7511 – Transport truck drivers
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.
Profile
Index of titles
Example titles
Automobile carrier driver
Automobile transport driver
Bulk goods truck driver
Bulk milk truck driver
Cement truck driver – construction
Coal hauler (except underground mining)
Dangerous goods truck driver
Dump truck driver
Dumpster truck driver
Escort – transportation
Explosives truck driver
Flatbed truck driver
Freight truck driver
Fuel oil truck driver
Gasoline truck operator
Gravel hauler
Gravel truck driver
Groceries long haul driver
Heavy truck driver
Hydrovac truck operator
Line-haul driver
Liquid fertilizer truck driver
Log hauler
Log truck driver
Logging truck driver
Long combination vehicle (LCV) driver
Long distance truck driver
Long haul driver
Long haul tractor-trailer driver
Long haul truck driver
Low-bed semi-trailer driver
Mobile cement mixer driver
Mobile concrete mixer driver
Moving truck driver
Moving van driver
Muskeg tractor operator
Oil transport driver
Ready-mix driver – construction
Ready-mix truck driver
Short haul truck driver
Shunt truck driver
Shunter – trucking
Shunter truck driver
Tank truck driver
Tow truck driver
Tractor-trailer truck driver
Transport driver
Truck driver
Truck mixer driver – construction
Truck operator
Truck owner operator
Trucker
Truck-trailer driver
Main duties
This group perform some or all of the following 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
May drive as part of a two-person team or convoy
May transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.
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.
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is usually required.
On-the-job-training is provided.
Completion of an accredited driver training course of up to three months duration, through a vocational school or community college, may be required.
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.
Additional information
Progression to supervisory positions or to non-driving occupations, such as driver trainer, safety officer or truck dispatcher is possible with additional training or experience.
Exclusions
Drivers of light trucks (in 7514 Delivery and courier service drivers)
Snowplow and garbage truck drivers (in 7522 Public works maintenance equipment operators and related workers)
Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators (7305)
Truck dispatchers (in 1525 Dispatchers)
Truck driver helpers (in 7622 Railway and motor transport labourers)
Truck driver trainers (in 4021 College and other vocational instructors)