Take a driver knowledge test: air brake endorsement
You need to pass a Knowledge Test before you can get an air brake endorsement. After you pass the test, you need to complete additional requirements to get your endorsement (you can’t drive a vehicle with air brakes right away).
You need to pass a Knowledge Test for drivers before you can get an air brake endorsement. You need to take the test on your own (with no help from others and no resource materials).
Large and heavy vehicles (like commercial trucks, busses and motorhomes) are often equipped with air brakes. You need to have an air brake endorsement added to your driver’s licence before you can drive a vehicle with air brakes.
What you’re tested on
You need to review the Air Brake Manual (PDF) to prepare for the Knowledge Test. The test assesses your knowledge of air brake systems (including pre-trip air brake inspections). The Knowledge Test has 20 multiple-choice questions. To pass, you need to answer at least 16 correctly.
Languages
Right now, the Knowledge Test is available online in English and French. If you need to take the test in another language, contact Registry of Motor Vehicles to review your options and make arrangements to take the test with an interpreter.
If you don’t pass the Knowledge Test
If you don’t pass the Knowledge Test, you need to pay for another test and take the test again.
If you take the Knowledge Test online, there’s no waiting period to retake the test (you can take the test again as soon as you're ready). If you take the test in person, you need to wait until at least the next day to retake the test.
When you pass the Knowledge Test
You don’t get your air brake endorsement as soon as you pass the Knowledge Test and you can’t drive a vehicle with air brakes right away. You need to visit Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia to complete the additional requirements before getting your endorsement.
Your Knowledge Test results are valid for 12 months. After 12 months, you need to take the test again.
Additional requirements to get your air brake endorsement
To get your air brake endorsement, you also need to:
- provide your driver’s licence (class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6)
- pay the fee to upgrade your driver’s licence and add the endorsement to your licence
If you take the Knowledge Test online, you need to visit Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia after you pass the test to complete the additional requirements to get your endorsement. You don’t need to complete any of the additional requirements before you take the test.
Other licence classes
Right now, you can only take the Knowledge Test online for a Motorcycle Learner Licence, Learner’s Licence (class 7), Farm Tractor Licence (class 8) or air brake endorsement. For any other class of licence, you need to take the Knowledge Test in person.
Eligibility
You can take the Knowledge Test for an air brake endorsement if you meet all the following criteria:
- you’re 16 or older
- you have a driver’s licence (class 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6)
- you meet all the requirements to apply for an air brake endorsement
- you don’t have any outstanding fines or privilege reinstatement fees
- your licence isn’t suspended and you’re not prohibited from getting a licence for any other reason
If you’re not comfortable taking a written test, contact Registry of Motor Vehicles to make arrangements to take the test verbally.
How to take the test
- Review the Air Brake Manual (PDF) to prepare for the Knowledge Test.
- Complete the Application Information Form online.
- Include payment with your form.
- Submit your completed form and payment.
- The service emails you a payment confirmation. Keep a copy for your records.
- Once your payment is complete, you can take the test online right away. Or you can take the test online at a different time by signing in with the access code provided in your confirmation email.
How long it takes
You need to complete the Knowledge Test within 30 minutes. You should get the test results right away. If you take the test online and your test is flagged for review, it should take 1 week to get your test results.
Cost
| Activity | Fee |
|---|---|
| Air Brake Licence Knowledge Test | $15.15 |
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 take the test.
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:
- meet the requirements to apply for an air brake endorsement
- pay any outstanding fines or privilege reinstatement fees
Take the test online
When you take the Knowledge Test online you need an email address (this is where the test results are sent). You also need a desktop computer or laptop (you can’t take the test on a phone, tablet or other device) and a web camera connected to your computer or laptop (the camera takes photos of you throughout your test).
Once you’re ready to start your test, you can take a sample test to get familiar with the online testing procedure.
You can visit Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia to take the Knowledge Test in person if you’re unable to take the test online. Or you can contact Registry of Motor Vehicles to book an appointment or book an appointment online at Access Nova Scotia.