This consolidation is unofficial and is for reference only.

For the official version of the regulations, consult the original documents on file with the Office of the Registrar of Regulations , or refer to the Royal Gazette

Part II .

Regulations are amended frequently.

Please check the list of Regulations by Act to see if there are any recent amendments to these regulations filed with our office that are not yet included in this consolidation.

Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this electronic version, the Office of the Registrar of Regulations assumes no responsibility for any discrepancies that may have resulted from reformatting.

This electronic version is copyright ©

, Province of Nova Scotia , all rights reserved. It is for your personal use and may not be copied for the purposes of resale in this or any other form.

Governor in Council Public Passenger Motor Carrier Act Regulations

made under subsection 27(3) of the

Motor Carrier Act

R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 292

O.I.C. 92-1258 (effective January 1, 1993), N.S. Reg. 284/1992

amended to O.I.C. 2022-327 (effective January 1, 2023), N.S. Reg. 335/2022

Table of Contents

Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.

Click here to go to the text of the regulations .

Citation and application

Interpretation

Procedure and forms

Drivers of public passenger vehicles

Drivers of commercial vehicles

Daily inspection requirements and reporting requirements for commercial vehicles

Additional regulations relating to school buses

Returns, reports and other data

Appendix “A”: Daily Inspections

Schedule I—Outside Inspection

Schedule II—Inside Inspection

Appendix “B”: Graph Grid [repealed]

[Forms]

Forms 1 to 5 [repealed]

Citation and application

(1) These regulations may be cited as the Governor in Council Public Passenger

Motor Carrier Act Regulations .

(2) These regulations apply

(

a) to public passenger vehicles; and

(

b) in respect of public passenger vehicles, to

(

i) motor carriers, and

(ii) drivers.

(3) These regulations are in addition to the Board Regulations.

Interpretation

2 In these regulations,

(a) “Act” means the Act as defined in the Board Regulations;

(b) “applicant” means an applicant as defined in the Board Regulations;

(c) “application” means an application as defined in the Board Regulations;

(d) “Board” means the Board as defined in the Board Regulations;

(e) “Board Regulations” means the Board Public Passenger Motor Carrier Act

Regulations ;

(ee) “C.C.M.T.A” means the Canadian Council of Motor Transport

Administrators;

(f) “Clerk” means the Clerk as defined in the Board Regulations;

(g) “commercial vehicle” means a commercial vehicle as defined in the Board

Regulations;

(h) “commercial vehicle license” means a commercial vehicle license as

defined in the Board Regulations;

(i) “driver” means a driver as defined in the Board Regulations;

(j) “owner or operator” means an owner or operator as defined in the Board

Regulations;

(k) “rental vehicle” means a rental vehicle as defined in the Board Regulations;

(l) “parcel express” means parcel express as defined in the Board Regulations;

(m) “physically disabled school pupil” means a physically disabled school pupil

as defined in the Board Regulations; and

(n) “taxicab” means a taxicab as defined in the Board Regulations.

Procedure and forms

3 Service of any notice originating a proceeding under Sections 19 and 22 of the Act shall

be by personal service or by registered mail.

4 Publication of notices and service of notices or other documents may be proved by

affidavit.

5 A certificate of an inspector appointed under the Act required by the Board Regulations

shall be in the form required by the Board.

6 A license issued by the Board under the Act may be issued in the form required by the

Board.

7 An application for a replacement of an identification plate shall be in the form and

containing the information required by the Board.

8 A temporary authority granted by the Board under

Section 9 of the Act may be in the

form required by the Board.

9 A certificate of authorization issued by the Board may be in the form required by the

Board.

Drivers of public passenger vehicles

10 Every driver of a public passenger vehicle shall have in the driver's possession a valid

certificate of authorization required under the Board Regulations.

11 No driver of a public passenger vehicle shall, during or within ten hours before the

driver's working hours, consume liquor as defined in the Liquor Control Act .

12 The driver of a public passenger vehicle before crossing the track of a railway at grade

shall bring the vehicle to a full stop so that the front of the vehicle is not less than 4.6 m

(15 ft.) and not more than 9.1 m (30 ft.) from the nearest rail and shall proceed over the

track with the vehicle in low gear when satisfied that it is safe to proceed.

