Driver's Licences
Justice & Public Safety
Overview
A driver’s licence is required to operate a motor vehicle
Eligibility
A person may apply for a Class 9 driver's licence at age 14 with parental consent.
A person may apply for a Class 8 driver's licence at age 14 with parental consent.
A person may apply for a Class 6 driver's licence at age 16 with parental consent.
All newly licensed drivers must participate in the Graduated Licence Program.
With parental consent, a person may apply for a Class 7 driver's licence (Graduated Licence Program) at the age of 16.
A person must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a Class 4, Class 3/4, Class 2, or Class 1 licence and have completed the Graduated License Program.
Starting April 1, 2024, Class 1 applicants must also complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT).
To qualify for a school bus endorsement a person must be at least 21 years of age and have one year of driving experience.
When applying for a Driver’s Licence or Identification Card (new, exchange, expired for more than two years, etc.) applicants must submit:
• at least one document from the Acceptable Identification Documents list
• at least two documents from the list of Acceptable Proof of New Brunswick Residency Documents.
• proof of name change if applicable (i.e. marriage certificate, divorce papers, or Certificate of Name Change).
To change your address on your driver’s licence you can:
• Do it online by clicking here (you will be required to submit at least two separate documents from the list of list of Acceptable Proof of New Brunswick Residency Documents.; or
• Visit a Service New Brunswick Center (you will be required to present at least two documents from the list of list of Acceptable Proof of New Brunswick Residency Documents)
When applying for a new licence or upgrading your current licence, testing will be required (some exceptions apply when exchanging a licence from another jurisdiction, please see Driver's Licences for New Residents
Test results are valid for six months. Any licence issuance or upgrade must be completed within six months of starting the process.
Please see Driver's Licence Requirements for a chart that lists the various requirements for testing.
Description
Photos are a mandatory feature on all New Brunswick Driver's Licences.
To renew your Driver’s Licence, you can:
• Do it online by clicking here;
• Call TeleServices at 1-888-762-8600; or
• Visit a Service New Brunswick Centre
To apply for a new Driver's Licence, please visit a Service New Brunswick Centre. A new photo will be required.
Please note, Driver’s Licences cannot be renewed by mail.
Card Issuance
The physical printing of Driver’s Licence and Identification Cards is done offsite at a facility that uses advanced security features. When applying for your licence you will receive a 30-day temporary document and your card will arrive securely in the mail within approximately 14 days.
Description of Classes of Licences
Class 9 - Motor Driven Cycle Licence - authorizes the holder to drive a motor-driven cycle and a farm tractor.
Class 8 - Farm Tractor Licence - authorizes the holder to drive a farm tractor only.
Class 7
Level 1 – Learners Licence - authorizes a person who is receiving instructions in the operation of a motor vehicle to drive a motor vehicle.
Level 2 - authorizes the holder to drive vehicles described in Class 5 with the exception of Class 9 (motor driven cycles).
Class 6 authorizes the holder to drive a motorcycle or any of the vehicles described in Class 9.
Class 5 authorizes the holder to drive any motor vehicle including:
• any vehicle from Class 9;
• any two-axle motor vehicle except an ambulance, a taxicab or a bus;
• any three-axle motor vehicle, other than a truck, of a type designed for use in the construction, maintenance and repair of highways, whether or not the vehicle is to be so used; and
• to tow a towed vehicle which is registered up to and including 4,500 kg gross vehicle mass behind a motor vehicle or motor home referred to herein but not equipped with air brakes.
Class 4 authorizes the holder to drive:
• any vehicle from Class 5;
• any private passenger vehicle while providing vehicle-for-hire service
• an ambulance;
• a taxicab; and
• a bus with a capacity of less than 25 passengers.
Class 3 authorizes the holder to drive:
• a motor vehicle which the holder of a Class 5 licence may operate;
• a two-axle motor vehicle towing a towed vehicle, the towed vehicle being registered for
• over 4,500 kg gross vehicle mass but not equipped with air brakes,
• a motor vehicle with three or more axles, and
• a motor vehicle with three or more axles, towing a towed vehicle not equipped with air brakes.
A Class 3/4 licence authorizes the holder to drive a motor vehicle which the holder of a Class 3 or 4 licence may operate.
Class 2 authorizes the holder to drive any:
• motor vehicle which the holder of a Class 3, 4 or 5 licence may operate; and
• bus with a capacity of more than 24 passengers
Class 1 authorizes the holder to drive:
• a motor vehicle which the holder of a Class 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence may operate;
• a truck tractor;
• a truck tractor towing a semi-trailer;
• a truck tractor towing a semi-trailer and a trailer;
• any truck towing a trailer equipped with air brakes, and
• a truck tractor towing a trailer equipped with air brakes.
All applicants for Class 1, 2, 3, and 4 must have completed the Graduated Licensing Program and have a completed medical.
Starting April 1, 2024, Class 1 applicants must also complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT).
In addition to a class, a driver's licence may be endorsed with a letter to expand on the types of vehicles that can be driven by the holder of the licence. The endorsements are as follows:
A - valid for all motorcycles
B - valid for school bus
D - valid for motorcycle with engine size exceeding 50 cubic centimetres, but not exceeding 550 cubic centimetres
E - valid for vehicles equipped with air brakes
H - Graduated motorcycle licence up to 550 cc
I - Graduated motorcycle licence all motorcycles
Changes To Fees
This document provides the rationale supporting changes to fees, associated revenue information, and the legal authority:
2015 Driver’s licence
Fees
Unless otherwise specified, Fees exclude the harmonized sales tax (HST).
| Fee Description | Rate in $ | Effective Date YYYY-MM-DD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence | 22.50 per year/par année | 2015-09-01 | |
| Class 1-9 Licence is valid for four (4) years. | 90.00 | 2015-09-01 | |
| Replacement of driver's licence of any class | 22.00 | 2015-09-01 | |
| Examination (vision screening, written test, and road test) | 2015-09-01 | ||
| Written test - first attempt | 25.00 | 2009-04-01 | |
| Written test - re-write | 15.00 | 2009-04-01 | |
| Road test - Class 9, 7, 6 or 5 (for each attempt) | 25.00 | 2009-04-01 | |
| Road test - Class 4, 3, 2, or 1 (for each attempt) | 50.00 | 2009-04-01 | |
| Renewals | 22.50 per year/par année | 2015-09-01 | |
| Classes 9,8,7, and 5, every four (4) years | 90.00 | 2015-09-01 | |
| Class 3, every four (4) years until 65 years old and every two (2) years thereafter | 90.00 | 2015-09-01 | |
| Classes 4, 2, and 1, every four (4) years until 45 years old and every two (2) years thereafter | 90.00 | 2015-09-01 | |
| School bus drivers renew their licence every two (2) years | 45.00 | 2015-09-01 | |
| Contact Information | Location | |
|---|---|---|
|
Fredericton
|
Forms
Some forms may require the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader. Please fill, print and send form(s) to the mailing address provided on the form or in the Service Contact section.
Related Links
- Acceptable Identification Documents
- Acceptable Proof of New Brunswick Residency
- Changes to the New Brunswick driver’s licence and photo ID
- Driver Examiner Services
- New Brunswick Driver's Handbook
- Requirements for testing
- SNB Locations by Community