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Are you interested in starting a lucrative career as a commercial driver? Truck drivers are in high demand right now, and the industry has a lot of opportunities. There are many different types of commercial truck driver jobs, but cross-border trucking is one of the most common ones we hire for at our driver recruitment agency. According to our driver hiring experts at Nova Driver Services, if you’re interested in becoming a cross-border trucker, here are all requirements you should know about.
What is Cross-Border Trucking?
As the name implies, cross-border trucking involves driving and delivering goods across the border. In Canada, this is usually just between the U.S.-Canada border, but occasionally drivers will go down and cross the U.S.-Mexico border as well.
Cross-border trucking can mean high-paying jobs; however, there are a few requirements you’ll need to meet in order to qualify for these gigs.
Immigration Requirements
Canadian trucks looking to complete deliveries in the U.S. must meet the general entry requirements for admission as a B-1 visitor. This means commercial cross-border drivers must:
- Have a residence in Canada, with no intention of abandoning it
- Intend to depart the U.S. at the end of their temporary admission
- Have the financial means to finish the job and make it out of the U.S.
- Establish that they are not inadmissible to the U.S., including for health reasons, criminal convictions, or previous immigration violations.
The last requirement is especially important. If you have any serious health issues, any past criminal convictions, especially in regards to violence, weapons, or drugs, and any previous immigration issues, you probably will not qualify for cross-border trucker jobs as there is a very real chance you will not be allowed to cross the U.S.-Canada border.
Document Requirements
Crossing the border as a commercial driver is different than driving through as a visitor, but drivers will still need to present certain documents. Canadian citizens entering the U.S. as drivers must present the following documents to be allowed entry:
- One of the following pieces of ID:
- A Canadian passport
- An enhanced driver’s license or enhanced ID card
- An enrollment card from a DHS trucked traveling program
Inspection Requirements
All trucks and drivers entering and leaving the U.S. are inspected by border patrol. Inspections may differ each time however, they may include a number of elements, including:
- Document verification
- X-ray of cargo
- Cargo inspection
DOT Requirements
The trucking industry is one of the most heavily regulated. In order to keep drivers and the roads safe, the Canadian and U.S. governments have certain Hours of Service Rules. These are designed to ensure drivers are getting enough rest so that they can safely make their deliveries. All commercial drivers are required to keep a logbook of their hours, which may be reviewed when you cross the board. Commercial drivers will be instructed on how to properly keep track of their HoS so that they pass inspection.
Are you ready to hit the road as a cross-board trucker? Nova Driver Services is one of the top driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and we’d be happy to help you find the right position. Contact us today to check out our online job board.
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