13 No driver of a public passenger vehicle shall, outside a city or town, follow any other

vehicle at a distance of less than 61 m (200 ft.).

(1) Except where loading stations or points have been established by provincial or

local traffic authorities, the driver of a public passenger vehicle shall select loading

stations or points with due regard for traffic and pedestrians' safety and wherever

possible such stations or points shall be off the main travelled portion of the

highway.

(2) Despite subsection (1), the driver of a school bus shall not stop the bus for the

purpose of taking on or discharging passengers at

(

a) more than three places in 1.6 km (l mile); or

(

b) a place that has not been designated as a loading station by a school board

or other authority by or on whose behalf the bus is operated.

15 The driver of a public passenger vehicle shall bring the vehicle to a full stop before

loading or unloading passengers.

16 No driver of a public passenger vehicle shall leave the same upon a highway unattended

unless the engine has been shut off, the parking brake has been securely set, and all other

reasonable precautions have been taken to prevent the movement of such vehicle while

so unattended.

17 No driver of a public passenger vehicle shall cause or permit the vehicle to be fuelled

with passengers aboard in a closed building or fuelled more frequently than is necessary

during a run.

18 No driver of a public passenger vehicle shall collect fares, make change, take on or

discharge passengers while the vehicle is in motion.

(1) No driver of a public passenger vehicle that provides a general service, route

service or regular service shall at any time carry more than 50% more passengers

than [the] seating capacity of the vehicle, or permit a person other than the driver to

occupy the portion of the vehicle assigned for the driver’s use.

(2) No driver of a public passenger vehicle that provides a contract service, specialty

area service or irregular service shall at any time transport more passengers than

the designated seating capacity of the vehicle.

(3) A driver of a public passenger vehicle that has passenger seats that are equipped

with seat belts or an approved restraint system shall ensure that the seat belts or

restraint system are worn by the passengers when the vehicle is in motion on the

highway.

20 The driver of a public passenger vehicle on stopping the vehicle at a rest station shall

announce to the passengers the duration of the stop and that rest rooms are available.

21 The driver of a public passenger vehicle shall perform a trip inspection and make a

certified record of the inspection prior to the vehicle’s first trip of the day in accordance

with the regulations under the Motor Vehicle Act .

(1) Except where authorized by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, no person

shall drive a public passenger vehicle that is being used for the transportation of

passengers with a trailer or other vehicle attached to it.

(2) No person shall tow a public passenger vehicle in which there are passengers.

(1) The driver of a public passenger vehicle shall carry any person who boards at any

regular stopping place and tenders the regular fare, to any regular stopping place on

the designated route of the vehicle unless, at the time of boarding, the vehicle is

filled to the passenger capacity permitted by these regulations.

(2) The driver of a public passenger vehicle may refuse to provide or continue to

provide transportation to a person who is in an intoxicated or unfit condition,

behaving in a boisterous or disorderly manner or using profane or obscene

language.

24 No driver of a public passenger vehicle shall carry or permit to be carried in a public

passenger vehicle baggage or parcel express that would cause discomfort or

inconvenience to passengers or interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle, or any

explosives, inflammable substances or any other dangerous articles excepting gasoline or

other fuel used for the locomotive power of the vehicle and carried in a tank of the

vehicle.

25 No driver of a public passenger vehicle shall cause the vehicle to leave the place or point

from which it is scheduled to start any trip until the time fixed for starting the trip on the

time-table, or cause the vehicle to pass any intermediate point on its route before the time

fixed by the time-table.

25A A driver shall submit any public passenger vehicle that is the driver’s charge, or that the

driver is operating, for inspection and testing by an inspector in accordance with

Section

24 of the Board Regulations at any time when requested by an inspector to do so, and

shall provide any facilities and assistance as the inspector considers necessary.

26 Every driver of a public passenger vehicle upon a highway shall ensure that the vehicle is

equipped as required by the Motor Vehicle Act and the Act.

