Driving Tests

Foreign Driver's Licence in New Brunswick: Exchange Countries, Road Tests

informational·how to guide·Published September 11, 2026

Which foreign driver's licences can you exchange in New Brunswick without tests?

Nationals of 23 countries on the gnb.ca list can exchange a licence for a New Brunswick Class 5 with no written or road test (Ukraine adds a vision test). Drivers from other countries, except the U.S., take a vision test, a written test and a road test. Proof of a full licence waives the 12-month Level 1 wait, and you get the Class 5 the day you pass.

Where these rules come from

This guide uses the Government of New Brunswick page for new residents, the Service New Brunswick (SNB) handout for foreign licence holders (August 2026) and the Motor Vehicle Branch testing requirements (March 2026), plus the gnb.ca pages on driver licence testing and acceptable identification documents, as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Service New Brunswick (gnb.ca) before you drive.

Exchange or test: the rule for your country

Exchange or test: the rule for your country
Where your licence is from	What you do
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 and Wales (21 countries)	Exchange for a Class 5 with no test. You still give the documents listed below.
Taiwan	Exchange with no test. Also give an authenticated English translation of the licence and an original Verification Certificate of Driver's Licence issued less than three months before you apply.
Ukraine	Exchange a category B or BE licence for a Class 5 with no written or road test. You must pass the vision test.
Any other country, except the U.S.	Take a vision test, a written test and a road test. Follow the steps below.

Who the exchange is for

The exchange is for nationals of the listed countries. You can exchange for a Class 5, a motorcycle licence if your licence shows it, or a Class 6 or 6D. You must still give proof of identity, proof of address, your foreign licence, a translation if the licence is not in English or French, and proof of legal presence in Canada, such as IRCC documents. Moving from another Canadian province or the United States is a different case: those licences exchange class for class. The guide to exchanging a licence when you move to New Brunswick explains that route.

How long you can drive on your home licence

When you move to New Brunswick, you must get a New Brunswick licence as soon as you take up residence. Temporary residents, which means foreign nationals with a work or study permit valid for more than 6 months, can apply for a New Brunswick licence with the same documents. They may also choose to drive on a valid home country licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada.

Steps if you must take the tests

1
Take the written test
Take the knowledge test online or in person. You choose one option, not both.
2
Wait, then visit an SNB office
After you pass the knowledge test, wait at least four business days before you visit an SNB office (the Campobello office is an exception). There you complete a vision test (20/40 best eye) and give proof of identification and proof of residency.
3
Exchange your home licence
Exchange before your road test appointment, and within 6 months of passing the written test. If you miss the 6 months, you must redo the written and vision test.
4
Book the road test
Call 1-888-762-8600 or book online on the SNB page snb.ca/mydrivingtest. All road tests are in person at an SNB office, in English or French.
5
Pass the road test
If you pass, SNB issues your New Brunswick Class 5 licence the same day. The New Brunswick road test guide explains how the test works.

Is the 12-month Level 1 wait waived for experienced drivers?

Yes, with proof. The normal wait before the road test is one year on a Class 7 Level 1 licence, or eight months with a recognized driver education course (green certificate). The Motor Vehicle Branch testing requirements waive this wait if you have proof that you were fully licensed before in any jurisdiction. You still hold a Class 7 Level 1 licence until you pass the road test. This practice question on the Level 1 wait shows the standard wait.

What to bring to the road test

Your NB class 7-1 or 7-1* licence.
A vehicle in good working condition with a valid, signed motor vehicle registration and a valid insurance card. If you do not have them, you may fail without a refund.
A licensed driver with at least three years of experience and a valid Class 5 (or equivalent) licence to accompany you.
Your receipt as proof of payment for the road test.
If you have not yet exchanged: your original home licence, an official translation or an International Driver's Permit if the licence is not in English or French, one original identity document and two proofs of residency.
Physical copies of your documents. Only proof of insurance can be digital. If any document is missing, you are turned away.

Arrival time and fees on road test day (SNB handout, August 2026)

Arrival time and fees on road test day (SNB handout, August 2026)
Your situation	Arrive at least	Pay (Canadian dollars)
You have not yet exchanged your licence	45 minutes before the test	Up to $100 for the New Brunswick licence and $25.00 plus HST for the road test
You already exchanged your licence	20 minutes before the test	$25.00 plus HST for the road test

Proof of identity and residency

You need at least one identity document and two proofs of New Brunswick residency. A valid foreign passport with the right immigration documents is accepted. So is a valid IRCC document (such as a study permit or work permit) with a permitted stay of more than six months, if its expiry date is at least three months away. Only originals or copies certified by the issuing agency count. If your name differs between documents, add proof of the change, such as a marriage certificate. The Medicare card, school identification and a non-enhanced out-of-province licence are not accepted as identification.

Key takeaways

Nationals of 23 countries on the gnb.ca list exchange for a Class 5 without a written or road test. Taiwan and Ukraine have extra rules.
Drivers from other countries, except the United States, take a vision test, a written test and a road test, and get the Class 5 the day they pass.
Proof that you were fully licensed in any jurisdiction waives the Level 1 wait of one year (eight months with a green-certificate course).
Exchange your home licence within 6 months of the written test, no later than your road test appointment.
Next step: practise for the written test with the free New Brunswick Class 7 Level 1 practice test, in English only.

New Brunswick foreign licence: common questions

Can I exchange a licence from India or the Philippines in New Brunswick?

No. India and the Philippines are not on the gnb.ca list of 23 countries. A driver from either country takes the vision test, the written test and the road test. With proof of a full licence from home, the 12-month Level 1 wait is waived, and the Class 5 is issued on the day you pass the road test.

Do I need an International Driver's Permit?

Not always. If your licence is not in English or French, give your original licence with an official translation from a translation agency or an International Driver's Permit. If you exchange on road test day, bring them with your identity and residency documents and arrive at least 45 minutes early.

Can I take the New Brunswick road test in French?

Yes. You can choose to take the road test in English or French. All road tests are in person at a Service New Brunswick office. If you need help in another language, ask SNB at 1-888-762-8600 before you book.

What happens if I fail the road test?

You keep your Class 7 Level 1 (7-1 or 7-1*) learner's licence. Until you pass, you may drive only with one other person who is a fully licensed driver. Book another appointment and pay another $25.00 (Canadian dollars) plus HST, as the SNB handout says. Test results are valid for 6 months, and a practice question on expired test results covers what happens after that.

Can I use a rental car for the New Brunswick road test?

Yes. The rental agreement must include your name, and its terms and conditions must not say that the vehicle cannot be used for road testing. Read the agreement before you book, because the car must also have a valid, signed registration and a valid insurance card.