Truck Drivers

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A Canadian secondary-school student can prepare for this work by taking English, math, and any vehicle, transportation, or shop courses available. After graduation, many people enter trucking through employer training or a truck-driving school, then gain experience on local or regional routes before moving to longer-haul work. A driver’s licence for the type of truck and route is usually needed, and requirements can vary by province, employer, and whether the job involves special cargo or larger vehicles. Early experience with safe driving, vehicle checks, and communication is helpful.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks, weighing over 4600 kg with three or more axles, to transport goods and material to destinations
• Oversee all aspects of vehicles, such as condition of equipment, loading and unloading, and safety and security of cargo
• Perform pre-trip inspection of vehicle systems and equipment such as tires, lights, brakes and cold storage
• Perform emergency roadside repairs
• Obtain special permits and other documents required to transport cargo on international routes
• Record cargo information, distance travelled, fuel consumption and other information in log book or on on-board computer
• Communicate with dispatcher and other drivers using two-way radio, cellular telephone and on-board computer
• May drive as part of a two-person team or convoy
• May transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.
• Operate and drive straight trucks to transport goods and materials over urban and short inter-urban routes
• May drive lighter, special purpose trucks such as tow trucks, dump trucks, hydrovac trucks or cement mixing trucks
• Perform pre-trip inspection and oversee all aspects of vehicles such as condition of equipment, and loading and unloading of cargo.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career