Mandatory Revocation

The Motor Vehicle Act requires automatic revocation of a driver's licence or driving privileges after a conviction for any of the following offenses:

1. Failing to stop at the scene of an accident if conviction is under the Criminal Code of Canada.
2. Causing death or bodily harm by criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle.
3. Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle.
4. Criminal negligence (where death or injury has not been caused).
5. Theft of a motor vehicle or taking a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner.
6. Driving while impaired by alcohol or any drug.
7. Failure or refusal to provide a breath sample.
8. Driving with more than 80 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood.
9. Dangerous driving (Criminal Code of Canada).
10. Driving while disqualified (due to revocation or suspension of licence).
11. Making a false affidavit, declaration, or statement to the department.
12. Refusing to provide a blood sample.

If you are convicted of any of these offenses, the revocation of your driver's licence will be automatic and immediate, whether or not you receive a notice from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

If your licesne or driving privilege has been revoked as a result of a conviction, it will continue to be revoked until you comply with all the restoration requirements. The application must be accompanied by a cheque or money order for $87.02 (or $108.83 if your licence or driving privilege was revoked for an alcohol-related offense).

In case of revocation related to alcohol or drug use, evidence of behaviour change may be required. If your driver's licence has been revoked for a first, second or third offense for an alcohol-related driving offense you must participate in a designated alcohol rehabilitation program before you are entitled to reinstatement of your licence.

All convicitons under the Criminal Code will result in a court-imposed prohibition order against driving a motor vehicle anywhere in Canada. This may be for a different period of time than the revocation period imposed under the Nova Scotia Motor Vehicle Act.


Suspension Without Conviction

The licence of any driver may be suspended if the Registrar has reason to believe a person:

1. has committed an offense that would result in mandatory revocation;
2. has, by reckless or unlawful driving, caused or contributed to an accident that resulted in death or injury or in serious property damage;
3. is incompetent to drive or has mental or physical disabilities that cause them to drive unsafely;
4. is a habitual reckless or negligent driver, or has committed a serious violation of the Motor Vehicle Act or of the provisions of the Criminal Code relating to motor vehicles;
5. has operated a vehicle while the vehicle was being used for unlawful purposes;
6. is a habitual violator of the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act or the regulations.

Suspension of your licence may also be imposed for any of the following violations:

1. lending your licence;
2. using another person's licence;
3. failing to obey restrictions imposed on your licence;
4. taking a driver's examination in order to obtain a licence for another person.

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may revoke any driver's licence whenever the Registrar deems it expedient.


Financial Responsibility

Your licence, your driving privileges, and all motor vehicle registrations in your name must be suspended under any of the following conditions:

1. If you are involved in an accident resulting in the injury or death of a person or in damage to property of $50.00 or more and you cannot show proof of your financial responsibility. Financial responsibility may be established in either of the following ways: (a) by carrying public liability and property damage automobile insurance in the required amount, or (b) by having a bond, cash, or securities in the total amount of $200,000 on deposit with the Provincial treasurer.
    
2. If you are convicted of driving a motor vehicle without a motor vehicle liability insurance policy.
    
3. If you fail to pay a judgment for damages resulting from the injury or death of any person or damage to property amounting to over $200.
    
4. If you are convicted of failing to stop at the scene of an accident as required by the Motor Vehicle Act.

If your licence or driving privileges were suspended for failure to pay a judgment, they remain suspended until arrangements are made to make payment or the judgement has been paid in full, and proof of financial responsibility has been established for the future.


Court-Imposed Suspension

If a person who holds a Nova Scotia driver's licence is convicted of a violation involving speed, careless or imprudent driving, racing, or passing a school bus under conditions described in the Motor Vehicle Act, the court or magistrate, in addition to any fine that may be imposed, will suspend the driver's licence. It will be suspended for a period of 7 days in the case of a first offence, 15 days in the case of a second offence, and 30 days in the case of a third or subsequent offence.

In cases of careless and imprudent driving, a judge or magistrate may order the suspension of a driver's licence, or the privilege of holding a licence, for any period up to one year following the conviction.


Application for Restoration

In cases of driver licence suspension the driver must submit a Notice of Application for Restoration or Reinstatement.  The notice must be accompanied by a cheque or money order for $87.02 ($108.83 if the licence was revoked for an alcohol-related offense).