Can International Students Drive in New Brunswick on a Home Licence?
How long can an international student drive in New Brunswick on a home country licence?
An international student whose study permit is valid for more than 6 months may drive on a valid home country licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada. You may apply for a New Brunswick licence sooner. Nationals of 23 listed countries exchange without a written or road test; other students pass a vision test, a written test and a road test.
Where these rules come from
The rules come from the Government of New Brunswick page for new residents and foreign licences, its identification documents page and the Motor Vehicle Act. Residency, testing and fee details come from other gnb.ca pages, the Driver's Licence Testing Requirements and the Service New Brunswick (SNB) road test handout for foreign licence holders. Fees are as of August 1, 2026, and this guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Service New Brunswick (gnb.ca) before you drive.
The 6-month rule for study permit holders
A foreign national with a work or study permit valid for more than 6 months is a temporary resident. They may choose to drive on a valid home country licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada.
The Motor Vehicle Act lets a non-resident aged 16 or older drive with a valid home licence on them, but not a person from another country who lives or does business in New Brunswick for more than six consecutive months in any one year. Get your New Brunswick licence before your 6 months end. If your case is not clear, call the Motor Vehicle Branch at 506-453-2410.
When must you get a New Brunswick licence?
Can you use your study permit as ID?
Yes, with conditions. "Study Permit" is on the list of accepted ID for a New Brunswick licence, under valid immigration documents from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). The permitted stay must be more than six months, and the expiry date cannot be less than three months away.
The study permit is your one ID document. You also need at least two proof of residency documents that show the address for your licence, and not two from the same agency. Each document must show your full legal name and date of birth, and it must be an original or a copy certified by the issuing agency.
What to bring to the Service New Brunswick office
- Your valid home country licence (the original).
- One identification document, such as your study permit.
- Two proof of residency documents, such as a residential lease signed by landlord and tenant.
- An official translation of your licence from a translation agency, or an International Driver's Licence, if your licence is not in English or French.
- Hand in your residency documents in person at an SNB office.
Do you need to take tests? It depends on your licence
| Where your licence is from | What you need for a New Brunswick licence |
|---|---|
| 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 or Wales | Exchange for a Class 5 with no tests. Show proof of legal presence, such as a study visa. |
| Taiwan | Exchange for a Class 5 with no tests. Bring extra documents, including an authenticated English translation. |
| Ukraine (category B or BE licence) | Exchange for a Class 5 with no written or road test. Pass a vision test. |
| Any other country | Pass a vision test, a written test and a road test. Proof of a full licence from any jurisdiction waives the Level 1 waiting period before the road test. |
Steps if your country is not on the exchange list
- 1Pass the written test, then the vision test
Take the written test for Class 7 Level 1. Our free practice questions can help; they are in English only. After you pass, wait at least four business days, then take the vision test at an SNB office.
- 2Exchange your home licence within 6 months
Exchange it before your road test and within 6 months of passing the written test. Test results are valid for 6 months. After that, the expired tests must be done again: the written and vision tests. If you have not exchanged yet, arrive at least 45 minutes before the road test to do it.
- 3Book the road test
Book by phone at 1-888-762-8600 or online. The road test is in person at an SNB office, in English or French.
- 4Bring a vehicle and your papers
Bring a vehicle in good working condition with its valid, signed registration and a valid insurance card. Also bring your Class 7 Level 1 licence and the receipt for the road test fee.
- 5Pass the road test
If you pass, SNB issues a New Brunswick Class 5 licence the same day. If you fail, you keep your learner's licence, then book again and pay $25 plus HST for the next attempt. See test fees and retakes.
Fees as of August 1, 2026
| Item | Fee (Canadian dollars) |
|---|---|
| Class 1-9 licence, valid for four years | $100 |
| Written test, first attempt | $25 |
| Road test, each attempt (SNB handout) | $25 plus HST |
Getting your home licence back after the exchange
The Motor Vehicle Branch stores your foreign licence for five years from the date of exchange. In rare cases, it can return the licence if you show proof that you are going back to your home country. The branch needs at least 14 days' notice to get the licence from storage, and you must hand in your New Brunswick licence first.
Key takeaways
- A student with a study permit valid for more than 6 months may drive on a valid home licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada.
- You can apply for a New Brunswick licence earlier if you have your documents.
- Your study permit is accepted ID if the stay is more than six months and the expiry date is at least three months away. Add two proofs of residency.
- Nationals of 23 listed countries exchange for a Class 5 without a written or road test. Other students take vision, written and road tests.
- Next step: practise on the free New Brunswick Class 7 Level 1 practice test.
International students and New Brunswick licences: common questions
Does the 6 months start when I arrive in New Brunswick?
No. The Government of New Brunswick counts the 6 months from the day you land in Canada. If you land in Toronto or Montreal and come to New Brunswick later, the count starts on your landing day, not on the day you arrive in New Brunswick.
Do I need someone to come with me to the road test?
Yes. Bring a licensed driver who has at least three years of experience and a valid Class 5 (or equivalent) licence. If you have no car, a rental car is possible: the rental agreement must have your name on it, and its terms must not say that the car cannot be used for road tests.
Can I use my student card as ID?
No. School identification is not accepted as ID, with or without a photo. A non-enhanced driver licence or photo ID from another province is not accepted either. Use your study permit, if its permitted stay is more than six months and it does not expire within three months.
What if my home licence is not in English or French?
For the exchange, bring an official translation from a translation agency, or an International Driver's Licence, with your original licence. You also need one identification document, such as your study permit, and two proof of residency documents.
I study here but my licence is from Ontario or the U.S. Do I exchange it?
Students from other Canadian provinces or the United States do not need to exchange while in school. They must exchange as soon as they take up permanent residence or become gainfully employed. Their licence then exchanges class for class, including Class 7, without a driver's test or medical, if it does not expire within the next six months.
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