Nova Scotia Class 7: Graduated licensing: Class 7, 5N and restricted stage

Applying 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.

No sign-up
Every answer explained
Independent · not a government site

25 questions
Topic drill

0/25

Graduated licensing: Class 7, 5N and restricted stage · Question 1Score 0/0

How often must you renew your Nova Scotia driver's licence?

Tip: press 1–4 to answer and Enter for the next question.

Study reference: Nova Scotia Driver's Handbook (2017 revision), Ch. 1 Your Driver's Licence — Licensing system, learner's licence, road test, newly licensed drivers, GDL questions, update pages

All 25 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

How often must you renew your Nova Scotia driver's licence?
1. Every 3 years
2. Every 5 years
3. Every 2 years
4. Every 10 years
A learner wants to ride a motorcycle on a public road. Is this allowed?
1. Only in daylight hours
2. Yes, on roads under 50 km/h
3. Yes, with an experienced rider
4. No, except during an exam
What is the minimum time a driver stays in the newly licensed (Class 5N) stage?
1. 3 years
2. 1 year
3. 2 years
4. 6 months
How long does the restricted individual stage of GDL last?
1. 1 year
2. 2 full years
3. Until age 21
4. 6 months
You pass your road test. Within what time must you upgrade your licence before you have to take the test again?
1. 30 days
2. 6 months
3. 3 months
4. 1 year
What is the minimum field of vision needed to pass the vision test for a learner's licence?
1. 150 degrees
2. 100 degrees
3. 120 degrees
4. 90 degrees
During which hours may a Class 5N driver not drive alone, unless exempted?
1. 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
2. 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
3. Midnight to 5 a.m.
4. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
May a Class 5N newly licensed driver use 100-series highways?
1. No, not until Class 5
2. Only in daylight hours
3. Only with an experienced driver
4. Yes, there is no highway restriction
You move to Nova Scotia from a country other than Canada or the USA. What must you usually do to get a licence?
1. Take only the written tests
2. Exchange your licence at a counter
3. Take only the road test
4. Pass vision, written and road tests
You fail your road test. How soon may you take it again?
1. After at least one week
2. The next day
3. After waiting at least 30 days
4. After 3 months
What is the minimum age to apply for a Class 7 learner's licence in Nova Scotia?
1. 18
2. 16
3. 15
4. 17
A 16-year-old applicant's parents have both died and there is no legal guardian. Who may sign the consent form?
1. The applicant's employer
2. A school principal
3. Any adult relative
4. A licensed driving instructor
Which rule applies to a driver in the restricted individual stage?
1. They may not drive on 100-series highways
2. They may carry only one passenger
3. They may not drive after midnight
4. They cannot act as a supervising driver
What does the long driver training course involve, which lets a learner take the road test after only 3 months?
1. 25 hours of classroom and 10 hours of driving
2. 6 hours of classroom time only
3. 10 hours of classroom and 25 hours of driving
4. 20 hours of classroom and 5 hours of driving
While driving on your learner's licence with your supervising driver, may your friend ride in the back seat?
1. Yes, one passenger is allowed
2. No, no other passengers are allowed
3. Only if they also hold a licence
4. Yes, if they wear a seat belt
A Class 5N driver must drive to a job that starts at 4 a.m. What can they do?
1. Take a passenger aged 18 or older
2. Drive, since work trips are always allowed
3. Get a letter from the employer to carry
4. Apply to the Registry for a curfew exemption
What blood alcohol level must a learner driver have?
1. Zero
2. Under .05
3. Under .08
4. Under .02
How long is a Nova Scotia learner's licence valid?
1. Up to 2 years
2. Up to 5 years
3. 1 year
4. 6 months
You hold a Class 7 learner's licence. Who must be in the vehicle when you drive?
1. A parent, in any seat
2. Nobody, on roads under 80 km/h
3. Any licensed adult in the rear seat
4. An experienced driver in the front seat
You are 17 and want your learner's licence. What extra document do you need?
1. Proof of a driving course
2. A letter from your school
3. A doctor's certificate
4. A signed consent form
How many questions are on each part of the learner's knowledge test, and how many must you get right?
1. 30 questions, 24 correct
2. 25 questions, 20 correct
3. 20 questions, 15 correct
4. 20 questions, 16 correct
How long must a learner normally wait before taking the road test?
1. At least 30 days
2. At least 6 months
3. At least 3 months
4. At least 12 months
At which GDL stage may you first upgrade to a higher licence class, such as a truck licence?
1. The newly licensed driver stage
2. The learner stage
3. The restricted individual stage
4. Only after leaving GDL
You are visiting Nova Scotia with a valid licence from another province. How long may you drive on it?
1. Up to 6 months
2. Up to 90 days
3. Up to 60 days
4. Up to 30 days
As a Class 5N newly licensed driver, how many passengers may ride in the front seat?
1. Two
2. As many as there are seat belts
3. None
4. One

Graduated licensing: Class 7, 5N and restricted stage: 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 ↗

Important Graduated Driver Licence changes (update pages at the front of the handbook)

