To become an ice road trucker, you should first consider the conditions that you will be working in. Ice road truckers spend their days in freezing temperatures, so they must be prepared to work in these conditions.
Next, you should consider how much experience you have driving on icy roads. Ice road truckers need to know how to maneuver their trucks in order to avoid accidents and crashes.
Finally, ice road truckers need to be familiar with the regulations that apply to them while they are driving on frozen lakes or rivers. These regulations vary by state and country but they will require drivers to pass certain tests before they can begin working as ice road truckers
How To Become An Ice Road Trucker
The qualifications that you need to be an ice road truck driver include a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and relevant endorsements and the driving skills to handle extreme winter weather conditions. Most ice road truck driving jobs require you to have a Class A CDL. Depending on your job responsibilities, you may need additional endorsements to carry hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or oversized loads. You can start on this career path by attending a truck driving school and passing a CDL exam. Employers strongly prefer to hire drivers who have previous experience operating trucks in winter weather. This experience can be hard to get, so you may have to work with an experienced ice road trucker.
Living life on the edge, staring out at the open road, and earning a dollar (or a lot of dollars) while you do it. For some, that’s the dream. A life of danger and high reward.
What is this job? It’s ice road trucking. It’s a job so intense and interesting that there’s a television series all about it, but what is it really, how do you become an ice road trucker, and is it really that exciting?
TOP 5 COMPANIES HIRING ICE ROAD TRUCKERS
Still interested in becoming an ice road trucker? In addition to getting your CDL, your first step should be to research a potential future employer.
These companies each have their own nuances that dictate the training you take, the experience you get, and the pay and danger you can look forward to. These are some of the ice road trucking companies:
- Alaska West ExpressAlaska West Express promotes itself as a leader in transporting liquid and dry-bulk products, hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, fuel, and other petroleum products to and from Alaska. They do offer training for their employees and round-the-year employment.
- Westcan Bulk Transport Ltd.Westcan Bulk Transport is one of the largest niche bulk commodity haulers in western Canada. They’ve been in business since 1964 and have grown considerably since then.The company is the Canadian service group for Kenan Advantage Group, Inc., North America’s largest tank truck transporter and logistics provider.
- RTL Robinson Enterprises, Ltd.Headquartered in the heart of ice road trucking terrain, RTL Construction is a division of Westcan Bulk Transport and has been a leading contractor to government and private sectors for decades. They specialize in winter road construction and help keep the truckers on track.
- Superior PropaneWith a focus on hauling propane, Superior Propane has been Canada’s leading propane supplier for 70 years. They pride themselves on bringing fuel to every part of the country.
- Grimshaw TruckingGrimshaw Trucking began in the early 1950s and now considers itself the gateway to the north. Not only have they delivered to far outlying regions in the frigid north, but they’ve also helped develop access into areas that were not opened up previously.They’re experts in managing the harsh climates and accessing far-reaching zones.