After doing business for a long time in the trucking industry, we at Supreme Truck and Trailer Repair have identified some major differences between Canadian and U.S. trucking norms. We have seen how truckers are affected by these two nations in big ways. Those differences shape daily life on the road and are important for any cross-border logistics driver to understand.
Fuel and Equipment Costs
Trucking in Canada comes with notably higher expenses compared to the U.S. The disparity in fuel costs is striking – Canadian prices translate to approximately double the U.S. rate!
The cost difference extends to equipment as well. Class A trucks manufactured in the U.S. face significant price increases when sold in Canada. These elevated costs have contributed to a decline in owner-operators across Canada.
Training Requirements
The training approaches for commercial truck drivers also vary significantly between the two countries. In the U.S., large trucking companies typically handle driver training, often requiring new drivers to sign agreements committing to work for the company for at least a year to offset training costs.
Canadian training requirements differ by province. Alberta allows drivers to obtain their truck license without formal training if they demonstrate the necessary skills. In contrast, Ontario maintains strict regulations, requiring the completion of government-approved training programs. These programs often cost thousands of dollars, creating a financial barrier for many potential drivers in the province.
This diversity in training requirements and approaches highlights the complex nature of commercial truck driver certification across North America.
Respect for Truck Drivers
United States
In the United States, truck drivers are generally respected, at least outside of the eastern seaboard. People on the road recognize their contributions and treat them with respect.
Canada
Truck drivers are usually treated poorly in Canada. One of the reasons for this could be the mandatory speed limiters in Canada. These can infuriate car drivers who are always in a rush and make them despise trucks that slow them down. As a result, Canadian truck drivers may not receive respect from other drivers very often.
This lack of respect can also spill over into other areas of the trucking industry, such as diesel repair services. If truck drivers are not valued, then it will be difficult for them to find a good repair shop that offers reliable parts and warranties or even compare costs for repairs. This is not the case here at Supreme Truck and Trailer Repair, where we recognize the true value of truck-driving professionals and how they fulfill the foundation of logistics processes.
The divergence in respect for truck drivers between the U.S. and Canada speaks to how public attitudes can change and highlights the problems within Canada’s trucking culture.
Regulatory Differences
Perhaps the most difficult thing about trucking has to be the contrast of the rules between Canada and the U.S. More trucks cross the border here than anywhere else in the world, and yet getting these trucking rules in line seems well nigh impossible.
In Canada, axle weights vary by province, while in the U.S., vehicle weight limits vary from state to state. The same goes for hours of service rules, which are inconsistent between the two countries. Drug testing is not demanded of Canadian truck drivers; testing is only mandatory for those drivers once they cross the border into the U.S. to remain compliant.
Truck Stop Facilities
The U.S. has many well-outfitted truck stops, like Iowa 80 in Walcott and Petro in Joplin, with clean showers and good restaurants. Truck stops in Canada are few and far between; most fueling is done at government-run Petro Canada card locks that are normally unattended with limited services available. This means there are fewer parking and rest areas throughout Canada.
Weather Conditions
Another major factor is the weather in Canada, which is often worse than in the U.S., mainly during winter. Trucking during Canadian winters can be especially challenging with more snow and lower temperatures. All that bad weather has quite an effect on both trucks and drivers. Steeper grades are found in the Canadian Rockies, often 8% or more, whereas in the U.S., such grades are rare outside places like Colorado.
Advantages of Trucking in Canada
Despite these challenges, there are advantages to trucking in Canada! Most likely, the biggest perk is safety since you can travel nearly anywhere without worrying about overnight stays. Another benefit is universal health care by the government of Canada for all truck drivers; this relieves many worries about medical costs while on the road.
Choose Supreme Truck and Trailer Repair
Don’t let the differences in trucking across borders hold you back from a rewarding career on the road. Whether you drive routes that are primarily in Canada or the United States, once you cross the border here to Alberta, we at Supreme Truck and Trailer will be here to help! For diesel repair services of all kinds with a professional approach, give us a call today at (403) 603-0274!