Hi All
Just been reading drivers hand book and test requirements for driving in Nova Scotia.
Looks like a mine field ahead. Does any one know if your 90 days is from landing or when you actually move over with shipping and buy your house .
Also I intend taking My classic triumph bonni with me, it sounds like I will have to spend 6 Months as a learner driver unable to ride my 750 until qualified after doing several tests. anyone who can shed some light on the subject I would be grateful

Many thanks
Ian

The 90 days is from landing but the test is more of a formality than anything eles.
One tip when driving, don’t use your indicators, as no one knows what they are.
Ho and wait until traffic is almost upon you be fore pulling out of a side street.
As for the bike license I don’t know for sure but believe you have to take a cause a bit like what new riders have to do in the UK

The 90 days is for when you actually move over.Just read the handbook and you'll find the test a piece of cake...mine lasted 5 mins.
I've not did the bike test yet, but I think you can do the full test straight away, although I've not actually checked, just spoke to someone about it.

Did you take your bike over with you?

No it was a fairly newish bike, not worth the hassle, so i just sold it before i came.
Biking is massive here in NS, I know a guy who has a big custom cruiser with all the extras on it.....and he doesn't go any further than Tim Horton's
God i miss it....maybe next year

Hi

Just sat my test last week and asked about this at Access Nova Scotia (where you sit test).

The 90 days is a continuous period from anytime you arrive.

So you could stay 89 days, leave Nova Scotia, Come back again the next day, drive another 89 leave nova Scotia and come back again the next day and so on.

I was only going to be here for about 85 days so they said not to bother as I would be doing the above, but as I did not have anything else to do I just did it.


When it comes the time, I would recomend that you get an "assesment lesson" with a driving instructor as I have driven for 25 years in UK and had a few "bad habbits" e.g. when you leave your parking space in a car park, you need to indicate - I know you should but in UK I wouldn't do this if there were no pedestrians or other cars around, how many people at ASDA indicated before pulling out of space - 5 points if you don't do (you are allowed 45) ?

That said the test itself was not to difficult - I got 10 points - ***** forgot to indicate coming out of parking space at the start . And passed a cyclist without indicating.

Good luck.

Ha Ha... I see all the bikers at Tim's in the evening. We did wonder if they ever got any further than that. The summer is ebbing away.....and still they sit There must have been about 50 bikes in Tim's in Fall River at the weekend.

Hey, I need to take my test as I have just arrived, can you recommend a driving instructor in the Halifax area?

Also I've been trying to understand all the info surrounding getting a license and even though I have been driving for a good 10+ years in the UK, I will only get a beginners license?

Thanks

Hi

Don't remember the name of school but the number was 902-405-1668

You don't get a learners licence. If you go to access Nova Scotia you will be able to buy the highway code equivalent book. You will need to read this to pass the theory test.

You can just walk up to any access nova scotia office and take the theory test.

Once you pass this, you are given a number to call to booking the road test.

You are allowed to drive up to 3 months from the last time you arrived in Nova Scotia on your UK licence, but I believe if you fail, then they take away your UK licence. I didn't so maybe someone on here who has can explain the process if that happens.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Because you currently have a full UK driver's license, you will get a full Class 5 NS license when you pass your test.

Here in the online NS Driver's Handbook http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rmv/licence/handbook.asp

When it is time to move to Canada get your current UK insurance provider to give you a letter of 'no claims' and good driving history so you can get a much better deal on insurance here.

We took our test within 4 weeks of arriving, was easy. Theory one week and practical the other. Practical for both of us lasted 10 mins and was nothing compared to the UK. Neither of us studied much for the theory and had no lessons for the practical

Yeah that's funny, we saw them 2 weekends in a row. I wonder if they left during the week?

thanks, where are most people taking their practical? West End Mall is closer for me, but not sure if it would be less busy somewhere else?

I think there is a driving test centre in Sackville, but I've heard that they are a bit stricter there.

Also, isn't the one down in the mall moving to Bayers Lake next month? Will be interesting to hear what the test is like around there. If anyone does it there can they post on here? Ta.

Karen

If you want an assessment lesson try High School Driving Academy in Halifax. They have drivers covering all of the HRM. I have just completed my Driving Instructors course with them. Dartmouth Access NS is to be recommended as I did a road test there. Easier to get in and out of than Halifax or Sackville road test centres. They will fail you if you go 1km over the speed limit. Signal for everything and remember to use hand over hand steering. If in doubt take the assessment.