From Passenger to Driver: Surviving My Nova Scotia Road Test

I never got a driver’s license back in the Philippines, mainly because getting around there is easy (well… except during Christmas and Sinulog). Driving a car never really crossed my mind. However, transportation in Halifax can be tricky, especially in the winter. Buses run on a schedule, usually every 15–20 minutes, and during weekends or holidays, you might have to wait even longer. Waiting for a bus is never fun especially when the temperature is below zero.

Anyway, I decided it was time to get a driver’s license. The first thing I did was get a copy of the Nova Scotia Driver’s Handbook. You can also download it as a PDF. For more information, check out this link: https://novascotia.ca/sns/rmv/safe/handbook.asp

I read the handbook, but I also took free online driving practice tests. I just googled “NS driving test” and found several links to try. I ended up learning a lot from these online practice tests.

In April 2017, I decided it was time to get my beginner’s license. First up: the vision test (easy) and the written test (also easy). A few minutes later, I passed. I have a beginner’s license in hand! This meant I couldn’t drive alone yet and had to be supervised by someone with a full license. There are a few rules for beginner drivers, which you can check out on the Service Nova Scotia website.

The next step was driving school. A friend recommended a Filipina who owns a school, so I signed up. I started with 25 hours of classroom lectures, followed by 10 hours of actual driving with an instructor. I had to wait nine months before even thinking about a road test, which gave me plenty of time to get nervous.

The lectures were a breeze. I just had to sit, listen, and learn the rules. The real challenge was driving itself. First-time drivers, beware: everything you memorized disappears the moment you sit behind the wheel (haha). Practice was key. I spent hours getting used to the feel of the car, learning the roads, and recognizing signs. I even booked extra driving hours on top of the required ten. It was not easy, but it was worth it.

After nine months, I finally felt ready and scheduled my road test in March 2018. I practiced for an hour beforehand to calm my nerves, and yes, coffee was mandatory. Twenty minutes later, I passed. I was only a few points away from failing, but I learned from every mistake.

Now I have my driver’s license with an “N,” which means I am officially a newly licensed driver. I can drive on my own, but I cannot drive from midnight to 5 a.m. Yep, I am basically Cinderella behind the wheel!