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Driving and vehicles in Nova Scotia: switching your licence and what is required

The published deadline to switch an out-of-province driver's licence in Nova Scotia, who handles it, the usual steps and documents.

If you are moving to Nova Scotia

Driver's licences in Nova Scotia are handled by Service Nova Scotia (Registry of Motor Vehicles).

Published deadline to switch your licence : 180 days on the current page; some older pages say 90 (as published when we checked, 2026-11-14)

Apply in person at an Access Nova Scotia or Registry of Motor Vehicles office. Licences from other Canadian provinces and US states can usually be swapped for the same class without testing. The published pages disagree on the deadline: confirm with the Registry.

Official page: new residents and your driver’s licence ↗

The usual steps

  1. Check the deadline above: after it, you may no longer drive legally on your old licence, and insurance can be affected.
  2. Gather your identity documents and proof of address in the province: the official page lists exactly which documents are accepted (two documents from the same issuer are often refused).
  3. Licences from other Canadian provinces are usually swapped for the same class without a road test; licences from other countries may need tests depending on an exchange agreement.
  4. Surrender your old licence: only one valid licence is allowed. Keep the temporary document you receive until the card arrives by mail.
  5. Register your vehicle and get insurance in the province: the deadline differs from the licence deadline.
  6. Change the address on your health card, bank, employer and the CRA.

More: our moving checklist, the moving page for Nova Scotia (health card and taxes) and government online accounts.

Deadlines, fees, accepted countries and documents change and are set by each province: the official page is the authority. General information. Quebec has its own rules (SAAQ): see AtlasQuébec.

Guides for this province