Licence requirements for Department of National Defence (DND) personnel

The application process for members has been outlined under the following four categories:

• current military members
• retired military members
• current or retired military members who hold a civilian driver’s licence from another jurisdiction
• current or retired military members who have never held a civilian driver’s licence

The following supporting documentation is required to qualify for a New Brunswick civilian driver’s licence, or to upgrade their civilian driver’s licence:

• DND Driver / Operator Proficiency Record including member’s name and date of birth, DND 404 licence number, licence classes and air brake endorsement (if applicable), restrictions, licence effective and expiry dates, licence status (not expired, revoked, or suspended); province/territory/state/country of personal licence and province/territory/state/country driver’s licence number (if applicable)
• Driver Qualification Letter (Application). Letter must be signed by approved personnel whose names have been submitted in writing to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles
• DND Transportation Authority Cover Letter to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, signed by the Transportation Authority
• a Medical Fitness Report (Class 1, 2, 3 and 4) form completed, signed and dated within six months by a licenced medical or nurse practitioner. Note that the applicant is responsible for the cost of the medical report and DND medical facilities are not mandated for this service.

• Obtain documentation signed off by the military Licensing Clerk with Road and Vehicle Safety and by an authorized person at the military Transportation Authority.
• Be prepared to present a full New Brunswick Class 5 driver’s licence (if applicable) or an equivalent licence issued by another jurisdiction (if applicable).
• Present your DND 404 licence to confirm currency of both licence and qualifications.
• Driver Qualification Letter (Application) and DND Transportation Authority Cover Letter, which both must be signed within six months of the date you apply at Service New Brunswick for a licence or for a licence upgrade.
• Once all documents have been signed and stamped by authorized personnel in Road and Vehicle Safety and the Transportation Authority, the applicant can submit the documents to the Motor Vehicle Branch, for action.
• Present all required documentation (including completed medical report) to the Licensing Officer for licence upgrade. Motor Vehicle Branch staff will ensure that the applicant is medically eligible for licencing upon review of the Medical Fitness Report and will apply the upgrade for Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 to the applicant’s file; then refer the applicant to a Service New Brunswick centre to have their licence issued (if applicable).
• All documents presented to Motor Vehicle Branch must be originals only. Copies will not be accepted for upgrade purposes. 

To be eligible for licence upgrade, the member must be retired within two years from the date of application. All applications must include confirmation that the member’s DND 404 and qualifications were not suspended, revoked, or expired at the time of DND 404 surrender, and identify the official date of release.

The process for upgrade is the same as for current members if the requisite timelines are honoured. 

If the retired or currently serving member holds a minimum full Class 5 equivalent driver’s licence from another jurisdiction, the member must transfer to a New Brunswick licence prior to upgrade. The process for transfer and upgrade is as follows:

• The member must be a New Brunswick resident and comply with New Brunswick proof of identity and residency requirements. 
• If the member’s licence was issued in a jurisdiction with which New Brunswick has a reciprocal agreement, the licence may be exchanged for the New Brunswick equivalent without testing. 
• Members whose province/territory/state/country driver’s licence is suspended or revoked will not be eligible for licence upgrade.

In limited circumstances, military members who do not have a civilian PDL may obtain a DND 404 by virtue of completion of professional driver training, the LFC Driver Wheeled or the Basic Driver Training Course. If the retired or currently serving military member has never held a Civilian Driver’s Licence, they may still apply for upgrade in accordance with the following:

• The member must be a New Brunswick resident and comply with New Brunswick’s proof of identity and residency requirements.
• Members who are 18 or older will be eligible for a full Class 5 (or higher) licence. Graduated Driver’s Licence requirements will not apply.

The New Brunswick Licence Equivalency Table outlines the vehicle types available for New Brunswick licence upgrade and their equivalent civilian class. Equivalencies have been determined in coordination with the Motor Vehicle Branch and are determined by axles, passenger capacity and air brake status. 

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles reserves the right to approve or deny any licence upgrade. Questions on this procedure may be directed to the Motor Vehicle Branch, [email protected].