Motor vehicle registration

Registration Certificates include the year, make, model and serial number of the vehicle. It also includes the registration term and licence plate that was assigned to that specific vehicle.

Vehicles can be registered in the name of an individual or corporation, provided the corporation is registered as a legal entity.

New vehicles

Upon application for registration for a new vehicle not previously registered (purchased from a New Brunswick dealer), the following must be submitted: New Vehicle Information Statement (NVIS) and Bill of Sale completed and submitted to a service center by the dealer at time of original registration.  

Upon application for registration for a new vehicle not previously registered (purchased from an out-of-province dealer), the following must be submitted:  

• Bill of Sale from the out-of-province dealer 
• A Vehicle Import Form if the vehicle is being imported into Canada 
• NVIS or Manufacturers Certificate of Origin if available 

Used vehicles

Upon application for registration for vehicles previously registered in New Brunswick or another jurisdiction, the following must be submitted: 

• current registration from the current owner of the vehicle or titling document 
• acceptable Bill of Sale 
• proof of valid insurance 
• A Vehicle Import Form if the vehicle is being imported into Canada 

No original, renewal or replacement of a registration certificate, registration plate or permit for a motor vehicle will be issued unless the owner or operator of the motor vehicle provides evidence of a policy of insurance with the application.

When the registration plate is issued, it must be attached on the rear of the vehicle with the only exception being when one plate is issued for a truck tractor, it must be attached to the front of the vehicle.

Transfer of ownership is by process of law. The signature of the registered owner is required on both the front and reverse side of the certificate of registration. The purchaser's name, address and date of birth are required on the transfer document. The purchaser must surrender the registration certificate and have the vehicle transferred into their name at any issuing office. If the purchaser cannot be present, they must provide written authorization to have someone act on their behalf.  

The collection of sales tax and motor vehicle fees are required at time of transfer. The vehicle cannot be driven or permitted to be driven until the registration certificate is recorded in the new purchaser's name.

Registrations for passenger type vehicles and light commercial vehicles are staggered and expire on various days during the month. Plates for large commercial vehicles expire on the last day of any month.

Commercial prorate plates are staggered and expire on the last day of a month. Off-road vehicle plates expire December 31. 

This is a temporary permit to move an unregistered vehicle from one place to another and is valid for 24 hours. This permit is also issued to move a vehicle, on which the inspection sticker has expired, to an inspection station. The applicant must show proof of insurance anytime the motor vehicle is being operated.

A passenger vehicle owned by a visitor may be operated for personal, non-business purposes for a period of six months in New Brunswick without being registered in the province. This six-month period is determined from the date on which the passenger motor vehicle was first operated in New Brunswick in any registration year. A person who becomes a resident of New Brunswick must register their vehicle with Service New Brunswick immediately.

The Registrar will permit an electric motor driven cycle to be registered if it meets Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) as a Limited Speed Motorcycle, or Scooter. If the vehicle was manufactured after 1988 it will bear a compliance label stating that it meets these standards. The operator will be subject to all the requirements placed on operators of motor driven cycles. 

It is important to note that if a vehicle has an electric motor greater than 500 watts and is capable of powering the vehicle when travelling at a speed greater than 32 km/h and it does not have a CMVSS compliance label it cannot be registered unless the owner can prove, by having the vehicle certified by an engineer, that it is mechanically fit and safe for use on New Brunswick highways. Also, not all vehicles are suitable for operation on New Brunswick highways, and it could be that the vehicle in question may not be a motor driven cycle or a bicycle and cannot be operated on a highway. If the vehicle can be powered by human force and has a motor equal to or less than 500W, and the motor is not capable of assisting when the vehicle is travelling at a speed greater than 32km/h then it can be considered a bicycle and all the requirements placed on bicyclists are applicable.