From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen?!
#1
From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen?!
I have served just under 12 years in the British Army and I am currently facing possible redundancy. I have long given up on the UK and think thats Canada is my best possible future, specifically driving trucks. I'm looking at Westcan Bulk Transport, Calgary as my preferance. Obviously I haven't got a clue whats ahead of me and am looking for advice from either personal experience or stories passed whether they be good or bad.
Thanks for reading...
Thanks for reading...
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Picture Butte, Alberta, Canada.
Posts: 223
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
I have served just under 12 years in the British Army and I am currently facing possible redundancy. I have long given up on the UK and think thats Canada is my best possible future, specifically driving trucks. I'm looking at Westcan Bulk Transport, Calgary as my preferance. Obviously I haven't got a clue whats ahead of me and am looking for advice from either personal experience or stories passed whether they be good or bad.
Thanks for reading...
Thanks for reading...
Just bear in mind Canada has its faults, the same as UK.
#3
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
It would take me a while to get out of the Army anyway so it wouldnt be an over night move. I'm off to Canada with the army in a month for a couple of months and we'll be only 2 hours away from Calgary so I'm going to try and get up there then to have a look around and maybe get an interview. I'm just on here to learn from peoples experiences and get a better idea of what I'm in for.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Location: Red Deer Sunny Alberta
Posts: 58
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
It would take me a while to get out of the Army anyway so it wouldnt be an over night move. I'm off to Canada with the army in a month for a couple of months and we'll be only 2 hours away from Calgary so I'm going to try and get up there then to have a look around and maybe get an interview. I'm just on here to learn from peoples experiences and get a better idea of what I'm in for.
#5
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
you going to batus for a couple of months. There are a few companies who will take on brits but when you contact some of them you need to ask them if they have an lmo in place to enable them to employ forigen workers i wouldnt recommend h and r transport because there reputation on forigen workers is none exsistant look on job bank canada its a good place to look also a lot of the local papers here have driving jobs advertised but research everything carefully the cost of living house prices stuff like that if you do you research right you wont go far wrong best of luck
#6
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
I'm lead to believe that my English licence can be transfered for a class 5 licence in Alberta, how much would it cost me to get all my HGV's back?
#7
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Southport
Posts: 222
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
A few variables as far as I can tell. Some companies will pay for your license in return for a minimum 'contract', others will 'loan' you the fee and you re-pay it from your wages in small increments or you could sort it yourself and look around paying $2000. It all depends on your circumstances I guess?! Good luck.
#8
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
With reference to the Canadian licencing, I know I would have to re-take my HGV's but besides the driving side what else would I need to do theory work etc...?
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: High River AB
Posts: 571
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
You need to learn Canada's version of the highway code (make sure you know the bit about school buses inside out) then go to one of the driving agencies and do the computer test.
On the computer test which is multipal choice with 4 answers of which 2 will be stupid and two possibilities you have to get something like 35 out of 40 right (can't remember the numbers), anyhow, if you aren't sure on any, don't guess, just skip on to the next question because as soon as you get the 5 wrong, you've failed, so answer the ones you are sure of first and as long as you've learnt it you'll pass easily.
You will also do a day in the classroom learning about how the braking system works, followed at the end by a practical test on brake adjustment.
When these are passed onto the driving lessons & test.
If everything goes to plan you can do it all in 4 days.
Good luck.
On the computer test which is multipal choice with 4 answers of which 2 will be stupid and two possibilities you have to get something like 35 out of 40 right (can't remember the numbers), anyhow, if you aren't sure on any, don't guess, just skip on to the next question because as soon as you get the 5 wrong, you've failed, so answer the ones you are sure of first and as long as you've learnt it you'll pass easily.
You will also do a day in the classroom learning about how the braking system works, followed at the end by a practical test on brake adjustment.
When these are passed onto the driving lessons & test.
If everything goes to plan you can do it all in 4 days.
Good luck.
#10
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
You need to learn Canada's version of the highway code (make sure you know the bit about school buses inside out) then go to one of the driving agencies and do the computer test.
On the computer test which is multipal choice with 4 answers of which 2 will be stupid and two possibilities you have to get something like 35 out of 40 right (can't remember the numbers), anyhow, if you aren't sure on any, don't guess, just skip on to the next question because as soon as you get the 5 wrong, you've failed, so answer the ones you are sure of first and as long as you've learnt it you'll pass easily.
You will also do a day in the classroom learning about how the braking system works, followed at the end by a practical test on brake adjustment.
When these are passed onto the driving lessons & test.
If everything goes to plan you can do it all in 4 days.
Good luck.
On the computer test which is multipal choice with 4 answers of which 2 will be stupid and two possibilities you have to get something like 35 out of 40 right (can't remember the numbers), anyhow, if you aren't sure on any, don't guess, just skip on to the next question because as soon as you get the 5 wrong, you've failed, so answer the ones you are sure of first and as long as you've learnt it you'll pass easily.
You will also do a day in the classroom learning about how the braking system works, followed at the end by a practical test on brake adjustment.
When these are passed onto the driving lessons & test.
If everything goes to plan you can do it all in 4 days.
Good luck.
Cheers...
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 241
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: High River AB
Posts: 571
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
I paid $1700 nearly 5 1/2 years ago, so maybe $2000 tops now and you get a big chunk of that back on your taxes at the end of the year.
#13
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
I used Gennaro's in Edmonton- www.gennaro.ca
Depending on where you move you need to ask around for the best prices,instructors,etc. It's way easier than the UK version-I should know as |I used to be a DVLA instructor,lol.
#14
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
Five years ago it cost me $1000 all in.You have to go find a good driving school yourself.
I used Gennaro's in Edmonton- www.gennaro.ca
Depending on where you move you need to ask around for the best prices,instructors,etc. It's way easier than the UK version-I should know as |I used to be a DVLA instructor,lol.
I used Gennaro's in Edmonton- www.gennaro.ca
Depending on where you move you need to ask around for the best prices,instructors,etc. It's way easier than the UK version-I should know as |I used to be a DVLA instructor,lol.
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8
Re: From British squaddie to Canadian truck driver, whats the worst that could happen
If you have found a company that will sponser your training, double edged sword as some may hold your documendation untill an agreed time period.
get it in writting!
be aware that, you must be clean and sober at work. you can be tested at any time and especialy so when on industrial roads or complexes.
pass medical pass test. You might find some differances in drivingsome accepted or encouraged practices in UK do not pass here, instructors will advise you. Gear shifting , differant hand and differant boxes, might great your teeth Rev /Road speed/ ratio.
mountain driving especialy coastal mountains, be prepared, take the time to learn about it, Chaining and styles of driving are crutial.
went from a Pacific logger to a walker!
good luck, that is how started 30 years ago on demob