Any UK truckers here that moved to Canada?

I've been there done that 20yrs ago doing house hold goods in London wasn't fun lol. Today I get to play like Jeremy clarkson farm, I have to load a combine myself its certainly interesting and kinda scary at times operating equipment with no training but hey its fun

 

I'd look hard at where you choose to settle down in Canada. Some areas are expensive to the point you work just to exist.

 

Got its perks I suppose. Love the driving aspect of it minus the crap scenery and a few other parts.

that does sound like fun. Dangerous, but fun!

enjoy yourself, have a good weekend

 

I’ve ruled out BC (bring cash is apparently what it stands for?) Ontario for the same reason.

other than that I’ve looked at Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the cities and towns near them.

also love the look of Nova Scotia and to an extent New Brunswick but from what I’ve read I think work can be scarce in eastern provinces?

anybody able to give any advice in this regard?

thanks

 

Alberta isn't terrible. Its flat and not much to look at mostly. Hinton and other areas that border the mountains are nice. Cost of living is very reasonable in rural Alberta (relative to other areas) and there always seems to be work.

 

I've been in Canada 20years this month. Came before the work permits for trucking, I was told work was scarce but never been out of work. I started driving in Uk in 1977 so had a lot of experience when i arrived which helped. i first moved out west to Alberta, then moved to New Brunswick 12 years ago. figured out if you do long haul and work for the right company you can live anywhere just about. I still work for the same Alberta company, 14 years now. Most of the class 1 drivers in the town i live in work for Ontario companies, if you can speak good English, can drive you will easily get work. Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia all source drivers from Africa. There is also a few Scots working out of PEI, can't remember name of company. It's like everything in life it's what you make it, attitude is everything. No one knows what is right for you because we all like different ways of working. I have been in every state and province except Alaska and the reason is I don't want to go. I'm away anything from 2 weeks to 3 months, not everybody's cup of tea. Most drivers in my town are away 10 to 20 days. Pick a place to live, travel all over then pick a place you are comfortable with.

 

Thanks for the reply mate. Always good to hear others stories and I’m glad it’s went well for you.

I’ve certainly got the work ethic for it that’s in no doubt it’s just being able to learn it all. Reversing into a single bay with trucks either side and having to reverse from an angle seems impossible to me now, people say it’s done with practice etc but we’ll just need to see. Fingers crossed I can make the grade

 

Do not concern about making the grade, you'll easily do that. everybody struggles at first, my first job in uk driving class one was delivering furniture around UK. I was in Kent trying to back in a space when an older guy stopped me gave me some advice on my positioning to start backing never looked back. then in 1980 i started on a 'A' framed wagon and drag, a dutch driver gave me the best advice ever, do it slowly, I could back that sucker with 6 inch either side on the blind side. could I do it now, not a chance, what's more i don,t care. you'll have lots of fun learning, just laugh about it

 

hope you’re right. Big gamble, putting my life savings into it but as others in this thread have said if I don’t go for it I’ll forever regret it and wonder what might have been.

I get what you’re saying and I appreciate the encouragement but it’s the big worry of if you’re lucky enough to get a job after passing the MELTS (assuming I do) and you knock into a pole or scrape a trailer when reversing. Sure someone said with most companies if you hit anything in your first 90 days you’re fired and there’s a mark against your driving record for it?

hopefully one day years from now I’ll be a regular poster on here and look back at this this thread and laugh.

 

Look up truckers on Highway 5 in BC on Youtube. Basically if you can keep in your lane and not pass like a douche you'll be head and shoulders above average.