I am going to Halifax for 12 weeks mid june having landed in Feb 2010. Basically to get possession of PR Cards and do a further recce. I also plan to do my driving test assuming I can get it booked, etc. But my question is can I use a rental car to sit the test - I have full UK drivinig licence for car hire?

Myself and my wife did ours in a rental. That was '98 and in BC. Good luck with it, it was quite easy.

I have just moved to Moncton and just exchanged my car licence straight over for a NB one, had to pay 80 bucks for it.

I am sure I have heard that rental cars cannot be used to sit a driving test - you have to show insurance and that will flag the car as a rental. Maybe someone else could enlighten. You may have to phone a driving school and book a couple of lessons and sit the test using their car.

http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rmv/licence/appexam.asp

"You must have your Learner's licence, a Road Test Receipt, a valid Motor Vehicle Permit and a valid insurance liability card, in the vehicle owner's name, to show the Driver Enhancement Officer".

Why bother? You don't need to get an NS license until you move there to live.

Visitors are only allowed to drive for 90 days and the OP will be here for 12 weeks.

"4) GROUP FOUR -- Visitors and Newcomers:
Visitors: If you are a visitor to Nova Scotia and (a) you are at least 16, and (b) you already have a valid driver's licence from another part of Canada (or from another country), you can drive in Nova Scotia for up to 90 days without getting a Nova Scotia Driver's Licence. After that, you need a Nova Scotia licence."

http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/paal/rmv/paal269.asp

12x7=84 last time I checked.

he he its been a long day at work . No need to bother with a test then

Hi thanks everyone for advice think I will go the learner driver route as want to get it out of the way ASAP.

Thanks again

Why?

You can sit a test in Halifax with a rental car, you just need to produce the insurance certificate on the day. There is also now a great company in Halifax called Halifax Carshare which is miles cheaper than renting a hire car for the time frame you are talking about coming for..
The driving test here is not difficult, a written test first after a sight test, then a quick test of basic driving skills, and a few maneuvers.. there could be a waiting list for the test date itself but you can ask for another location such a Dartmouth. There are also a few advantages to taking the test right away, one is that it will be summer driving conditions and the other is that a driving license is another valid piece of picture ID here, we also encourage the more nervous types to rake an assessment lesson on your "Canadian" driving skills, a two hour assessment will give you lots more confidence and give you tips on how to adapt to pass the test.. most people fail here on driving too fast and use of mirrors, if you need more info on this or anything else contact us

Thanks JSHalifax - think probably best if I do get a little refresher - plan on doing my theory test as soon as possible after I arrive and then get first available date.

Do you have name of companies that provide the 2hour refresher?

Hi there yes we do and we also have lots of other useful contacts..did you want to contact me through our website below and I can send you our info.
we also have a free e-book you can download thats has tips and info for NS..

forgot rthe name of the driving school here in Halifax Ha's it has a website or call them when you get here, ask for the assessment session..tel number
902-405-1668 good luck call me if you have a problem..JS

tried to be smart and just booked the road test. I asked if it was ok to use a rental car after the theory test and they said yes. So booked for last Wednesday.

Did a search on here for something (can't remember what) but found another thread about this and how you need to have the original documents for car registration and insurance. Thought, mmmm maybe better double check this. So went up to sackville (3 hours before test) and managed to get one of the examiners, he said the documents were no good as they were photocopies. Went to Alamo to see if they would give me these, but they don't give out originals.

So had to cancel test and rebook, managed to get a new appointment this week. Have arranged to do a 2 hour lesson with instructor and will use their car for the test.

So if you are hoping to do the test in a rental car then you need to see if the rental company will give you the originals.

I think it probably depends on the examiner - but might save some time if you can get them - or arrange an alternative if not