Drivers of commercial vehicles

26A

(1) A driver shall

(

a) when requested by an inspector to act pursuant to these regulations, give the

inspector all reasonable assistance within the driver’s power to enable an

inspector to carry out the inspector’s duties;

(

b) hold a Class 4 driver’s license or higher class of license, in accordance with

the Motor Vehicle Act ; and

(

c) supply the owner or operator of the commercial vehicle to be driven by the

driver a certified copy of an abstract of the driving record of the driver, prior

to being employed by the owner or operator and annually thereafter.

(2) A driver shall not permit any person to smoke in the commercial vehicle.

(3) If an inspector considers it necessary, the inspector may make any reasonable

request of a driver for assistance in fulfilling the inspector’s duties with respect to

this

Section or

Section 26B or the Governor in Council Motor Carrier Act Hours

of Service Regulations and the driver shall comply with the request.

(4) A driver shall not carry in the commercial vehicle

(

a) baggage or parcel express that would cause discomfort or inconvenience to

passengers or interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle; or

(

b) explosives, inflammable substances or any other dangerous articles except

for gasoline or other fuel that is used for the locomotive power of the

vehicle and is carried in a tank of the vehicle.

(5) The driver of a rental vehicle shall keep a copy of the lease agreement for the rental

vehicle in the driver’s possession at all times while operating the rental vehicle.

(6) A driver shall not permit more passengers to be transported in a commercial

vehicle than are allowed by the manufacturer’s designated seating capacity or

otherwise as may be established by law.

(7) Nothing in this

Section or

Section 26B or the Governor in Council Motor Carrier

Act Hours of Service Regulations precludes or exempts a driver from compliance

with or performance of any other mandatory inspection required by any other

enactment.

Daily inspection requirements and reporting requirements for commercial vehicles

26B

(1) A driver shall inspect the commercial vehicle or cause it to be inspected daily prior

to its first trip of the day.

(2) Where a trip is a continuous trip involving more than 1 day, the daily inspection

shall take place no later than the first rest stop of each subsequent day.

(3) An inspection pursuant to subsection (1) shall include an inspection in accordance

with Schedules I and II of Appendix “A”.

(4) A person who inspects a commercial vehicle pursuant to subsection (1) or

(2) shall, immediately upon completion of the inspection, record in an inspection

report, which shall be completed in duplicate, any safety-related defects in the

items referred to in Schedules I and II of Appendix “A”, and if none, indicate so in

the report.

(5) An inspection report required by subsection (4) shall include the following

components:

(

a) the name of the owner or operator of the commercial vehicle;

(

b) the make of the commercial vehicle;

(

c) the number plate or unit number of the commercial vehicle;

(

d) a list of the items to be inspected as set out in Schedules I and II of

Appendix “A”; and

(

e) a remarks section.

(6) In addition to any defects noted in an inspection required by subsection (1) or (2),

the driver shall, at any time during or at the end of the day of the inspection, record

in the remarks

section of the inspection report required by subsection (4) any

defects the driver observed while in charge of the vehicle during that day.

(7) Prior to operating a commercial vehicle, the driver shall effect repair of any defects

listed in the inspection report for that commercial vehicle that would be likely to

affect the safe operation of the vehicle.

(8) A driver shall not operate a commercial vehicle that has any defects listed in the

inspection report that would be likely to affect the safe operation of the vehicle.

(9) A person who repairs any defect in accordance with subsection (7) shall record in

the appropriate inspection report the date on which the repair is completed and

shall sign the entry in the report.

26C [repealed]

26D [repealed]

Additional regulations relating to school buses

(1) Section 19 does not apply to applications respecting licenses to furnish school bus

services or to school buses.

(2) Clause (

j) of subsection (4) and subsections (6) to (9) do not apply, while providing

a school bus service, to

(

a) any carrier operating under the Regional Transit Authority Act and licensed

by the Board;

(

b) any licensed public passenger carrier while operating within the municipal

boundaries of a city; or

(

c) the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

(3) Subsections (6) to (9) shall not apply to a school bus equipped with a wheel chair

or ramp and only operated to transport physically disabled school pupils.

