How long can you drive with a foreign licence in New Brunswick?
Bottom line: New Brunswick says a person licensed elsewhere who takes up residence must obtain a New Brunswick licence as soon as they take up residence. Some temporary foreign residents with qualifying work or study permits may instead use a valid home-country licence for up to six months from landing.
The resident deadline
New Brunswick says a person licensed elsewhere who takes up residence must obtain a New Brunswick licence as soon as they take up residence. Some temporary foreign residents with qualifying work or study permits may instead use a valid home-country licence for up to six months from landing.
The clock is about residency, not simply the date you first crossed the border as a tourist. If your status changes from visitor or student to resident, or you begin employment that changes how the province treats you, re-check the deadline instead of relying on the date printed on your foreign licence.
Do students or temporary residents get an exception?
Students who move to New Brunswick do not need to exchange while they remain in school, but the exchange requirement starts when they take up permanent residence or become gainfully employed.
Start the exchange before the last legal day
Waiting until the deadline creates unnecessary risk. Appointments, licence authentication, translations and road-test availability can all add time. Start early enough that a document problem does not leave you unable to drive.
What to collect before surrendering your licence
Foreign applicants need the original licence, official translation when not in English or French, proof of identity, two proofs of New Brunswick residency and proof of legal presence in Canada.
Bring the original foreign licence and supporting records. The Motor Vehicle Branch determines the class and any testing based on the licence, status and documentation.
Insurance comes after the licence path is clear
New Brunswick uses private auto insurers. Get your New Brunswick licensing path resolved and keep official foreign driving records before requesting quotes so insurers can assess your history consistently.
Keep copies of every history document before surrendering your old licence. A driver abstract, claims-history letter or official first-licence date can be harder to obtain once you have already left the issuing country.
Primary source
New Brunswick — Driver’s licences for new residents →
Next steps
General planning information only. The licensing authority decides your final exchange, test and experience-credit result.