5 for listening, 3.5 for reading and 4.0 for speaking and writing.
    • Have completed secondary education equivalent to an Alberta high school level and have a Certificate of Education (ECA) attestation from a  recognized educational qualification assessment provider  .
    • Have at least 12 months of experience as a truck driver in Alberta in the past 18 months OR have at least 24 months of Canadian or overseas experience in the past 30 months.
  • In  Saskatchewan,  the provincial trucker program offers you the option of permanent residency, similar to British Columbia and Alberta, but the requirements are a bit simpler. You must have worked as a full-time temporary foreign worker for a total of 6 months before applying for PR status as soon as your company offers you a permanent full-time job. In addition, you must:
    • Have a 1A Saskatchewan driver’s license
    • Have a permanent full-time job offer from an approved employer in Saskatchewan.
    • Have a CLB English test score of 4 or higher (See equivalent IELTS scores directly above in the Alberta program)
    • Have a valid SINP (Saskatchewan Immigrant Program) letter of approval.
    • Go here  to open an account with SINP Online and start the process.
  • In  Manitoba  , employers  who wish to hire foreign workers as truck drivers must now meet some increased requirements, including:
    • Get a positive LMIA within the last 12 months
    • Previously used the Canadian Job Bank to advertise a job with a normal salary.
    • Qualify for Compulsory Elementary Education (MELT) under the Manitoba Public Insurance Framework.
    • Hire international truck drivers from countries with standards similar to North America.
    • Comply with the Manitoba Recruitment and Worker Protection Act (WRAPA)
    • Prove to the Manitoba Employment Service that the International Truck Driver was NOT required to pay to get a job at any stage of the recruitment process.
    • Show good experience in hiring international truck drivers in the past

Truck drivers themselves in Manitoba must:

  • Be between the ages of 21 and 50
  • Work for at least 3 years in a jurisdiction with standards similar to Manitoba.
  • Provide letters of recommendation and other evidence of employment
  • Have a valid English language test (eg IELTS) of CLB 5 standards (this is more difficult than British Columbia, Alberta or Saskatchewan)
  • Be fully vetted in a video conference by an employer who wants to hire you
  • Fully disclose any paid representative who assists you at any stage of the recruitment and immigration process.

In other words, Manitoba might not be the best choice for you if you don’t feel like you meet their tougher standards.

  • In Ontario, the in-demand skills flow allows foreign workers both in Ontario and abroad to apply for permanent residence. You need a job offer in Ontario and then you must register on the OINP Expression of Interest System Online Portal of the Ontario Immigration Program. You submit your profile on the portal, receive an invitation to apply, and then apply for a nomination in the Ontario program. You are then checked by the IRCC and hopefully they will approve your application for permanent residence as a truck driver in Ontario. Your job offer must:
    • Complete and permanent
    • In a suitable profession (truck drivers are eligible)
    • Your job is NOT limited to being outside of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) like some other professions.
    • You should be paid the average wage
    • Your position must be urgently needed by your employer
    • Your job must be located in Ontario.

A truck driver in Ontario must:

  • Received ITA from  OINP
  • Be qualified to Canadian standards
  • Have at least 9 months work experience in the last 3 years
  • Possess or obtain a valid Ontario commercial driver’s license
  • Have the language requirements of CLB 4, confirmed by a test such as IELTS.
  • Have completed high school or its equivalent abroad and also provided an ECA (Education Assessment)

There are programs in Quebec and the Maritimes with similar requirements, except for the obvious language requirements in Quebec (you must speak French).

*Please note that this study was completed in early 2023 and PNP programs are constantly changing. Do your own research before moving forward.

Step 1: Get a job offer in Canada.

You will need to find a company willing to hire you from overseas and make sure you meet their requirements. However, this will not be as difficult as it might seem, given the huge demand for truck drivers expected over the next decade, as retiring drivers and a growing economy leave many jobs unfilled. Review the job requirements for provincial PhD programs. As long as you meet these requirements, you should be in good shape with respect to the requirements of any company. Also be sure to make sure you know what type of driver’s license you need – typically class 1 for longer tractor trailers or semi-trailers and class 3 for small straight bodied trucks.

