Transport Truck Drivers

National Occupational Classification (NOC): 73300

Fast Facts

  • Average Pay: N/A
  • Future Growth: N/A
  • Skill Level: N/A
  • Employment Size: N/A
  • Unemployment: N/A
  • Full-time Share: N/A

Sample Job Titles

  • Truck driver
  • Bulk goods truck driver
  • Dump truck driver
  • Flatbed truck driver
  • Long haul truck driver
  • Shunt truck driver
  • Tow truck driver
  • Truck driver, tractor-trailer


What do truck drivers do?

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.

This group performs 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.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada

 

Truck drivers work in a variety of subsectors (NAICS) in Newfoundland and Labrador, including:

  • 484  Truck transportation
  • 237  Heavy and civil engineering construction
  • 212  Mining and quarrying (except oil and gas)
  • 238  Specialty trade contractors
  • 488  Support activities for transportation
  • 492  Courier and messengers
  • 213  Support activities for mining, and oil and gas extraction

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

Short and Long Term Occupational Projections

Short Term Projections for 2023-2025

The employment outlook will be moderate for transport truck drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador (rating of 3 out of 5) for the 2023-2025 period.

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Long Term Projections for 2023-2032

The forecast for truck drivers is forecast to be tightening (rating of 3.0 out of 4) over the next several years, meaning new labour supply will be required to meet anticipated job openings.

Source: Department of Finance, Occupation Projections (Summer 2023)

 

Number of Job Postings in 2023

During 2023, there were 549 public job postings for this occupation, with the following distribution:

Avalon:  56% Western:  21%
Eastern:  3% Labrador:  3%
Central:  16% NL-unspecified:  1%

Source:  Lightcast (note: data used in this analysis reflects new unique monthly postings which are totaled for the calendar year)



Who works as truck drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador?

During the reference week of May 2021, there were approximately 3,120 people working in this occupation in Newfoundland and Labrador. 96% of those employed were Male+ and 4% of those employed were Female+.

Here is the age group breakdown for this group of workers:

15 to 24 25 to 54 55 to 64 65+
4% 61% 28% 7%

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

How much do truck drivers make?

The median employment income for all truck drivers in the reference year 2020 (4,190 workers in total, including those working part-time and full-time, as well as part-year and full-year) was $43,600.

Source: Census 2021, Statistics Canada

 

Hourly Earnings

Salary information for truck drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
Newfoundland and Labrador $16.83 $24.00 $38.92

 

Salary information for truck drivers in Canada:

Low ($/hour) Median ($/hour) High ($/hour)
$17.50 $25.00 $35.00

Source: Job Bank, Government of Canada

 

Most Frequently Sought Skills from Job Postings: (2023)

  • Truck Driving
  • Pre-Trip And Post-Trip Vehicle Inspections
  • Air Brakes
  • Data Recording
  • Bill Of Lading
  • Warehousing
  • Axles
  • Forklift Truck
  • Brakes

Source:  Lightcast



What training is required?

  • 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.

* Find public and private education, training and skills development opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador here.

Source: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021, Employment and Social Development Canada.