The learning curve of becoming a tractor trailer driver can be both a difficult and rewarding one. Driving truck isn’t just something you pick up in a day or so of practice - it requires discipline, patience and tenacity to handle a vehicle with such size and power.
The costs of truck driving school and other commercial driving jobs can be high as well. The differences between driving a regular passenger vehicle and a heavy commercial vehicle are vast. In this post, we’ll outline what’s required of you as a driver, and help expose some ways to help you pay for your career training programs.
Commercial Drivers Licences
In order to become a licensed truck driver, the province of British Columbia’s licensing bureau, ICBC, dictates that you’ll first need a commercial learner’s licence. You should spend some time studying the Driving Commercial Vehicle’s guide from ICBC, and run through some online practice tests before you attempt the knowledge test. This guide is available online free of charge. You can also find the practice tests available free of charge!
Taking the knowledge tests themselves can be completed at any driver licensing office - except Cloverdale and Surrey Guildford. You will need to bring accepted identification, payment for your test and licence and a parent or legal guardian if you’re 18 and applying for a Class 3.
If you plan to operate a vehicle with air brakes, and most class 1, 2, and 3 vehicles will have them, you’ll also need to pass an air brake knowledge test. The air brake knowledge test is only a requirement for class 2 and 3, as the class 1 knowledge test includes questions pertaining to air brakes. The air brake knowledge test for class 2 and 3 requires that a classroom course be completed beforehand, and then both the class of licence knowledge test and air brakes knowledge test can be completed in one visit to the ICBC office!
The class 1, 2, 3, and 4 knowledge tests each have 35 questions, and the air brake knowledge test has 25 questions. All of these knowledge tests require you to pass with at least 80% to receive your learners licence. The commercial licensing knowledge tests are only offered in English - translators are not permitted.
The commercial driver's road test is broken up into two sections; a pre-trip inspection process (including an Air Brake inspection) as well as a formal road test. You’ll be asked to demonstrate a full pre-trip process in detail and explain to your driver examiner what you’re doing and checking. You’ll be required to start and stop the vehicle, shift gears, turn, steer and reverse the vehicle; park it, merge with highway traffic and exit safely from highways, as well as drive confidently and safely in traffic. If you’re applying for a Class 1 licence, you’ll also need to demonstrate how to couple and uncouple a tractor unit from a trailer.
Truck Training Programs and Costs
Truck driver training programs are invaluable to getting you the experience driving heavy vehicles. Programs prices will vary, but Valley Driving School offers a Class 3 standard transmission program at a reasonable price . A full Class 1 training program can cost a bit more but all of the Class 3 and Class 1 programs do have interest-free payment plans available through our school. Payment plans can be arranged around your training schedule, and can be paid throughout the term of your training period. We offer flexible, individualized options for each one of our students to ensure that the financial toll is not too hard on them!
If you're looking for some more options for paying for a training program, you can also find outside sponsors that provide funding.
Employment Insurance
In short, yes. In Canada, Unemployment (Employment Insurance) can be used to pay for courses or training programs like truck driver school; however, it comes with its own rules and regulation that must be followed.
As a general rule, you must be able to show that you are unemployed, able and willing to work - and be actively looking for suitable work to be entitled to regular EI benefits. When you decide to take a truck driver's training course independently of being directed to do so by a designated authority, you must be able to prove that the course will not become an obstacle to your active job hunt or impede on your ability to accept new employment.
If you have been referred to a training program or course, you will continue to receive EI benefits because you are still considered unemployed, capable, and available to work during the period of your training course. If by chance you’re directed by a designated authority to take a course, you would be considered to be justified in leaving your position voluntarily. You must also notify the government of your participation on a course of training program.
Employment and Social Development Canada also offers its own slew of training programs that individuals can take advantage of to overcome potential obstacles in the labour market. They include training, education and jobs for Indigenous peoples, youth, and employment benefits and support measures.
Sponsorship Options
In 2014, and through the Canada-British Columbia Job Grant, the shortage of qualified truck drivers in BC has prompted the provincial government to provide full funding to eligible individuals for Class 1 Driver Training programs. To be eligible, you must be unemployed, legally entitled to work in BC, a resident of the province, and you must not be currently receiving any employment insurance, or have received it in the last three years.
The Canada Revenue Agency recently introduced the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP). This initiative allows students to withdraw money from their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) to finance training, and can also be done by the student's spouse or common-law partner. The amounts are then repaid over a set period (generally 10 years). The eligibility requirements for the LLP are minimal, but not all RRSP's allow for money to be withdrawn, so you should check with your RRSP issuer and the CRA to confirm whether this is something you can make use of.
Students can also use their Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) if they have been contributing to one. Your first step with using up your RESP is to contact your Training Program provider to get proof of enrollment in the program, and then you will need to contact your RESP provider so they can issue the payments.
You can also find sponsorship through other organizations, such as Douglas College and YWCA's Changing Gears Program. Both of these programs will take you through Class 1 Training, as well as additional certificates that vary depending on the specific program you go through. Some of the other certificates include a WHIMS or First Aid Certificate.
For the YWCA Program, some eligibility requirements are:
• Currently on EI or have been within the last five years OR;
• Have earned $2,000 or more and paid employee EI premiums in at least 5
of the last 10 years
• Have established a benefit period and were paid maternity benefits within
the past five years and are re-entering the labour force
• Have a valid Class 5 BC driver’s licence and a clean driver’s abstract
For the Douglas College Program, some eligiblity requirements are:
• Currently receiving or have received EI benefits in the past 60 months (5 years)
• Referral from a WorkBC Case Manager
• Minimum English CLB Level 6 or 7
• Have a valid Class 5 BC driver’s licence and a clean driver’s abstract
The BC Trucking Association (BCTA) is also offering a grant opportunity to motor carrier members to support relevant skills training for unemployed or currently underemployed employees to the needs of the business and the participant’s job. The BC Trucking Association (BCTA) will act as the administrator for this Grant Opportunity and funds accessed will be used to pay for Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) throughout BC. The Grant Opportunity is only open to BCTA members.
Tax Deductible Training
Yes, you can. In Canada, truck driving school is eligible for deduction from approved educational institutions. The amount shown on receipts given to students may qualify for purposes under paragraph 118.5(1)(a) of the federal Income Tax Act.
Most driving schools can also provide a T2202, a special form for post-secondary training programs. These receipts and forms would simply accompany the remainder of your income tax filings to be brought to a tax accountant to be processed.
In short, truck driving school can help you advance your career in such a way that gives you some financial and occupational freedom - fortunately, the province of British Columbia and Canada can help you to make the process of achieving your licence and handling the associated costs a bit easier.
