New Brunswick government proposes lifting night driving ban for new drivers

The New Brunswick government has proposed a change to the province’s Motor Vehicle Act that would lift the ban on night driving for new drivers.

The change, introduced to the legislative assembly Wednesday, would amend the act so that new drivers would no longer be restricted from driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

The rule was introduced in 2009 for drivers who have achieved levels 1 and 2 of the province’s graduated driver’s licence program. 

The amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act will lift that restriction for holders of a Level 2 licence; those in Level 1, however, will still be required to stay off the roads late at night. Level 1 drivers have yet to take a road test.

The government said its proposal is based on “extensive consultation” with New Brunswick residents.

“We have listened to New Brunswickers, and we believe a reformed graduated licence program will put driver safety at the forefront while giving new drivers a reasonable time to gain experience,” Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Robert Trevors stated in a government announcement.

“The reality is, we live in a rural province where young people often drive home late at night,” he added. “Our consultation showed that the night-driving restriction was a hardship for many New Brunswickers, and there was no evidence this restriction was improving safety.”