Driver's licences for new residents 

Drivers from Canadian provinces or the United States may exchange their licence class for class, including Class 7, without taking any driver’s test or submitting a medical, provided:  

• the driver’s licence from the other province or state is surrendered if possible 
• an Application for Driver’s Licence is completed 
• they are 16 years of age (with parental consent to 18 years) or over 
• the application fee is paid 
• the licence does not expire within the next six months 
• proof of identity and residency documents are provided   

Students who move to New Brunswick do not need to exchange their licence while in school, but as soon as they take up permanent residence or become gainfully employed, they must exchange their licence.  

In rare instances, it may be possible to request the return of a home country licence upon receipt of proof that the individual is returning to their home country.  This may be permitted if the licence is still available (they are only held for five years from date of exchange). 

In these instances, the Motor Vehicle Branch requires a minimum of 14 days' notice to retrieve the foreign licence from storage.  The New Brunswick licence must be surrendered before the foreign licence is returned to the driver. If the driver returns to New Brunswick, the foreign licence must be surrendered and a replacement New Brunswick licence issued as per normal procedures.  

A full motorcycle licence or endorsement on a non-resident licence may be transferred to any New Brunswick licence issued. This includes non-residents from Canada, United States, or the countries listed below. If exchanging your driver's licence from any other jurisdiction, testing will apply. 

Non-residents from Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia may exchange their licence class for class without being tested, supplying a medical or paying the fee provided they surrender their licence (and/or verified on Inter-provincial Record System). They would be issued a New Brunswick licence with the time remaining on their home province licence. A maximum of four years is to be authorized.  

Foreigners residing in New Brunswick must take a full driver licence examination which includes a vision test, a written examination, and a road test.   
A foreigner residing in New Brunswick, who is a national from any foreign country other than the United States, must provide the following documentation: 

• their original driver's licence
• an official translation of the driver’s licence (from a translation agency or an international driver’s licence), if not already in English or French  
• proof of identification (one piece) and proof of residency (two pieces) 

The countries below have reciprocity with Canada and their nationals can exchange their licence without testing for a Class 5 or motorcycle (if their licence indicates they can operate a motorcycle). 

However, they must still provide the required documentation such as proof of identity, proof of address, foreign licence, translation and proof of legal presence (i.e., IRCC documentation such as work visa, study visa, permanent resident card, etc.):

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*, Ukraine* and Wales. 

Residents from these countries may exchange their national licence for a Class 5 (including a motorcycle endorsement without testing, if applicable) or a Class 6 or 6D. 

Temporary residents, defined as foreign nationals who possess a work or study permit valid for more than 6 months, can apply for a NB drivers' licence as long as they are able to present the documentation above. However, they may choose to drive on their valid home country licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada. 

In addition to the standard required documentation, applications applying to exchange their Taiwan driver's licence will be required to provide the following: 

• A copy of the English translation of their Taiwan driver's licence authenticated by Taipei Economic and Culture Office, Toronto
• An original Verification Certificate of Driver's Licence (VCDL) issued by a Taiwan Vehicle Office, less than three months prior to the date of application.

Ukrainians taking up residence in New Brunswick can exchange their category B or BE licence for a New Brunswick Class 5 licence without the requirement to complete the written and road test. Drivers must successfully complete vision testing. To be eligible, applicants must provide the following: 

• Their Ukrainian driver's licence
• An official translation of the driver’s licence (from a translation agency or an international driver’s licence) if not already in English or French
• Proof of identification (one piece) and proof of residency (two pieces)