This page contains information related to the Traffic Safety Act that is not currently in effect. This information is provided to help Nova Scotians prepare for the Traffic Safety Act, expected to take effect in 2026. Continue to follow the Motor Vehicle Act until then.
Driving schools
The Traffic Safety Act (TSA) passed in the Nova Scotia Legislature in October 2025 and will come into effect in 2026. The Act will modernize the rules of the road and improve safety for Nova Scotians on roads and highways across the province. The Act will replace the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA), in place since the early 1900s. The Traffic Safety Act has greater flexibility, enabling government to respond more quickly to modern and evolving transportation needs.
This page highlights the key changes that will affect driving schools and explains what these changes mean for your operations. The goal is to provide clear, straightforward information so you can prepare for the transition.
If you have any questions or require clarification, contact the TSA team at tsa@novascotia.ca.
Upcoming changes that will impact driving schools
- Certificate requirement
- Course curriculum
- Course names
- Driving school requirement to inform of software
- Motorcycle terminology
- Municipal permission
- Notification to the registrar
- Regulated vehicle activities
- Using the road changes
- Vehicle signage
Certificate requirement
What is being changed
The TSA mandates specific content for driver education certificates. Upon course completion, the driver must receive a certificate that includes the following details:
- name of the instructor and driving school
- name of the individual who completed the course
- the individual’s driver’s licence client number
- name of the course completed
- date the course was completed
- a unique certificate number
Action required
Update your certificates accordingly.
Course curriculum
What is being changed
High-level course curriculums for each course have been outlined in the regulations. New applications for driving schools will have to ensure they meet the curriculum outlined once the regulations are made available.
Action required
Update your course materials accordingly.
Course names
What is being changed
Driver education course names have been standardized:
- Class 5 driver education course (25 hours theory, 10 hours practical)
- Class 6 driver education course (motorcycle course)
- new driver theory education course (exit GDL course)
- Driver Improvement Program (DIP as required by Registrar or for point deduction)
Action required
Update your course materials accordingly.
Driving school requirement to inform of software
What is being changed
The TSA now requires driving schools to provide students with a clear list of all hardware, software and applications needed for any online portions of the course.
Action required
Inform students of required software, as applicable.
Motorcycle terminology
What is being changed
Motor-driven cycles are now called limited speed motorcycles and will be based on maximum speed of 70 km/h or less rather than 50cc.
Action required
Update your materials accordingly.
Municipal permission
What is being changed
The TSA requires applicants to receive permission from the municipality in which they are going to operate their business in, prior to being able to open a driving school.
The registrar may request a letter from the municipality confirming that the municipality permits the use of that location for a driving school.
Action required
No action required. This is for awareness only.
Notification to registrar
What is being changed
The TSA requires the Registrar to be notified of ownership change no later than 10 calendar days after the change is in effect.
Action required
No action required. This is for awareness only.
Regulated vehicle activities
What is being changed
The TSA groups several businesses together (dealerships, Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) stations, driving schools and commercial carriers) under a new licensing category called regulated vehicle activities.
Criteria for a regulated vehicle activity licence:
- gives the Registrar authority to approve or deny a licence application based on past convictions or suspension of other vehicle activity licences
- gives the Registrar authority to deny or restrict an individual's involvement as "management" of a vehicle business based on previous activity/licence suspensions of other business
The following processes will be introduced:
- formalizing the ability for the Registrar to suspend a vehicle activity licence
- establishing clear requirements for reinstatement if suspended
- cancelation of a vehicle activity licence if the licence is being used contrary to the act or public interest
Licences issued under the Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) will remain valid until they expire.
Action required
No action required. This is for awareness only.
Using the road changes
What is being changed
The TSA introduces several changes to the rules of the road outlined in the Act and the Using the Road Regulation. Course curriculum will need to be updated and driving instructors will need to familiarize themselves with the changes once the regulations are made available.
Action required
No action required. This is for awareness only.
Vehicle signage
What is being changed
The TSA has clarified requirements for vehicle signage. Only the words “DRIVER TRAINING” must meet the 10cm height requirement; the driving school’s name does not.
Action required
No action required. This is for awareness only.