- Age 16Written parent consent at 16 or 17
- Two parts20 questions each, 16 to pass each
- $15.03Knowledge test fee
- OnlineEnglish or French, with a webcam
Step by step
- Study the Nova Scotia Driver's Handbook.
- Fill in the online Application Information Form and pay by credit card. You get an access code by email, so you can start right away or later.
- Take the test on a desktop or laptop computer with a webcam (not a phone or tablet). The camera takes photos of you during the test. Each part has a 30-minute limit, and you can try a sample test first.
- After you pass, visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia: pass a vision test, show ID with your legal name and date of birth, bring written consent from a parent or guardian if you're 16 or 17, pay the licence fee and have your photo taken.
- Prefer to test in person? Do the vision test, ID and consent at the Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia first, then take the test there.
What to bring
- ID showing your legal name and date of birth
- Written consent from a parent or guardian if you're 16 or 17
- Glasses or contact lenses if you need them
- Payment for the licence fee
Fees
| Knowledge test (Class 7) | $15.03 |
Fee as listed by the Government of Nova Scotia. The learner's licence fee is paid separately when you pick up your licence.
If you don't pass
You pay again and retake only the part you failed. Online there's no waiting period; in person you wait until the next day. If your online test is flagged for review, results take about a week. If you need another language, the Registry of Motor Vehicles can arrange an interpreter, and you can ask to take the test verbally.
Once you have your licence
- You drive only with a supervising driver and no other passengers.
- You can't take the road test right away: there's a waiting period first, which is shorter if you take an approved driving course.
- Your learner's licence is valid for up to two years. If it expires before you pass the road test, you rewrite the learner's test.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the Nova Scotia learner's test online?
Yes, in English or French, on a desktop or laptop with a webcam. You then visit the Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia for your vision test, ID check and photo.
If I fail one part, do I redo both?
No. You only retake the part you failed, and you pay for another test. Online there's no wait; in person you wait until the next day.
How much is the Nova Scotia knowledge test?
$15.03 for the Class 7 knowledge test.
Official sources
Checked against these sources on October 29, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with Nova Scotia before you go.
More practice: Nova Scotia road signs test · Nova Scotia rules test · All Nova Scotia practice tests