Long-haul trucking in Canada: licensing, pay, and life on the road
A working-class guide for Canadian truckers: how to get your Class 1 or AZ licence, how pay per mile stacks up against hourly, what cross-border and team driving are really like, and how to stay healthy on rotation.
See the licensing hubKey facts
- National median wage
- $26.42/hr
- Source: Job Bank, November 19, 2025
- Alberta median wage
- $30.00/hr
- Source: Job Bank, November 19, 2025
- Ontario MELT minimum
- 103.5 hours before road test
Related guides
Pay snapshot
Job Bank's wage report for Long Haul Truck Driver (NOC 73300) puts Canadian transport truck drivers at a national median of $26.42/hour, with Alberta running higher (median $30.00/hour) and Ontario close to the national figure -- wages updated November 19, 2025, checked 2026-09-08. See the pay hub for the full province-by-province numbers and how per-mile pay compares.
- National median wage
- $26.42/hr
- Job Bank, updated November 19, 2025
- Alberta median wage
- $30.00/hr
- Job Bank, updated November 19, 2025
- Ontario MELT minimum
- 103.5 hrs
- before road test
Life on the road
Long-haul driving means days or weeks away from home, sleeper-cab living, and a schedule built around hours-of-service rules rather than a nine-to-five. Regional and team driving trade some of that time away for more predictable home time or more miles. See the full life on the road guide for what to actually expect.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a Class 1 (or AZ) licence in Canada?
You need a Class 5 (car) licence first, then pass a knowledge test, complete mandatory entry-level training (MELT, or Alberta's Class 1 Learning Pathway since April 2025) through a registered training provider, and pass a road test with a tractor-trailer. Requirements and hours vary by province -- see our licensing hub for the province-by-province breakdown.
Is it better to get paid by the mile or by the hour?
Per-mile pay usually rewards experienced long-haul drivers who can run more miles, while hourly or salary pay tends to favour regional and local drivers with more predictable routes and more paid non-driving time (fuelling, inspections, waiting at docks). See our pay hub for how the two compare.
Do I need anything extra to drive into the US?
Yes -- cross-border drivers need a valid passport (or FAST card), a clean criminal record (a DUI can block US entry), and their employer typically needs a US DOT number and proper cross-border insurance. See our pay hub for what cross-border runs typically add to your paycheque.
What's team driving actually like?
Team driving means two drivers alternate behind the wheel so the truck can keep moving with one driver resting in the sleeper berth -- it usually means more miles and more pay per driver, but a lot less personal space and privacy. See our life-on-the-road hub for what to expect.
Is online gambling legal in Canada?
It depends on your province -- online gambling in Canada is regulated province by province, not nationally. Ontario and Alberta each license and register their own private operators; every other province and territory has only its own government platform (or, in the territories, no regulated online option at all). See our comparison page and pick your province for the options that are actually legal where you are.
Off-shift entertainment
Some drivers use downtime at a truck stop or during a home-time break for regulated online gambling. If you do, only use options registered in your own province -- see the regulated options by province, or pick your province below.
Regulated online gambling in Canada is province by province. Alberta and Ontario residents can compare AGLC- or AGCO/iGaming Ontario-registered operators directly; everywhere else, the only regulated option is your province's own government platform.
Off-shift only. Never gamble on company networks or devices. Please play responsibly. Gambling should be entertainment, not income.