Why should newcomers consider transport driver jobs?
Written By
Corinna Frattini
•
Mar 27, 2025
•
Career Pathways
Transport Truck Driver
Are you interested in a truck driving career in Canada? With a current shortage of about 20,000 truck drivers, it’s a high-demand occupation in Canada. Truck driving is an exciting career within a $67 billion industry and is essential to the country’s economy. To respond to the truck driver shortage, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) created a new transportation category and process for Canada’s Express Entry program. This focus on candidates with transport experience, including commercial truck drivers, will make it easier for you to immigrate to Canada. The new selection process also helps Canada to invite newcomers with driving experience to fill labour gaps and ensure the success of the transport sector. This overview provides information to research job requirements, learn about a truck driver salary in Canada, and much more!
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Transport Truck Driver
It’s vital to know and understand the steps you will have to take before you can work as a truck driver in Canada.
Before You Move to Canada to Pursue a Truck Driving Career
These are some general steps to take before you arrive in Canada:
Improve your English or French language skills (depending on your destination province). You will need to prove your language competency or be tested.
Take language classes while you’re in your home country and continue them when you arrive in Canada.
Research wage and compensation information to learn how much you can expect to make.
Research Canadian trucking companies and learn about the industry in Canada.
Join Canada’s Construction Workforce | BCCA
Do you want one-on-one coaching to help you continue your construction career in Canada before you arrive?
The Integrating Newcomers program is for you if you’re a technical professional e.g. tradesperson, engineer (in any discipline), architect, technician, technologist, project manager, estimator, or analyst. This Canada-wide service can help you get started!
What to Expect When Pursuing a Transport Truck Driver Job in Canada
It’s vital to know what you need to work as a truck driver. In Canada, you’ll need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). And employers usually require:
High school completion
Driver training from an accredited vocational school or community college.
A Class 3 or D license to drive straight-body trucks
A Class 1 or A license to drive long combination vehicles
Air brake endorsement (Z) to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes.
Canadian employers will also provide on-the-job training.
How to Obtain a Commercial Driving License in Canada
To get your CDL, you have to take driver training and meet the minimum age requirement in the province where you want to live. Generally, the minimum age to obtain a CDL in Canada is 18. However, in some provinces such as Ontario and Quebec, you must be 21. You will also have to pass a:
Medical exam to ensure you are physically fit to operate a commercial vehicle
Knowledge test that covers driving laws, traffic signs, and safe driving practices
Practical driving test that assesses your ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely.
Employment Outlook for Truck Drivers in Canada
According to Transport Canada, over 350,000 people work in the country’s trucking and logistics sectors and most are truck drivers. Even so, the Government of Canada Job Bank, predicts a labour shortage from 2022-2031. This means there will be job opportunities for newcomers with the right skills, experience, and qualifications.
Start Your Research with the Transport Truck Driver NOC Code 73300
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a general overview and standard definition of truck driver jobs in Canada. The five-digit NOC code 73300 applies to drivers such as:
Bulk goods truck driver
Flatbed truck driver
Heavy truck driver
Long haul truck driver, and more.
You can review this information to understand the main duties and transport driver job requirements.
Communication Skills Required for Trucking Jobs in Canada
Truck drivers need to be excellent drivers, but they also have to have strong communication skills. Foreign truck drivers require a minimum of Level 7 Canadian Language Benchmark score (CLB 7) in a language proficiency exam. Canadian employers look for friendly and assertive drivers who can communicate with customers and clients, dispatchers, and others.
You may need to upgrade your skills, including your soft skills for trucking jobs in Canada.
Language Training in Canada
Having strong skills in one or both of Canada’s official languages, English or French, is important for your success. Whether you choose to focus on improving English or French will depend on which of the two languages is most spoken in the area where you live.
You may be eligible for the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Or you can find other free or affordable classes in English as a Second Language (ESL) or French as a Second Language (FSL) classes through local school boards or settlement agencies.
Truck Driver Training Programs in Canada
Some colleges in Canada offer truck driving programs, or you can attend a program that private companies offer. However, be sure to verify that the program is government-approved to that you’re eligible to apply for your truck driving license once you graduate.
