Nova Scotia - Apply for a Motorcycle Driver License

ProcedureEdit

FIRST GROUP: People without a regular Driver's LicenseEdit

In Nova Scotia, all new drivers have to proceed through the Graduated Driver Licensing system before they can get a Driver's License .

For people who want to drive a motorcycle, the Graduated Driver Licensing system has 3 levels:
(Level 1) Learner Motorcycle License (Class LM) For motorcycle drivers, this license is the first level in the graduated system. To get this license, you have to do 3 things:

Get a regular (Class 7) Learner's License. This is where every new driver has to start, because it covers the basic tests everybody has to pass: the vision test and the Knowledge test.
When you take the Knowledge Test, there will be special questions in it dealing with motorcycle rules and safety. These rules are explained in the N.S. Driver's Handbook .
For this license, the Knowledge test will also have a 3rd part, sometimes called a "balance" test . It includes such things as a pre-trip check, basic balancing on the motorcycle, driving basic patterns, panic stops, etc.

You have to pay for this test in advance. However, if you take an approved motorcycle training course, this fee is usually included in the cost of the course.
Until you actually have this license, you are NOT allowed to drive a motorcycle on any highway.
Once you have this license, there are special restrictions on your motorcycle driving.

(Level 2) Newly Licensed Motorcycle Driver's License (Class 6N)
For motorcycle drivers, this is the second level in the graduated licensing system. To get this license, you have to do 3 things:

Have a Learner Motorcycle License.
Pass an "advanced skills" test -- which is a road test (Driving Examination). If you take the advanced skills test on a motorcycle with an engine size of 100 ccs or less, you will receive a D endorsement on your license. The D endorsement only allows you to operate a motorcycle with an engine size of 100 ccs or less. The fee for this test is $48.63 (tax included) which must be paid in advance. An appointment is required.
Complete a waiting period . Before you can take your "advanced skills" road test, you usually need to have your Learner's Motorcycle License for at least 6 months .

However, that can be reduced to 3 months if you pass an approved motorcycle driver training course.

(Level 3) Regular Motorcycle Driver's License (Class 6)
For motorcycle drivers, this is the third level in the Graduated Driver Licensing system. To get for this license, you have to do 3 things:

Have a Newly Licensed Motorcycle Driver's License.
Complete a waiting period of at least 2 years .
Pass an approved motorcycle Driver Improvement Program (including a 6-hour "defensive driving" course).

Note: you have to give the Department a copy of the Certificate you get when you pass the Driver Improvement Program. (This is kept in the Department records.)

SECOND GROUP: Experienced Drivers -- people who already have a regular Driver's LicenseEdit

If you already have a valid N.S. Driver's License (Classes 1-2-3-4 or 5), you can be licensed to drive a motorcycle without getting a brand new license. Instead, you can get an add-on (called an "endorsement" )to the license you already have. That means you still have the driving privileges given by your regular license and you have motorcycle driving privileges besides.

There are 2 stages involved in getting a Motorcycle Endorsement on your present Driver's License.
(Stage 1) Interim Learner Motorcycle License (Class 5 LM)
To get this, you have to pass the same 2 tests required for a Learner Motorcycle License:

a written test on motorcycle rules; and
a "practical skills" test -- sometimes called a "balance" test

License : When you pass those two tests, you will get a paper license indicating that you are qualified as a Motorcycle Learner.
Note: whenever you are driving a motorcycle, you must always carry this license with you -- AND you must also carry your regular Driver's License with you as well.

Note: until you actually have this license, you are NOT allowed to drive a motorcycle on any highway.

(Stage 2) Motorcycle Endorsement
To get a regular Motorcycle Endorsement, you have to do 3 things:

Have an Interim Learner Motorcycle License.
Complete a waiting period, usually 3 months (but it can be reduced to 1 month if you pass an approved motorcycle training course); and
Pass "advanced skills" test -- which is another road test (Driving Examination).

Note: if you pass an approved test with an authorized tester, you will NOT have to take this road test.
Once you fulfill those 3 requirements, a Motorcycle Endorsement is placed on your regular Driver's License . (This is in the form of a large letter: A, D, etc.) There is no further waiting period, and all special driving restrictions are lifted.
Issuing the License: Once you have met the conditions listed above, there is no further waiting period; you pay the fee and your license is processed at the counter (including taking a photo for your license, if needed).

Required DocumentsEdit

List down the documents required for successfully completing the procedure.

e.g.
1. Proof of child birth from the Hospital.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Contact Service Nova Scotia
Telephone:(in metro) (902) 424-5200
Toll-Free:(within North America) 1-800-670-4357
TTY:(toll-free within North America) 1-877-404-0867
Fax: (902) 424-0720
Mailing Address:
Public Enquiries - Service Nova Scotia & Municipal Relations
Mail Room, 8 South, Maritime Centre
1505 Barrington Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K5
Email: [email protected]
Service Locations : http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/offices.asp

Registry of Motor Vehicles Service Location Offices
http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/contact/rmv.asp

EligibilityEdit

Anyone who lives in Nova Scotia, and wants to operate a motorcycle on our public roads and highways, needs either (a) a separate Motorcycle Driver's License or (b) an add-on (called an "endorsement") to their regular Driver's License -- which lets them drive a motorcycle as well as a regular passenger vehicle. Both of those are explained later in this section.

FeesEdit

Class 6 Motorcycle and motor-drive cycle: $73.54
For a complete list of fees: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/rmv/registration/register-2011.asp

ValidityEdit

A N.S. Motorcycle Driver's License is valid for 5 years. It can be renewed, and the Department will send out a renewal notice before it expires.

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

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InstructionsEdit

There are two ways to obtain this license in Nova Scotia.

The first is through a driver enhancement officer at a Registry of Motor Vehicle site or Access Nova Scotia centre.
The second is through an approved motorcycle training course.

People who apply for a N.S. Motorcycle Driver's License fall into one of two groups:

people who do not have a Driver's license -- in other words, they are not experienced drivers; and
experienced drivers who already have a Driver's License.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

A motorcycle driver license is a license to operate a motorcycle on public roads and highways.

Information which might helpEdit

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External LinksEdit

Motorcycle Driver License: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/paal/RMV/paal380.asp
Locations: http://www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/offices.asp
Government Nova Scotia: http://www.gov.ns.ca/

OthersEdit

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