Hi Everyone,

We are moving to Nova Scotia next month and have a car there waiting for us. Before I register it, I need insurance and the insurance company I'm talking to (AllState) say that I can't get insurance without a Nova Scotia drivers license..... really?

I accept that I will have to trade in my UK license for a NS one at some point, but do I really have to do this before I'm able to drive my own car?

thanks

Yes really! Generally you need a Provincial License to insure a private vehicle in NS or any other Province before insurance is issued. You have 90 days from the time you establish residency in Nova Scotia to apply to exchange your drivers license. Until that time you can drive on your current license. https://novascotia.ca/sns/paal/rmv/p...#appprocessgp4

https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Drive...Licence-Canada

Most people hire a vehicle for when they first arrive.. I'd suggest you might wish to do the same Much simpler, already insured

You might want to try some Expat friendly insurance companies that will take your years of experience / without claim into consideration (get letters from your insurance companies - see the wiki for details of what you need.
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...surance-Canada
https://www.tdinsurance.com/customer-service/contact-us
https://www1.johnson.ca/locations/ns/truro-insurance


Do have a good read of our Wiki articles on moving to Canada
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Categ...gistics-Canada
https://britishexpats.com/wiki/Arriv...Do_List-Canada

As Siouxie says, yep you do need a Nova Scotia license to insure a car in Nova Scotia.

The regs differ slightly in other provinces (for example I thing you can insure and register a vehicle as a tourist in BC, may be wrong though) but in our experience NS is especially strict in all aspects of vehicle insurance/registration.

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So now I am wondering if you would be able to insure a car in the UK with a NS licence. I am inclined to think not?

Can confirm in BC you can register and insure a vehicle on any valid licence. But yes, as with all driving matters, Provinces rule, so each get to set their own rules.