Career Highways: Professional Transport Driving

Trucks don't move without drivers. And by extension, the freight they carry won't move either. Those who elect to drive professionally have very important jobs. In fact, the strength of our economy is dependent to some extent on the ability to keep goods moving in a timely and safe means by road. The job of a professional transport driver is one of very few that shares its workplace with the public. As such, drivers need to approach their jobs with the utmost professionalism. Being a professional transport driver involves more than driving, although that in and of itself is very much a skill. Drivers need to be able to route, plan their trips, be organized, maintain a multitude of paperwork, and be finely tuned to the operating characteristics of their vehicles. Drivers are also the front-line contact on a day-to-day basis with their companies' customers, and as such play a vital role in maintaining customer loyalty. And while it may seem that driving one tractor-trailer combination is no different than driving another, drivers must familiarize themselves extensively with different types of equipment and the loads they carry. In some cases, additional training for special loads can take several weeks.

Though not legally mandatory, it is highly recommended that those wishing to become professional transport drivers enroll in a recognized and credible truck driver training institution. When choosing a driver training school, prospective students are advised to thoroughly investigate their options to ensure that they offer solid training, and that potential employers recognize the school as a solid source for qualified drivers.

Following a training program, students will have to report to a Ministry of Transportation, Ontario Driver Exam Centre to road test for the appropriate class of licence. In addition, all drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes must obtain an air brake endorsement on their licence, which involves 12 hours of training followed by written and practical exams.

Short Haul Drivers

While many people associate the job of being a professional transport driver with being away for weeks on end, the fact is that 75% of drivers return to their home base at the end of their shifts every day. Short haul drivers typically leave their terminal early in the morning to deliver a full load to a location within a half-day's drive, or can be sent on a peddle run, which requires that they stop at frequent locations along the way to pick up or deliver more goods. Short haul drivers typically require Class "A" licenses, since many loads move via tractor-trailer combinations. In some cases, a Class "D" licence may be sufficient since some companies operate straight trucks between various urban areas.

Long Haul Drivers

Long haul drivers symbolize what the majority of people associate with being a professional transport driver. For these drivers, driving is more than an occupation; it is a lifestyle. Long haul drivers are often dispatched over long distances; sometimes from coast to coast or sometimes on long international routes between central Canada to the U.S. West Coast. Since drivers tend to spend most of their time in the vehicle, today's truck cabs are extremely comfortable, and offer many amenities. Besides being equipped with bunks for sleeping, vehicles can also include televisions, microwave ovens and fridges. In addition, manufactures have stepped up the conditions for driving by including air ride driver's seats, and an ergonomically designed control centre.

Long haul drivers need to be well-organized and skilled in aspects like trip and route planning. Since they are largely unsupervised, they must be responsible and be able to work in an autonomous environment. Since a great deal of trade between Canada and the U.S. moves by truck, many long haul drivers must be familiar with customs and border crossing requirements and procedures. In the vast majority of cases, long-haul drivers require Class "A" licenses.

Local Pick-Up and Delivery Drivers

Local P & D drivers typically work in one very localized area, often with smaller trucks or tractor-trailer combinations. Their job is to pick up or deliver many small shipments that may be combined in one truck or trailer. Often, they are responsible for planning their routes to ensure that freight is delivered or picked-up in the most efficient manner possible. Familiarization with the local area and strong map-reading skills are essential assets. In many cases, only a Class "D" licence is required, though a Class "A" licence may be required for some jobs.

Shunt Drivers

Many operations - both at trucking as well as customers' facilities - require the skills of a shunt driver. These drivers make sure that docks always have trailers to load goods on, or unload goods from. Shunt drivers typically locate the required trailers in the yard, and then "shunts" them to the appropriate dock. Once the dock personnel are finished with the trailer, the shunt driver "shunts" the trailer back to an appropriate location in the yard, ensuring that the corresponding paperwork accompanies the trailer. Since the shunt driver may drive exclusively on private property, he/she may not even need a commercial driver's license, though company policy may dictate that the driver must hold the appropriate class of licence. For some drivers, this is the ideal place to gain the necessary equipment handling experience that is necessary in being a fully qualified and competent commercial driver.

