You are caught driving 20 km/h over the posted limit. How many demerit points does this carry?
Nova Scotia Class 7 overview
Nova Scotia Class 7: Demerit points and losing your licence
Demerit point values for common offences, warning, interview and suspension thresholds for learners, newly licensed and other drivers, probationary and conditional licences, revocation and suspension.
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Study reference: Nova Scotia Driver's Handbook (2017 revision), Ch. 1 Your Driver's Licence — Losing your licence, Demerit points
All 17 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
You are caught driving 20 km/h over the posted limit. How many demerit points does this carry?
- 4
- 3
- 2
- 6
What happens if you are called in for an interview with a driver enhancement officer because of demerit points?
- You are fully tested again, including a road test
- Your points are cleared
- You must take a defensive driving course
- You pay a fine and keep driving
How many demerit points does passing a stopped school bus carry?
- 6
- 3
- 2
- 4
How long do demerit points stay on your Nova Scotia driving record?
- 1 year from the offence date
- 5 years from the offence date
- 2 years from the conviction date
- 3 years from the conviction date
You lend your driver's licence to a friend. What can happen?
- Your licence can be suspended
- Nothing, if they drive safely
- Only your friend can be charged
- You get a warning letter only
A fully licensed driver outside GDL is suspended for 6 months at how many points?
- 6
- 10
- 12
- 8
Who may have demerit points removed by completing a defensive driving course?
- Learners holding Class 7
- Any driver with a probationary licence
- Newly licensed Class 5N drivers
- Experienced drivers in Classes 1–5
A newly licensed (Class 5N) driver reaches how many demerit points before a 6-month suspension?
- 8
- 10
- 6
- 4
Which conviction leads to automatic revocation of your licence?
- Refusing to give a breath sample
- Driving 10 km/h over the limit
- Parking too close to a hydrant
- Failing to signal a lane change
You are convicted of a driving offence in New Brunswick, which reports it to Nova Scotia. What happens?
- No points, since it was out of province
- Half the usual points are added
- Points are added as if it happened in Nova Scotia
- Points are added only if you were a learner
You are convicted of failing to obey a school crossing guard. How many demerit points are added?
- 6
- 2
- 4
- 3
How many demerit points does failing to yield to a pedestrian carry?
- 6
- 2
- 3
- 4
What is the demerit point value for failing to obey a traffic sign or signal?
- 6
- 4
- 2
- 3
After a demerit suspension you receive a probationary licence. What happens if you get 3 new points during it?
- Another 6-month suspension
- A required interview
- A 1-month suspension
- A warning letter
When may you apply to have your licence restored after a suspension?
- 30 days before the suspension ends
- The day the suspension ends
- 60 days before the suspension ends
- One week after the suspension ends
How many demerit points are given for speeding 10 km/h over the posted limit?
- 4
- 3
- 1
- 2
As a learner, how many demerit points lead to a 6-month suspension?
- 2
- 10
- 4
- 6
Demerit points and losing your licence: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
Losing your licence: mandatory revocation
- A licence is a privilege that can be withdrawn for just cause.
- Automatic revocation on conviction for, among others: failing to stop at a collision (Criminal Code); causing death or bodily harm by negligent driving; manslaughter with a vehicle; criminal negligence; stealing a vehicle or taking one without consent; impaired driving; failing or refusing a breath sample; driving with over 80 mg alcohol per 100 ml blood; dangerous driving; flight from a peace officer; driving while disqualified; false affidavit; refusing a blood sample; impaired driving causing death or injury.
- Revocation happens whether or not you get a notice from the Registrar.
Restoring after revocation
- Revoked licence stays revoked until you apply to restore it; you may apply 30 days before eligibility (not for alcohol-related revocations). Fees may be higher for alcohol-related offences.
- Alcohol-related suspension or revocation: must attend an Alcohol Assessment Program before getting driving privileges back.
- A Criminal Code conviction brings a court prohibition from driving anywhere in Canada, which may differ in length from the provincial revocation.
Suspension without conviction
- The Registrar may suspend without a conviction if, for example, you caused a serious collision by reckless driving, are unfit to drive, are a habitual reckless driver or violator.
- Also suspendable: lending your licence, using someone else's, breaking licence restrictions, taking a test for another person.
- Registrar may suspend or revoke if you fail to take or complete a required driver training program, refuse an exam, or fail to send a required medical report.
Demerit points
- Points are added on conviction for certain Motor Vehicle Act offences and stay on your record for 2 years from the conviction date.
- Points are recorded even if you had no licence or an out-of-province licence at the time. Convictions in other provinces reported to Nova Scotia are added as if they happened here.
Point values
- 6 points: careless and imprudent driving; speeding or dangerous driving (s. 101); failing to stop at an accident or do required duties; racing; BAC over zero (GDL); failing to comply with a breath demand; passing a school bus; failing to obey a crossing guard.
