Driving in New Brunswick on a foreign licence: visitors and new residents (2026)
According to the Government of New Brunswick, checked on 31 October 2026, a person licensed elsewhere who takes up residence in New Brunswick must get a New Brunswick licence as soon as they take up residence, and temporary residents with a work or study permit may drive on their home licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada; the page does not give a rule for tourists.
These rules differ from place to place, and they change. We quote the official pages word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law, for example an international driving permit or a translation: ask them before you book.
At a glance
| Visitors | Not stated for tourists; work or study permit holders may drive on their home licence for up to 6 months |
|---|---|
| New residents | A New Brunswick licence as soon as you take up residence |
| IDP and translation | Official translation (agency or international driver’s licence) for a licence not in English or French (exchange) |
| UK licence, exchange without tests | Yes for England, Scotland and Wales (Northern Ireland is not named) |
| US licence, exchange without tests | Yes, class for class, without a driver’s test |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Visitors and tourists
Temporary residents, defined as foreign nationals who possess a work or study permit valid for more than 6 months, can apply for a NB drivers' licence as long as they are able to present the documentation above. However, they may choose to drive on their valid home country licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada.
Source: GNB: Driver's licences for new residents (Government of New Brunswick), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you move there
An individual licensed in another jurisdiction and taking up residence in New Brunswick must obtain a New Brunswick driver's licence as soon as they take up residence.
Source: GNB: Driver's licences for new residents (Government of New Brunswick), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
International driving permit and translation
an official translation of the driver’s licence (from a translation agency or an international driver’s licence), if not already in English or French
Source: GNB: Driver's licences for new residents (Government of New Brunswick), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Exchanging your licence
Drivers from Canadian provinces or the United States may exchange their licence class for class, including Class 7, without taking any driver’s test or submitting a medical, provided:
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, Taiwan*, Ukraine* and Wales.
Source: GNB: Driver's licences for new residents (Government of New Brunswick), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Hire a car in New Brunswick
Hiring a car in New Brunswick? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Check the licence rules above before you book: the rental company can ask for more than the law, such as an IDP or a translation.
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Visiting Canada?
Driving in Canada, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Australian licence
Other provinces and territories in Canada
Canada, Australia and New Zealand: every province, state and territory in one table
Questions
How long can I drive in New Brunswick with a foreign licence?
It depends on why you are there. The Government of New Brunswick says: “An individual licensed in another jurisdiction and taking up residence in New Brunswick must obtain a New Brunswick driver's licence as soon as they take up residence.” “Temporary residents, defined as foreign nationals who possess a work or study permit valid for more than 6 months, can apply for a NB drivers' licence as long as they are able to present the documentation above. However, they may choose to drive on their valid home country licence for up to 6 months from the day they land in Canada.” The page does not give a time limit for tourists.
Is this legal advice for driving in New Brunswick?
No. We quote the Government of New Brunswick word for word, as read on 31 October 2026. Rules change, and car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law: check with them and with the official page before you drive.
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