If you will be driving a truck with air brakes, you will need an air brake permit from the provincial regulatory authority. You will also need a TDG (Transport of Dangerous Goods) certificate if you will be transporting things such as hazardous materials or flammable products. However, these types of jobs usually require several years of Canadian work experience, so it’s unlikely that you’ll start with these types of jobs.

Tip: Another option is to get a temporary work permit for simpler trucking, which you can start with – like delivering a truck around the city or a tow truck, work for about a year, and then try to find a permanent full-time job and start working. the process of applying for PNP or directly for Express Entry. Keep in mind that if you receive a provincial nomination, your chances of getting permanent residency with the IRCC will skyrocket.

Step 2: Register and apply through the provincial online portal.

Don’t forget to take an English language test – since you will be abroad, we recommend IELTS. See above for required scores. You will also need to obtain an ECA or Certificate of Education for your secondary school. More information about ECA can be found here  .

Step 3: Apply to IRCC

With a provincial nomination in hand, you then apply to the IRCC for permanent residence. As someone in an in-demand profession like truck driving, your chances of getting a PR card should be pretty good.

Step 4: Pack your bags

Once you are in Canada, you will need to obtain a commercial driver’s license (Class 1/Class A in Ontario and Class 3/Class D in Ontario) and any certificates or other licenses required by the province. Then you will literally be good to go. See our first FAQ below for more information on driving licenses from abroad.

Step 5: QUICK Map

The FAST (Free and Secure Trade) card allows commercial drivers to get to the USMCA Canada/US and US/Mexico borders faster. You must go through a pre-screening process which, once approved, simplifies customs and immigration controls at the border.

Remember that there are 2 FAST Card programs – one for the Canada/US border and one for the US/Mexico border. If you are also going to drive in Mexico, you will need to apply for  both  cards, provided you are eligible.

Canada/USA FAST Card Compliance

Ask Immigroup to help you get a Fast Card,  click here  .

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada or the United States
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a commercial driver’s license
  • Be admitted to both Canada and the United States (have no criminal record)
  • Some permanent residents may require a visa to enter Canada or the United States, depending on their country of residence.

US/Mexico FAST Card Compliance

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada, the United States, or Mexico
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a commercial driver’s license
  • Be eligible to enter the US (no criminal record)
  • Some permanent residents may require a visa to enter the United States or Mexico, depending on their country of residence.

Go here for our guide on how to apply for a FAST card  .

FAQ

Can I get a truck driver job in Canada if I don’t have a license yet?

Some unscrupulous operators may offer you work without asking for a license, but this is rare and should be avoided. If someone did and you agreed, it would be a great way to get caught and deported if the police stop you, for example, for a traffic violation. So while it’s unlikely that someone will offer you a job without a license, don’t accept any offer unless they ask for your license.

Truck Driving Schools Abroad (Meeting Canadian Standards)

You will still need to complete a course of study and pass exams when you move to Canada. The only advantage is that you may have more experience and knowledge than someone who starts from scratch. However, please be aware that each country and each province/territory in Canada has slightly, and sometimes significantly, different regulations. Always assume that you will have to study and practice in Canada to become a truck driver.

Can I get a sponsored visa as a truck driver in Canada?

Not really, but you can get a provincial nomination if you have a job offer and meet the other requirements.

truck driver salary in canada

In Canada, time is money and truck drivers know this better than anyone. Sometimes they are paid by the hour, although companies also pay per kilometer. Some companies even combine hourly and mileage pay. In many surveys of trucker wages in Canada, the amounts are usually given on an hourly basis. The national average is about 25 Canadian dollars an hour, but you get a lot of variation depending on where you work, who you work for, and your experience. For the difference between hourly pay and hourly pay, see our section:  Urban vs. rural jobs  , and our section on owner-operators. You’ll find both below our regional breakdown of hourly salaries.

