Details
Job Title: Truck driver
Employer: AK Transit
Location: Georgetown, Ontario
Shift: Weekend, Flexible Hours, Early Morning, Morning
Salary: $28.00 hourly / 35 to 45 hours per week
Terms of employment: Permanent employment, Full-time
Start date: Starts as soon as possible
Overview
Languages: English
Education: No degree, certificate, or diploma
Experience: Experience is an asset
Tasks
- Professionalism in customer service
- Drive as part of a two-person team or convoy
- Oversee the condition of the vehicle and inspect tires, lights, brakes, cold storage, and other equipment
- Perform brake adjustments
- Perform pre-trip, en route, and post-trip inspections and oversee all aspects of vehicle
- Receive and relay information to central dispatch
- Record cargo information, hours of service, distance traveled, and fuel consumption
Documentation knowledge
- Bill of lading
- Driver logbook
- Inspection report (pre-trip, en-route, post-trip)
- Maintenance and repair reports
- Trip reports
Type of trucking and equipment
- Tractor-trailer
Work conditions and physical capabilities
- Overtime required
- Repetitive tasks
- Sitting
Personal suitability
- Flexibility
- Reliability
- Team player
- Hardworking
- Patience
Who can apply for this job?
The employer accepts applications from:
- Canadian citizens and permanent or temporary residents of Canada.
- Other candidates with or without a valid Canadian work permit.
How to Apply
Online through the company email: [email protected]
AK Transit is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace.
All qualified candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by law or contract.
Tips for Pursuing a Career as a Truck Driver
Research the career
To succeed as a truck driver, you must ensure that your interests and passions match this line of work. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this occupation to see whether you can picture yourself in it.
For instance, driving a truck can be a tough and risky job with long hours on the road, even though it doesn’t require much education and pays a high starting salary.
Discuss with other truck drivers
Consult a few established truck drivers before deciding to pursue this career route. Inquire about their experience while driving a truck and what they wish they had known before taking up this career.
You can decide whether or not you wish to pursue a career as a truck driver by gaining this understanding.
Study the commercial driver’s manual
Get a copy of the business driver’s license handbook for your state from the DMV office in your area and go through it before your driving test. The guidebook is even available online in some states.
The handbook contains details on the charges, limitations, courses, and legislation about traffic and safety. Your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt will increase with the amount of study you do for it.
Steps to Becoming a Truck Driver
Meet the minimum requirements
Before you can get your driver’s license or enroll in truck driving school, there are a few prerequisites you must fulfill. To work in Canada and the state in which you currently reside, you must be at least 21 years old and legally qualified.
Additionally, you must have a clean driving record; free of accidents and careless driving. Before applying to a truck driving school, several employers and schools need you to have your GED or high school graduation.
However since some companies employ truck drivers without a high school degree, it’s crucial to check that you meet all the requirements for the position.
Attend truck driving school
Enroll in a local program for truck driving. Look for a school that provides classroom and hands-on learning experiences.
Along with learning the rules and regulations of truck driving, you will also receive practical, supervised truck driving experience. Some programs span a year, while others end after a month or ten weeks.
Pass the licensing exam
Take the commercial driver’s license exam in your state after completing truck driving school. You must pass the written exam and the road skills test, even though each state has its own exam.
Your knowledge of truck driving-related traffic legislation and safety requirements is assessed in the written exam. An exam section devoted to road abilities involves you operating a commercial vehicle under the supervision of a state-licensed examiner.
Pass the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) exam
Once you pass the licensing exam, take the FMCSA exam. This test includes a written and physical component. The written part of the exam tests your knowledge of federal law, while the physical portion tests your vision and includes a brief hearing.
Remember that though you don’t have to retake the written portion once you pass it, you have to retake the physical part of the exam every two years.
Look for an entry-level job
After you pass all of your exams, start your job search. Many truck driving schools have job placement services to help you find a truck driving position.
Many truck driving companies have connections with trucking companies, thus you can reach out to trucking companies directly and inquire about any open positions. Apply for entry-level positions that interest you and that align with your qualifications.
Complete your orientation
Once you get a job, many employers have you undergo a few days of orientation. Typically, your orientation covers what you need to know about the company and its policies.
Some employers may also have you complete some paperwork, take a drug test, and pass a physical exam.
Pass the job training period
Following your employer’s orientation, you will probably need to go through a training phase. You will become familiar with the routes and paperwork procedures of your organization during this period. Weeks or months may pass during this time.
Pass the company’s road test
At the end of the training period, you may have to pass your employer’s trucking exam. Though it’s usually just a road test, some exams include a written portion. When you pass the exam, you’ll likely get a truck assigned to you and a route to complete yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills do you need as a truck driver?
Truck drivers need various skills to do well in their profession. Here are some of the main skills you need to succeed in this career:
- Driving knowledge
- Clean driving record
- Dependability
- Communication skills
- Navigation skills
What are the risks that come from being a truck driver?
As with any driving career, becoming a truck driver exposes you to various dangers. Not only do you risk getting into a car accident every time you’re on the road, but you also sit for prolonged periods which leads to several health issues like obesity and hypertension.