Ultimate Guide to Become a Truck Driver in Canada

It’s a good time to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver. Research shows that truck drivers are in high demand across all provinces and this trend looks set to continue in the years ahead. Labour shortages and an aging workforce across the country have increased the need for truck drivers – in May 2023 there was a sharp uptick in the number of truck drivers employed across Canada. 

This blog will explain how to become a truck driver in Canada, the average salary a truck driver earns and different ways that newcomers can secure a truck driver job.  

Become a truck driver in Canada  

The first step to becoming a truck driver in Canada is to get a commercial truck driver’s license. Canada’s National Safety Code specifies the rules that commercial truck drivers must follow while on the road. In addition, each province may have additional requirements for getting a commercial truck driver’s license. Common requirements include a valid medical report, successfully passing a mandatory entry-level training course and completing a road test using a suitable vehicle. 

It is important to get truck driver training from a reputable truck driving school. Salaries and job opportunities in the trucking field may be considerably higher if a well-reviewed truck driving school is mentioned on a resume. The Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) is a great resource for newcomers seeking a career as a truck driver.  

What is the average truck driver salary in Canada? 

Working as a truck driver offers many benefits including a flexible schedule, meeting different people every day and a lot of autonomy on the job. Another significant benefit that a trucking career offers is a good salary.  

Newcomer truck drivers can expect to earn an average of $46,800 per year but this can vary depending on many factors including experience and where a truck driver is located. The average truck driver salary in Yukon is $58,988 while a truck driver in Prince Edward Island receives an estimated $41,506 per annum. A truck driver based in Ontario earns an average of $50,216 while British Columbia’s average salary is slightly higher – $54,600. 

How to get a job as a truck driver 

It can be overwhelming for newcomers to find a job in a new country. It is important to do research on the truck driving industry to get an idea of what to expect on the job. Networking, too, is essential for learning about the latest truck driver job opportunities. Bruce Outridge, host of the Lead Pedal Podcast for Truck Drivers, shared excellent advice here for newcomer truck drivers navigating the job market in Canada. 

Getting Canadian training can increase a newcomer’s chances of career success. Trucker training can be costly, but newcomers with permanent status in Canada are eligible for a low-interest loan from Windmill Microlending. Receiving a Windmill loan can help pay for the cost of truck driver training or fees associated with getting a trucker’s license.  

Click here to find out how a Windmill loan can help you get licensed as a truck driver in Canada.  

Our free Educational Pathways guide helps newcomer truck drivers along their journey towards career success – download the free guide today.