Small commercial truck driving school

Career changers, recent immigrants, young adults starting a trucking career, and sometimes employers or funding programs that sponsor new drivers.

Course fees per student, usually for a full program. Extra income can come from air brake endorsements, test-day truck rental and refresher lessons.

• Experienced, qualified truck driver or instructor on the team
• Patient teaching and clear communication
• Organising schedules, trucks and paperwork
• Dealing with regulators and insurers

• Check whether your province requires registration as a private career college or approved training provider, and what the course hours and curriculum must be
• Instructors usually need specific licences and sometimes provincial instructor certification, so check the rules
• Insurance for student drivers in heavy trucks can be expensive and hard to find, so get quotes before committing
• Check zoning for the yard and classroom, and consider winter conditions for lessons
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements
• Check whether tuition is subject to GST/HST in your province, and ask your accountant

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on your premises, training trucks and province. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on student numbers and course pricing.

Check whether your province requires registration as a private career college or approved training provider, and what course hours and curriculum must be. Also check instructor licensing or certification rules. Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements.

Get quotes for student-driver insurance in heavy trucks before committing, as it can be expensive and hard to find. Check zoning for the yard and classroom, and ask your accountant whether tuition is subject to GST/HST in your province.