Class 1 truck driver in Québec: licence, jobs and hiring

Class 1 truck drivers are among the most in-demand workers in Québec. With the right licence and a clean record, you often get to choose your schedule and type of route.

Getting your Class 1 licence

A Class 1 licence lets you drive a combination of road vehicles (tractor and semi-trailer). In short, you need to:

1. Hold a Class 5 driver's licence for a certain number of years
2. Provide a medical examination report
3. Pass the knowledge test to get a learner's licence
4. Pass the SAAQ road test

Many carriers prefer candidates who completed recognized training, such as the DEP in trucking (Transport par camion). Exact requirements can change: always check them on the SAAQ website before you sign up.

Local, regional or long haul

• Local: deliveries in the area, home every night. Often more handling.
• Regional: routes in Québec or Ontario, sometimes one or two nights away.
• Long haul: Canada and the United States, several days on the road. A passport and a record that allows border crossing are often required.

What carriers look at

• Your driving record: few or no violations, no recent at-fault accident
• Your experience: many employers require a minimum for insurance, but some accept new graduates with mentoring
• The equipment you know: dry van, flatbed, tanker, B-train, manual or automatic transmission
• Your reliability: punctuality, proper safety inspections, respecting hours of service

Prepare your application

State clearly on your resume your licence class, the date you got it, the trailer types you've driven and the kind of route you want. Keep your up-to-date driving record handy: you'll be asked for it.

Positions open right now

See the Class 1 driver jobs or all jobs. Can't find the right one? Submit your resume: we'll call you as soon as a carrier is looking for your profile. It's free for candidates.