Both me and my husband really want to emigrate to Canada within the next few years. He is currently a Bus Driver but is considering doing his Class 1 and 2. The only thing that puts him off truck driving is not knowing where he is going. He isn’t the best map reader in the world. However you can give him 20+ regular routes and he remembers them really well.
So really my question is are there any companies that only drive regular routes also would he need 2+ years experience trucking over here before he can do it in Canada or would people be willing to employ him without a great deal if experience under his belt. Another thing I don’t think I would like much is if he is away for weeks at a time. Do any jobs exist that get you home each night or is everything long haul?
So many questions! We know that Calgary Transit are currently employing UK people through the PNP scheme but we aren’t really ready to go right now. If they are still recruiting this time next year then we will look into that. Also with truck driving we might have a better choice of which Province we would like to live in.
From what I know. which aint much, I believe that a UK licence cannot be exchanged for a Canadian one so what is the point of doing both the LGV tests twice if both rigid and artic have to be done again in Canada
Unless of course, the Canadian company wanted to see a certain amount of actual experience done over here first but that in itself may be a big problem for a newbie in the current climate
[__GENERAL DRIVING TIPS [u]*BEFORE*[/u] STARTING LGV C TRAINING (Link)__](http://trucknetuk.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=31611&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)
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To book any LGV training I suggest the trainee-to-be, visits the training school, meets the head person(s) and has a quick look at the truck BEFORE parting with any money.
Using the site Search facility and putting the words TRAINING AND WHERE you wish to train may turn up some recommendations.
Yes, you do need 2 years experience as a truck driver to get in on that basis. And if he wants regular routes, he needs to be looking at depot to depot trunking, these are usually (but not always) overnight runs.
There is quite a lot of work that will get you home every night, it’s only the “tramping” jobs that will have you out all week (or more).
The only question is, that if he’s that poor a map reader, and going out to Canada, how will he manage with the huge distances of runs over there? 2 days each way is not uncommon. Yes, I know about satnavs, they have the same problems here as there for truck use, like low bridges etc.
Oh,m and ROG mate, Canada (and the US) will let you go from car to class 1 in one go. You swap your UK ticket for a car ticket, and go get your class 1.
I think you only need to provide 2 or maybe 3 years of experience when applying for the PNP? I was under the impression the visa has no specific requirements for previous experience, usually it’s just the companies recruitment policy, like H&R requiring minimum 5 years, others 2.
Apparently there is day work in North Alberta on the oil fields, I’d imagine you’d be living out in the sticks a bit, not sure it’d be practical commuting from somewhere like Edmonton… The main reason most of the work is long haul is because it’s long haul drivers that they’re short of.
Maynard:
Both me and my husband really want to emigrate to Canada within the next few years. He is currently a Bus Driver but is considering doing his Class 1 and 2. The only thing that puts him off truck driving is not knowing where he is going. He isn’t the best map reader in the world. However you can give him 20+ regular routes and he remembers them really well.
So really my question is are there any companies that only drive regular routes also would he need 2+ years experience trucking over here before he can do it in Canada or would people be willing to employ him without a great deal if experience under his belt. Another thing I don’t think I would like much is if he is away for weeks at a time. Do any jobs exist that get you home each night or is everything long haul?
So many questions! We know that Calgary Transit are currently employing UK people through the PNP scheme but we aren’t really ready to go right now. If they are still recruiting this time next year then we will look into that. Also with truck driving we might have a better choice of which Province we would like to live in.
Any help and advice much appreciated.
Thanks
Sam
You could always give Greyhound a try, they are looking for drivers, just beware of mad axe weilding passengers, no, I’m not taking the mick, there was a nutter on a Greyhound bus who cut a blokes head off & ate his tongue a couple of months back, the bus driver was ok though!
Hi Maynard,
I understand that you want to come to Canada to live but i am not sure why you think that your husbands bus driving career would qualify you to emigrate. Canada has very strict immigration laws and normally it takes years years to go through the process however at the moment as you already know they are fast tracking certain trades which are in demand including long haul truck drivers. This means that the government of Canada are allowing trucking companies to recruit EXPERIENCED longhaul drivers from overseas. Last year this meant 5yrs without any gaps in your career and most companys preferred 2 yrs international experience (although most would not hold you to the international work to be honest). As your husband does not have a licence yet it is difficult to see how you can qualify.
Also you express doubts about your husband being away from home for long periods of time but unfortunately that is the nature of longhaul trucking. Most companys are looking to recruit drivers to run into the US and from my experiance 8 - 12 days is an average trip. Of course there are jobs which don’t require you to be away for so long but there isn’t such a driver shortage in these fields so hence the companys are not recruiting from abroad.
In short, if you do not like the idea of longhaul work there is no point in thinking of moving to the second biggest country in the world to drive a truck!
I hope you do not find this post negative but i am being honest with you.
The best advice you have recieved so far was Newmercman when he sugested trying Greyhound. I have no idea if they do recruit from abroad but you could try.
allikat:
Yes, you do need 2 years experience as a truck driver to get in on that basis
Oh,m and ROG mate, Canada (and the US) will let you go from car to class 1 in one go. You swap your UK ticket for a car ticket, and go get your class 1.
allikat:
Yes, you do need 2 years experience as a truck driver to get in on that basis
Oh,m and ROG mate, Canada (and the US) will let you go from car to class 1 in one go. You swap your UK ticket for a car ticket, and go get your class 1.
So 3 LGV tests then - 2 here and 1 there
Yep, and the US/Canadian test is FULL of arcane complexities, and the fullest pretrip checks you ever saw. Even a 20 year veteran from this side of the pond will need to study for it.