(4) In addition to these regulations and the Board Regulations, the following shall

apply to the driver of a school bus:

(

a) no driver of a school bus shall permit passengers to stand in a school bus

when the vehicle is in motion or at any time permit more passengers to be

carried in the vehicle than provided for in the seating capacity rating or

permit persons other than pupils, teachers and duly authorized officials to be

carried in the school bus while it is transporting pupils to and from schools;

(

b) no driver shall operate a school bus, the gross weight of which when fully

loaded, that is to say, the weight of the vehicle plus 68 kg (150 lbs.) for the

driver plus 54 kg (120 lbs.) for each of the passengers, exceeds the

maximum carrying capacity of the vehicle as established by the

manufacturer's rating;

(

c) the driver of a school bus shall endeavour to maintain order among the

passengers being transported and shall have authority to order a disorderly

passenger to leave the vehicle and shall report any misconduct by

passengers and any such action by him to the appropriate school

authorities;

(

d) the driver of a school bus shall not operate the bus for the carriage of

passengers when a passenger is standing in the bus or is seated otherwise

than on a seat provided for passengers or when an aisle of the bus is

obstructed contrary to the regulations made by the Board under the Act;

(

e) the driver of a school bus that is occupied by a number of passengers that is

equal to the seating capacity rating of the bus shall not take on another

passenger;

(

f) where the number of passengers in a school bus exceeds the seating capacity

rating of the bus the driver of the bus before putting it in operation, shall

direct a number of passengers equal to the number in excess of the seating

capacity rating of the bus to leave the bus;

(

g) even where the number of passengers in a school bus does not exceed the

seating capacity rating of the bus, the driver shall refuse to accept additional

passengers or may direct passengers to leave the bus when the passengers

are of such size or are carrying such articles that an aisle of the bus is or will

be obstructed, wholly or partially, by passengers or by articles carried by

them;

(

h) when loading or unloading a school bus at a school, the driver shall park the

school bus so that the door or doors used for such purpose are next to the

school;

(

i) when loading or unloading a school bus, the driver shall not stop the school

bus in a position which necessitates the school pupils crossing a street or

road between the school and the school bus;

(

j) every school bus driver shall caution the passengers with respect to the

instruction in

Section 41 of the Board Regulations and shall ensure the strict

and prompt compliance with

Section 41 by the pupils to whom

Section 41

applies;

(

k) the driver of a school bus shall check to ensure that all persons have moved

from in front of a stopped school bus before proceeding;

(

l) the driver of a school bus to which subsection (1) of

Section 42A of the

Board Regulations applies shall

(i) [repealed]

(ii) provide proof, upon request, of the proper class of driver's license in

accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act and provide a driver's

abstract at least once annually to the school board,

(iii) not permit more passengers to be transported than the manufacturer's

designed seating capacity or otherwise as may be established by law,

(iv) except where the motor vehicle is leased for less than 30 days,

provide proof, upon request, that the vehicle has been inspected on a

semi-annual basis by a licensed motor vehicle mechanic,

(

v) except where the motor vehicle is leased for less than 30 days, take a

provincially recognized Defensive Driving Course at least once every

five years, and if the driver has not taken the course within five years

of being approved to drive a vehicle in accordance with said clause

(a), the driver shall take the course within 90 days of being approved,

(vi) ensure that seat belts will be worn by all passengers, and

(vii) ensure that the vehicle is driven by a driver who is at least 19 years of

age and does not have the status of a newly licensed driver under the

Motor Vehicle Act ;

(

m) the driver of a school bus to which subsection (2) of

Section 42A of the

Board Regulations applies shall

(

i) provide proof, upon request, of insurance in accordance with

subclause (

i) of clause (

a) of subsection (2) of

Section 42A of the

Board Regulations,

(ii) provide proof, upon request, of a copy of a current motor vehicle

inspection for the vehicle,

(iii) provide proof, upon request, of a valid driver's license for the class of

vehicle to be operated,

(iv) not permit more passengers to be transported than the manufacturer's

designed seating capacity, or otherwise as may be established by law,

(

v) ensure that each seating position is equipped with a seat belt

assembly as prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Act ,

(vi) ensure that seat belts will be worn by all passengers, and

(vii) ensure that the driver of the vehicle is not less than 19 years of age

and does not have the status of a newly licensed driver under the

Motor Vehicle Act .

(5) When loading or unloading at stops other than at a school, the driver of a school

bus equipped to transport only physically disabled school pupils shall stop the

school bus off the highway.