- 4 points: improper passing; speeding over the limit (s. 102); speeding over the posted limit in a school area; speeding 31 km/h or more over; failing to yield to a pedestrian; failing to obey a traffic control person.
- 3 points: speeding 16–30 km/h over the posted limit.
- 2 points: speeding 1–15 km/h over; failing to obey signs or signals or yield the right of way; driving left of centre; driving without adequate brakes; various other moving offences.
Point thresholds (warning letter / interview / 6-month suspension)
- Learner: warning letter at 2 points; 6-month suspension at 4 points (also p. 10).
- Newly licensed: warning 2, interview 4, suspension 6.
- All other drivers: warning 4, interview 6, suspension 10.
- An interview with a driver enhancement officer means you will be fully retested, including a road test.
Probationary and conditional licences, removing points
- After a points suspension you get a probationary licence lasting 1 year from application; 3 new points during it = another 6-month suspension.
- Experienced drivers (Classes 1–5) can have up to 4 points removed in a 5-year period by passing a recognized defensive driving course taken within the last year. Not allowed if suspended, on a probationary licence, or owing fines. Class 5N, 7 and 8 holders are not eligible.
- Conditional licence (drive at certain times/places) may be requested after a points suspension; not available to learners or probationary licence holders; any new points or breaking the conditions cancels it.
Restoring after suspension
- Submit a Notice of Application for Restoration with fees; you may apply 30 days before the suspension ends.
- The Registrar may order a re-examination of your health or driving at any time (usually after collisions or convictions).
Study the Demerit points and losing your licence rules as flashcards →
Other topics
- Regulatory signsStop, yield and school zone signs, green-circle and red-slash signs, turn, passing, parking and stopping restrictions, one-way, keep-right, speed limit and accessible parking signs.
- Warning and guide signsYellow diamond warning signs for curves, narrowing roads, merges, lane endings, divided highways, bumps and hidden hazards, chevrons and checkerboards, lane-use arrows and green guide signs.
- Work zone signsOrange work zone signs, general, arrow, specific and human activity signs, traffic control persons, flashing arrow boards, lane closures and the main causes of work zone collisions.
- Railway crossingsThe crossbuck and advance railway warning sign, flashing lights and gates, vehicles that must stop at crossings, what to do if you are stuck on the tracks, and parking near a crossing.
- Traffic signals and crossing guardsGreen, yellow and red lights, right and left turns on red, arrow signals, flashing red, yellow and green signals, lane-control signals, dark signals, pedestrian Walk signals and crossing guards.
- Pavement markings and special lanesYellow and white lines, broken, solid and double solid centre lines, edge lines on divided highways, climbing lanes, continuity lines and two-way-left-turn lanes.
- Graduated licensing: Class 7, 5N and restricted stageApplying for a Class 7 learner's licence, the knowledge and vision tests, learner and newly licensed restrictions, curfew, waiting periods, driver training, the restricted individual stage, visitors and new residents, and licence classes.
- Right of way, pedestrians and emergency vehiclesIntersection right-of-way rules, marked and unmarked crosswalks, pedestrians at signals, driveways, emergency vehicles, the slow down and move over rule and yielding to transit buses.
- Speed, stopping distance and followingDefault speed limits, 50 km/h situations, school zone limits, stopping distances, driving too slowly, keeping right, the two-second rule, safety scans, blind spots and curves.
- Signals, turning, lane changes and passingSignal lights, hand signals and the horn, right and left turns, turning lanes, lane changes, overtaking and passing, places where passing is unsafe, being passed and backing up.
- Parking, roundabouts and drivewaysWhere you may not stop or park and the distances involved, parallel and angle parking, parking on a hill, roundabouts and rotaries, and entering or leaving driveways.
- Highways, school buses and sharing the road100-series controlled-access highways and interchanges, large commercial vehicles and truck blind spots, school bus lights, motorcycles and bicycles.
- Your vehicle: inspection, equipment, registration and insuranceAnnual safety inspection, tires and studded tire dates, maintenance checks, lighting and horn rules, special flashing lights, loads and trailers, vehicle permits and plates, and mandatory liability insurance.
- Seat belts, child seats and safe driving habitsSeat belt law, child restraints and booster seats, airbags, carrying passengers, driving position, steering, braking and ABS, defensive driving and highway hypnosis.
- Night driving and bad weatherHeadlight timing and dimming distances, glare, rain, fog and snow, hydroplaning, wet brakes, ice and black ice stopping distances, gravel roads, four-wheel drive and winter driving.
- Emergencies and collisionsBreakdowns, brake failure, blowouts, power and headlight failure, a stuck gas pedal, fires, skids, wheels off the pavement, animals, water, downed wires, snow plows and collision reporting duties.
- Impaired driving and fitness to driveBlood alcohol limits, standard drinks, roadside screening results and suspensions, the administrative licence suspension, penalties by offence, drug impairment, emotions, vision standards and fatigue.