How To Become A Truck Driver In Canada In 5 steps

Canada covers a whopping 8.9 million square kilometres - and with the 4th largest land mass in the world - it’s easy to imagine why Truck drivers in Canada are such a sought-after profession.

Much like the rest of the world, Canada relies on on-road travel to transport essential goods and products to the towns and cities dotted around the land, and with the different seasons throughout the year, the challenges of these requirements are continuously changing. Only the most serious and dedicated drivers can create long-standing careers in the industry.

We know that the Canadian worker population is aging and retiring early, creating many opportunities for truck drivers to join the Canadian workforce. Here we will take a look at the 5 simple steps to secure your opportunity and kickstart your career and start a new life in Canada. There are several ways to go about this, With the Provincial Nominee Program being the best solution to consider.

Step 1: Align yourself with a PNP program.

Canada has several Provincial Nominee Programs available. These programs aim to recruit skills needed within the labour market. These are location-specific, and while the nature of being a transport driver does include you moving around the country on your journeys, you would be required to have your roots set in a specific geographic location. This allows Canada too “endorse” your visa application with an invitation from the PNP, which you have aligned with. Below are a few examples of the Provincial Nominee Programs which prioritize Truck drivers in Canada as in-demand occupations:

• Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program
• Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program
• Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program
• Yukon Nominee Program
• Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program
• Ontario Provincial Nominee Program
• Northwest Territories Nominee Program
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program

With your visa application to live and work in Canada, you will be applying via the Express Entry System. A CRS score determines which applications will be accepted and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). By having a provincial nomination, you can earn 600 additional points for your application and therefore increase the odds of you receiving that much-anticipated Invitation to Apply.

Step 2: Check your Eligibility

Ensuring that you meet the criteria for the jobs you wish to apply for and aligning yourself with a Provincial Nominee Program only steps in the right direction if you meet the criteria needed to immigrate, work and live in Canada. To find out whether you are eligible for relocation is of utmost importance.

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Step 3: Secure a Job Offer

We have covered a few of the requirements, as well as the locations which need Truck drivers in Canada. The next vital step would be to secure a job offer. Some exceptional platforms are available for foreigners looking for employment opportunities in Canada. We have included a few here. Some job offers would require an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment), which your prospective employer would provide. Check the requirements with your immigration consultants before finalizing your applications to prospective employers.

Top Canadian Job Sites

• Job Bank Canada is a Government listing platform which showcases requirements and job opportunities - Create a profile and apply to many transportation and truck driver jobs in canada. https://jobbank.gc.ca/
• Linked-in is a great place to use to network and explore job opportunities - although LMIA requirements will ordinarily not be showcased on this platform
• Indeed Canada is a valuable resource with many jobs available within this field: https://ca.indeed.com/

Step 4: Compile your Express Entry Application

Compiling your application does not need to be a daunting task. There are several ways to go about this - firstly, it's essential to take the provincial programs in mind, as this route will undoubtedly increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

Steps to apply online:

Our RCICs will gladly assist you throughout the process. From eligibility assessments to Express Entry Application submission, our experts are here to guide and assist you.

Step 5: Wait for an ITA

Once you have finalized your application, you need to wait to see if you receive an Invitation to Apply. Once received, you will need to collect all of your required documents and submit them to finalize your application. Additionally, you have limited time to complete this step.

Does Canada Need Truck Drivers?

Truck drivers in Canada are highly sought after. There are numerous logistics companies throughout the country, and their need for skilled and experienced drivers is ongoing. With big worldwide businesses in operation in Canada and smaller independent freight businesses, there is an abundance of opportunity for those with the needed skills to join Canada's transportation workforce.

Below is a summary of some of the biggest logistics companies located in Canada, which are often looking for skilled and experienced truck drivers in Canada:

• DHL Canada, with its main location in Mississauga, DHL offers international services, which of course include warehousing, as well as road transit.
• FedEx Canada, also located in Mississauga offers both international as well as industry-specific packaging and transport solutions.
• UPS Canada is one of the largest logistics and transportation businesses, Located in Burlington, Ontario, UPS provides employment for over 11 500 people across Canada.
• XPO Canada has one of the largest setups in Canada, with a strong focus on automation and optimized pickup and delivery services.

While there are many more throughout Canada’s many territories, it's always best to know where the opportunities are, and how best to go about the ones which are available to you.

Am I Eligible? Check Now

What Are The Requirements To Be A Truck Driver In Canada?

According to Job Bank, Canada's official job search platform, Transport drivers in Canada fall within the NOC 7511. It is indeed an in-demand occupation, and as they are always on the lookout for reliable and experienced drivers, the requirements have been laid out clearly for us:

Employment requirements for NOC 7511

• Completion of secondary school, high school, or an equivalent
• On-the-job training and experience are required
• Completion of a relevant training course - We will touch on the options in this regard in this article too
• A Class 3 or D driver's license is required for straight-body trucks
• A class 1 or A license is required for long-body combination vehicles
• Air brake endorsement is a requirement for drivers who will be operating vehicles with this equipment installed
• Transportation of dangerous goods certification is required for roles which require this

It is important to know the requirements for the roles you are likely to apply for and ensure that you possess all supporting documents before applying to any job applications to ensure you are perceived as well qualified. This assists in making your job application more likely to succeed. Another good consideration would be to inquire about LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) requirements for the jobs you are looking into - as this will be required for many roles.

How Can A Foreigner Become A Truck Driver In Canada?

Securing a job offer and finalizing an application for a Visa with the support of a PNP remains the best route to follow.

Canada's growing economy and large land mass make for almost limitless opportunities for transport drivers like yourself from all over the world to join the workforce as a Truck Driver in Canada. With good to fair job prospects showing throughout the provinces listed below, it is a great time for you to consider applying. With the labour market showing that this role will be in need for some time to come, you can rest assured that with each Express Entry Draw which comes and goes, staying within the pool of applicants, with the correct experience, you are likely to become successful!

Provinces and territories which show fair to good job prospects for the current period, which spans to 2028:

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Manitoba
• New Brunswick
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• Nova Scotia
• Nunavut
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Quebec
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon Territory

With so many opportunities and prospects to explore, and a list of requirements to showcase your experience, education and capabilities, there are many considerations for foreigners to make before applying to become a truck driver in Canada. One of the main considerations is reaching out for assistance from a professional At MDC, we have a team of expert RCICs that will guide you through the process. By partnering with an RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant), you will be able to see for which visa you are eligible, as well as get a holistic view of areas of improvement if there are any.

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