Long-Haul Truck Driver Needed in Canada

The transportation sector in Canada is booming, and one of the most in-demand occupations today is that of a long-haul truck driver. With growing logistics networks and increasing trade across provinces and borders, Canadian trucking companies are actively seeking skilled drivers.

If you’ve been searching online for Long Haul Truck Driver Needed in Canada, you’re not alone. Thousands of international workers are eyeing this opportunity, and for good reason.

Why Canada Needs Long-Haul Truck Drivers

Canada’s economy relies heavily on its supply chain, with over 70% of goods transported by trucks. However, the country is currently facing a severe shortage of qualified truck drivers, especially those available for long-distance, interprovincial, or cross-border transportation.

Key Reasons for the Shortage:

• Aging driver population
• Strict licensing and training requirements
• High retirement rates
• Expansion of e-commerce and manufacturing industries
• Growing demand for fresh food, medicine, and retail logistics

Due to these challenges, the government and private logistics firms are opening the door wide for immigrants with truck driving experience to apply for jobs through various immigration programs.

Understanding the Long-Haul Truck Driver Job

A long-haul truck driver is responsible for transporting goods across long distances, usually between provinces or even across the U.S.-Canada border. This role requires advanced driving skills, long hours on the road, and sometimes, overnight trips.

Duties of a Long-Haul Truck Driver:

• Operating commercial vehicles (tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers)
• Driving across provinces or internationally
• Maintaining delivery logs and records
• Performing vehicle inspections and maintenance checks
• Communicating with dispatchers and customers
• Ensuring the timely delivery of cargo

Average Salary of Long-Haul Truck Drivers in Canada

In the present year, long-haul truck drivers in Canada earn highly competitive wages due to the ongoing shortage.

Those with more experience, clean driving records, or U.S. border experience can command even higher wages. Overtime pay, meal allowances, and performance bonuses are often included.

Top Employers Hiring Long-Haul Truck Drivers in Canada

Here are some reputable Canadian logistics companies and employers hiring foreign truck drivers in 2025:

• Bison Transport

• Manitoulin Transport

• Challenger Motor Freight

• TransX Group of Companies

• Westcan Bulk Transport

• Day & Ross

• Trimac Transportation

Most of these companies offer visa sponsorship, relocation support, and accommodation assistance.

Visa Sponsorship for Long-Haul Truck Drivers in Canada

Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)

This program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers for jobs they are unable to fill with Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Long-haul trucking is classified under NOC 73300, a job that is in high demand across several provinces.

Eligibility:

• Valid job offer from a Canadian employer
• LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) approval
• Clean driving record
• Valid international or Canadian-equivalent license (Class 1 or AZ)

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Many provinces in Canada have a PNP stream for truck drivers, especially those offering permanent residency pathways.

Best PNP Streams for Truck Drivers:

• Saskatchewan Long-Haul Truck Driver Project
• British Columbia Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) Pilot
• Alberta Trucking Industry Employer-Driven Stream
• Manitoba PNP Employer Direct Recruitment Pathway

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

Designed for Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island), this program supports truck driver hiring with settlement support for families.

Requirements to Become a Long-Haul Truck Driver in Canada

Before applying, ensure you meet the following requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be 21 years or older

• Valid Class 1 (or AZ) license

• Minimum 1 year of long-haul truck driving experience

• High school diploma (recommended)

• Basic knowledge of English or French (CLB 4 or higher)

• Clean criminal and medical record

• Valid passport

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Resume and Documents

Your resume is your first impression—make it count.

Include:

• Work experience
• Type of vehicles driven
• Routes managed
• Languages spoken
• Certifications or training (air brakes, defensive driving, etc.)

Step 2: Research Employers and Apply

The demand for truck drivers in Canada is high, but it’s important to apply only to legitimate employers who are either recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or listed on official job portals.

Use job platforms such as:

• Job Bank Canada
• Indeed Canada
• Workopolis
• Glassdoor
• LinkedIn

Search using: Long Haul Truck Driver Needed in Canada with Visa Sponsorship

Step 3: Get a Job Offer and LMIA

Once selected, your employer will apply for an LMIA to prove they cannot find a local worker for the role. Once approved, they’ll send you a job offer letter and LMIA document.

