Renew your vehicle permit
You can renew your vehicle permit anytime in the 2 months before it expires. You can also renew anytime after your permit expires. After renewing your permit, you need to keep the renewal confirmation and your old permit in your vehicle until the new permit and sticker for your plate arrives.
You need to renew your vehicle permit every 1 to 2 years, depending on the type of vehicle plate you have. If you have commercial plates, you may need to renew sooner. You can renew up to 10 vehicle permits at the same time (vehicle permits and plates need to be in the same name).
After renewing your vehicle permit, your renewal confirmation lets you drive your vehicle for up to 30 days while you wait for your new vehicle permit and sticker to arrive.
Commercial plates
If you have commercial plates and renew your vehicle permit after your permit expires, the month you renew counts as a full month.
Renewal confirmation
You need to keep the renewal confirmation and your old permit in your vehicle until your new permit and the sticker for your licence plate arrives in the mail. You can print the renewal confirmation or have it available on your phone.
30-day interim vehicle permit
If you renew online, your renewal confirmation lets you drive your vehicle for up to 30 days while you wait for your new vehicle permit and sticker to arrive. Keep your licence plate on your vehicle while you wait, even if the old sticker has expired.
Who can use this form
You can renew your vehicle permit if:
- your permit expires within 2 months or has already expired
- you don’t have any outstanding fines or privilege reinstatement fees
You can’t renew your vehicle permit online if you have:
- ambulance plates
- commercial plates with ‘condition 105 - one way allocated (prorate)’
- firefighter plates
- ground search and rescue plates
- prorate plates
- volunteer firefighter plates
You can renew your vehicle permit by mail if you’re not eligible or unable to renew online. Or visit Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia.
What you need to do
- Complete the renewal form online.
- Check the form for details on all required supporting documents.
- Include payment with your form.
- Submit your completed form, supporting documents and payment.
- Registry of Motor Vehicles emails you a renewal confirmation. You need to keep the renewal confirmation (print it or have it available on your phone) and your old permit in your vehicle.
- Registry of Motor Vehicles sends you a new vehicle permit and sticker for your licence plate.
How long it takes
It should take 1 to 2 weeks to get your permit and the sticker for your licence plate in the mail. It can take longer if more information is needed or if your form hasn’t been filled in correctly.
Cost
Renewal fees are based on the weight of the vehicle. You can find the renewal fee on your vehicle permit renewal notice. See all fees for motor vehicle permits.
Payment options
Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit card, cheque, money order, cash. Make your cheque or money order payable to the Minister of Finance. Payment options may vary depending on how you renew.
When you pay online you need to pay the fee by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard).
Before you start
Make sure you have:
- your vehicle permit or renewal notice
- master number (or driver’s licence number) associated with the motor vehicle permit that you’re renewing (you can find this on the Vehicle Permit, Vehicle Permit renewal notice, Vehicle Certificate of Registration or the front of your driver’s licence)
- paid any outstanding fines or privilege reinstatement fees
- updated your address with Registry of Motor Vehicles if your address has changed (contact Registry of Motor Vehicles to update your address), if renewing online
- name of your insurance company, policy number, effective date and expiry date
- valid commercial carrier registration if you’re renewing a vehicle in the Commercial Carrier Registration Program
Online
When you renew online you need an email address (this is where the renewal confirmation is sent). You can’t access the form online if you’re outside Canada or your computer’s IP address is outside Canada.
If you’re unable to renew online, you can send your completed renewal form, supporting documents and payment by mail. Or visit Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia.