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Long
Haul Truck Drivers
Description
Truck Driver is the largest occupation in Canada. Truck Drivers operate heavy trucks to transport goods and
materials over urban, interurban, provincial and
international routes. They are employed by
transportation companies, manufacturing and
distribution companies.
Duties
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Operate
and drive straight or articulated trucks
weighing over 4,600 kg with three or more
axles to transport goods and material to
destinations
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Oversee
all functions of vehicles, such as condition
of equipment, loading and unloading, and
safety and security of cargo
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Obtain
special permits and other documents required
to transport cargo on international routes
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Record
cargo information, distance travelled, fuel
consumption and other information in log book
or on on board computer
-
Receive
and relay information to central dispatcher
-
May
drive as part of a team or convoy
-
May
transport hazardous products or dangerous
goods
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May
drive lighter, special purpose trucks.
Long
haul truck drivers can spend long periods of time
away from home. Partner arrangements are often
used for long distance driving. Truck drivers
generally work without direct supervision. The
number of hours a driver may drive in a given
period is subject to regulation. Overtime and
weekend work is, however, common.
Skills
Required
Every
truck driver we have operating our highway units
must have knowledge of Provincial and U.S. State
laws as they govern the driving of a large
combination vehicle so they can properly meet the
requirements of each jurisdiction they pass
through across both countries.
They
must have knowledge of all weights and measure
requirements of every Province and U.S. State in
order to meet regulations in each of them and not
violate any of the jurisdictions.
They
have to be computer literate in order to
communicate with their command centres as well as
their vehicle. They have to know how to enter and
receive information and to understand all types of
computer programs to receive and transmit vital
information.
They
require knowledge of the equipment they operate to
understand what all the instruments are indicating
about the engine, transmission, wheels, tires,
coupling devices, trailer, etc.
They
have to know all the Dangerous Goods and Hazardous
Material laws and rules in both countries in order
to properly placard equipment or in an emergency
know what action to take with any type of
material.
They
require knowledge of all the rules and regulations
that exist between the United States and Canada on
border issues in order to clear customs,
immigration and security.
They
must be able to convert pounds to kilograms, miles
to kilometres and miles/hour to kilometres/hour
very quickly.
They
need some knowledge of the French language or
English (depending on their origin language) in
order to operate through Quebec or all the rest of
the jurisdictions.
They
require knowledge of weather and what temperatures
and weather conditions can do to the safety of the
vehicle and the dynamics of the unit they are
driving in any condition.
They
have to know all the rules to meet security issues
in today's challenges of both countries and be
knowledgeable of warning signs when they're
possibly at risk.
They
need some knowledge of physics as it relates to
the large piece of equipment they are operating to
know at what speeds allow what braking distances
or what turning speeds may compromise the centre
of gravity of the load being carried.
They
require knowledge of what types of drugs are
harmful to their ability to properly react while
driving and to know what substances are harmful or
illegal, and to be aware of others that might be
under the influence and could compromise their
safety and the safety of others.
They
must be able to read maps and have a working
knowledge of geography in order to travel to any
point in Canada or the United States that will be
required of them.
They
need to be diplomats as they cross borders to be
helpful to those who have responsibility for the
clearance of their cargo and themselves.
Most
important, they need to continue to be Knights of
the Road to stop and assist others in trouble,
particularly on remote roads where help is
limited.
Physical
Rating
Job
Placement and Immigration Requirements
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A
copy of criminal record search - drivers can
not have a criminal record
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A
copy of criminal record search for all
dependents over 18 years - can not have a
criminal record
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A
copy of drivers license (equivalent to a
Canadian Class 1A license)
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A
copy of drivers medical
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A
copy of a driver's assessment - road
test
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A
drug test will be required
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200,000
verifiable miles operating articulated and
fully loaded tractor-trailer equipment in all
seasons (vans, flat deck)
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High
School Diploma and Transcripts
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Driver’s
Training Certificate from Home Country
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25-40
years old
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Married
with children is preferred
Wages
and Salaries
The
average salary in this occupation is $18,900.
Attrition, caused mostly by retirement, is
expected to be responsible for 58% of the job
openings in this occupation over the next few
years.
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