New Brunswick Knowledge Test Guide 2026
Everything a first-time New Brunswick driver needs to know about the Class 7(I) Learner knowledge test — the written exam that gets you a Class 7(I) Learner's licence and the first step of a graduated licensing program that ends in a full Class 5. This guide covers the format, pass mark, cost, where to book, and the shortest route from zero to Learner's licence.
The format at a glance
The New Brunswick Class 7(I) knowledge test is 20 multiple-choice questions. You need 16 correct out of 20 — 80% — to pass. It is written in person at a Service New Brunswick (SNB) office, usually after a short vision screening at the counter. The test is not timed in the strict sense; most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.
The questions cover the full New Brunswick Driver's Handbook: road signs, signals and pavement markings; rules of the road; right-of-way; speed limits and defaults; parking and intersections; adverse conditions and winter driving; vulnerable road users; impaired driving; the Graduated Driver Licensing program; and the Motor Vehicle Act fines and demerit-point system. There is no 'section' structure — the 20 questions are a mixed draw.
Where to book and what to bring
Book your knowledge test at any Service New Brunswick office. You can walk in during business hours in most locations, or book an appointment online. Appointments are not required at every office, but during peak times a walk-in can mean an hour's wait. Bring:
- Two pieces of identification — one primary (passport, Canadian birth certificate, Canadian Permanent Resident card) and one secondary (health card, bank card)
- Proof of New Brunswick residency (utility bill or similar, if your ID doesn't show an NB address)
- Payment for the test fee (approximately $12-20 in 2026 — confirm current fees)
- Reading glasses if you wear them — the vision screening is part of the sitting
Minors (under 18) need a parent or guardian to sign a consent form.
How much it costs
The knowledge test fee is approximately $12-20 per attempt in 2026. Fees are paid at the counter on test day. If you pass, the Class 7(I) Learner's licence has a separate issuing fee. Confirm current fees at any Service New Brunswick office — they are updated annually.
What the GDL stages look like
New Brunswick's Graduated Driver Licensing program has two licensed stages before a full Class 5. The knowledge test is only the first gate — it earns the Class 7(I) Learner's licence.
- Level I — Class 7(I) Learner — minimum 12 months (8 months with a driver-education course). Zero BAC. Supervising driver (fully licensed Class 5, 4+ years' experience) required in the front passenger seat at all times. No handheld electronics. No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
- Level II — Class 7(II) — minimum 24 months after passing the road test. Zero BAC continues. Drives independently (no supervisor needed). Passenger restrictions apply in the first 6 months. At-fault collisions or GDL offences can restart or extend the Level II period.
- Class 5 — Full — all GDL restrictions lifted. Standard warning-range (0.05 to 0.079) and criminal (0.08+) BAC rules apply like any other licensed driver.
What to study
The official study guide is the New Brunswick Driver's Handbook, available at the Government of New Brunswick's transportation portal. Read it — or at least skim the chapter headings — before touching a practice test. Three chapters matter most:
- Chapter 3 (Signs, signals and road markings). About a third to half of the test is here. Shapes and colours are strict: red for prohibition, yellow diamond for warning, orange for construction, green for direction, blue for services, brown for parks, fluorescent yellow-green for school zones.
- Chapter 4 (Rules of the road). Speed defaults (50 urban, 80 rural, 100-110 on Trans-Canada Route 2), right-of-way at four-way stops and uncontrolled intersections, left turns on a solid green, 1-metre cyclist clearance, 20-metre stop for a stopped school bus, the Slow Down Move Over law.
- Chapter 7 (Penalties, impaired driving, Motor Vehicle Act). Zero BAC for GDL. 0.05 warning range with 24-hour administrative suspension. 0.08 criminal threshold. Demerit review at 10 for full Class 5, 6 for GDL. Distracted driving around $172.50 and 3 demerits.
Then practice. The 240-question New Brunswick bank lets you drill signs separately, rules separately, fines separately, or run full 20-question mocks. Every wrong answer carries a per-option explanation telling you why that option was wrong — not just a generic 'here is the right answer' summary.
How many practice tests you actually need
Fewer than most people assume. Two or three focused drill sessions on signs, two on rules, two on fines, and three full mocks is typically enough to go from zero to a reliable 18/20. The trap is scoring 16/20 once and booking the test immediately — a bare pass on a practice test is a fail waiting to happen on test day. Aim for two or three consecutive 18+/20 mock scores before booking.
If you fail
You can rewrite on another day at any Service New Brunswick office after paying the next attempt's fee. There is no mandatory wait or cap on attempts in NB, though office availability can delay you a day or two. The best move after a fail is to drill the specific weak topic for a few days — if signs tripped you up, run the signs test daily for a week; if rules did, run the rules test. Don't just rebook and hope for a better random draw.
FAQs
Can I take the test online?
No. Service New Brunswick only offers the Class 7(I) knowledge test in-person, with a vision screening at the counter.
What languages is the test offered in?
New Brunswick is officially bilingual, so the test is offered in English and French at every SNB office. Specific accessibility accommodations (large print, oral exam, interpreter) can be requested through Service New Brunswick in advance.
How soon can I take the road test after my Learner's?
You must complete the 12-month Level I stage (reducible to 8 months with an approved driver-education course) before booking the road test. The Level I minimum is strict — no shortcuts other than driver-ed.
Can I use my out-of-province licence while I settle in?
Yes, for up to 90 days from when you become an NB resident. After 90 days you must transfer your licence at Service New Brunswick.