Description

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

Included Job Titles

bulk goods truck driver, dump truck driver, flatbed truck driver, logging truck driver, long haul truck driver, moving van driver, shunt truck driver, tow truck driver, truck driver, truck driver, heavy truck, truck driver, tractor-trailer.

Job Duties

Long-haul truck drivers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks, weighing over 4600 kg with three or more axles, to transport goods and material to destinations
• Oversee all aspects of vehicles, such as condition of equipment, loading and unloading, and safety and security of cargo
• Perform pre-trip inspection of vehicle systems and equipment such as tires, lights, brakes and cold storage
• Perform emergency roadside repairs
• Obtain special permits and other documents required to transport cargo on international routes
• Record cargo information, distance travelled, fuel consumption and other information in log book or on on-board computer
• Communicate with dispatcher and other drivers using two-way radio, cellular telephone and on-board computer
• May drive as part of a two-person team or convoy
• May transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.

Line-haul and local truck drivers perform some or all of the following duties:

• Operate and drive straight trucks to transport goods and materials over urban and short inter-urban routes
• May drive lighter, special purpose trucks such as tow trucks, dump trucks, hydrovac trucks or cement mixing trucks
• Perform pre-trip inspection and oversee all aspects of vehicles such as condition of equipment, and loading and unloading of cargo.

Related Occupations

Included Cities in this region

Berwick, Bridgetown, Hantsport, Kentville, Middleton, Windsor, Wolfville

Service Canada Offices

View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.