10/07/2026
Big changes are coming to Nova Scotia’s rules of the road on October 19.
Nova Scotia’s new Traffic Safety Act will officially replace the Motor Vehicle Act, introducing a number of changes that drivers, cyclists, parents and new drivers should know about.
At Sackville Driving School, we are reviewing the new rules and updating our instructional material so our students and instructors are prepared.
Here are some of the changes drivers should be aware of:
PARKING FROM THE CURB
The allowed distance from the curb is changing.
Currently, drivers are required to park within 15 cm of the curb.
Beginning October 19, that changes to 30 cm.
BICYCLES AND THE ONE-METRE RULE
Drivers must continue to leave at least one metre of space when passing a bicycle.
The new legislation clarifies that this one-metre rule also applies when the cyclist is travelling in an unprotected bicycle lane.
Drivers must also be careful when turning right after passing a cyclist. A driver cannot pass a bicycle and then immediately turn right when the bicycle is approaching from behind.
SCHOOL BUSES ON DIVIDED HIGHWAYS
Drivers travelling in either direction must still stop when a school bus has its red lights flashing.
However, the new Act clarifies that drivers do not have to stop when the school bus is travelling on the opposite side of a divided highway.
This means a true divided highway, not simply a multi-lane road or a road separated by painted lines.
NEW "DOORING" RULE
The Act introduces a specific rule covering the opening of vehicle doors.
Before opening a vehicle door on either side of a vehicle on a highway:
STOP.
LOOK.
OPEN.
CLOSE.
The vehicle must be stopped, you must make sure it is safe to open the door, and the door cannot be left open longer than necessary.
This protection applies to all approaching traffic, not only cyclists.
CYCLISTS AT CROSSWALKS
Cyclists are required to walk their bicycle across a crosswalk unless a physical disability prevents them from doing so.
Children under 14 are permitted to ride bicycles on sidewalks.
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
The new legislation formally recognizes vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, road and utility workers, emergency personnel, people in farm vehicles and people assisting disabled vehicles.
For certain serious driving offences, fines can be doubled when a vulnerable road user is impacted. Courts can also impose driver's licence suspensions of up to one year for specified offences involving unsafe or dangerous driving.
CHILD CAR SEATS
The definitions for child restraints are also changing.
Children must remain in a rear-facing child restraint until at least two years old, subject to weight requirements.
Children must remain in a forward-facing child restraint until at least four years old, again subject to the applicable weight requirements.
The booster-seat category generally covers children who are at least four but under nine years old, weigh at least 18 kg and are under 145 cm tall.
OTHER CHANGES INCLUDE:
• New parking and stopping offences
• Taxi and rideshare drivers will be required to wear seatbelts
• New rules for bicycles, scooters and other types of transportation
• Power-assisted bicycles will have a minimum operator age of 14
• The maximum speed for power-assisted bicycles increases to 32 km/h
• Recovery and roadside-service vehicles will be permitted to display flashing red lights
• New rules around seating positions and passengers
• Updated rules involving snow and road-maintenance vehicles
There are also a number of changes specifically affecting driving schools, including course terminology, certificates, curriculum requirements and online-course information.
Over the next couple of weeks, Sackville Driving School will be making sure our instructors and course material are ready for the transition.
One important reminder:
The new rules DO NOT take effect until October 19, 2026.
Until then, Nova Scotia's existing Motor Vehicle Act remains in effect.