Trucking associations can be a valuable resource to help you advance your truck driving career. The following associations provide information, education programs, training materials, and webinars to help truck drivers stay informed about the ever-changing trucking industry in Canada.
The truck driver salary in Canada is based on your experience, qualifications, and the province where you work. On average, truck drivers make about $24.00 per hour (national average., according to Government of Canada Job Bank information.
The average base salary is about $61,468. But the yearly truck driver salary varies based on where you live in Canada. In addition to their yearly salary, truck drivers can also earn additional cash compensation and bonuses.
Long-haul truck driving typically pays the highest rates because of the extended hours on the road to cover large distances.
Transport Driver Salary in Canada
The provincial median wages are higher in Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, and Yukon Territory. Here are the most recent wages for transport drivers across Canada (click on the links in the table to see wage information by provincial regions.)
Best Provinces to Work as a Transport Driver in Canada
You can find transport driver jobs in most provinces and Canadian cities. However, the truck driver shortage is the greatest in Saskatchewan, and it has the highest number of trucking jobs per capita of any province.
Canada’s biggest provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia, also have many trucking jobs available. You can explore job prospects by province or territory to determine where to find the greatest demand for drivers.
Pursuing a Transport Driver Career in Canada
Canada offers different jobs to licensed truck drivers within two broad categories:
Long-haul drivers
Regional drivers.
Long-haul drivers transport goods between provinces and across the Canada-U.S. border. They usually drive across Canada and farther distances than regional drivers. For those with international truck driving experience, long-haul driving is a great opportunity to explore Canada’s different regions and cultural differences.
Regional drivers transport goods from one city to another within the province. A benefit for regional truck drivers is that they usually are not away from their families for long periods. Most regional drivers can return home each day, allowing for more time to spend with family and a greater work-life balance.
Truck drivers are the backbone of the global supply chain.
Trucking Companies in Canada
According to the Canada Trucking Alliance, There are about 4,500 carriers, owner-operators, and industry suppliers.
Some of the top trucking companies in Canada include:
Bison Transport (based out of Winnipeg with terminals in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Alberta.
Mullen Trucking Corp (based out of Adrie, Alberta)
Maritime Ontario (based out of Brampton, Ontario, with terminals in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec).
In addition to transportation companies, truck driver jobs are also available in manufacturing, distribution, and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies. Truck drivers can also be self-employed.
How to Find Your First Transport Driver Job in Canada
Searching for a job in Canada may be different than how you would search in your home country. So, you may need help with your job search. Fortunately, there are settlement services to help you search for jobs, update your resume, write cover letters, and prepare for job interviews.
Here are additional tips to search for trucking jobs in Canada:
Broaden your search and include cities across Canada
Join job-finding or networking groups through settlement agencies.
Attend career/job fairs, info sessions, and related conferences.
Browse online job boards to understand job requirements and current skills that employers are seeking.
Volunteer to gain Canadian work experience.
Seek out a mentor who could give you valuable advice and introduce you to their professional network.
Networking and building relationships with others will play an important role when searching for a job in Canada. So, take advantage of opportunities to network with others in the trucking industry. For example, when taking driving training, participate in class discussions and build relationships with classmates and instructors.
Networking plays a crucial role in learning about the trucking industry in Canada and tapping into job opportunities. Often, many companies do not advertise job vacancies, so networking is an effective way to tap into this ‘hidden job market.’ Connecting with others in the trucking industry will help discover jobs in the hidden job market.
LinkedIn is another valuable tool for networking. It allows you to reconnect with former colleagues and employers, search for companies and job openings, and receive introductions to others in the field.
When networking, it’s better if you avoid asking directly for a job. However, if your contacts are aware of any job leads, they will likely share that information with you. Your network can serve as a valuable resource to learn about job vacancies.
Resume Writing Tips for Transport Driver Jobs
When crafting your resume, it’s helpful to keep the needs of hiring managers in mind. Your resume should demonstrate your strong driving track record, time management skills, customer service skills, and technical skills and licenses.