Since April 1, 2015 GDL has three stages: learner (Class 7), newly licensed (Class 5N), restricted individual (Class 5R or 6R with condition 47).
Restricted individual stage lasts 2 full years after leaving the newly licensed stage.
Restricted individual rules: zero alcohol or drugs in your body while driving; you cannot be a supervising driver (cannot teach someone or supervise a newly licensed driver during midnight–5 a.m. curfew).
No upgrade to Classes 1–4 while a learner or newly licensed driver; upgrading IS allowed in the restricted individual stage.
To exit GDL: hold 5N (or 6N) at least 2 years; complete an approved driver training program and give a copy to RMV/Access Nova Scotia; complete the 2-year restricted individual period.
If you don't complete these, you stay in GDL indefinitely.
Learner's licence is valid for a maximum of 2 years (previously 1). If you don't pass the road test before it expires you must rewrite the learner's test before renewing.
No fee to exchange your licence on graduating if you keep the same photo.
(The Ch. 1 text still says the learner licence lasts one year and the 5N stage leads straight to Class 5; the update pages replace this.)

The Nova Scotia licensing system

You need a valid licence of the right type for the vehicle. Passenger vehicle licence = Class 5.
GDL applies to all new drivers of passenger vehicles, whatever their age; a similar program applies to new motorcycle riders.

Visitors, former and new residents

Visitors and new residents may drive up to 90 days on a valid licence from elsewhere if at least 16; after 90 days a Nova Scotia licence is needed.
Vehicle plates: a visitor can use out-of-province plates for 90 days; someone who has actually moved here, only 30 days.
Nova Scotia licence expired less than 3 years ago: renew without written or road tests.
Expired more than 3 years: if you never held a valid licence for 2 full years you are a brand new driver (full GDL); if you did, you still take the written and road tests.
Other Canadian provinces/territories: usually exchange without tests if 16+, licence valid, passenger vehicles only, expired less than 3 years. School bus endorsement requires a road test.
USA: same, but a road test is needed if the licence has conditions that might affect safe driving.
Other countries: vision test, written rules test, written signs test and road test.

Getting a learner's licence (Class 7)

Any Nova Scotia resident at least 16. Under 18 needs written consent: a parent or guardian with custody; if both parents have died and there is no guardian, an employer; if married to a spouse over 18, the spouse.
Two written tests (oral in some cases): road sign test and rules test, each 20 multiple-choice questions; pass = 16 correct on each.
Bring proof of age (e.g. birth certificate, passport, NS ID card, citizenship card, PR card) plus two other pieces of ID with name and signature; name-change documents if needed; consent form if 16 or 17.
Vision test includes colour, field of vision (minimum 120 degrees), visual acuity (minimum 6/12, i.e. 20/40) and distance judgement. If you pass only with corrective lenses, the licence is valid only while wearing them.
Keep your road test receipt; losing it means buying another.
Always carry your learner's licence while driving.

Learner restrictions

An experienced driver must be in the front seat and there may be no other passengers. Experienced = held a valid licence 2 years and no longer in GDL.
Blood alcohol must be zero.
A learner with 4 or more demerit points is suspended for 6 months, which delays the road test.

Driver training

Before leaving GDL you must take a Service Nova Scotia–approved driver training program: long course (at least 25 hours classroom + at least 10 hours driving) or short course (6 hours classroom).
Long course lets a learner take the road test after 3 months instead of 6; may also save on insurance.

Road test

Normal wait before the road test: at least 6 months (3 with an approved long course).
Road test is cancelled if road or weather conditions are hazardous.
Bring: receipt, a vehicle in good mechanical condition with a valid inspection sticker, your licence, the vehicle permit, and a valid insurance liability card.
If you fail, wait at least one week before retesting and pay again.
After passing, upgrade your licence within 6 months or you must take the road test again.

Newly licensed drivers (Class 5N)

Stay at least 2 full years.
Zero blood alcohol.
One front-seat passenger only; rear passengers no more than the number of seat belts. Trucks: one front passenger.
Curfew: no driving midnight to 5 a.m. unless accompanied in the front seat by a driver who has held Class 5 for at least 2 years and is not in GDL, or you have an RMV exemption (e.g. for work; there is a fee).
No highway restriction: 100-series highways are allowed.
6 demerit points = 6-month suspension; after a suspension you restart the 2-year newly licensed period from reinstatement.
Speeding conviction under GDL: may lose driving privileges for one week and get 4 demerit points, plus a required interview with a driver enhancement officer; not attending can mean an indefinite suspension.
BAC over zero conviction: 6 demerit points and 6-month loss of privileges.

Other learner rules

Exemptions: more than one Driver Enhancement Officer may ride with a learner; with a dual-brake vehicle and an approved instructor, up to three students may sit in the back.
A learner may not drive a motorcycle or farm tractor on a public road except during an exam.
Class 8 (farm tractor) from age 14 with parental approval; from 16 also valid as a Class 7 learner's licence.

Renewing your licence

Renew every 5 years; a notice is mailed about 2 months before your birthday — keep your address up to date.
Report health changes that could affect driving, and any suspension or revocation, when renewing.

Unpaid fines

With unpaid fines the Registrar refuses further services until paid; a $30 fee reinstates services.

Study the Graduated licensing: Class 7, 5N and restricted stage rules as flashcards →