This consolidation is unofficial and is for reference only.  For the official version of the regulations, consult the original documents on file with the Registry of Regulations, or refer to the Royal Gazette Part II.
Regulations are amended frequently.  Please check the list of Regulations by Act to see if there are any recent amendments to these regulations filed with the Registry that are not yet included in this consolidation.
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Standards of Vehicle Equipment Regulations

made under Section 200 of the
Motor Vehicle Act
R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 293
O.I.C. 85-216 (March 12, 1985), N.S. Reg. 51/85
as amended up to and including O.I.C. 97-752 (Dec. 2, 1997), N.S. Reg. 165/97

1 (1) All glass and replacement of glass

(a) in windshields shall be safety glass of the type known as laminated glass;

(b) in windows shall be safety glass of the type known as tempered or laminated glass.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), no vehicle manufactured before the 1st day of December, 1937, is required to have safety glass in the windshield and windows provided that the existing glass meets with the requirements of these regulations but where it does not, replacement must be in accordance with subsection (1).

(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the glass in a window in a vehicle owned by a municipality and intended to be used for emergency purposes, where the quality of the glass is satisfactory to the Registrar.
Subsection 1(3) added: O.I.C. 95-247, N.S. Reg. 35/95.

2 (1) The critical vision area of the vehicle shall not be damaged or discoloured to an extent which would impair vision.

(2) In these regulations "critical vision area" means that area of a windshield swept by the windshield wiper blades when in operation, properly adjusted and using factory installed wiper blades or equivalent replacements.

3 (1) The glass in the windshield or any window shall not be broken, shattered or otherwise damaged or discoloured to an extent which would impair the driver's vision.
Original Section 3 renumbered subsection 3(1): O.I.C. 90-315, N.S. Reg. 96/90.

(2) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), no person shall operate on a highway a motor vehicle, the windshield or window to the direct right or left of the driver's seat of which has been sprayed, coated or covered with any substance which reduces or is intended to reduce the amount of light that is capable of being transmitted through the windshield or window to the direct right or left of the driver's seat.
Subsection (2) added: O.I.C. 90-315, N.S. Reg. 96/90.

(3) Subsection (2) applies to all or any part of the windshield or any window to the direct right or left of the driver's seat.
Subsection (3) added: O.I.C. 90-315, N.S. Reg. 96/90.

(4) Subsection (2) does not apply in the case of a motor vehicle that is equipped with a tinted windshield or window that was tinted during the manufacture of the glass.
Subsection (4) added: O.I.C. 90-315, N.S. Reg. 96/90.

(5) Subsection (2) does not apply so as to prohibit the operation of a motor vehicle that is equipped with clear untinted frost shields.
Subsection (5) added; original Section 3 renumbered subsection 3(1): O.I.C. 90-315, N.S. Reg. 96/90.

4 Every vehicle equipped with a windshield shall be equipped with a properly functioning windshield wiper provided that, where a vehicle has more than one windshield wiper as standard equipment, all windshield wipers must function properly.

5 (1) Windshield wiper blades shall not be worn or damaged to an extent that they do not function properly and the driver's vision is thereby impaired.
Section 5 renumbered 5(1): O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

(2) Windshield washers shall be in good operating condition.
Subsection 5(2) added: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

6 Where removal or replacement of a body panel has removed a required lighting device, the vehicle shall not be operated until a replacement for that lighting device has been installed.

7 No vehicle shall be operated where the floor has been rusted or damaged to an extent which would permit exhaust gases to enter the passenger compartment.

8 Every vehicle required by the Act to be equipped with a horn shall have

(a) the horn securely attached to the vehicle; and

(b) a properly functioning horn actuating device.

9 In every vehicle

(a) there shall not be more than three inches of free movement measured at the rim of the steering wheel, before the wheels of the vehicle begin to turn in a lateral direction;

(b) the wheels shall be capable of being turned from full right to full left without impediment;

(c) the steering system shall be otherwise in proper operating condition; and

(d) rack and pinion steering shall meet the specifications of the original manufacturer of the vehicle.
Clause 9(d) added: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

10 No vehicle shall have a suspension system which is worn or damaged to an extent which constitutes a danger to the safe operation of the vehicle.

