Heavy Truck Driver

Kaitaraiwa Taraka Taumaha

Wintec Industries, Inc. Warrants to the end user that this product, when used under normal use and service, will be free from defects in material, workmanship, and will conform to the published product specifications for the applicable warranty term commencing on the date of purchase.

Heavy truck drivers drive trucks with or without trailers. They transport materials, livestock, machinery, liquids, general freight, and sometimes hazardous substances.

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Secondary education

No specific secondary education is required for this job, but English, maths, and construction and mechanical technologies to at least NCEA Level 2 are useful.

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Study levels

• Up to NCEA Level 3
• Certificate

Useful experience

Useful experience for heavy truck drivers includes work:

• as a driver
• as a truck driver's assistant
• at loading and unloading facilities
• in goods handling and management
• in warehouses or stores
• in an industry related to the materials being transported – for example, farming experience before driving livestock.

What you will do

Heavy truck drivers may do some or all of the following:

• routinely check their truck
• weigh their truck before and after it is loaded
• supervise or help with loading their truck
• check the condition of the load and that it is secure
• follow correct safety procedures
• keep records of, and check invoices for, goods they carry
• plan the best delivery route
• make deliveries or pick up goods
• keep a logbook of the hours they work.

Skills and knowledge

Heavy truck drivers need to have:

• excellent driving skills
• basic knowledge of the mechanics of their truck and how to maintain it
• knowledge of how to secure loads using load binders, chains and strops
• knowledge of transport and related industry laws
• knowledge of emergency procedures and how to handle hazardous conditions
• ability to use satellite tracking equipment and on-board computers
• basic literacy and numeracy skills for accurately completing log books and measuring and weighing loads.

Pay

$19-$30

per hour

Job opportunities

Industry

Transport and Logistics

Heavy truck drivers drive trucks with or without trailers. They transport materials, livestock, machinery, liquids, general freight, and sometimes hazardous substances.

Entry requirements

To become a heavy truck driver you need to hold a licence for the size and type of truck you intend to drive. A New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Road Transport (Level 3) may also be useful.

MITO oversees qualifications for heavy vehicle operators (truck drivers).

The New Zealand Army also trains and employs heavy truck drivers.

More information about heavy truck licensing is available from New Zealand Transport Agency.

Chances of getting a job

Your chances of securing a job as a heavy truck driver are best if you:

• are based in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Christchurch
• hold heavy rigid and combination vehicle licences, allowing you to drive larger trucks
• are an experienced, reliable driver with a proven track record.

Good demand for heavy truck drivers

Heavy truck driver appears on Immigration New Zealand's construction and infrastructure skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled heavy truck drivers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 34,560 heavy truck drivers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

September to February peak time for heavy truck driver opportunities

Demand for heavy truck drivers is usually highest between September and February. This is due to increased activity during spring and summer in many industries that rely on trucking, such as infrastructure, agriculture and forestry.

While demand is generally higher during this time, some sectors of the transport industry have different peak times.

Heavy truck drivers can be self-employed

Some heavy truck drivers are self-employed contractors who own a vehicle and contract their services on a long or short-term basis.
Heavy truck drivers also work as employees for a wide range of industries and organisations such as:

• freight companies
• trucking companies specialising in particular industries such as forestry, dairy and petroleum
• large companies with their own transport fleets
• local and regional councils, and contractors working on their behalf
• the New Zealand Army.

Find out more about training

Progression and specialisations

Heavy truck drivers may buy their own vehicle and become self-employed. They may eventually run a fleet of trucks and employ a number of truck drivers.

It is also possible to move into:

• distribution or haulage management
• transport and logistics planning.

Heavy truck drivers may specialise in a particular area of truck driving such as:

• line haulage (city-to-city driving)
• driving trucks within town or city centres
• driving trucks for specific industries such as forestry or petroleum.

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Working conditions

Heavy truck drivers:

• work varying hours depending on what kind of truck driving they do. The number of hours they are allowed to work is governed by New Zealand Transport Agency regulations
• work in conditions that may be stressful, including poor weather and heavy traffic
• may work locally or travel long distances, which can mean spending nights away from home.

Physical Requirements

Heavy truck drivers need to have good general health and good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses).

Useful personal qualities

Heavy truck drivers need to be:

• punctual
• reliable and responsible
• able to follow instructions
• able to remain calm in emergencies
• able to work well under pressure
• courteous and law-abiding on the road.

Industry

Transport and Logistics

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