Job description Transport Truck Driver in the Southwest Region
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Find out what work is like for a transport truck driver in Canada. This work description is applicable to all Transport truck drivers (NOC 73300).

Transport truck drivers

Description

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.

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Transport truck drivers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • 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.

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 73300), and a list of similar occupations:

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

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Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Transport truck drivers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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