Step 4: Apply for a Work Permit or PR

Once you receive a valid job offer and a positive LMIA, you can proceed to apply for either a temporary work permit or a permanent residency pathway, depending on the immigration stream.

Top Cities & Provinces Hiring Long Haul Drivers

• Calgary, Alberta
• Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Toronto & Mississauga, Ontario
• Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Vancouver, BC

These cities have logistics hubs, distribution centers, and high industrial activity, offering more routes and employment opportunities.

Benefits of Working as a Long-Haul Truck Driver in Canada

High Salary + Overtime Pay

Canada offers some of the highest wages in the trucking industry worldwide. Long-haul drivers can earn between $60,000 to over $95,000 annually, depending on experience and location.
Many companies also provide:

• Guaranteed mileage pay
• Over time, after 40–60 hours/week
• Night and weekend premiums

This means that dedicated drivers can maximize their income by taking longer routes or cross-border assignments.

Visa Sponsorship & Immigration Pathway

One of the most attractive benefits is visa sponsorship. Many employers are approved under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) to hire international drivers.
This sponsorship provides:

• A work permit
• A pathway to permanent residency
• Legal entry for you (and sometimes your family) to live and work in Canada

Health & Insurance Benefits

Canadian employers typically offer comprehensive health insurance as part of their employment package. These include:

• Medical coverage
• Dental and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Accident insurance

This ensures that both local and foreign employees enjoy the high standard of healthcare that Canada is known for.

Pension & Retirement Plans

Long-haul truck drivers are often enrolled in company-sponsored pension plans or Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs).
This allows you to:

• Save for the future while working
• Benefit from employer contributions
• Enjoy a secure retirement in Canada or abroad

Job Stability in a Growing Industry

The trucking industry in Canada is currently experiencing a critical labor shortage, especially in long-distance transportation. This means:

• High job security
• Consistent work year-round
• Greater bargaining power for wages and working conditions

Even during economic downturns, essential goods still need to be moved, making truck drivers indispensable.

Opportunity to Apply for Permanent Residency

Canada highly values essential workers like truck drivers. Once you complete a few months or a year of work, you may qualify to apply for permanent residency (PR) through:

• The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
• A Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
• The Express Entry system (with CRS points boost from a valid job offer)

Permanent residency gives you the right to:

• Live and work anywhere in Canada
• Access social services and education
• Apply for citizenship after 3 years

Family Settlement Support (in Some Provinces)

Several Canadian provinces, especially under Atlantic Immigration Programs (AIP) and PNPs, allow long-haul truck drivers to bring their spouses and children along.

Benefits for families may include:

• Spouse open work permit eligibility
• Free public school education for children
• Access to public healthcare
• Provincial settlement programs to help with housing, integration, and language training

Challenges of Long-Haul Trucking in Canada

While rewarding, this career also comes with challenges:

• Long hours away from home

• Harsh winter driving conditions

• Mental fatigue and loneliness

• Navigating unfamiliar routes

• Regulatory compliance with Canadian and U.S. transport laws

However, proper training and support from employers help most drivers succeed.

Success Tips for Foreign Truck Drivers

• Get Certified: Obtain a valid commercial driver’s license from your home country. International Driving Permits (IDP) help, but a Canadian Class 1 license is ideal.

• Language Prep: Improve your English/French proficiency.

• Get Endorsements: Certifications like an Air Brake Endorsement increase employability.

• Avoid Fraud: Only apply through verified Canadian job boards or government-registered recruiters.

• Prepare for Road Tests: Even if experienced, you may be required to pass a Canadian road test for Class 1 licensing.

Real Success Story: From Nigeria to Canada

Joseph E., a 38-year-old from Lagos, Nigeria, applied to a Canadian company via Job Bank Canada in 2023. With 7 years of long-haul experience across West Africa, he landed a job in Alberta under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Today, Joseph earns $85,000 annually, has permanent residency underway, and is settling in with his family.

Conclusion

If you’ve been searching online for Long Haul Truck Driver Needed in Canada, now is the best time to act. With a booming economy, severe driver shortages, and government-supported visa programs, Canada is welcoming qualified drivers with open arms.

Whether you’re in Africa, Asia, or Eastern Europe, your journey to a better life behind the wheel could start today.