(6) Where a school bus is stopped on a highway for the purpose of taking on or

discharging passengers, the driver of the school bus shall activate the red warning

lights and stop arm simultaneously, and shall continue to activate the red warning

lights and stop arm during the period the school bus is so stopped for such purpose

and until those passengers who of necessity must cross the highway have

completed the crossing.

(7) The driver of a school bus in motion on a highway shall activate the amber caution

lights approximately 150 m (500 ft) before the school bus comes to a stop on a

highway for the purpose of taking on or discharging passengers.

(8) Despite subsections (6) and (7), subsections (6) and (7) do not apply to the driver

of a school bus approaching a stop, stopped or leaving a stop for the purpose of

taking on or discharging passengers on private property that is designed to be and

is accessible to the general public for the operation of a motor vehicle.

(9) The driver of a school bus shall not activate the red warning lights and the stop

arm otherwise than as required by subsection (6) and shall not activate the amber

caution lights other than as required by subsection (7).

Returns, reports and other data

28 Every motor carrier licensed under the Act, other than a motor carrier licensed to provide

specialty school bus service only, shall file with the Board, no later than 120 days

following the fiscal year end of the motor carrier, the complete financial statement of the

motor carrier certified by an authorized officer of the motor carrier.

________________________________________________________________

Appendix “A”: Daily Inspections

Schedule I—Outside Inspection

The outside of the commercial vehicle shall be inspected to ensure that

(

a) all lights and reflectors are equipped and functioning as required under the Motor Vehicle

Act and the regulations made thereunder;

(

b) wheels and fasteners are free of wheel or rim cracks and defective lock rings, and there

are no loose or missing fasteners;

(

c) tires have a minimum tread depth of 3.175 mm (4/32 in.), there are no flats, noticeable

leaks, visible bumps or bulges, bias and radial tires are not together on same axle, and no

tire has contact with any part of the vehicle or any other tire;

(

d) the fuel system has no visible leak at any point, there are no missing tank filler caps, and

its fuel tank is securely mounted;

(

e) the exhaust system has no audible leaks, missing or loose components, or insecure

mountings;

(

f) the suspension, springs, air bags and controlling attachments are free of any

(

i) cracked, broken, loose or missing axle positioning or fastening parts,

(ii) broken or missing spring leaves,

(iii) broken coil springs, or

(iv) deflated air suspension due to system failure;

(

g) the hydraulic brake fluid is at the correct level and is not visibly leaking;

(

h) the power steering fluid is at the correct level and is not visibly leaking; and

(

i) the mirrors are as required by the Motor Vehicle Act and the regulations made

thereunder, and are in good condition and able to be adjusted as intended.

Schedule II—Inside Inspection

The inside of the commercial vehicle shall be inspected to ensure that

(

a) the steering wheel is free of excessive play and looseness;

(

b) the brake pedal reserve is adequate and there is no fade;

(

c) the brake booster functions as intended;

(

d) the brake failure warning light functions as intended;

(

e) the brake air pressure or vacuum gauge functions as intended and there is

adequate reserve;

(

f) the low pressure or low vacuum warning signal functions as intended;

(

g) the windshield washers and wipers function as intended;

(

h) the windshield and windows afford the driver a clear view;

(

i) the mirrors are in good condition and able to be adjusted as intended;

(

j) the defroster and heater function as intended;

(

k) the horn functions as intended;

(

l) the driver and passenger seat belts and seat security function as intended;

(

m) the parking brake is adequate to hold the vehicle in a parked position on any

grade; and

(

n) the emergency equipment as required by clause 42C(1)(

c) of the Board

Regulations is in place.

________________________________________________________________

Appendix “B”: Graph Grid [repealed]

________________________________________________________________

[Forms]

Forms 1 to 5 [repealed]

Legislative History

Reference Tables

Governor in Council Public Passenger Motor Carrier

Act Regulations

N.S. Reg.

284/1992

Motor Carrier Act

Note: The

information in these tables does not form part of the regulations and is

compiled by the Office of the Registrar of Regulations for reference only.

Source Law

The current consolidation of the Governor in Council Public Passenger Motor Carrier Act Regulations made

under the Motor Carrier Act includes all of the following regulations:

N.S.

