Overview
Transport truck drivers drive straight trucks or tractor-trailers to transport freight. Long-haul truck drivers operate heavy trucks over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes, while short-haul and local transport truck drivers operate over urban and short interurban routes. They are employed by transportation, manufacturing, distribution and moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies, or they may be self-employed.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Long-haul transport truck drivers
Operate and drive primarily tractor-trailer, 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 prospects
Annual salary
$48,675
$68,079
$89,341
Usual Hours Worked Weekly: 42.43
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
7,754expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
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.
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.
Certification requirements
Optional: The following certifications are optional to practice as Transport truck drivers in B.C.
- Air brake endorsements - Transport truck drivers
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) - Transport truck drivers
Air brake endorsements - Transport truck drivers
To work as a Transport truck driver in B.C., you may need to have Air brake endorsement. Eligibility is achieved by:
Complete an ICBC-approved air brake course for a single-unit vehicle or have sufficient air brake experience. Contact ICBC to see if your experience qualifies.
Pass the air brake knowledge test.
Pass an air brake pre-trip test using a single-unit vehicle equipped with air brakes.
Pay for your road test fees and licence.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) - Transport truck drivers
To work as Transport truck drivers in B.C., you may need the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Certification. Eligibility is achieved by completing the relevant course.
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.