Wasting my time pursuing this?(Quebec CDL)

Reading about the industry right now and how messed up it is for everyone in the states. It's obvious, that its harsh for new drivers with no experience over there...so I know it's gotta be 3X harder for Canadians as we have even less jobs opportunities over here the 1st place. The course in my province is mandated 5 months for like 500+hours. I'm currently waiting for a seat for the vocational course. In the meantime, I'm hearing that companies over here do not hire anyone with at least 2 years experience and a few might with 1 year. So this got me thinking maybe I should just drop the whole idea and go back to my dead-end life within a customer service role making 35k... I'm not looking for false hopes here. i've had plenty in my life such as a college degree that parents pushed on me my whole life(was worthless)... As a resident of Quebec... What's it looking out there. Can you actually "get started" as a trucker or its a pipe dream for someone with zero connections or experience who just can't afford another journey wasting his time? Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

 

Thanks Chinatown. yea unfortunately, the cdl license is only good for the province of quebec. To transfer to another province you need "experience"(Ex: 2 years for B.C) or pay 12,000$ to redo it over again. But yeah I cant move. Trying to figure out a way in Montreal/Laval area. But thanks for trying to help though.

 

Nice! Hi there good sir.
Sure. Every province manages the drivers(issuing license plates etc). In order to drive in BC for example you need their "truck driving" license. You have to get an equivalence approved. Due to recent accidents in the industry, they are requiring a certain curriculum which is more than the typical go to private lesson and just learn to pass the cdl exam of the province examiners. It's gotten alot more complicated now. In Ontario,Alberta and B.C I think its called the "MELT" program. For your CDL to be recognized from one province to another , depends on what they'll recognize as acceptable.

Here is a link for British columbia that explains it better than I do: https://www.icbc.com/assets/en/7iiwc0XuKFVu86iODrPsJb/melt-faqs.pdf

SO for example. I'm from Quebec. The Vocational trucking course is not "MELT". So the instructions seem to be(copy paste):

I have not completed a Class 1 MELT course in another province, but I hold or have held
a Canadian Class 1 driver’s licence. If I am applying for a B.C. Class 1 driver’s licence, do
I have to complete B.C.’s Class 1 MELT course?

• It depends on the amount of time you have held your Canadian Class 1 driver’s licence:
o If you hold or have held a valid Canadian Class 1 driver’s licence for at least 24
consecutive months that has been valid in the 3 years prior to applying for a B.C. Class
1 driver’s licence, you will not be required to complete B.C.’s Class 1 MELT course.

o If you hold or have held a valid Canadian Class 1 driver’s licence for between 12 and up
to 24 consecutive months (less a day) that has been valid in the 3 years prior to applying
for a B.C. Class 1 driver’s licence, you will not be required to complete the B.C. Class 1
MELT course providing you can qualify on a B.C. Class 1 road test within 12 months of
the application and within 2 attempts.
6
o If you have held a Class 1 driver’s licence from another Canadian jurisdiction for less
than 12 months, or hold or have held a Class 1 driver’s licence from outside of Canada
for any amount of time, you will be required to complete B.C.’s Class 1 MELT


In my case, it says you would need to have the license for 12-24 months beforehand. Then move. I just want something in my area lol.
This is only for transfering to British Columbia for example. I'm assuming it's the same variation of this if you want to move to another province etc.