
License Endorsement Testing
License Endorsement Testing
You must ensure you have the proper license and endorsement for the type and weight of the vehicle you drive when towing equipment.
Here are the categories:
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR TOWING | ||
What license you need: | What you can tow: | Total vehicle weight: |
Class 3 | 4500kg or LESS | 14 000kg or MORE |
Class 3 + Condition 15 (Endorsement) | MORE than 4500kg | 14 000kg or MORE |
Class 5 license | 4500kg or LESS | 14 000kg or LESS |
Class 5 + Condition 15 (Endorsement) | 4500 kg or MORE | 14 000kg or LESS |
Class 3R Condition 23 (Endorsement) *applicable to tractor combination only | 4500kg or MORE | 14 000kg or MORE |
Class 8 | Not Allowed | 14 000kg or LESS |
Class 8 + passed tractor safety course | 4500 kg or LESS | 14 000kg or LESS |
QUALIFICATIONS
CONDITION 15 – Must hold a valid class 3 or 5, 5N, or 5R NS Drivers license. |
CONDITION 23 – Must hold a valid class 3, 5 or 5R Nova Scotia Drivers license. Requires a medical form that has been completed within the 6 months prior to the test date. Most doctors will have the form or find it here: Medical Form |
Condition 15
Cost: $53 for Road Test Receipt
Allows you to haul a trailer over 4,500kg with a truck or tractor. The combination vehicle weight is restricted based on your license class:
Class 5 plus Endorsement 15 – combined vehicle weight 14,000kg or less
Class 3 plus Endorsement 15 – combined vehicle weight 14,000kg or more
Procedure for obtaining Endorsement 15:
You need to obtain a Road Test Receipt, which costs $53 and can be purchased online here: https://beta.novascotia.ca/pay-road-test-driving-test or in person at an Access NS location.
Once you have the receipt you can book your test at Access NS. Call 1-800-898-7668
You will need someone to bring the truck and trailer to the testing location. You can not drive the truck and trailer to the test yourself.
When you arrive for the test, the Testing Officer will:
Validate your Driver’s license, registration, and insurance and collect your road Test Receipt.
You will be asked to perform a pre-trip inspection.
You will have to hook on to the trailer and drive a course as determined by the testing officer. The course generally includes going around “town” or on roads adjacent to the Access NS location, plus traveling on the 100 series highway.
When you return to the Access NS location, you will be asked to back into a parking spot and un-hook the trailer.
The testing officer will also ask you about proper braking techniques, trailer hookup and safety chains.
Following the successful completion of the test, you will need to take the paperwork and your current license into Access NS and ask that the endorsement be added to your license.
The endorsement will renew as part of your license renewal, so you don’t have to re-take the testing periodically.
Condition 23
Cost: $53 for the Road Test Receipt
Allows you to haul a tractor and implement with a combined weight of over 14,000kg. Applies to tractor and implement combinations only.
This is considered a restricted class upgrade. It may be on licenses as Class 3R, or Class 3 or Class 5 with endorsement 23 noted on the back of the license.
Procedure for obtaining Endorsement 23:
Contact Farm Safety Nova Scotia, as they are the only organization that arranges Endorsement 23 testing in Nova Scotia. Farm Safety Nova Scotia
Typically Farm Safety NS arranges Endorsement 23 testing in the spring and fall in the Truro and Kentville areas. Other locations will be arranged if there is sufficient interest.
Endorsement testing is held at locations where the tractor and equipment are made available so that participants do not have to bring their own.
When you arrive for the test, the Testing Officer will:
Validate your Driver’s license, registration, and insurance and collect your Road Test Receipt.
You will be asked to perform a pre-trip inspection.
You will have to hook on to the implement and drive a course as determined by the testing officer. The course will be in the field or yard of the hosting facility and may be on adjacent roads.
You will be asked to back into the parking spot and un-hook the trailer.
The testing officer will also ask you about proper load securement.
Once you have passed the test, you will need to go to Access NS to have the endorsement added to your license. Many clerks are not familiar with endorsement 23, so plan to go before 3:30 pm and ask them to call Vehicle Compliance to confirm you have passed the test for the endorsement.
Because you will now have a 3R or Restricted Class 3 license, you will need a medical when you renew your Driver’s License every three years.
Endorsement (g) Class 8 plus Tractor Safety Course
Cost: $225 + HST for the two-day Tractor Safety Course
Valid for a farm tractor and implement combination with a combination weight of 14,000kg or less. Applies to tractor combinations only.
Must hold a minimum Class 8 license.
Without having passed the Tractor Safety Course a Class 8 license does not allow the towing of an implement of any weight.
The Tractor Safety Course is offered through the Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture Extended Learning. For more information check here: Tractor Safety Course