Return to Occupational Profiles

Transport Truck Drivers

NOC 7511

Description

Transport truck drivers operate heavy trucks to transport goods and materials over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes. They are employed by transportation, manufacturing, distribution and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies, or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes drivers of special purpose trucks and shunters who move trailers to and from loading docks within trucking yards or lots.

Duties

Long-haul transport truck drivers:

  • Operate and drive primarily tractor-trailor, long-combination vehicle and straight-body trucks weighing over 4500 kg to transport goods and materials over long distances
  • Plan trip logistics and obtain required documentation to transport goods
  • Perform pre-trip, en route and post-trip inspection of vehicle systems, equipment and accessories such as tires, lights and turning signals, brakes and cold storage
  • Ensure cargo is secured properly in accordance with safety requirements and follow safety procedures for transporting dangerous goods
  • Obtain special permits and other documents required to transport cargo on international routes
  • Record cargo information, hours of service, distance travelled and fuel consumption
  • Administer bills of lading and manually or electronically maintain log books
  • Communicate with dispatcher, other drivers and customers using communication devices and on-board computers
  • May perform emergency roadside repairs and transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.
  • May drive as part of a two-person team or convoy

Short-haul and local transport truck drivers:

  • Operate and drive primarily straight trucks to transport goods and materials mainly on local routes and short interurban routes
  • Perform pre-trip, en route and post-trip inspection and oversee all aspects of vehicle such as condition of equipment, and loading and unloading of cargo
  • May drive special purpose trucks such as tow trucks, dump trucks, hydrovac trucks or cement mixing trucks.

Other Titles

  • Transport Driver
  • Moving Van Driver
  • Dump Truck Driver
  • Logging Truck Driver
  • Tow Truck Driver
  • Long Haul Truck Driver
  • Heavy Truck Driver

(Government of Canada National Occupation Classification)

Skills

  • Operation and Control
  • Time Management
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Geography
  • Law and Government
  • Complex Problem Solving

Education/Training Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required

Post-secondary diploma/degree

  • Completion of an accredited driving training course of up to three months duration, through vocational school or community college, may be required

Certification

  • On-the-job training is provided
  • A Class 3 or D licence is required to drive straight-body trucks
  • A Class 1 or A licence is required to drive long combination vehicles
  • Air brake endorsement (Z) is required for drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes
  • Transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) certification is required for drivers who transport hazardous products or dangerous goods
  • Additional licensing endorsement or certification may be required to drive articulated trucks

Potential Earnings in Durham Region

The average and median wages and salaries for individuals employed as transport truck drivers are as follows. Place of Residence (POR) is defined as individuals who reside within the Durham Region. Place of Work (POW) is defined as individuals who are employed within the Durham Region.

Median Wages and Salaries (POR): $42,367        Average Wages and Salaries (POR): $42,698

Median Wages and Salaries (POW): $40,945      Average Wages and Salaries (POW): $41,361

Employment Prospects

Industry (NAICS) Jobs in Durham Region (POW) Durham Region Residents Employed (POR)
4131 Food wholesale-distributors 20 50
4163 Lumber and other building supplies wholesaler-distributors 40 25
4841 General freight trucking 585 665
4842 Specialized freight trucking 320 365
4884 Support activities for road transportation 40 30
4885 Freight transportation arrangement 30 40
4911 Postal services 25 30
4931 Warehousing and storage 50 80

(Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development 2016 data in Durham Workforce Authority’s 2017 Sector Report)

Additional Resources

Download PDF