Regulation

In force

date*

How in force

Royal Gazette

Part II Issue

284/1992

Jan 1, 1993

date specified

Jan 8, 1993

27/1996

Feb

13, 1996

date

made

Mar 1,

64/1996

Apr 2,

date

made

Apr

26, 1996

72/1996

Apr

11, 1996

date

made

Apr

26, 1996

53/1997

May

27, 1997

date

made

Jun

20, 1997

79/1997

Jul 2,

date

made

Jul

18, 1997

13/1998

Feb

11, 1998

date

made

Feb

27, 1998

153/2002

Jan 1,

date

specified

Jan

10, 2003

414/2007

Oct

30, 2007

date

specified

Nov

23, 2007

335/2022

Jan 1,

date

specified

Dec

30, 2022

The following regulations are not yet in force and are

not included in the current consolidation:

N.S.

Regulation

In force

date*

How in force

Royal Gazette

Part II Issue

*See subsection 3(6) of the Regulations Act for

rules about in force dates of regulations.

Amendments by Provision

ad. = added

am. = amended

fc. = fee change

ra. = reassigned

rep. = repealed

rs . = repealed and substituted

Provision affected

How affected

2 ........................................................

rs . 153/2002

2(ee) ............................................

ad. 414/2007

5 ........................................................

rs . 414/2007

6 -9 ....................................................

am. 414/2007

19 ......................................................

rs . 414/2007

22(1) .................................................

am. 79/1997

25A ...................................................

ad. 414/2007

26A ...................................................

ad. 153/2002

26 A( 3) ..........................................

am. 335/2022

26 A( 7) ..........................................

am. 335/2022

26B ...................................................

ad. 153/2002

26C ...................................................

ad. 153/2002 ; rep. 335/2022

26 C( 9) .........................................

am. 414/2007

26D ...................................................

ad. 153/2002 ; rep. 335/2022

27(4)(l) .............................................

ad. 27/1996 ; am. 13/1998

27(4)(l)(i) ..........................................

rs . 72/1996; rep. 13/1998

27(4)(l)(iv)-(v) ..................................

am. 53/1997

27(4)(l)(vi) ........................................

am. 13/1998

27(4)(m) ...........................................

ad. 27/1996 ; am. 13/1998

27(4)(m)(i) ........................................

rs . 72/1996; am. 13/1998

27(4)(m)(vi) ......................................

am. 13/1998

27(7) .................................................

am. 64/1996

Appendix “A” ...................................

ad. 153/2002

Appendix “B” ...................................

ad. 153/2002 ; rep. 335/2022

Forms 1-5 .........................................

rep. 414/2007

“ commercial van” replaced

throughout with “commercial vehicle” ............

am. 414/2007

“ rental van” replaced

throughout with “rental vehicle” ..............................

am. 414/2007

Note that changes to headings are not

included in the above table.

Editorial Notes and Corrections:

Note

Effective

date

References to a school board should be read as

references to an education entity as defined in the Education Act , in accordance with s. 52 of the Education Reform

(2018) Act , S.N.S.

2018, c. 1.

Apr 1, 2018

The reference in s. 22 to the Utility

and Review Board should be read as a reference to the Regulatory Appeals

Board under the Energy and Regulatory Boards Act , S.N.S. 2024, c. 2,

Sch A, in accordance with amendments to the Act made by

Part XVI of the Energy

Reform

(2024) Act , S.N.S. 2024, c.2, which replace references to the

Board in the Act effective on proclamation (N.S. Reg 233/2024) .

Apr 1, 2025

Repealed and Superseded:

N.S.

Regulation

Title

In force

date

Repealed

date

31/1974

Regulations

under the Motor Carrier Act made by

the Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities

Mar.

12, 1974*

Jan 1,

[*Board

order specifies Feb 5, 1974, but not approved by O.I.C. until Mar 12.]

[Because

the authority to make these regulations is split by amendments to the Act

made by S.N.S. 1992, c.23, N.S. Reg. 283/1992 (Board Public Passenger Motor

Carrier Act Regulations) also repeals these regulations.]

Note: Only

regulations that are specifically repealed and replaced appear in this

table. It may not reflect the entire

history of regulations on this subject matter.