The Class 7 Nova Scotia Learners License Made Easier

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 (RMV) office.

The Nova Scotia drivers handbook has everything you need in order to learn how to drive in Nova Scotia. From road signs and road rules, to actual driving techniques, you can find all of the driving information you require within this one guide. Make sure you thoroughly familiarize yourself with the road signs and rules of the road rules sections in the NS driver's handbook, before your Class 7 written test.

Registry of Motor Vehicles - Nova Scotia Driver's Handbook

The ICanDrive.ca team has created a series of Nova Scotia Class 7 practice test sets to help new drivers test themselves on their knowledge of the road signs and rules that they can expect to see on the actual NS Class 7 written test. Work your way through all of our Class 7 practice tests to ensure you are well-prepared for your test day.

You will need to pay for the NS written test in advance through one of the following options:

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

The Nova Scotia Class 7 written test can be taken at any NS Registry of Motor Vehicles Offices (RMV) across the province. Some key things you should be aware of are:

• The Class 7 written test is made up of two sections. One of them is on traffic and safe driving rules, while the second section focuses on Nova Scotia road and highway signs. Each section is made up of 20 multiple choice questions and you need to score a 16/20 on each section to pass the test
• If you require to take the Class 7 test orally, you can make a special appointment to do so in advance

Getting a Nova Scotia learners license also requires that you pass a vision test which will test for color perception, field of vision, sharpness of vision and distance judgement.

Be aware of any major holidays etc. around the time when you are hoping to take the Nova Scotia beginners license test. Times like March break and summer holidays can be exceptionally busy, so you want to make sure you arrive at the Nova Scotia RMV location well in advance of closing time. You want to ensure that you have enough time to take the NS written test as well as your vision test, and don't feel rushed.

Getting a Nova Scotia beginners license requires proof of age and the appropriate identification documents

Nova Scotia ID Requirements

Parental Consent Documents - if you're under the age of 18 and your parent/guardian is not accompanying you to the RMV office, then you need to bring a signed consent form with you.

NS Learner Licence Parent Approval Form

You will need to complete a Nova Scotia learners license application form at the Registry of Motor Vehicles office.

Any prescription eye wear that you require must be brought along to the test.

You need to pre-pay the test fee before you come to the test and bring your test receipt along with you on the driving knowledge test day. The cost of the knowledge test is $15 and can be paid through one of the following options:

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

In addition, if you successfully pass the written test you will need to pay the $25.10 license fee for your Class 7 license

After passing the Class 7 written test and paying the license fee, you will receive a temporary licence at the RMV office, which is valid for 30 days. Your new Nova Scotia beginners license card should arrive in the mail within 14 business days. You must get your temporary licence card from the RMV office right after your test, because you cannot drive without it.

You have to stay at the Nova Scotia learners license stage for a minimum of 6 months before moving on to the next stage (reduced to 3 if you take an approved driver training program).

In order to graduate from the full Nova Scotia graduated driver licensing program, you will at some stage need to finish a Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations approved driver training program. There are two options when it comes to Nova Scotia driver training programs:

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

Both courses will fulfill the NS GDL (graduated driver license) exit requirement, and will help you learn better driving from a professional driving instructor, which could also potentially help you save money on NS car insurance further down the line.

A Nova Scotia learners license expires in 2 years, and you will need to move to the NS Class 5N licensing stage before it expires, otherwise you will have to re-take the learner level test.

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.

Consumption of alcohol or drugs while driving is forbidden.

Aside from the supervising driver in the front seat, no other passengers are allowed in the vehicle with you.

As a Nova Scotia beginners license holder, if you accumulate 4 or more demerit points, your license will automatically be suspended for 6 months.