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Overview
Graduated driver’s licences were introduced in the New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Act in 1996 in response to the high collision rates for new drivers. The idea behind these laws is to identify the highest-risk driving situations for new drivers and introduce them slowly. The hope is that new drivers will develop their driving skills and judgment in lower-risk situations and be more ready for higher-risk situations when they get to them.
Studies show that a number of factors affect collision risk for new drivers, for instance, having an experienced driver supervising a new driver reduces collision risk, the later in the day, the higher the risk, the more passengers, the higher the risk, as with all drivers, impairment by drugs or alcohol increases risk.
In New Brunswick, the law is focused on experience, not age. Statistics show that new drivers have more collisions because of their inexperience, not their age.
The program creates two levels of licence before a new driver gets a “full” unrestricted licence. All new drivers spend a minimum of 24 months with a graduated driver's licence before they get a full licence.
Rules
New drivers are at level 1 once they pass a written test. A Level 1 licence is what people used to know as a “learner’s permit.” Drivers pass to Level 2 after a successful road test.
Level 1 Drivers
- Level 1 drivers must wait 12 months before taking a road test and passing into Level 2. That 12-month wait period can be reduced to eight months if the new driver passes a driver training course.
- A Level 1 driver cannot drive alone or with passengers other than a supervising driver with three years or more experience.
- A Level 1 driver cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- Zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol.
Level 2 Drivers
- Level 2 drivers are permitted to drive with up to three passengers.
- Level 2 drivers are permitted to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. if they are:
- driving with a supervising driver with three years’ experience
- driving to or from work or school
- driving in an emergency situation
- have permission from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles
- are 21 or older
- Zero tolerance for drugs or alcohol
After completing 24 months at level 1 and 2 (combined), a new driver gets a Class 5 licence.
Requirements for the Graduated Driver’s Licence Program
Anyone applying for a driver's licence for the first time (regardless of age), completes the required driver’s test and is issued a Class 7 Level 1 Graduated Licence. This is an instructional type of licence for the driver to acquire experience, over a minimum of 24 months at two levels, before becoming a fully licensed driver. A Graduated Licence is identified with a "L" on the front of the licence.
The following table outlines all the requirements of the GDL program:
Graduated Driver's Licence - Level 1
| Minimum Age | 16 years (applicants under 18 years of age must have parental consent that must be witnessed by a non-relative) |
| Requirements | Successfully pass a vision screening (20/40 best eye) Successfully pass written, basic and sign tests |
| Duration | Minimum 12 months or 8 months if graduated from a recognized licensed driving school |
| Class | Class 7 Level 1. |
| Impairment by drugs or alcohol | Zero tolerance. |
| Accompanying Driver | One person who has a Class 5 or better licence, a minimum of 3 years driving experience*, and who is in the front passenger seat. |
| Driving Hours | Prohibited from driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m.* |
| Passengers | No passengers allowed except the accompanying driver. |
| Exit Requirement | Successfully passes road test to advance to Level 2. |
Graduated Driver's Licence - Level 2
| Minimum Age | 16 years + 8 months or 17 years (if no driver training course). |
| Requirements | Successful completion of Level 1 and road test. |
| Duration | Minimum 12 months. If Level 2 is entered early as a result of a driver training course, the balance of the 24 month graduated period is spent in this level. Total time in GDL Program: 2 years (minimum). |
| Class | Class 7 Level 2. |
| Impairment by drugs or alcohol | Zero tolerance. |
| Driving Hours | If under 21, prohibited from driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver (Class 5 or better) with at least 3 years driving experience. No other passengers are permitted. Automatic exemption granted for work and education. Written application to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles required for other purposeful activities to obtain exemption* |
| Passengers | No more than 3 passengers, with only one in the front seat. |
| Exit Requirement | Learner's licence without interruption for previous 24 months with at least 12 months in Stage 2 to advance to Class 5. No road test is required to obtain Class 5 Licence; however, it is the responsibility of the driver to apply for a Class 5 Licence upon completion of a Class 7 Graduated Licence (Level 2). Failure to apply for the Class 5 licence could result in GDL-related sanctions being applied that could affect driving privileges. |
While the holder of a graduated driver licence, the driver must maintain a zero blood alcohol content and no drug use while driving. Any breach of this condition will result in a one-year suspension, followed by a return to the beginning of the graduated licence period with no credit given for a previously passed road test or driver training course.
Suspension for loss of all points will result in a three-month suspension followed by a return to the beginning of the graduated licence period with no credit given for a previously passed road test or driver training course.
Drivers (minimum 16 years of age) being transferred from other provinces receive credit for their participation in a graduated program in their province, however, once they have registered as a driver in New Brunswick, they are then required to follow New Brunswick’s GDL program.