Orientation guide for newcomers to New Brunswick - Government of ...

Chapter 11Vehicles and drivingObtaining a driver’s licenceWhen you come to Canada, it is important toget a New Brunswick driver’s licence. Manyjobs require you to have one. Your driver’slicence is also a form of photo identification.A photo ID is required for many things,including opening a bank account, travellingby plane, and voting, if you become a citizen.If you are not interested in driving, you mayget a government-issued photo ID cardinstead of a driver’s licence. It resembles adriver’s licence, but it does not give you theright to drive. Contact Service New Brunswickfor more information:• toll-free, 1-888-762-8600• www.snb.caYou may use your international driver’slicence or foreign licence for up to threemonths after you arrive, but you must geta New Brunswick driver’s licence if youplan to keep driving here.If you already have a licence recognizedby New Brunswick, the process is easy.Visit a Service New Brunswick locationand exchange your old licence for aNew Brunswick one. Service New Brunswickstaff will be able to tell you whether youmay get a full licence or whether you willneed to be tested first. You may find a centre:• toll-free, 1-888-762-8600• www.snb.caIn New Brunswick, there are nine differenttypes or classes of licences. They allowpeople to drive different types of vehiclessuch as motorcycles or large trucks. Mostpeople have a Class 5 licence. This coverscars, vans that seat up to nine passengers,and small trucks.If your licence is not recognized inNew Brunswick or if you do not have anup-to-date licence, you may be testedby a driver examiner at a Service New Brunswicklocation. Appointments with the examinermay be made by telephone at local offices.Testing is available in both official languages.Graduated driver’s licence:Anyone applying for a licence, regardlessof age, must participate in the graduateddriver’s licence program. While enrolled inthe program, your driving privileges willbe limited until you gain experience:• you must successfully pass a visionscreening test and a written test toreceive a Class 7, Level 1 licence;• no passengers are allowed in the vehicleexcept the accompanying driver, who mustbe sitting in the front seat; have a class 5licence or better; and a minimum of threeyears’ driving experience;• as of Oct. 1, 2009, drivers hold a Class 7,Level 1, licence for a minimum of12 months, or eight months if they havegraduated from a recognized licenseddriver training school. Upon successfullypassing the road test, the driver advancesto Class 7, Level 2;Orientation guide for newcomers to New Brunswick67