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Insurance Bureau of Canada/nb/Auto/Graduated Licensing

Graduated Licensing

​To become a fully licensed driver, new drivers in the province must pass all stages of New Brunswick’s graduated licensing program. If your licence is suspended, contact your insurer.

How Do I Get Insured as a New Driver?

Before you buy auto insurance, you need to apply to complete New Brunswick's 2 level licensing process.

To start the licensing process, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Have parental consent that is witnessed by a non-relative if you are under 18 years of age
  • Pass a vision test and have 20/40 vision in your best eye
  • Pass written, basic and signage tests

You must buy minimum coverage from a private insurer to begin practice driving with your G1 licence. As a novice driver, it's important to understand the many unique restrictions that apply to Class 7 – Level 1 and Class 7 – Level 2 licences.

What Happens with Insurance if my Licence is Suspended?

You must report your licence suspension to your insurer immediately. If your licence is suspended, you will not be insured if you drive during the suspension period. Depending on the type of suspension, there might be an increase in the cost of insurance once the suspension is lifted.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Fully Licenced Driver (Class 5)?

It takes a minimum of 24 months to complete both levels of graduated licensing and become a fully licensed driver.

Once you have a Class 7 – Level 1 licence, you are eligible to take the Class 7 – Level 2 road test after eight months if you graduate from a driver training school. You must pass a test at a Driver Examiner Office to obtain any type of driver's licence.

Need more flexibility as a new driver? You can complete an Application for Exemption from Night Time Driving Restrictions for specific days and/or times during the week. If you are not at least 18 years old, you will need parental or guardian consent.

Why Are There So Many Steps to Get Licenced?

Novice drivers cause many traffic-related deaths and injuries. In response to accident statistics and successful licensing systems in other countries, Canada's provincial and territorial governments introduced new driver standards in the mid-2000s. 

Graduated licensing is based on research that clearly demonstrates the safety value of this approach over more conventional ones. Most programs include a multi-stage system with mandatory learner and intermediate stages that take place over set time-periods before graduation to a full licence.

IBC and Best Practices for Graduated Licensing in Canada

In 2005, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) supported research conducted by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF), a national, independent charitable road safety institute. TIRF's mission is to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries. IBC circulated a draft of this report to relevant contacts in driver licensing agencies, or their equivalent, in all jurisdictions across Canada.

Frequently asked questions about graduated licensing in New Brunswick.