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 on 19 October 2026. Continue to follow the Motor Vehicle Act until then.
Changes to traffic safety legislation
The Traffic Safety Act (TSA) passed in the Nova Scotia Legislature in October 2025 and will come into effect on 19 October 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 contains information about what changes are coming as a part of the Traffic Safety Act, how the changes will affect certain professionals and industries, and other information about the new rules.
Visit the links under related content for more details.
Upcoming changes to rules of the road
- Child restraint systems
- Cycling
- Dooring
- New offences
- Parking and stopping
- Power-assisted bicycles
- Rickshaws
- School bus
- Seating
- Service and emergency vehicles
- Vulnerable road user
Child restraint systems
What is being changed
Updated definitions include:
- infant (rear facing child seat) means either of the following:
- child who is younger than 2 years old
- a child of any age whose weight is less than 10kg (22 lb)
- young child (forward facing child seat) means a child who meets all of the following criteria:
- they are at least 2 years old
- they weigh at least 10kg
- they meet 1 of the following criteria:
- they are younger than 4 years old
- they are 4 years old or older, but they weigh less than 18kg
- older child (booster seat) means a child who meets all of the following criteria:
- they are at least 4 years old, but younger than 9 years old
- they weigh at least 18kg
- they have a standing height of less than 145cm
Based on the above definitions, children must remain in a rear facing child restraint until at least 2 years old and children must remain in a forward-facing child restraint until at least 4 years old.
Clarification that child restraint systems apply to motorcycles as well (e.g. child under 9 years of age or weighs less than 18kgs must not ride as a passenger on a motorcycle).
Cycling
What is being changed
Establishing bike lane rules (e.g., a bike must yield to traffic when exiting a bike lane).
When overtaking a vehicle, a bicycle must maintain at least 1 metre distance.
Clarifying that a driver of a vehicle must follow the 1 metre rule even when bicycle is in an unprotected bike lane.
A driver must not make a right turn after passing a bicycle if a bicycle is approaching from the rear.
Clarifying that a cyclist must walk their bike across a crosswalk unless they have a physical disability that would prevent them from doing so.
A child under 14 years old can ride their bicycle on a sidewalk. The MVA rule says a child can operate a bike on a sidewalk but does not define child in this context. The TSA defines a child as being less than 14 years old.
Clarifying passengers on a bike must have a dedicated seat and must have a helmet.
Rules have been created to establish how a bicycle turns left at an intersection, navigates a rotary or roundabout, and overtakes another vehicle.
Clarifying that a helmet must be worn when riding in a bike trailer.
Dooring
What is being changed
New law to address "dooring" applicable to any oncoming traffic, not just bicycles. When opening a vehicle door on either side of the vehicle on a highway, the vehicle must be stopped, the individual must ensure that it is safe and clear to open the door and that the door is not left open longer than necessary. Stop, look, open, close.
New offences
What is being changed
There are now specific offences for conveyances other than vehicles that do not include driver’s licence demerit points. These conveyances include:
- bicycles
- electric scooters
- recreational apparatus (such as skateboards and kick-scooters)
Parking and stopping
What is being changed
The distance to park from a curb is moving from 15 centimetres to 30 centimetres.
The TSA gives specific directions for parking motorcycles on roadways.
New offences for parking on a sidewalk, alongside or on a median, or in front of a driveway without the owner's permission.
Clear rule that you can't park or drive a vehicle going in the opposite direction on a divided highway.
New offence for parking in front of a community mailbox if not delivering or picking up mail.
Power-assisted bicycles
What is being changed
The minimum age to drive power-assisted bicycle is 14 years old to align with electric kick-scooters.
Increased the maximum speed of a power-assisted bicycle from 30 to 32 kilometres per hour.
Rickshaws
What is being changed
The TSA now acknowledges rickshaws and treats them like pedicabs. The impact is that you must be 19 years of age to operate both. This might impact current rickshaw operators who are 18 years old or younger.
School bus
What is being changed
Vehicles travelling in either direction must stop for a school bus when its red lights are flashing. The TSA clarifies that drivers are not required to stop when the school bus is travelling on the opposite side of a divided highway.
Seating
What is being changed
Clarifying that passengers must have their own designated seating positions.
Allowance for passengers on a bus to access washrooms while in motion.
Clarifying that a person in a work vehicle can ride in the back of a truck in seated position without a seatbelt when traveling less than 40 kilometres per hour.
Drivers of taxicab and rideshare vehicles are no longer exempted from wearing a seatbelt.
Service and emergency vehicles
What is being changed
The term “recovery vehicle” is a new broader term to account for tow trucks that don't tow (i.e., flatbed).
Recovery vehicles will be permitted to cross divided highways.
New rule allowing recovery vehicles (e.g., tow trucks) and service trucks to use flashing red lights roadside.
Search and rescue owned vehicles will be permitted to use flashing amber lights when responding to a rescue operation.
New rule permitting snow/road maintenance vehicles to drive in reverse when necessary.
Vulnerable road user concept
What is being changed
The TSA is introducing a concept and definition of vulnerable road users.
If a driver is convicted of an offence under Sections 185 (careful and prudent manner), 186 (careful and prudent speed), or 187 (dangerous speed), the courts can issue an order suspending the driver’s licence of the driver for up to one year.
If a vulnerable road user suffers injury or death, the courts may consider it an aggravating factor when determining the length of the suspension.
Fines for these offences are doubled if a vulnerable road user is impacted.
Each of the following is prescribed as a vulnerable road user:
- a pedestrian
- a person engaged in work on or adjacent to a highway or on utility facilities on or adjacent to a highway
- a person engaged in the provision of emergency services on or adjacent to a highway
- a peace officer engaged in the peace officer’s regular duties on or adjacent to a highway
- an individual lawfully driving or being driven as a passenger in a farm tractor or other vehicle designed primarily for farm use
- a motorcycle
- a bicycle
- a conveyance other than a vehicle
- the driver and any passengers in either of the following vehicles, when stopped to attend at the scene of an emergency or to assist a disabled vehicle:
- a recovery vehicle
- a service truck