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Want To Drive

Operations Manager

Feel the freedom of the open road.

If you've ever dreamed of driving a truck, you've probably imagined yourself behind the wheel of an 18-wheel rig, driving along the highway. You've thought about the freedom and what it would be like to be your own boss. Become a Domestic and International Long-haul Driver, and you can turn that dream into a reality.

This is what you need to know to live out your dream:

How do I get to be a Domestic and International Long-haul Driver?

Becoming a Long-haul driver depends on several factors, including education, technical training, physical fitness, language and more. If you want to follow this career path, here are some conditions you may have to meet:

Education
Although there are no mandatory education requirements, most new drivers have at least:

  • a high school education and/or
  • a trade or vocational certificate at the community college level

 

Technical Training/Certification/Licensing
 This usually depends on where you live based on local regulations. Different employers have their own unique requirements, such as regular refresher training or specific training.
Examples include:
  • training to obtain a Class 3 (Ontario Class D) licence (straight truck) or Class 1 (Ontario Class A) licence (articulated trucks)
  • air brake endorsement (if air brakes are used on the equipment you'll be driving)
  • Transport Dangerous Goods (TDG) endorsements (if you're transporting hazardous materials)
  • other Occupational Health and Safety (OH+S) training (for example, first aid or Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems)

Physical/Medical
You'll have to pass medical screening and you may have to be tested for drug and alcohol use, particularly if you're transporting goods across the border.

Language
There is no specific requirement for domestic work. However, if you'll be driving across the border into the United States, you'll need to be proficient in English.

Other Attributes
You must be at least 18 years old to be a Long-haul Driver, though some companies may require you to be older for insurance purposes. In fact, you can only cross the border into the United States if you're 21 or older. In some cases, a company may check for a criminal record or have a background check done on you. A clean driving record is a must. Strong customer service skills, communication skills, mechanical skills and computer skills are all useful as well.