Obtaining a driver’s license as a New Immigrant in New Brunswick can be challenging; however, being exposed to the necessary information and guidance can make the process much smoother. New Brunswick welcomes newcomers and recognizes the importance of mobility in helping immigrants settle and integrate into their new communities. This page provides essential information about the steps, requirements, and resources available to new immigrants seeking to obtain a driver’s license in the province.
Licensing of drivers
This guide outlines the comprehensive licensing regulations for drivers in New Brunswick, detailing the various classes of licences available, from graduated licences for new drivers to specialized permits for commercial and recreational vehicles. It explains the requirements for obtaining each licence, including age, vision, written, and road tests, as well as the specific restrictions and privileges associated with each class. Click this link to learn more Licensing of drivers
Vehicle Registration
As a new resident in New Brunswick, you must pass vision, written, and road tests before obtaining your drivers’ license, and you must always carry it with you when driving. You are also required to register your vehicle immediately with Service New Brunswick, and it will need to pass a safety inspection.
Finally, be aware that there is a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol and drugs for drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program and for all drivers under the age of 21. Click this link for more information on the tests registration_of_vehicles
Car Safety Features
In New Brunswick, your vehicle is legally required to have essential safety equipment in good working order, including functioning lights, brakes, a horn, mirrors, windshield wipers, a muffler, and a speedometer. You must use daytime running lights or have your regular headlights on at all times while driving, and remember to dim your high beams when you are within 150 metres of an oncoming vehicle or 60 metres behind another one.To ensure safety, keep your windshield clear of any obstructions, and be aware that you are only permitted to use studded winter tires between 15 October and 30 April. Click here to learn more
Car Safety Component
Some Highway Rules
In New Brunswick, driving rules exist to ensure everyone’s safety, and you must always obey traffic signs, signals, and any directions from a peace officer. Understanding the rules for speed, passing other cars safely, and yielding the right-of-way at intersections are fundamental for driving here.
- Emergency Vehicles: You must slow to half the posted speed limit and move over for stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights, and pull over to the right curb to stop for any that are approaching.
- School Buses: Always stop your vehicle at least 5 metres away from a school bus with its red lights flashing and do not proceed until the bus moves or the driver signals you to go.
- Speed Limits: Adhere to the default speed limits of 50 km/h in urban areas and 80 km/h elsewhere, and know that fines are doubled for speeding in designated school and construction zones.
- Right Turn on a Red Light: Unless a sign prohibits it, you may turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop and yielding to all pedestrians and traffic.
- Roundabouts: When entering a roundabout, you must yield to traffic already in the circle and always proceed in a counter-clockwise direction.
You can get more info on this link Highway Traffic Rules
Safe Driving Rules
As a new immigrant, it’s vital to remember that maintaining your vehicle in good mechanical condition is crucial for safe driving in New Brunswick, so regular checks of brakes, lights, and tires are essential. Always be prepared for various road conditions, adjusting your speed for rain, snow, or fog, and know how to react to situations like skids or a tire blow-out.
- Seat Belts: Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt, and drivers are responsible for ensuring passengers under 16 are buckled up, with specific rules for child safety seats.
- Impaired Driving: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs; there’s a zero-tolerance policy for all drivers under 21 and new drivers, which can lead to immediate suspensions and vehicle impoundment.
- Following Distance: Maintain a safe following distance using the “two-second interval” rule, allowing more space in unfavourable conditions, to give yourself enough time to stop safely.
You can learn more from here Safe driving
Traffic Signs
As a new immigrant, it’s essential to understand and obey all traffic signs in New Brunswick because they are critical for everyone’s safety on the road, and disregarding them is an offence. You must learn to correctly interpret signs like Stop, Yield, and those at railway crossings, and always follow any directions from a peace officer, as this is fundamental to safe driving here.
- Stop Sign: This is means you must come to a full and complete stop and only proceed when the way is clear.
- Yield Sign: It means you must reduce your speed, be prepared to stop, and give the right of way to any traffic already in or closely approaching the intersection.
- School Zone Sign: When you see this sign, you must slow down, watch for children, and be extremely cautious, with a maximum speed of 50 km/h unless another speed is posted.
Motorcycling in New Brunswick
As a new resident interested in riding a motorcycle in New Brunswick, you will need a Class 6 licence or an endorsement on your existing licence, which requires completing the Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program and ensuring safe and responsible operation. Your motorcycle must have essential safety equipment, including brakes on each wheel, a headlight, rear lamps, a working muffler, and proper protective headgear for both driver and passenger. To stay safe, always practise defensive riding by anticipating other drivers’ actions, making yourself visible on the road, and being aware of your surroundings, especially at intersections where many collisions occur.
Click here to learn more Motorcyclist Guidelines
Driving commercial vehicles in New Brunswick
Obtaining a class 1 drivers license allows you to operate commercial vehicles and other vehicle covered by Classes 2, 3, 4, or 5. Requirements include being at least 18, meeting medical standards, passing vision screening (20/30 best eye; 20/50 weakest eye), all written tests, and a road test typically in a tractor-trailer combination. If you plan to drive a commercial vehicle, bus, or truck that is two metres or wider in New Brunswick, it must have specific lights like amber clearance lamps at the front and red ones at the rear, along with appropriate reflectors and mud flaps. remember that it is against the law for commercial vehicles or those towing trailers or mobile homes to follow another vehicle closer than 60 metres (200 feet) on highways outside urban areas,
Click here to learn more Commercial Drivers Guidelines
Parental Consent Form
As a new immigrant, it’s important to know that if you are under 18 years of age and applying for a driver’s licence in New Brunswick, you will need to complete a Parental Consent Form. This form must be signed by a parent or a legally appointed guardian who has legal custody of you, and their signature must be witnessed by a non-relative. The form also asks if the applicant has any impairment, disease, or condition that could affect their ability to drive safely, and this consent can be withdrawn by the parent or guardian at any time before you turn 18.
Click here to learn more Parental Consent Form