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.

 

How to Attract Quality Hires During the Truck Driver Shortage

It’s no secret to anyone in transportation that the industry faces a severe truck driver shortage. Reports have found that Canada is short around 25,000 truck drivers while the U.S. reports a shocking lack of around 60,000 drivers. Drivers are a vital part of North America’s supply chain, but finding quality candidates is hard despite many job openings. Trucking companies are in a heated competition to woo new drivers away from their competitors these days. According to our hiring experts at Nova Driver Services, here are some ways you can attract quality new hires despite the truck driver shortage!

 

Competitive Wage

Money is the top factor people consider when it comes to selecting a job. While most people would love to do something they’re passionate about, we all have bills to pay! If you want to stand out from other trucking companies hiring, you’ll have to offer competitive wages. Trucking is a demanding job, so you’ll have to make it worth any new hires’ time.

 

Quality Benefits

Don’t stop just at wages. Candidates these days are always looking at benefits packages when determining which company to go with. What sort of bonus, sick days, vacation days, and other perks do you offer? If you can’t compete on salary with other trucking companies, benefits are one area you can try to woo quality drivers with.

 

Flexibility & Balance

The pandemic highlighted many problems in the current working world, with a big one being work-life balance. The Great Resignation Canada and the U.S. have been feeling is in part due to a lack of balance and flexibility. While truck driving demands chunks of time, companies that encourage world-life balance and offer flexibility for routes and schedules will attract more workers than those that stand by the rigid, old way of operating.

 

Company Culture

A huge reason behind the truck driver shortage is that drivers felt like they weren’t respected. Drivers are a vital part of the global supply chain and integral to keeping Canada running during the pandemic, and they deserve respect and quality working conditions. If your company culture reflects this, you’ll attract quality drivers.

 

Training & Growth

One solution to a lack of quality drivers is to train them yourself! Another aspect of the driver shortage is that many commercial drivers are nearing retirement age. Appeal to young workers by offering them support in training and certification and clear growth paths once they’re hired. A big appeal to trucking is the long-term career opportunities. Young drivers are more likely to commit to this career if they feel supported and like they have a real future ahead of them.

 

Are you looking to hire quality drivers? Contact us today! Nova Driver Services is one of the top truck driver recruitment agencies in the GTA, and we’d be happy to help fill open positions in your company.