New Drivers

All Nova Scotia drivers have to pass through and successfully complete the requirements of each stage in the Nova Scotia graduated driver’s license system.

Nova Scotia has a Graduated Driver Licensing system with 3 stages:

• Class 7 (Learners License)

• Class 5N (Newly Licensed Drivers)

• Class 5R (The Restricted Individual stage)

Class 7 (Learners License)

The first stage in the Nova Scotia Graduated Driver Licensing program is called the learner’s license (Class 7). A Nova Scotia learner’s license expires in 2 years, and you will need to move to the Class 5N licensing stage before it expires, otherwise, you will have to re-take the learner level test.

You have to stay at the Nova Scotia learners license stage for a minimum of 12 months before moving on to the next stage (reduced to 9 if you take an approved driver training program, click here).

Who can apply?

You can apply for your Nova Scotia learners license once you turn 16. If you are under the age of 18, you will need to provide parental/guardian consent at the Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles office.

How do I apply for a Learner’s License?

1. Study driver’s handbook.
2. Arrange to be tested.
3. Visit one of the Access Nova Scotia’s offices.
4. Complete an application form.
5. Pass a vision test
6. Pass a road sign test.
7. Pass a rules test.
8. Pay the license fee
9. Congratulations! You now have your learner’s license and have become part of the Graduated Driver Licensing program. Learn the conditions under which you may drive and then practice.
10. Register for your Driver’s Education Program (Click here).

Restrictions:

Supervised Driving:
A non-GDL driver who has held a full Nova Scotia driving license for at least 2 years must always supervise you when you are driving as a learner.
No Alcohol:
Consumption of alcohol or drugs while driving is forbidden.
No Passengers:
Aside from the supervising driver in the front seat, no other passengers are allowed in the vehicle with you.
Demerit Points:
As a Nova Scotia beginners license holder, if you accumulate 4 or more demerit points, your license will automatically be suspended for 6 months.

Class 5N (Newly Licensed Drivers)

Once you pass the road test, you leave the learner’s stage and advance to the newly licensed stage. You remain in this stage for at least two full years. The Nova Scotia Class 5N license is valid for 5 years and you can renew your license up to 6 months in advance of the license expiry.

If you didn’t already enroll and complete a Nova Scotia driver training program, you will need to complete an approved Driver Improvement Program and provide your graduation certificate to a Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles center to eventually exit the Nova Scotia GDL program. The last stage of the GDL program is a Class 5R license.

Road Test

Normally, learners have to wait at least 12 months before they can take a road test. (However, if you pass a 25 hours driver training program, you have to wait only 9 months.)

Steps:

1. Pay the road test fee and obtain a receipt.
2. Make an appointment for the road test (we can book it for you, click here)
3. Bring the following items to your appointment:

• Road test receipt—if you lose the receipt or forget to bring it to your road test, you will have to purchase another one
• A vehicle to take the test with. It should be one that you have driven before and that is comfortable and familiar to you. Your vehicle must be in good mechanical condition and must have a valid safety inspection sticker (you can use our company car, click here to register)
• Your current license
• The motor vehicle permit for the vehicle you will be driving
• A valid insurance liability card in the name of the registered owner of the vehicle that you will be driving

4. Read the instruction sheet provided by the driver enhancement officer before the actual road test.
5. The driver enhancement officer will begin by asking for your learner’s license, vehicle permit, and insurance liability card. The driver enhancement officer will then ask you to demonstrate the use of signal lights, horn, brake lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and hand signals.
6. Listen as the driver enhancement officer explains the test. Follow his or her instructions. During the driving test, do not talk unnecessarily to the driver enhancement officer, who will be busy giving instructions, observing your performance, and recording your score.
7. Take the test. During the test, the driver enhancement officer will be observing the following:

• How well you control the vehicle during starting, stopping, turning, and parking
• Your observation skills, including shoulder checks, when and how often you use your mirrors, and where you look
• How well you respond to traffic, pavement markings, signs, and possible hazards
• How well you manage the space around your vehicle
• Your ability to make safe lane changes
• How closely you follow and stop behind other vehicles
• How you communicate with other road users, including your use of turn signals and brake lights and whether you make eye contact with other drivers and pedestrians
• Your ability to make good driving decisions, such as knowing when to yield the right of way
• Your speed

8. At the end of the test, the driver enhancement officer will give you a complete report of your skills and explain any mistakes you may have made. The driver enhancement officer will tell you if you have passed.
9. If you have passed the road test, the driver enhancement officer will tell you how to exchange your learner’s license for a new one.

