News release

Nova Scotia Pursuing Enhanced Driver's Licence

Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations (Oct. 2000 - March 2014)
Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (Oct. 2007 - Feb. 2021)

Nova Scotia is working with the other Atlantic provinces toward an enhanced driver's licence. The enhanced licence will help ease travel as an alternative to a passport for Nova Scotians entering the United States by land or sea.

"Enhanced driver's licences are being introduced in other provinces," said Jamie Muir, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "We are determining the necessary next steps for a similar program to help simplify border crossing by land and sea, while maintaining safety and security."

Discussions are being held with other departments and agencies to identify next steps.

"An enhanced licence will provide an option for Nova Scotians entering the United States by sea and land," said Murray Scott, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. "We've been in discussions with officials from Quebec regarding their work and are looking to engage the necessary federal and American partners to put these new licences in place."

Earlier this year, Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba announced plans to have an enhanced driver's licence within a year. A pilot project is being tested in British Columbia.