News release

Changes to Motor Vehicle Act

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)

Changes being proposed to the Motor Vehicle Act would allow some temporary residents to continue using their home driver's licence beyond a 90-day stay in Nova Scotia.

The bill was introduced by Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations Minister Richard Hurlburt, today, May 1.

The proposed amendment is the result of requests from various groups, such as agriculture workers, military personnel and oil industry workers, to be exempted from the requirement of having to apply for a Nova Scotia driver's licence after 90 days. Exemptions would be made on a case-by-case basis and would be recommended only if there are no adverse safety affects for road users.

"This amendment enables Nova Scotia employers to address labour shortages where the ability to drive is a condition of employment," said Mr. Hurlburt. "The change will allow temporary residents to overcome the barrier of having to be tested for a Nova Scotia driver's licence while working in the province."

For example, with seasonal agricultural workers, the Federation of Agriculture raised concerns over the length of time to complete testing to get a Nova Scotia licence and the lack of Spanish interpreters in rural Nova Scotia to help some workers with the testing.