[eastern ontario]

Can any experienced drivers give me some advice please?

I am Canadian female, wanting to make a career change in next 3yrs. I have never driven standard and nothing bigger than a p/u with plow attached. I am enthusiastic to learn and realize this field of work is not easy.

I know it is difficult to find employment without experience due to trucking company insurance policies.......what is it we have to do?

Thanks to everyone/anyone who can provide some insight.

Eastern Ontario

[mapleleaf_1]

First thing to do Eastern is to get your training from a reputable source. In Ontario there are community colleges that have trucking courses. They usually bring in trainers who have firsthand experience with the industry. You take the required hours of classromm study and then get your hands on training with the trucks. These trainers are very knowledgable and helpful. They are usually accredited by the DOT to give the driving test to the students and use the trucks that you've been training on throughout your course. You still have to go to your local license office for the written test. Upon completing the course and passing it most places will help you with finding positions with companies. Makes it a lot easier for newbies. It's very difficult doing it on your own because you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. You need experience to get a job, yet you need the job to get the experience. I hope this has helped you out in some way. Best of luck to you and don't give up. Keep plugging along and it'll work out. Drive safe everyone.

[Sealord]

PM Lady North Star. BOL

[bikerboy]

If you are from ontario, there are alot of trucking schools here in southern ontario.
VIP truckdrivers in london is very good. And markel the insurance company, also has a school in guelph i think.

There is also truck drivers of ontario, i think they are in london or kw area.
Also is a school in new liskard, northern ontario, the fifth wheel truck driving school.

There alot of companys here in southern ontario that hire new drivers once you get your AZ licence.
As long as you are over 21 or 23 years old and have a very good driving record and no criminal record, you should have no trouble getting hired.

Challenger motor freight would be very good for a new driver i think, they take drivers as young as 21, with a good driving record.

Also scheinder national has a terminal in guelph, and could be a possibility
Kriska in Prescott also takes new drivers i think.

You could also try Mackinnon in guelph , or Robert, based out of Quebec, but they have terminal in toronto.

I know forbes hewlett, out of toronto also takes new drivers sometimes.

[bikerboy]

I am only 22 and never went to trucking school, and i have been driving over 3 years now.
I just knew enough people that had trucks to let me practice with and take for the tests.

Then i got hired on with some very small local companys.

So thats also an option.

[eastern ontario]

Thanks to everyone for sharing their insights! There is still lots to learn & lots to experience. Drive Safely Everyone