Cross-Border Truck Driver Requirements

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:

  1. Have a residence in Canada, with no intention of abandoning it
  2. Intend to depart the U.S. at the end of their temporary admission
  3. Have the financial means to finish the job and make it out of the U.S.
  4. 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.

 

What Are the Different Types of Truck Driver Jobs?

Are you interested in starting a career in truck driving? It’s a lucrative career path that offers job security and growth, but not all commercial driving jobs are the same. There are many different types of truck drivers, each with its own benefits and skill requirements. Our driver recruitment experts at Nova Driver Services explain them all.

 

Truck Type

When looking at different types of commercial truck driving jobs, there are two things to consider- the type of truck you’ll be driving and the distance. Let’s take a look at the different types of commercial trucks you could be driving.

 

Dry Van 

Dry van trucks are where people starting out in the industry begin. “Dry van” is a common nickname for the rectangular trailers hauled by semi-trucks. Chances are you’ve seen these driving on the highway before. This type of truck is a large, single-trailer vehicle containing non-perishable products and dry goods.

 

Flatbed

You’ve probably seen a flatbed truck on the road before. As the name implies, this type of truck has a flat trailer that is open air. This type of truck is used to carry dry products or machinery that may be too big or awkward to fit in a dry van trailer. Flatbed truck drivers will have to become experts at tying down oddly shaped objects. This type of driver tends to make more due to the awkwardly sized goods they carry.

 

Freight

Freight hauling is a bit of a catch-all job that covers all cargo that isn’t housed under the umbrella of dry van hauling. Freight trucks transport things like liquids, oversized loads, and hazardous goods. Because the goods being hauled by freight trucks are usually more specialized, you may need extra training and certification to land these jobs, but they do tend to pay more!

 

Tanker

Tanker truck drivers are highly sought after and some of the best paid. Tanker trucks are used to transport liquids, which can either be hazardous, like oil or non-hazardous, like water. Tanker drivers have to know how to handle their trucks masterfully since the fluid can shift during the trip.

 

Refrigerated

Refrigerated trucks, or refers as they’re often called, are temperature-controlled trailers. They’re used to transport goods that have to remain at a certain temperature, such as frozen items, perishable goods, and medication. Refer drivers have to know how to check and set the temperature of their trailer, so they tend to get paid more than dry haulers.

 

LTL 

LTL, or Less-Than-Truckload, is a popular type of commercial driver job. LTL drivers carry smaller than normal shipments. This type of job is usually shorter distances or goods that couldn’t fit in one vehicle. LTL drivers make less, but they can do more loads daily. LTL drivers tend to have to load and unload their own freight.

 

Auto

Auto haulers are trucks specifically designed to carry automobiles. Auto haulers transport cars from one place to another, usually delivering new cars from the factory to dealerships. If you’ve ever seen a truck full of shiny new cars on the road, you’ve seen an auto-hauler. This type of truck can be very heavy, requiring specifically trained drivers. This also means if you’re qualified for it, you’ll make more money than the average commercial driver!

 

Distance

In addition to different types of trucks, commercial drivers can also take on different lengths of routes. The longer the driver, the more money you’ll make usually. Here is a look at the most common types of distance classifications you’ll get to pick from.

 

Long-Haul

If you hear “trucker” and picture someone that spends weeks on the road, you’re probably picturing a long-haul truck driver. As the name implies, long-haul truck drivers make trips that can take weeks. Long-haul truckers usually have special cabs with beds and kitchenettes, almost like a little home on wheels. These types of jobs make more money, but they do require you to be away from home for chunks of time.

 

Local/Regional

Local or regional drivers stay within a certain area. Local drivers typically only work in one city, while regional drivers may work in an entire state/province. How much you get paid depends on the type of load and how far you’re going.

 

Last-Mile

Due to e-commerce, last-mile delivery has exploded in recent years. Last-mile drivers are in high demand these days. This type of truck driver is what Amazon used to deliver your packages from their local facility to your home. Last-mile drivers tend to make multiple stops and usually make smaller deliveries.

 

Cross-Border

Cross-border trucking is when drivers have to cross a country’s border to make a delivery. In North America, cross-border trucking is usually between Canada and the U.S. and the U.S. and Mexico. Cross-border trucking jobs usually require more extensive background checks to ensure you can pass through the border but tend to make more money. Depending on how far across the border you’re going, these jobs can either be long-haul or just day trips.

