Introduction

On October 1, 1994, Nova Scotia implemented Graduated Driver Licensing. This means any new driver, regardless of age, who applies for a Learners licence after October 1, 1994, will operate under the graduated system.

Building upon existing provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act, the graduated driver licensing system is a comprehensive approach which addresses driver training and education; skills and knowledge testing; driver improvement programs and the issue of driver inexperience.

Graduated licensing is a system which places driving conditions on the beginner driver. As these conditions are gradually and systematically removed, exposure to increasingly risky situations is gradually phased in. Rather than being exposed to the full range of driving hazards at once, the novice driver is eased into full unrestricted driving situations with more competance and more experience to handle unexpected events.

For the Passenger Vehicle

For Class 7 or 8 licences, the Learner's stage of the system lasts for 6 months, which may be reduced to 3 months if a recognized driver education or training program is taken.

Operating conditions at this stage include:

1. No passengers, except an experienced driver who holds at least a Class 5 licence; and,
2. Zero blood alcohol level for the learning driver.

Suspensions will delay graduation to the newly licensed driver stage by the minimum time requirement; that is, 3 months if a recognized driver education or training program was taken, 6 months if not.

Once a road test has been successfully completed, the learner becomes Newly Licensed for a minimum of two years.

Operating conditions include:

1. Zero blood alcohol level for the newly licensed driver;
2. Only one front seat passenger and rear seat(s) passengers limited to the number of available seat belts;
3. No upgrade beyond a Class 5 driver's licence; and,
4. No driving between midnight and 5:00AM, unless accompanied by an experienced driver.

A newly licensed driver may apply for an exemption from the night time driving curfew for employment purposes. The driver must take the most direct route to and from work, and is not permitted to have any passengers in the vehicle.  A Form APP33 Application for Exemption from Nightime Driving Curfew must be properly completed, signed and submitted with the fee of $30.41 to request the exemption.

To "graduate" from the newly licensed driver stage, the driver must successfully complete a 6 hour Defensive Driving course or complete the full Driver Training Course (25 hours theory, 10 hours driving time). A copy of your graduation certificate must be provided, in person or by mail, to any Registry of Motor Vehicles office for recording purposes.

Licence suspensions will delay graduation to the regular driver stage by 2 years from the date the licence is reinstated.

A demerit point system will remain in effect for newly licensed drivers. These drivers will be subject to driver improvement action much earlier than is the case for experienced drivers.

At the Regular stage, there is no change from the current system.

For the Motorcycle Driver

Motorcycle Learner's licence (Initial licence)

To obtain a motorcycle learner's licence, the new driver must:

1. Obtain a learner's (Class 7) driver's licence or Class 8,
2. Successfully complete a motorcycle rules test, and
3. Successfully complete a practical skills test.

Operating conditions include:

1. No passengers,
2. Driving only during daylight hours (one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset), and
3. Zero blood alcohol content.

This licence is valid for one year. Licence suspensions at the learner's stage will delay the upgrade to a Class 6 licence by the minimum time requirement; that is, 3 months if an approved motorcycle course is taken, 6 months if not.

Upgrade to Motorcycle Driver's licence (Class 6):

The motorcycle driver may graduate to a regular motorcycle driver's licence after 6 months and successfully completing an advanced skills test, or after 3 months if an approved motorcycle course is successfully completed. At this point they hold a Class 6(N) licence.

Operating conditions include:

1. Must remain at this level for two years or may choose to get a 5(N) with the Motorcycle endorsement (A),
2. No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.,
3. Zero blood alcohol level content, and
4. Must successfully complete a defensive driving course.

Newly licensed drivers may apply for an exemption from the nighttime driving curfew for employment purposes.

licence suspensions at this stage will delay graduation to the regular driver stage by 2 years from the date the licence is reinstated.

Motorcycle licence Endorsement:

For regular Class Licence holders, the driver with a valid licence (Class 1-5) may obtain a motorcycle learner's licence by successfully completing a rules test and a practical skills test.

Operating conditions are the same as the motorcycle learner (Initial licence).

The paper learner motorcycle licence is valid for one year, and must be carried with your photo ID Licence.

Upgrade to Motorcycle Endorsement on Driver's licence:

• The driver may upgrade to a motorcycle endorsement on a valid driver's licence (Class 1-5) after 3 months and successfully completing an advanced skills test, or 1 month if an approved motorcycle course has been successfully completed.
• After obtaining a motorcycle endorsement, the remaining operating conditions under the graduated driver licensing system do not apply.

Related Information

• The Nova Scotia Driver's Handbook contains the details concerning the graduated driver licensing program
   
• Read the report from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) on the "Impact of the graduated driver licensing program in Nova Scotia."