11 No vehicle shall have a lateral movement about the axle of the front or steering wheels exceeding the specifications of the original manufacturer of the vehicle.
Section 11 replaced: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

12 (1) The exhaust system of every vehicle shall

(a) be intact and not permit leakage of exhaust gases;

(b) not pass through the passenger compartment or trunk; and

(c) not have the exhaust emission opening damaged to an extent which prevents the normal escape of exhaust gases.

(2) No vehicle contravenes the requirements of subsection (1) by reason only of openings in the exhaust system provided by the manufacturer for drainage.

(3) Every motor vehicle, of model year 1991 or later, registered or required to be registered in the Province pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Act and which was manufactured with pollution control equipment designed to reduce the emission of hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and oxides to the atmosphere shall remain so equipped, and the equipment shall be maintained in good working order.
Subsection 12(3) added: O.I.C. 91-293, N.S. Reg. 43/91.

(4) No person shall remove or modify or allow to be removed or modified any equipment installed in a motor vehicle, of model year 1991 or later, to reduce or eliminate the emission of a contaminant into the environment or in the case of a motor vehicle equipped with a catalytic converter, modify or allow to be modified the opening of the fuel tank or pour leaded gasoline therein.
Subsection 12(4) added: O.I.C. 91-293, N.S. Reg. 43/91.

(5) In respect of a motor vehicle of model year 1991 or later, manufactured with equipment to prevent or lessen the emission of any contaminant, the equipment or any replacement

(a) shall be maintained and kept in such a state of repair that it is capable of performing the function for which it is intended; and

(b) shall be kept installed on, attached to or incorporated in the motor vehicle in such a manner that, when the motor vehicle is operating the equipment functions in the manner in which it was intended to function.
Subsection 12(5) added: O.I.C. 91-293, N.S. Reg. 43/91.

(6) Subsections (3), (4) and (5) do not apply to motor vehicles adapted to allow the use of propane or natural gas as their sole fuel.
Subsection 12(6) added: O.I.C. 91-293, N.S. Reg. 43/91.

13 Every vehicle shall have

(a) a securely and properly installed fuel tank and fuel line which does not emit leakage of fuel;

(b) a properly fitting cap for the fuel tank.

14 (1) Subject to subsection (1A), no vehicle shall be equipped with tires

(a) which are damaged to an extent which would expose or affect the tire body cords;

(b) which have been re-cut or re-grooved below the original tread depth provided that this Section does not apply to tires manufactured for the purpose which are so identified by the manufacturer;

(c) where the tread is worn to the point where less than two thirty-seconds of an inch of tread groove depth remains at each point at which gauge readings are obtained; or

(d) where the tread is worn to the point where two consecutive tread wear indicators contact the road in any two adjacent grooves.

(1A) No vehicle which is a public passenger vehicle within the meaning of the Motor Carrier Act shall be equipped with tires where the tread is worn to the point where less than four thirty- seconds of an inch of tread groove depth remains at each point at which gauge readings are obtained.

15 Every vehicle shall be equipped with wheels

(a) which are not damaged to an extent which would affect the safe operation of the vehicles;

(b) which are properly secured to the vehicle.

16 All vehicles shall be equipped with properly aimed headlamps.

17 Every vehicle shall have

(a) all lamps required by the Act functioning properly;

(b) license plate lamp, high beam indicator, dash lights, back-up lamps and side marker lamps, where the vehicle is so equipped, functioning properly; and
Clause 17(b) amended: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

(c) all lamps securely attached to the vehicle.

18 Every vehicle which is equipped with turn indicator lamps shall have

(a) such lamps functioning properly; and

(b) interior indicators, where the vehicle is so equipped, functioning properly.

19 Every vehicle shall be equipped with a rear view mirror which is not discoloured or cracked or otherwise damaged to an extent which would impair a driver's vision.

20 No vehicle shall be equipped with a fifth wheel or other towing device which is improperly secured, worn or damaged to an extent which would constitute a danger to the safe operation of the vehicle towing or being towed.

