How to Find Jobs in Canada
as a Truck Driver

Canada is now in rising demand for truck drivers. Immigrants are needed to fill the gaps left by a low population. As a result, the government is now opening its doors to allowing more immigrants to enter Canada. As a result, more than a million additional employees are expected to be hired during the next three years. Want to be one of them? If you wish to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver, this article discusses everything you’ll need to know on why you should and how you can!

Foreign Truck Drivers in Canada

There’s plenty of reasons why you should become a truck driver in Canada!  Your options as a truck driver can vary depending on your skills; the same goes for your salary. It’s best to choose truck driver jobs that require you to travel greater distances for more compensation. For example, some drives last month, while others are just a week long. If you want to work longer or take fewer days off each month, it’s also easy to negotiate with your employer. To give you a better idea of what to expect when working in Canada as a truck driver, we’ve provided some basic information on this specific occupation:

NOC CODE: 7511 

Average Salary: $55,000 and $70,000 CAD

Main Responsibilities:

Published on August 11, 2021

Table of Contents

Long-haul transport truck drivers

  • Transport products and commodities over long distances using tractor-trailers, long-combination vehicles, and straight-body trucks weighing above 4500 kg.
  • Arrange trip logistics and get the necessary documents for transporting items.
  • Inspect vehicle systems, equipment, and accessories such as tires, lights, brakes, and cold storage before, during, and after the journey.
  • Ensure cargo is secured correctly and follow safety measures for moving hazardous items.
  • Acquire special permits and other documents for transporting cargo internationally.
  • Keep track of cargo information, service hours, mileage, and fuel usage.
  • Maintain bills of lading and log books manually or electronically.
  • Contact dispatcher, other drivers, and customers through road-safe communication devices and  onboard computers.
  • Should perform emergency roadside repairs if needed.
  • May lead a two-person team or convoy.
  • Can carry hazardous items.
Working as a truck driver in Canada
Truck drivers in Canada can earn an average of $55,000 CAD.

Short-haul and local transport truck drivers

  • Use straight trucks to transport goods and commodities through local and inter-urban routes.
  • Conduct pre-trip, en route, and post-trip inspections and supervise vehicle maintenance, equipment, and cargo loading and unloading.
  • Ability to drive tow trucks, dump trucks, hydrovac vehicles, or cement mixing trucks.

Immigration Programs for Truck Drivers

Move to Canada via special immigration program
Truck drivers can choose from 4 immigration pathways for work in Canada.

There are many pathways for you to choose from if you wish to come to Canada as a truck driver! We’ve provided 4 programs for you to choose from:

Provincial Nominee Program

(click for more info)
This particular pathway gives truck drivers choose a specific province they wish to immigrate to! Take note that PNP candidates must have a full-time job offer in their chosen province. Each province or territory has its own PNP with certain criteria, so it's best to make sure you meet each province's requirement before applying.

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot

(click for more info)
If you wish to immigrate to one of the 11 communities that participate in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot then this program will be the best pathway for you. It allows truck drivers to work in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan where this position is highly in-demand.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot

(click for more info)
The Atlantic Immigration Pilot (AIP) allows highly and intermediate-skilled foreign individuals with legitimate Canadian employment offers to come to Canada. You must apply via the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program and fulfill the requested requirements.

Temporary Foreign Worker Program

(click for more info)
Another way to become a permanent resident of Canada as a truck driver, you need to apply for the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). This program allows truck drivers to fill in-demand positions needed by Canadian employers.

Benefits of Working in Canada as a Truck Driver

Don’t think there could be many advantages to working in Canada as a truck driver? Think again! There are plenty of reasons why you should, and we’re here to lay down the top 7 benefits for you.

  1. The chance to experience travel and adventure simultaneously.
  2. Driving a truck on your own allows you to work without an upper management to micromanage your every move.
  3. You have the ability to select how long you want to be on the road.
  4. The potential to receive a high compensation, depending on your work experience.
  5. Truck drivers are constantly required, particularly today in the e-commerce sector, ensuring job security.
  6. You don’t have to work 9-5. Work hours are usually flexible for truck drivers in Canada.
  7. Some jobs may include a co-driver, giving you an additional person to talk to during those long lonely drives.
CanadaCIS - Wage guide for Truck drivers
Salary in Canada depends on several factors, one of them is location.

Work and Immigration Requirements for Truck Drivers in Canada

  • High school diploma or GED is needed.
  • Completion of on-the-job training.
  • A three-month certified driver training course at a trade school or community college (optional)
  • Class 3 or D license for truck drivers who wish to drive straight-body trucks.
  • Class 1 or A license for truck drivers who wish to drive long combination vehicles.
  • Drivers of trucks with air brakes must have an air brake endorsement 
  • Drivers transporting hazardous items or risky commodities may need additional endorsements or certifications.

Not only will you be needing the requirements above, your eligibility to work in Canada will also be based on the total immigration points you’ll receive. Want to calculate your total score for the Truck driver point score requirements?
Click on the image below to download our FREE Downloadable Points Calculation Guide.

CanadaCIS Point System Calculation Cheatsheet for Truck Driver Immigrants
Canada CIS Point System Calculation Cheatsheet for Truck Driver Immigrants

The Best Provinces to Find Jobs in Canada for Truck Drivers

Choose the right province in Canada for working as a Truck Driver
There are several provinces in need of truck drivers each year!

Canada is the perfect place for truck drivers to work because each province needs truck drivers each year! But where exactly are the provinces in Canada that provide the best benefits and offers for your career growth? Have a look at this list below!

Tips on How to Find a Job in Canada

With more than 100 immigration programs available to immigrants who want to remain in Canada for an extended period of time, this goes to show that you’ll have more options to find the right one! Want to know how to work in Canada as a truck driver? Check out these 2 options you may choose from when it comes to finding jobs in Canada.

Job Banks and Government Job Offers

There are plenty of job search platforms available for workers to choose from! Here are 4 most popular job search websites to check out:

CanadaCIS Can Help You Find a Job and Immigrate to Canada

You may choose to search for jobs independently or get help from one of our top-rated Canadian job search experts at CanadaCIS. Our professionals can provide the best services to help speed up your application process and get you to Canada to work as a truck driver in no time!

Learn more about job opportunities in Canada: