News release

Province Continues to Seek Input on New Traffic Safety Act

Transportation and Active Transit (Feb. - Aug. 2021)

Starting today, April 23, Nova Scotians can provide feedback on administrative regulations, the second-to-last phase for input on draft regulations under the new Traffic Safety Act.

The proposed administrative changes are available online for public feedback.

Highlights of this phase include:

  • vehicle seizure impoundment
  • issuing of identification cards and driver licence cards
  • sharing documents, records and information
  • requirements when challenging a decision made by the Registrar or the Motor Vehicle Appeals Board
  • fees

To date, the department has received more than 1,000 comments on draft regulations.

The new Traffic Safety Act, replacing the Motor Vehicle Act, was passed in 2018. The new act will govern and regulate the registration and identification of motor vehicles and the use of provincial highways and roads. This includes driver licences, the registration and inspection of vehicles, traffic laws and equipment standards.

The act and regulations will take effect following the public review phase and once upgrades to the Registry of Motor Vehicles computer system are completed.

Nova Scotians can get more information and provide feedback by going to: https://novascotia.ca/traffic-safety-act-public-engagement/

The deadline for feedback on the administrative changes is Monday, May 24.

Quick Facts:

  • the Traffic Safety Act was passed unanimously in the fall of 2018 and will replace the Motor Vehicle Act, which was written in the early 1920s
  • the act is designed as a framework, setting broad policy and regulatory authority to quickly address changing technologies and future road-safety needs
  • since the last major revision in 1989, the Motor Vehicle Act has been amended more than 62 times
  • the Traffic Safety Act reflects significant stakeholder engagement with 31 groups and 23 partners including Bicycle Nova Scotia, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Road Safety Advisory Committee, Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police and Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities

Additional Resources:

Bill 80 – The Traffic Safety Act: https://nslegislature.ca/legc/bills/63rd_2nd/1st_read/b080.htm

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