Restrictions:

No Alcohol:
A Nova Scotia Newly Licensed driver must always maintain a zero blood alcohol level.
Passenger Limit:
Only carry as many passengers as the number of working seat belts in the car. Also, you must only carry one passenger in the front seat of the vehicle.
Restricted Night-time Driving:
You can only drive between the hours of midnight and 5 am if one of the below conditions is
met:

• You are accompanied by an experienced driver
• You have received an employment-related exception to drive during those hours

Demerit Points System
If you receive more than 6 demerit points at the Newly Licensed stage, your license will be suspended for 6 months and you will have to restart the 24-month waiting period before you can graduate to the Class 5R Nova Scotia license stage.

Class 5R (The Restricted Individual stage)

A Class 5R License is the final step new drivers must complete before exiting the Nova Scotia graduated driver licensing program.

You must have continuously held (no interruptions due to suspensions, etc.) a Class 5N license for 24 months in order to qualify for a Class 5R license. Once you’ve completed the 24 months, you will automatically move to the Class 5R licensing stage.

You must remain at the 5R stage for a minimum of 24 months before you can qualify for your full Class 5 Nova Scotia car license.

You have the option to take a Nova Scotia Driver Training Program at any point in the licensing process and must be able to provide a copy of your graduation certificate to any Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia branch for their records before you can move to the final Class 5 licensing stage. There are two options for Nova Scotia driver training program:

Long Driver Training Course

• 25 in-classroom hours (it’s online now) + 10 hours of in-car driving

If you take the long course while in the Class 7 stage, you can take your road test after only 9 months (instead of 12) (click here to register)

Short Driver Training Course

• 6 in-classroom hours (it’s online now)

Restrictions

No Alcohol:
Your blood alcohol level must remain at zero at the NS Class 5R licensing level.
Supervisor Driving
Until you get your full Nova Scotia Class 5 license, you cannot be a supervising driving for a learning driver.

Once you have completed the mandatory 24 month wait time with a Class 5 R license and graduated from a ministry-approved driver training program, you are eligible for a full Class 5 car license and can exit the Nova Scotia graduated driver licensing program.

Visitor with Out-of-Province Driver’s License

If you are a visitor to Nova Scotia and (a) you are at least 16, and (b) you already have a valid driver’s license from another part of Canada, you can drive in Nova Scotia for up to 90 days without getting a Nova Scotia Driver’s Licence. After that, you need a Nova Scotia license.

People from another province or territory of Canada can usually exchange their existing license for a Nova Scotia Driver’s license. You can do this without taking any written tests or a road test if you meet all of these conditions: (This applies to Class 5 licenses)

• Be at least 16 years of age,
• Disclose all medical conditions or physical disabilities that may affect your ability to safely drive a motor vehicle,
• Surrender your drivers license at the time of exchange, and
• Pay normal fees for the issuance of a license.

If your license is from New Brunswick or Prince Edward Island, and it is not due to expire within the next 6 months, you can exchange it for a Nova Scotia Driver’s Licence, at no fee. While the exchange of the license is free, there is a photo administration fee of $11.90.

New Residents from Outside of Canada

Visitors:
If you are a visitor to Nova Scotia and (a) you are at least 16, and (b) you already have a valid driver’s license from another country, you can drive in Nova Scotia for up to 90 days without getting a Nova Scotia Driver’s Licence. After that, you need a Nova Scotia license.

New residents:  
You need to get a Nova Scotia Driver’s license within 90 days of becoming a resident.  You are considered to be a resident if: (a) you are attending school or college here; or (b) you live here and your children attend school here, or (c) you are employed here for more than 30 days in any given year; or (d) you live here for more than 90 days in any given year.

United States:
People who have a valid regular Driver’s Licence from the United States can usually exchange their license for a Nova Scotia Driver’s Licence, and they do not have to take a road test (This applies to Class 5 licenses).

Other Countries with a Reciprocal Driver’s License Exchange Agreement with Nova Scotia:
Austria: Regular Class 5 driver’s license.
Belgium: Regular Class 5 or Class 6 driver’s license
Germany: Regular Class 5 driver’s Licence.
Isle of Man: Regular Class 5 or Class 6 driver’s license.
South Korea: Regular Class 5 or Class 6 driver’s license.
Taiwan: Regular Class 5 driver’s licence.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Regular Class 5 or Class 6 driver’s license.

To get a Nova Scotia driver’s license, if you’re from a country with a reciprocal license exchange agreement, you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age,
• Take a vision screening test,
• Disclose all medical conditions or physical disabilities that may affect your ability to safely drive a motor vehicle,
• Provide an English translation of your license (if the license being exchanged is not in English or French).
• Surrender your driver’s license at the time of exchange, and
• Pay normal fees for the issuance of a license.

Depending on the license class from your originating jurisdiction or how long you have held your license, you may be required to enter the Graduated Driver Licensing system.

Other Foreign Countries:  People who have a valid driver’s license from other foreign countries will be required to purchase a knowledge test receipt and road test receipt and successfully complete vision, signs, rules, and road tests (Click to register).