The Nova Scotia Class 5 N - Newly Licensed License

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for your NS Class 5N license.

You must have practiced driving under supervision for at least 6 months with your Nova Scotia learner license (reduced to 3 months with the active enrollment in a Service Nova Scotia approved driver training program).

Before you can book your road test, you need to pay for the test with Service Nova Scotia. The cost of the test is $53.00 (including tax) and can be booked:

• Though a Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) service location 
• Through regular mail
• Online

Once you have your road test payment receipt, you need to book your road test over the phone (905-424-5851 or 1-800-898-7668 toll free)

The Nova Scotia Class 5 N road test is designed to assess whether you can perform basic driving maneuvers such as lane changes, driving through both controlled and uncontrolled intersections, parking, reversing etc. Make sure you thoroughly practice all of these driving skills before booking your road test.

Every road test begins with a quick examination of the vehicle you bring to the test. Make sure you check all the major controls (brakes, lights, horn etc) before leaving home.

The Nova Scotia Class 5 N road test takes approximately 30 minutes and you will be instructed by the examining driver to drive through a pre-set route. You will be asked to demonstrate correct driving, parking, reversing skills etc. Try to stay focused and calm, and pay attention to the examininers instructions.

You will return to the examination center after the NS Class 5 N road test is complete and be advised if you passed or failed the Newly Licensed phase of the GDL.

Its always smart to arrive 30 minutes in advance of your appointment time. You will be less rushed, more relaxed and able to take the test in a calm mindset. If you're late, your test will be cancelled and you'll need to reschedule.

Check all the controls on your vehicle before coming to the examination center to avoid any issues.

If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them along to the test.

You should have prepaid for your road test prior to booking the test. Once you pass the road test you will need to pay an additional fee for your actual licence card, so make sure you are able to make the payment.

You need to bring the following documents to your Nova Scotia Class 5 N road test appointment:

• Your NS Class 7 learner licence
• Valid vehicle registration and NS car insurance card for your vehicle
• Your numbered driver examination receipt

If you fail the road test, you will need to wait a full 7 days before you can do a re-take. In order to do a re-take you will need to pay for another test, get another numbered receipt and book another test appointment.

Once you have passed the NS Class 5 N road test, you will need to pay the fee for your Class 5N licence card. You will be given a temporary license card which is valid for 30 days while your new permanent license card should arrive in the mail within 14 days.

You must remain at the Class 5 N - Newly Licensed stage for a minimum of 24 months.

The Nova Scotia Class 5 N Newly Licensed 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, so starting early on with the driver training program is recommended. The options for Driver Training Programs in Nova Scotia are between a long course and a short course.

Long Driver Training Course

• 25 in-classroom hours + 10 hours of driving time
• If you take the long course while in the Class 7 stage you can take your road test after only 3 months (instead of 6)

Short Driver Training Course

• 6 in-classroom hours

A Nova Scotia Newly Licensed driver must always maintain a zero blood alcohol level.

Distracted driving and the use of electronic devices while driving is a punishable offense.

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.

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

If you receive more than 6 demerit points at the Newly Licensed stage, your licence 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.