Photo: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
To get a driver’s licence in New Brunswick you start with a Class 7 Level 1 learner’s licence at 16, drive supervised for at least 12 months (8 with a recognized driver training course), pass a road test to reach Level 2, then move to a full Class 5 licence once you have spent 24 months in the graduated system. This guide sets out each step, what it costs and where to go next. It is for new drivers in New Brunswick and their parents.
Key facts
- Minimum age for a Class 7 Level 1 learner’s licence: 16. Under 18 needs a parental consent form.
- Level 1: minimum 12 months, or 8 months with a recognized driver training course.
- Level 2: minimum 12 months, and the balance of the 24-month graduated period.
- Class 5: no further road test once you have finished 24 months across Level 1 and Level 2.
- Zero alcohol and zero drugs while you hold a graduated licence.
- Tests and bookings are handled by Service New Brunswick.
The New Brunswick graduated licence at a glance
| Stage | How you get it | Minimum time | Main limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 7 Level 1 (learner) | Vision screening plus written, basic and sign tests | 12 months (8 with driver training) | Supervisor with 3 years’ experience in the front seat, no other passengers, no driving midnight to 5 a.m. |
| Class 7 Level 2 (novice) | Pass the road test | 12 months, plus any balance of the 24-month period | Ordinarily up to 3 passengers (one in front). Under 21, midnight to 5 a.m.: qualified accompanying driver with no extra passengers, unless the applicable exemption applies |
| Class 5 (full) | Apply after 24 months combined, with at least 12 in Level 2 | None | Graduated limits end |
Step 1: get your Class 7 Level 1 learner’s licence
- Be 16 or older. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian with legal custody signs the Parental Consent Form, and a non-relative must witness it.
- Gather documents. The Motor Vehicle Branch asks new applicants for one proof of identification and two proofs of residency. Check the current acceptable list with Service New Brunswick before you go.
- Pass a vision screening. The standard is 20/40 in the better eye.
- Pass the written, basic and sign tests. You can take the knowledge test online or in person. See New Brunswick written and sign tests.
Step 2: practise under Level 1 rules
As a Level 1 driver you must always have an accompanying driver who holds a Class 5 or higher licence, has at least three years of driving experience and sits in the front passenger seat. No other passengers are allowed, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and your blood alcohol must be zero with no drug use. Full details: New Brunswick Level 1 and Level 2 rules.
Does driver training shorten Level 1?
Yes. Passing a recognized driver training course cuts the Level 1 wait from 12 months to 8. The Department of Justice and Public Safety testing sheet notes the 8-month option needs a recognized driver education course and its certificate. The total graduated period stays at 24 months, so you spend the extra months in Level 2.
Step 3: pass the road test to reach Level 2
Once your Level 1 time is up, book the road test with Service New Brunswick online or by phone. You bring a road-worthy vehicle with valid registration and insurance. The test can be taken in English or French. See New Brunswick road test: booking and preparation.
Step 4: Level 2, then Class 5
Level 2 lets you drive alone with up to three passengers (only one in the front). If you are under 21, the supervised midnight-to-5 a.m. route requires the qualified accompanying driver and no additional passengers. Education/employment purposes and a Registrar-granted exemption have their own provisions; a supervisor does not by itself authorise a group of friends at night. After a minimum of 24 months in Level 1 and Level 2 combined, with at least 12 months in Level 2, you can apply for a Class 5 licence. No second road test is needed.
Worked example
- Without driver training: 12 months in Level 1, road test, 12 months in Level 2, then Class 5 at 24 months.
- With driver training: 8 months in Level 1, road test, 16 months in Level 2, then Class 5 at 24 months.
What resets your progress
- Any alcohol or drug breach while on a graduated licence: one-year suspension, then you go back to the start of the graduated period with no credit for a road test or course already passed.
- Losing all your points: three-month suspension, then the same restart.
More in New Brunswick demerits and zero tolerance penalties.
What it costs in New Brunswick
Figures from the Government of New Brunswick fee list, as of November 2026. Check current fees with Service New Brunswick before you book.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Written test, first attempt | $25 |
| Written test, rewrite | $15 |
| Road test, Class 7 or 5 (each attempt) | $25 plus HST |
| Driver’s licence (four-year term) | $100 |
How to study
The New Brunswick Driver’s Handbook is the official study source for the knowledge test. Use the New Brunswick handbook study guide to work through it part by part.
Topics shared across Canada
- Learning to drive in Canada: every province and territory
- Canadian graduated licensing compared
- Impaired driving in Canada for new drivers
- Moose, deer and caribou on Canadian roads
- Winter driving in Canada for new drivers
- School bus stopping rules across Canada
- Slow down, move over
- Exchanging a foreign or out of province licence
Common questions
How old do you have to be to drive in New Brunswick?
16 for a Class 7 Level 1 learner’s licence, with a witnessed parental consent form if you are under 18.
How long does it take to get a full licence in New Brunswick?
At least 24 months from your learner’s licence, whether or not you take driver training. Training only moves time from Level 1 into Level 2.
Is there a second road test for Class 5?
No. Once you have finished 24 months combined, with at least 12 in Level 2, you apply for Class 5 without another road test.
Can I take the tests in French?
New Brunswick is officially bilingual. Service New Brunswick confirms the road test can be taken in English or French. Ask Service New Brunswick about the language options for the online knowledge test.
How long are my test results valid?
Six months. Your licence must be issued within six months of starting the process, or you may have to redo the tests.
Do the night rules apply if I am over 21?
Not at Level 2. The midnight to 5 a.m. restriction at Level 2 applies to drivers under 21. Level 1 drivers of any age cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
Sources
- Government of New Brunswick, “Graduated drivers’ licences” (gnb.ca)
- Government of New Brunswick, “Driver licence testing” (gnb.ca)
- Government of New Brunswick, “Driver’s licences” (gnb.ca)
- Government of New Brunswick, “New Brunswick Driver’s Handbook” and Parental Consent Form (gnb.ca)
- Department of Justice and Public Safety, Motor Vehicle Branch, “Driver licence requirements” (gnb.ca)
- Government of New Brunswick, Motor Vehicle Act, RSNB 1973, c M-17 (laws.gnb.ca)