 

Are you ready to start a lucrative career as a professional truck driver? Our driver recruitment team is here to help! Visit our online job board or contact us to learn more about open positions.

 

6 Qualities Driver Recruitment Agencies Look for in Candidates

Truck drivers are in high demand in Canada right now. From long-haul truckers to last-mile delivery drivers, qualified drivers are some of the most sought-after people for companies right now. But what exactly do companies look for when hiring new drivers? As one of Toronto’s top driver recruitment agencies, here are a few qualities our hiring experts look for.

 

Reliable

Reliability is one of the top qualities all drivers should have. The majority of goods in Canada are moved by truck, and with people relying on deliveries more than ever due to COVID-19, it’s incredibly important to hire people you can depend on. Companies need to be able to count on drivers to arrive when scheduled, follow their routes, and make their deliveries in a timely and efficient manner.

 

Good Driving Record

It goes without saying that drivers need to have a clean driving record. This is one of the first things any driver recruitment agency will look at. Companies want to ensure they’re hiring safe and responsible drivers. In addition to a clean record, drivers should have all of their updated licenses and will probably have to pass a drug test.

 

Communication

Communication is critical in the transportation industry. No matter what type of driver you are, you’ll have to be able to effectively talk with shippers, carriers, dispatchers, clients, and more. Companies want to know that drivers can effectively communicate if an issue arises. Good communication also makes it easier for managers and co-workers to work together.

 

Alert

There is a reason commercial drivers have to undergo extra training and certification compared to normal drivers. Commercial vehicles like trucks are typically much heavier and larger than normal vehicles and can cause much more damage. Drivers must always be alert and responsive to driving conditions on the road. People that easily get distracted when driving don’t make for good hires.

 

Truck Mechanics

Drivers don’t have to be full-blown mechanics, but all drivers should know the basics of truck operations and maintenance. This means being able to perform basic emergency repairs such as changing a tire. Driver recruitment agencies also look for candidates that know how to read all the gauges, dials, and other indicators of a functioning vehicle.

 

Experience

Experience is one of the top things any driver recruitment agency will look at. While having a ton of experience isn’t necessary to land the job, it certainly does help. Experienced commercial drivers know the business and are usually better at handling any issues that arise and the stress of the job.

 

Looking to hire qualified drivers? Contact Nova Staffing today! We’re one of the top driver employment agencies in the GTA and have a team of staffing experts ready to help.

 

3 Benefits of Using a Driver Recruitment Agency

Trucks move the majority of freight across North America and are one of the most important industries in keeping the economy going. Finding qualified truck drivers isn’t always easy, though. The industry has been struggling with a driver shortage for years, and it can take a lot of resources for transportation companies to hire themselves. This is where driver recruitment agencies come in. Here are a few ways to use a staffing agency to hire truck and delivery drivers to benefit your company.

 

Streamlined Recruitment

Recruiting for a driver position isn’t always easy. Not only is there a national shortage of drivers, but there are a ton of qualifications needed to fulfill these positions. It can take a lot of time and energy for trucking companies to recruit, which is why many turn to employment agencies. A driver recruitment agency will take care of interviewing, looking into backgrounds, check qualifications, and testing job skills. They’ll send only the most qualified candidates your way so that you can focus on running your business.

 

Flexible Hiring

A driver recruitment agency doesn’t just focus on long-term hires. They can also help fill temporary or seasonal positions. The transportation industry is busier during certain times of the years, so you may find yourself needing more delivery drivers during the holiday season. A driver employment agency will always be on hand to send you qualified drivers as needed to help when the workload picks up, or your full-time drivers are out.

 

Qualified Candidates

One of the hardest parts about recruiting for driver positions is weeding through to find qualified candidates. The transportation industry is heavily regulated, and there are specific qualifications in order to be an eligible commercial driver. Drivers in Ontario need a certain number of training hours, specific types of licenses, and have to clear a background check. Driver recruitment agencies are already well versed in screening driver candidates. They have the tools and experience to find the best drivers for the job quickly.

 

Are you looking for qualified drivers in Ontario? Contact Nova Staffing today! Our team of HR experts is experienced in staffing driver positions. We even have a dedicated team, Nova Driver Services, to help companies fill driver jobs with qualified candidates.