Health professionals
The Traffic Safety Act (TSA) passed in the Nova Scotia Legislature in October 2025 and came into effect on 19 October 2026. The Act modernizes the rules of the road and improves safety for Nova Scotians on roads and highways across the province. The Act replaces 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 affect health professionals and explains what these changes mean for your operations. The goal is to provide clear, straightforward information to support you through the transition.
If you have any questions or require clarification, contact the TSA team at tsa@novascotia.ca.
Changes that impact health professionals
Disclosure of file
What changed
The Registrar is required to disclose health professional reports to the subject individual on request; however, if initially requested by the health professional, the Registrar may redact information within the report to protect the health professional’s safety.
Action required
No action is required. This is for awareness only.
Expanded health professional definition
What changed
The definition of a regulated health professional has been expanded under the TSA to include occupational therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists and chiropractors.
This change is intended to reduce the burden on medical doctors and nurse practitioners by allowing a wider range of qualified health professionals to provide information that the Registrar may consider when determining an individual's fitness to drive.
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors along with medical doctors and nurse practitioners may now complete applications for accessible parking permits.
Action required
If you’re part of the expanded group of health professionals now authorized to submit medical opinion to the Registry, your opinion could be acted on.
Occupational therapists, physiotherapists and chiropractors may now also complete applications for individuals requesting accessible parking permits.
Vision standards
What changed
The TSA officially adopts the CCMTA standards for driver fitness. To align with the standards, vision requirements have been updated.
Vision standards can vary depending on the licence class and are subject to change. The current CCMTA standards for vision are indicated below.
The visual acuity requirements with both eyes open and examined together are as follows:
- Class 1, 2, 3, 4 – not less than 20/30 (6/9) with the worse eye not less than 20/100 (6/30)
- Class 4 (Taxi/Rideshare) – not less than 20/40 (6/12) with the worse eye not less than 20/100 (6/30)
- Class 5, 6, 7, 8 – not less than 20/50 (6/15)
The visual field requirements with both eyes open and examined together are as follows:
- Class 1, 2, 3, 4 – at least 150 continuous degrees along the horizontal meridian and 20 continuous degrees above and below fixation
- Class 4 (Taxi/Rideshare), 5, 6, 7, 8 – at least 120 continuous degrees along the horizontal meridian and 15 continuous degrees above and below fixation
Review the complete standards of all visual requirements in the CCMTA National Safety Code (PDF).
Action required
Ensure you are following the updated vision standard when providing an opinion on someone’s fitness to drive.
Contact
Related legislation
Related content
- Traffic Safety Act homepage
- Agriculture
- Dealerships
- Driving schools
- Health professionals
- Insurance and vehicle branding
- Motor Vehicle Inspection (MVI) stations
- Municipalities