According to Indeed.com  ,  here are  the top 10 highest paying  trucking/transport companies in Canada:

  • RWR Trucking Inc. – Environmental decontamination and excavation –  $40.12  per hour.
  • Triple Eight Transport – Variable Speed ​​Supply Chain and Cross Border Freight –  $35.52.
  • Bulldog Energy Group – based in Western Canada, active in the energy sector –  $34.60.
  • Pride Group Logistics – Transportation and logistics based in Mississauga, Ontario –  $34.55.
  • Sanjel Energy Services – Energy, mining and utilities based in Calgary –  $32.95.
  • Parkland Corporation – Energy, Mining & Utilities, also in Calgary –  $32.59.
  • Armstrong Top Pack Ltd. – Food and drink, Ontario –  $31.57.
  • The Miller Group – Construction in Canada and the United States, headquartered in Markham, Ontario –  $31.42.
  • Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. – Transportation and Logistics located in Kamloops, British Columbia –  $31.36.
  • Caron Transportation Systems – Transport and Logistics located in Alberta –  $31.80.

Truck driver pay by province

BC:  The annual salary for movers in the Vancouver area is just under $58,000 a year and ranges from $40,000 to $80,000 a year.  Hourly rates vary widely, from under $20 an hour to almost $40 an hour, depending on who you work for and your experience, according to Glassdoor  . However, most companies in the province offer prices between $25 and $35.

Alberta:  Hourly rates are very similar to those in British Columbia, ranging from $20 an hour to $35 or $36 an hour. To get a really juicy salary, you should look for fuel truck drivers who can earn over $100,000 a year.

Saskatchewan:  In this prairie province, the median base salary — according to Indeed.com — is just under $28, above the national average. Of course, this also applies to average hourly wages in British Columbia and Alberta, where wages often exceed $30 an hour.

Manitoba:  Surprisingly, given the numbers in Saskatchewan and Alberta, the average wage in Manitoba (again according to Indeed.com) is significantly lower at just under $23 an hour. It seems that the farther north in the province, the lower the salary. For example, in Brandon, located in the southwest corner of the province close to the Saskatchewan border, the average rate is over $26 an hour, while up north in Thompson, you get under $24 an hour. And in Winnipeg, rates are surprisingly low — just over $22 an hour.

Ontario:  In Canada’s largest province, you can expect a lot of competition as well as a lot of demand for drivers, which tends to keep rates in a pretty tight range. The average base salary is just over $24 – according to Indeed.com – and local rates range from under $24 in London, Ontario to almost $26 in  Guelph  . It’s not a big difference for two cities about an hour apart, but keep in mind that Guelph is more of an agricultural center than London, so this can create additional demand for truck drivers.

Quebec:  Driving a truck in Quebec pays less than in Ontario or the Western provinces. While average rates are similar to Ontario at just over $24, and rates in the city of Montreal are over $24 an hour, rates in Greater Montreal, frankly, suck. In  Dorval  (where Montreal’s airport is located, so it’s a transportation hub) you get paid less than $22 an hour on average, while in  Laval  (a suburb north of the city) you get paid just under $23 an hour on average. Gatineau– across the river from Ottawa – better for $25. But Pointe Clair on the western edge of the island of Montreal pays an average of just over $21.50, and heading south and east towards the eastern towns of Quebec and the New York and Vermont borders earns a meager wage of just over $18.50. dollars a year. Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

New Brunswick:  We’re in the Maritimes now, so the cost of living, especially housing, is a bit lower, and salaries tend to reflect this. In New Brunswick, the average rate is just under $22 an hour. In  the Woodstock area  – a transportation hub near the Maine border and junctions with U.S. Interstate 95 and the Trans-Canada  Highway  – you have some wages equal to almost $40 on really. com, but these are emissions for drivers with international experience who are eligible to drive in the US. Most salaries are around $22 or even just under $20.