Driver Trainers

Though most drivers are hired possessing the full set of driving-related skills, many companies offer a thorough training and orientation program for new driving recruits. This allows the company to focus on processes and procedures that drivers are expected to follow on a day-to-day basis. It also allows companies to ensure that drivers are sufficiently trained in key safety areas such as the handling of dangerous goods (a legal requirement), as well as specific commodity handling procedures. This can include tarping and chaining a load of steel, or learning the safe loading and unloading techniques of gasoline. Depending on the specific company requirements, training can last anywhere from one day to several weeks.
The driver training function is a critical component due to the level of responsibility riding on the drivers. In addition to the training component, many companies rely on driver trainers to recruit, assess and hire drivers. Driver trainers are often former professional drivers, but don't necessarily have to be. In all cases, they must be solid communicators, and accessible. Training in adult learning is an asset, though not always a requirement. Since a great deal of training is offered in a classroom environment, skills and a comfort level in public speaking are also important.

Driver Supervisors

Driver supervisors ensure that all drivers working for the company continue to meet both legislative requirements and corporate policies. They ensure that the drivers are fully familiar with the appropriate operation of all equipment and the corresponding customer needs. They also ensure that drivers are in compliance with the various hours of service regulations and other driver-specific rules, and that they receive the appropriate training to enable them to perform all of their necessary job-related functions.
Often, the position of driver supervisor is a progressive position that allows professional transport drivers to put their skills and experience to use in a higher position of authority. Since specific training courses are not often available, the driving experience of the individual is supplemented with on-the-job training.

Owner-Operator Driver

Basically, and owner-operator is a small business entrepreneur who owns his/her own truck, and contracts it along with his/her driving services to trucking companies. As the owner of the equipment, an owner-operator is responsible for its operating condition and efficiency. A successful owner-operator relies on skills that extend beyond those related to operating a vehicle. For example, he/she should have strong business management skills including a background or training in finance, accounting and business planning. As small businesses, owner-operators are typically compensated on a mileage basis that is significantly higher than company employee drivers' wages. However, again, as a business, an owner-operator must pay for all his/her operating expenses including fuel, insurance and vehicle maintenance and repairs. Many owners of all sizes of trucking companies started out as owner-operators.

Business Skills development courses for owner-operators are becoming increasingly more popular, and more available. Anyone wishing to become an owner-operator is advised to gain some experience as a company driver, and then take some business courses to assist with the business management side. In addition, owner-operators should be prepared to dedicate time and resources in developing and reviewing comprehensive contracts with carriers to ensure that both parties benefit from the business relationship. A review of Guidelines for Owner-Operator Contracts may be a beneficial first step.

8. Marketing

Again, like the sales component, the marketing function offers unique challenges in the trucking industry. Marketing a service is very different from marketing a product. People in the marketing function of a trucking company are faced with the complex challenge of differentiating the services of his or her trucking company from that of the competitors. People in the marketing function have to be innovative, creative, and fully understand the range of services being offered by the company, as well as what additional services can be introduced to strengthen the company's market position.

9. Human Resources

While the Human Resources or HR function is one of those functions that is utilized by virtually all industries, again, trucking offers it own set of unique challenges. The HR function includes virtually anything that involves human capital - from ensuring compliance with the appropriate labour, health & safety, and highway safety laws, to creating an appealing place to work. The HR function is responsible for the hiring function which includes recruiting, screening and interviewing, hiring and orientating new hires. It is also responsible for developing and enforcing personnel related policies and procedures. Some HR functions that are specific to the trucking industry include contracting with owner-operator drivers, developing and implementing performance-based incentive programs and training programs, as well as administering the company's drug and alcohol testing program for drivers (if it has one). While many of the responsibilities are associated with the driving function, a full one-quarter to one-third of positions in a trucking company are non-driving.