After spending weeks training and then getting your Class A or D licence, you are ready to find employment. Only to find yourself struggling to get a job, despite the driver shortage. If trucking companies need drivers so badly, why do so many new ones struggle to land a job? The answer isn’t as simple as just supply and demand.
In this blog, we talk about reasons you’re struggling to get hired and how to overcome them. Let’s begin.
1. Insurance Costs Keep New Drivers Out
Most trucking companies work with insurance companies that sometimes refuse to cover brand-new CDL holders or charge sky-high rates for inexperienced drivers. If they are running low on capital, they’ll most likely only hire experienced drivers.
How to Avoid It: Apply to bigger trucking firms that offer company-sponsored training or programs specifically for recent grads. These companies understand the insurance hurdles and have built-in solutions, like self-insurance.
2. No Real-World Experience
A CDL proves you can handle a truck, but it doesn’t prove you can handle the job. Driving in a controlled training environment is different from navigating highways in bad weather, dealing with shippers, or managing unexpected breakdowns. Companies don’t want to babysit rookies, even though it’s wrong on their part.
How to Avoid It: Consider dock work, a non-CDL driving job, or even volunteering to drive smaller trucks for local businesses to get a few months of experience.
3. Gaps in Work History or Poor Job Stability
If your work history shows frequent job changes, long gaps, or terminations, recruiters may see you as a risky hire. They want to know that you can handle long hours and difficult schedules without quitting after a few months.
How to Avoid It: Be ready to explain any gaps in employment in your cover letter. If you switched jobs in the past, highlight the skills you gained.
4. Failing Background or Drug Tests
Trucking is one of the few highly regulated industries in Canada. If you have past driving violations, failed drug tests, or undisclosed criminal records, you may not get hired.
How to Avoid It: Check your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) before applying. Address any issues, clear unpaid tickets, and be upfront about your history. Offer to provide them a drug test and stay true to yourself and avoid any drug use.
5. Not Willing to Relocate or Take Unfavorable Routes
It’s obvious that new truck drivers get the least desirable loads and unpredictable schedules. You need to have an open work schedule and be ready to be called in at any time. If your availability is only on weekdays, the company won’t hire you.
How to Avoid It: Be open to over-the-road (OTR) jobs, night shifts, or cross-border hauls. Mention this during the interview and also on your resume.
6. Weak Networking and Job Search Strategy
Do not rely too much on online job boards. Companies receive an overwhelming amount of applications. A lot of jobs aren’t posted online but filled through word-of-mouth.
How to Avoid It: Visit trucking companies in person, connect with industry groups, and ask instructors or experienced drivers for referrals. Recommendations get first priority in Canada.
Beyond these reasons, present yourself professionally at the first meeting, whether at an interview or a networking event. Always carry copies of your resume and prepare a 1-minute elevator pitch that covers your training, endorsements, and experience.
For more truck driving advice, follow Caledon Truck Driving School.