21 Every motorcycle shall be equipped with

(a) handlebars securely fastened and which do not exceed twelve inches in height as measured vertically from its point of attachment at the frame;

(b) frame or forks not altered so as to adversely affect safe operation of the motorcycle;

(c) foot rests which may be used in the normal sitting position by an operator or a passenger, where the motorcycle is equipped for carriage of a passenger rider; and

(d) a chain or drive-shaft guard, where the motorcycle is not constructed so as to afford protection to an operator or passenger from the chain or driver-shaft.

22 (a) Every bumper, door, mudguard, fender, hood or other body component including every device thereon shall be securely attached to a vehicle, and not worn, torn, damaged or protruding to an extent likely to cause injury.

(b) All passenger cars and station wagons shall be equipped with a front and rear horizontal bumper of the same type and design as originally equipped, or equivalent, with the top of the bumper not less than fourteen (14) inches and the bottom of the bumper not more than twenty- two (22) inches, when measured, above the level ground surface.
Clause 22(b) replaced: O.I.C. 85-1463, N.S. Reg. 246/85.

23 (1) In all motor vehicles, except those equipped with air brakes,

(a) the brake pedal shall be capable of being maintained at a constant height for one minute under moderate foot pressure when the vehicle is in a stationary position, the pedal shall return to normal position when foot pressure is released and all brakes applied shall release properly;

(b) at least one-third of the pedal arm travel area must remain under the conditions set forth in clause (a);

(c) there shall be no visible signs of fluid leakage throughout the braking system.

(2) The parking brake shall

(a) be capable of holding the vehicle on test;

(b) have a properly operating actuating device;

(c) have a reserve travel area in the actuating device when the parking brake is fully applied; and

(d) have an actuating device which when not applied shall fully release the brakes on which it operates.
Clause 23(2)(d) replaced: O.I.C. 85-1463, N.S. Reg. 246/85.

(3) The brakes of a motor vehicle shall be adequate to bring the vehicle, when travelling at a speed of twenty miles per hour, to a standstill in its line of travel

(a) within a distance of forty feet, if the brakes are two-wheel brakes;

(b) within a distance of thirty feet, if the brakes are four-wheel brakes.

23A No trailer or semi-trailer with a gross weight of load and vehicle in excess of four thousand pounds shall be operated on any highway unless such trailer or semi-trailer is equipped with adequate brakes controlled by the operator of the towing vehicle.

23B (1) All vehicles equipped with brakes shall

(a) have brakes operating properly at all wheels originally equipped with brakes;

(b) have all brake lines securely fastened to the vehicle; and

(c) have all brake lines, hoses, and connections free of cracks, breaks or chaffing and consist of material as specified by the manufacturer.
Clause 23B(1)(c) amended: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

(2) In all vehicles equipped with an anti lock brake system (ABS), the brake system shall be in working order in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.
Subsection 23B(2) added: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

(3) In all vehicles equipped with air brakes

(a) there shall be no audible sound of air leakage;

(b) the brakes shall be adjusted so that the angle formed where the brake slack adjustor connects to the brake chamber push rod is greater than 90° (degrees) when brakes are fully applied;

(c) there shall be no loss of air pressure either in the applied or released position of the brakes when the compressor is in operation and the engine running at manufacturer's recommended idle speed; and

(d) the compressor cut-in and cut-out pressure must be within manufacturer's specifications;

(e) there shall be a low air pressure warning device sufficient to alert the operator of the condition of low air pressure; and

(f) the warning device mentioned in clause (e) shall be of a type automatically activated prior to the automatic application of the emergency brakes, commonly known as the maxi-brake, but in no instance shall the air pressure fall below 50 PSI, without the warning device being activated.
Original subsection 23B(2) renumbered 23B(3): O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

24 Vehicles originally equipped with a neutral safety switch shall be in working order in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.
Section 24 added: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

25 All regulations heretofore made pursuant to Section 164 [181] of the Motor Vehicle Act respecting brakes are repealed.
Original Section 24 renumbered 25: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.

26 All regulations heretofore made pursuant to Section 178 [200] of the Motor Vehicle Act respecting the standards of vehicle equipment are repealed.
Original Section 25 renumbered 26: O.I.C. 97-752, N.S. Reg. 165/97.


Last updated: 10-12-2017