A license is required if the tractor travels on public roads
Next up in Farms.com’s article series about licensing and insurance requirements for farm equipment across Canada is New Brunswick.
Is a license required to operate a tractor or other piece of equipment?
If the farm machinery stays on private property, no license is required.
But if the machinery travels on public roads, there are licensing rules.
People as young as 14 in New Brunswick, with parental consent, must have a Class 8 or Class 9 license.
This is like the rules in Nova Scotia.
A Class 8 license authorizes tractor operation only while the Class 9 license also includes motorcycles.
Operators older than 14 must have at least a Class 5 intermediate stage license to drive a tractor or other farm machinery on public roads.
Is insurance mandatory for farm equipment in New Brunswick?
Insurance is not mandatory for ag equipment in New Brunswick, just like it isn’t mandatory in Ontario.
Farmers are, however, highly encouraged to have insurance for their equipment to protect themselves and their assets.
In addition, ag lenders like Farm Credit Canada and most major banks require proof of insurance to secure financing.
In New Brunswick, insurance providers like Stanley Mutual and SE Mutual are available to help farmers come up with comprehensive solutions suitable for their farms.
Because no farm is the same, producers are encouraged to contact brokers directly to come up with a tailored insurance plan for their specific farm operation.
A notable jurisdictional difference is in B.C.
In that province, ag equipment used on public roads must have at least basic insurance coverage.