Nova Scotia:  The median wage is slightly lower compared to New Brunswick, with the median wage being less than $20 and most salaries around $21. For example, in Halifax, Sydney, and  Truro  , wages are just under $21.50.

PEI:  Very similar to Nova Scotia where the average is less than $22 and some areas pay less than $20 an hour.

Newfoundland and Labrador:  Same as Newfoundland with an hourly rate of about $22 in St. John’s and about $20 or less in the rest of the province.

Yukon:  Even though the average hourly rate is around $30, remember that life in the Yukon (and in the Northwestern state as well as Nunavut) is quite expensive. You have to pay truck drivers to transport goods in 30-40° below zero in winter over long and sparsely populated distances. So your net savings may not be much different than, say, Alberta, but there is no doubt that there is a demand for truckers in the High North and Northwest.

Northwest Territories:  Average wages are just under $30, so basically identical to Yukon, but the same observations about working conditions and cost of living as in Yukon hold true here.

Nunavut:  Can you go further north than the Yukon? Yes you can. Travel to Nunavut! Unfortunately, there is a bit less demand for truckers given the very small population in this large Arctic area, and as a result the average rate is slightly lower at around $27.50. Life in Nunavut is cold and expensive, but here you can get valuable experience as a truck driver. Do you dare?

By experience

Obviously your salary increases with experience. But there is something even more important. You won’t even be offered many trucking jobs, especially long haul and HAZARD jobs, unless you have at least a few years of experience as a truck driver. Here’s what  the Canadian Job Bank notes  :

“Employers in this industry rarely hire young people under the age of 25 due to experience requirements and higher insurance costs.”

So the question is, how do you get the experience you need to get a decent job in trucking? To find the answer, see our chapter:  How to become a truck driver? Scroll down to the FAQ section to learn how to get your first experience with some of the easier jobs.

FAQ

Truck loans and truck loans in Canada.

  • Truck Ownership Loan: No one wants to face a cash crunch, but it does happen from time to time, especially if you’re an owner-operator who has to look for a job on your own. A truck secured loan is a short term loan (3 months to 3 years to repay) using your truck as collateral. Think carefully before you get one because you are taking out a mortgage on your rig and you need to be very sure that you will have enough work to pay off the loan or else the finance company could become the owner of your rig.
  • Truck loans in general: This can include anything from a smaller loan to help pay for needed repairs to your car, to getting a loan to buy your truck (which usually includes a down payment, like a mortgage on a house). This may also include refinancing your existing truck loan, which is always an option if you can find a better rate with another finance company.

Large and small trucking companies in Canada.

It really depends on what kind of driving style you plan to do. If you are focused on long haul transportation, then you should probably consider a larger company that gives you more options and more routes to choose from. This means you will need a Class 1 license (Class A in Ontario) to drive a tractor-trailer.

If you’re more interested in short-distance city work when you return home every night, then a few smaller companies based in your preferred area may be a good fit. However, remember that transport operators require a lot of equipment and overhead, and small companies with only one or two trucks cannot always offer you this.

If, on the other hand, you are an owner-operator, then you choose which company to work for based on their rates and type of work.

Whichever company – large, medium or small – you choose, be sure to ask:

  • Do they offer Less than a Truck (LTL)? If you’re paid in percentage, it’s not the highest paying job, but it can be useful when you need to take on extra work in any given month.
  • Do they offer jobs for LCVs (Long Combination Vehicles)? If they do, you will definitely need a Class 1/A license and experience with these oversized rigs. But pay should be above average.
  • Do they host singles and teams? In other words, are you comfortable working in a team of two drivers? Or do you prefer to do the work yourself?
  • Do they have flatbed trucks or temperature controlled trucks? This will be determined by what type of load they tend to carry. Don’t forget to find out if you will need proof of aerodynamic brakes on your license (usually denoted by a Z).
  • Do they pay per mile/kilometer or per hour or both?
Truck driving schools in Canada. How to become a truck driver in Canada. truck driver salary in Canada