Truck drivers are the backbone of Canada’s economy, contributing significantly to Canada’s G.D.P. Being able to tow vehicles across Canada is an essential aspect of the country’s economy that needs support to grow. As such, there are various routes of relocating to Canada as a tow truck driver.
By 2025, Canada will require several truck drivers per year to balance the supply and demand. Therefore, this is an opportunity for you to enter the market and grow in your profession. In this article, we explore what a tow truck driver does, how to become a tow truck driver, and ways of relocating to Canada as a tow truck driver.
What Does a Tow Truck Driver Do?
A Tow Truck Driver transports disabled vehicles to a service center or safe location. They also enforce parking laws by towing cars parked illegally or obstructing access to an entrance and towing those vehicles to an impound lot.
For disabled vehicles, tow truck drivers receive a call about a disabled vehicle, drive to its location, and tow it to an area the owner chooses. They also take calls from parking enforcement to remove illegally parked cars.
Immigration Routes for Tow Truck Drivers in Canada
1. Express Entry (Federal Skilled Program)
The Canadian government organizes and processes applications for skilled professionals who believe in relocating to Canada as tow truck drivers. They can get Canadian permanent residence status through the online system known as Express Entry. The system manages the Federal Skilled Program (FSW), one of three major federal economic programs.
As a candidate, you must first meet the requirements of FSW to be eligible to enter a pool of candidates for immigration. You will also complete an online Express Entry profile identifying your skills and qualifications. Then, the Express Entry system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (C.R.S.) to rank applicants against others in the pool.
This is done on a points-based system that considers various factors, such as age, education, work experience (home country and Canada), language proficiency, family members, and details on any job offer. Every two weeks, the I.R.C.C. holds periodic draws and invites the highest-ranking candidates to receive an Invitation to Apply (I.T.A.) for Canadian permanent residence.
2. PNPs as a Tow Truck Driver under Express Entry Canada
There are two ways to apply:
- The applicants contact the province/territory and apply for a nomination under their Express Entry stream. They get a nomination through their account, which they accept electronically. If the province/territory agrees to nominate them, they create an Express Entry profile (or update it if they already have one) and show they have been set.
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- The applicants create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories in which they are interested. They apply to their Express Entry stream” If they are nominated, “they will offer it to them through their account and accept it electronically. If a province or territory sends a “notification of interest” to their account, they contact them directly.
3. PNPs as a Tow Truck Driver – Paper-based Process
You may apply to the province/territory for nomination under a non-Express Entry stream. You need to meet the eligibility requirements of the area that nominates you. Once set, you submit a paper application for permanent residence to Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Application processing times are longer than through Express Entry. For tow truck drivers wishing to settle down and grow their careers in Canada, it’s a fantastic option! You can move to a particular Canadian province or territory through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), a non-Express Entry. There are distinct PNP streams available for some specialized and in-demand jobs.
For instance, Saskatchewan’s Long-Haul Truck Driver Project aims to let transportation companies hire foreign truck drivers. The best aspect of this program is the possibility of obtaining Canadian permanent residency. You can get to Canada much more quickly and get work using this pathway, and it also raises your C.R.S. score by 600 points.
Depending on each province/territory, different qualifications may be needed when relocating to Canada as a tow truck driver. However, they usually have prerequisites like a diploma from a secondary school, proof of the necessary driving skills, and the required license. Your chances of being nominated under the PNP rely on the province’s needs because the program is province-specific.
To ensure they move to a province with the most work opportunities, prospective individuals should keep an eye on relevant job postings in the provinces they are interested in and stay current with those provinces’ demands.
4-Temporary Foreign Worker Program (T.F.W.P.)
This employer-driven program enables Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals who can fill the skill shortage in a province or territory. Before seeking foreign talent, employers are encouraged to explore the local Canadian market to fill the labor of successful foreign workers. This program may require a Labor Market Impact Assessment (L.M.I.A.).
The L.M.I.A. will prove that your employer can hire an immigrant as a temporary foreign worker. Furthermore, the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (T.F.W.P.) enables Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals to fill provincial and territorial labor needs. A TFWP gives the temporary holder status and the opportunity to gain Canadian Permanent Residency.
The L.M.I.A. is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (E.S.D.C.) assessing the impact of hiring a foreign national in Canada. In addition, with skilled occupations, spouses are eligible for work permits, making the transition to a new life in Canada easier. Foreigners seeking temporary employment in Canada are eligible for the T.F.W.P., a temporary work visa.
The Canadian government established it to allow firms to hire foreign workers if they cannot fill open positions with Canadians. You’re only permitted to work for one employer in Canada. Extensions may be given if you switch jobs, employers, or other work-related factors.
To be eligible for a T.F.W.P., you must:
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
- Hold a valid passport.
- Prove your intention to leave Canada after your work permit expires.
- Demonstrate your command of English or French.
- Have no criminal history and pose no threat to Canada’s national security
- Demonstrate you’ll be able to sustain yourself while in Canada and pay for your family members’ return trip.
- Be healthy.
Requirements and Skills of a Tow Truck Driver
- A clean driving record: Tow truck drivers possessing a clean driving record is proof of their ability to operate a tow truck safely.
- Commercial driving experience: Having at least a year of commercial driving experience will prove that you’re a capable driver.
- Communication skills: Your ability to communicate effectively with your teammates can make your job easier. Effective verbal communication would ensure that you’re sharing and receiving information efficiently.
- Basic mechanical skills: Your mechanical skills may be helpful when towing a vehicle in specific scenarios. You may have to change tires or work on an engine to do your job correctly.
- Time management skills: You’ll need good time management skills to become a tow truck driver because you would need to respond to distress calls in due time to manage an accident.
Salary of a Tow Truck Driver in Canada
According to Talent.com, Canada’s average tow truck driver salary is $45,000 annually or $23.08 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $37,598 annually, while most experienced workers make up to $61,564 annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which province is best for tow trucking in Canada?
The five Canadian provinces with the highest need for tow truck drivers include:
- Saskatchewan
- British Columbia
- Nova Scotia
- Alberta
- Ontario
2. Can a trucking company sponsor a work visa?
Trucking companies in Canada typically can temporarily hire commercial truck drivers to fill short-term needs by sponsoring non-immigrant visas or permanently sponsoring the drivers for Canadian permanent residency.
3. Is it hard to become a truck driver in Canada?
It might be necessary to finish a three-month recognized driver education program at a community college or vocational institution. Straight-body trucks can only be operated by drivers with a Class 3 or D license. Driving long combination vehicles requires either a Class 1 or A license.