Consider these resume writing tips to showcase your qualifications and stand out as a strong candidate:
Highlight both your technical skills and soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
List relevant skills, such as technical repair knowledge, and relevant licenses
Ask someone to review your resume and provide constructive input.
Here are some examples of phrases that you might include in your resume:
Completed regular truck maintenance, and created and updated a daily mileage schedule to improve vehicle reliability by 45%
Operated commercial vehicles for long-haul deliveries, maintaining an accident-free record across 100k+ km
Ensured all pick-up, delivery, and vehicle condition reports were completed accurately and timely.
Recorded routine truck and equipment maintenance, to reduce the risk of injury or malfunction.
Organized deliveries with manufacturers and supervisors to ensure cost-effective and efficient delivery.
Interview Techniques for Transport Driver Jobs
Driving a truck is a demanding job and can be stressful. Employers will want to assess your work history and safe driving skills. In addition, employers look for drivers with strong customer service skills and value the importance of road safety. You can expect to answer some of the following questions:
Describe your experience as a commercial truck driver. Your response can include any special licenses you have, the number of years that you have been driving, the distances you travelled, and any incidents that you had.
How do you maintain a safe driving environment? Your response can include driving practices that you follow to ensure that you drive safely. You can also talk about how you keep up with safe driving procedures.
How would you handle a major problem with a shipment? Your response can include how you responded to a shipment problem that you had in the past, and what actions you took to resolve it. This is also an opportunity to highlight your customer service skills, and your ability to deal with stressful situations.
Transport driver jobs are key to manufacturing, agriculture, and mining industries and linking Canadian businesses with the world. With a current shortage of about 20,000 drivers, trucking in Canada is a high-demand occupation. And, with an understanding of job requirements, career options, and a truck driver’s salary in Canada, this could be a great opportunity for you!
WRITTEN BY
Corinna Frattini
Senior Editor, Prepare for Canada
Corinna Frattini is the Senior Editor and Content Director for Prepare for Canada. She contributes articles to help newcomers achieve their goals in key areas related to living, working, and settling in Canada. With an extensive background in human resources and leadership development, her articles focus on what Canadian employers seek and how newcomers can continue their careers in Canada.
We use cookies to enhance your experience, analyze site traffic, and support marketing. Some are essential, while others are optional. By clicking "Allow All," you consent to all cookies. You can "Disable All" or adjust your choices in "Cookie Settings." Update preferences anytime in our Privacy Policy.
We and our partners use information collected through cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our site, analyse how you use it and for marketing purposes. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. In some cases, data obtained from cookies is shared with third parties for analytics or marketing reasons. You can exercise your right to opt-out of that sharing at any time by disabling cookies.
These cookies and scripts are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, suchas setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block oralert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
Analytics
These cookies and scripts allow us to count visits and traffic sources, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies and scripts, we will not know when you have visited our site.
Embedded Videos
These cookies and scripts may be set through our site by external video hosting services likeYouTube or Vimeo. They may be used to deliver video content on our website. It’s possible for the video provider to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on this or other websites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies or scripts it is possible that embedded video will not function as expected.
Google Fonts
Google Fonts is a font embedding service library. Google Fonts are stored on Google's CDN. The Google Fonts API is designed to limit the collection, storage, and use of end-user data to only what is needed to serve fonts efficiently. Use of Google Fonts API is unauthenticated. No cookies are sent by website visitors to the Google Fonts API. Requests to the Google Fonts API are made to resource-specific domains, such as fonts.googleapis.com or fonts.gstatic.com. This means your font requests are separate from and don't contain any credentials you send to google.com while using other Google services that are authenticated, such as Gmail.
Marketing
These cookies and scripts may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies and scripts, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Facebook Advanced Matching
Facebook Advanced Matching can improve ads attribution and conversion tracking. It can help us reach better-targeted custom audiences through our ads. When possible, we will share with Facebook hashed information like your name, phone, email, or address.
Facebook CAPI
Facebook Conversion API Events (CAPI) help us better understand how you interact with our websites. They allow us to measure the impact of our ads on the website's conversions and they improve ads targeting through custom audiences. When possible, we might share with Facebook information like name, email, phone, address.