As a new resident to New Brunswick, you are advised to exchange your current driver’s license as soon as you establish residency. (There is no official time period in which to obtain a New Brunswick Driver’s License, but you should do it as soon as possible)
You are considered to be a resident of New Brunswick (for Driver’s Licenses) if:
- you are attending school or college here
- you live here and your children school here
- you are employed here for more than 30 days in any given year
- you live here for more than 90 days in any given year
Non-Residents (From P.E.I. and N.S.)
Non-residents from Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia may exchange their licence Class for Class without being tested, providing a medical or paying the fee provided they surrender their licence (and/or verified on Inter-provincial Record System).
You will be issued a New Brunswick licence with the time remaining on their home province licence. A maximum of four years is to be authorized.
Drivers from Canada or the USA
Drivers from other Canadian Provinces or the United States may exchange their licence Class for Class, including Class 7, without taking any driver’s test or providing a medical provided:
- The driver’s licence from the other province or state is surrendered if possible.
- An “Application for Driver’s License” is completed
- They are 16 years of age (with parental consent to 18 years) or over
- The application fee is paid
- If the licence does not expire within the next six months.
- Proof of identity and residency documents are provided (found here).
Drivers from Other Countries
Non-residents from other countries must take a full driver licence examination which includes a road test, vision test, and written examination. Exceptions are those from the following European countries who may exchange for a Class 5 (including a motorcycle endorsement without testing) or a class 6 or 6D:
Austria, Australia, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Isle of Man, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands (Holland), New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and Wales.
A non-resident from any foreign country (outside of North America and including those above) must provide the following documentation:
- Their original driver's licence
- An English translation of the driver’s licence (from a translation agency or an International Driver’s Licence)
- Original passport
Republic of Korea (South Korea)
A formal agreement has been entered with the Republic of Korea whereby the applicant must have first contacted the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea which will create a package of documents. This package is to be retained as part of the source documents. The Consulate General will prepare a packet of documents for the applicant which includes:
- A cover page
- An English translation of the driver’s licence
- A copy of the original licence
- A certified section with the signature of the Consul and the Seal
The driver must present at time of exchange the package of documents referred to above PLUS the original licence and passport. The passport information that identifies the driver will be copied and attached to the application. The package of documents and licence will also be attached to the application and retained as part of our records.
Classes of Driver’s Licenses
Anyone who lives in New Brunswick and wants to operate a motor vehicle on public roads and highways is required to have a valid Driver’s License.
In New Brunswick, drivers are licensed according to the type(s) of vehicle(s) they are qualified to drive. As a result, there are several different classes of New Brunswick Driver’s License. These include:
Class 5 -- The most common-- for driving cars, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans having a seating capacity of less than 24;
Class 7 -- Learner's License, for those learning to drive class 5 vehicles
Class 1 -- for driving semi-trailers and tractor-trailer combinations;
Class 2 -- for driving large buses (over 24 passengers);
Class 3 -- for driving vehicles or vehicle-trailer combinations weighing greater than 14,000 kilograms;
Class 4 -- for driving smaller buses, vans seating under 24 passengers for compensation, taxis and ambulances;
Class 6 -- for driving motorcycles and motor-driven cycles);
Class 8 – for driving farm tractors
Class 9 -- for driving farm tractor on a street or highway.
Documentation Required
When applying for a New Brunswick Driver’s License, you will need to present & surrender your current Driver’s License as well as produce at least one of the following documents:
- birth certificate
- a passport
- New Brunswick Medicare Card
- Social Insurance Card (or Social Security)
- Baptismal Certificate
Contact Information/Locations
You must attend, in person, any location of Services New Brunswick.
A Few Important Driving Laws
- Canadians drive on the right side of the road.
- Drinking and driving is dangerous and against the law. There are serious penalties if you are caught.
- Right turns are allowed at red lights unless otherwise noted. You must come to a complete stop and ensure the road is clear before making your turn.
- The speed limit is posted on the right side of the road and shows the maximum speed in kilometers. The typical speed for city streets is 50 km, 40 km in school zones and 100 km on highways.
- Wearing of seatbelts is mandatory.
