Take a driver knowledge test: class 4
You need to pass a Knowledge Test before you can get a class 4 driver’s licence. The test assesses your knowledge of driving rules (traffic and safe driving). After you pass the test, you need to complete additional requirements to get your licence.
You need to pass a Knowledge Test for drivers before you can get a class 4 driver’s licence. You need to take the test on your own (with no help from others and no resource materials).
You don’t need to take a Knowledge Test to get a restricted class 4 (condition 16) driver’s licence to operate a passenger vehicle with seating capacity of 8 passengers or less (excluding the driver). This includes taxis, limos and rideshares.
What you’re tested on
You need to review the Driver's Handbook to prepare for the Knowledge Test.
The Knowledge Test assesses your knowledge of the traffic laws and rules for safe driving. The 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 class 4 driver’s licence as soon as you pass the Knowledge Test. You need to complete the additional requirements before getting your licence.
Additional requirements to get your class 4 driver’s licence
To get your class 4 driver’s licence, you also need to:
- pay for a road test
- provide your driver’s licence (class 5, without 5N for Newly Licensed Driver)
- provide a Driver's Medical Examination Report (PDF) completed within the last 6 months
- complete and pass a pre-trip inspection on your vehicle
- complete and pass a Road Test
- pay the class 4 driver’s licence fee
If you take the Knowledge Test online, you need to complete the additional requirements after you pass the test to get your licence. You don’t need to complete any of the additional requirements before you take the test.
You need to pass the Road Test and get your class 4 driver’s licence within 12 months of taking the Knowledge Test (if not, you need to take the Knowledge Test again).
You don’t need to take a Knowledge Test or Road Test to get a restricted class 4 (condition 16) driver’s licence to operate a passenger vehicle with seating capacity of 8 passengers or less (excluding the driver). This includes taxis, limos and rideshares.
Road test
You need to pass a Road Test before you can get your class 4 driver’s licence.
You need to bring a class 4 vehicle to the test. Vehicles you can bring to the test include:
- bus with seating capacity for less than 24 passengers
- ambulance
- passenger van with seating capacity for more than 8 people (excluding the driver) or a cargo van with the same overall dimensions
Your vehicle must pass a pre-trip inspection before the Road Test can start (you conduct the inspection when you arrive at your Road Test appointment). The vehicle needs to have a valid licence plate and vehicle permit (or temporary vehicle permit). You need to provide proof of motor vehicle inspection and insurance for the vehicle.
Before you visit Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia, you need to pay for a road test and contact Registry of Motor Vehicles to book an appointment to take the Road 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), air brake endorsement or a class 4 driver’s licence. For any other class of licence, you need to take the Knowledge Test in person.
Eligibility
You can take the Knowledge Test for a class 4 driver’s licence online if you meet all the following criteria:
- you want to drive a bus for less than 24 passengers, a van for more than 8 passengers for compensation, or an ambulance
- you’re 19 or older (or 18 or older for a class 4 driver’s licence restricted to only driving ambulances)
- you have a Nova Scotia driver’s licence (class 5, without 5N for Newly Licensed Driver)
- you meet all the requirements to apply for a class 4 driver’s licence
- 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 or book an appointment at Access Nova Scotia to make arrangements to take the test verbally.
You can’t take the Knowledge Test online for a class 4 driver’s licence if you don’t have a Nova Scotia driver’s licence.
You can take the Knowledge Test in person at Registry of Motor Vehicles or Access Nova Scotia if you’re not eligible or unable to take the test online.
How to take the test
- Review the Driver's Handbook 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 |
|---|---|
| Knowledge Test (class 4) | $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 a class 4 driver’s licence
- pay any outstanding fines or privilege reinstatement fees
Take the test online
When you take the test online you need an email address (this is where the test results are sent). You also need to have 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 test in person if you’re unable to take the test online. You can also contact Registry of Motor Vehicles or book an appointment at Access Nova Scotia to make arrangements to take the test in person.