73300 – Transport truck drivers
TEER 3Occupations usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Lead statement
Long-haul truck drivers operate heavy trucks to transport goods and materials over urban, interurban, provincial and international routes.
Main duties
- 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.
- 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.
Example job titles
freight truck driver · log hauler · log truck driver · logging truck driver · long haul truck driver · long haul driver · long combination vehicle (LCV) driver · commercial truck driver · heavy truck driver · line-haul driver · short haul truck driver · local truck driver
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $19.45 | $26.42 | $37.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $17.97 | $24.75 | $36.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $18.00 | $24.00 | $30.00 |
| New Brunswick | $17.00 | $23.00 | $32.00 |
| Quebec | $19.45 | $25.20 | $34.50 |
| Ontario | $19.23 | $26.00 | $35.00 |
| Manitoba | $17.00 | $24.00 | $34.72 |
| Saskatchewan | $18.50 | $27.00 | $37.00 |
| Alberta | $21.00 | $30.00 | $42.31 |
| British Columbia | $22.00 | $30.77 | $40.38 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.