- Do NOT pass a school bus with flashing lights.
- If you see an ambulance, fire truck or police car approaching with their lights flashing, reduce your speed or completely pull off the road to the right and stop.
Children under the age of 9 MUST be seated in a properly fit car seat for the child’s weight and age. Click here for more information.
- The use of all cellular and handheld devices is prohibited while driving. Hands free devices are allowed.
Winter driving can be a challenge for all motorists. Conditions can be icy and slippery. Snow drifts and black ice are common. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when driving in the Winter:
* Check to see if your area requires that your vehicle be equipped with winter tires during the winter months.
* Slow down and always give yourself more time to get where you are going during the winter months.
* Always leave more space between you and the car ahead of you allowing for more room to stop.
* Winter driving courses are available from many local driving instructors and are invaluable to newcomers to Canada.
* Stay on the main roads as it is unlikely that back roads will be well plowed.
* Never pass a snowplow on the right-hand side. It is best to stay well back when you see the blue flashing light of a plow.
* Practice emergency braking to understand how your vehicle will react.
* Skidding occurs when your wheels slide out of control on a slippery surface. To reduce the likelihood of this occurring, slow down well in advance of turns and avoid sudden stops.
* Every vehicle should have a winter survival kit. Suggested items to have are:
- Warm winter gloves, toque and boots - Blanket or extra clothing
- Bag of sand or kitty litter - Small shovel
- Ice scraper and/or snow brush - Booster cables
- Non-perishable food items/water - Duct tape
- Extra windshield washer fluid - First Aid kit
- Road maps (not just a GPS unit) - Flashlight and batteries
- Flares - Waterproof matches
- Battery jumper cables - A fully charged cellphone
- Tools - Fire extinguisher
How to prepare for Winter in Canada
Winter in Canada can be unforgiving, with heavy snowfalls and blizzards, high wind chills, freezing rain and extremely cold temperatures. If you are properly prepared for Winter, you can enjoy all the season has to offer.
Wind Chill
During the Winter months, you will hear two different temperatures from the weather reports. One is the actual temperature and the second one is called "wind chill". The "wind chill" is the actual temperature with the wind chill factor included. It is a calculation that takes into account the effect of the wind to provide a reading of the apparent temperature, as opposed to the actual temperature that shows on a thermometer. It is the effect that the wind has on making the air feel colder than it is. For example, if the actual temperature is –10˚C and the wind chill temperature is –20˚C, your skill will feel the –20˚C. For more details on Wind Chill, please visit: Wind Chill - The chilling facts.
Frostbite
When your skin is exposed to extremely low temperatures you risk the chance of getting frostbite. This is the partial freezing of the exposed parts of your body. Frostbite most commonly affects the hands, feet and face. Expose as little skin as possible in very cold weather as frostbite can happen in a very short time.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia, also referred to as exposure, occurs when the body is producing less heat than it is losing. Hypothermia occurs as your body temperature passes below 35°C (95°F). When your body temperature drops, your heart, nervous system and other organs can't work normally. It is usually caused by prolonged exposure to cold temperatures or immersion in cold water. Dress for the weather and avoid long exposure to the cold.
Clothing
Dress warmly in layers and dress for the activity you are doing. You can always remove a layer if you are too warm. Some suggestions to keep warm are:
Feet
· Keep them dry
· Wear wool or thermal socks
· Wear waterproof or water-resistant boots/shoes
· Shoes/Boots should have a good tread to avoid slipping. Avoid leather shoes as they can be slippery on ice.
Hands
· Wear thick or insulated gloves or mittens as your hands can get cold very easily.
· Change them if they get wet
Head
· Most of your body heat is lost through your head so make sure its covered
· Don't forget to protect your ears
· People in Canada often refer to a winter hat as a "toque" (sounds like "tuke")
Neck
· Wear a scarf which can also be used to cover your face/head if needed.
Outer Clothing
· A good coat is perhaps the most important piece of winter clothing you will need.
· Keeping yourself dry is the best way to stay warm
· Purchase one that has a wind and/or waterproof outer layer.
· Buy your coat large enough to wear a sweater underneath.
