Nova Scotia

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Safety Fitness Certificate Required

Yes

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles. Nova Scotia-based carriers operating a truck, truck-tractor, trailer, or combination registered in Nova Scotia (or a reciprocating jurisdiction) must register under the Commercial Carrier Registration Program (CCRP) and hold a valid Safety Fitness Certificate. Where a mover subcontracts the transport, the carrier operating the vehicles holds the registration for the transport it performs.

Out-of-Province Vehicles

Carriers moving their operation to Nova Scotia from a reciprocating jurisdiction must submit a copy of their government operating record from that jurisdiction as part of the application.

Safety Rating

Nova Scotia assigns one of four ratings (satisfactory, satisfactory unaudited, conditional, or unsatisfactory) based on the carrier’s demerit index and facility audit results, tracked under the National Safety Code number.

Insurance Required

Yes, where the mover operates its own vehicles. Liability insurance appropriate to vehicle class.

Corporate Standing

Required for incorporated CCRP applicants. Incorporated applicants must show all required filings are current and they are in good standing with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies.

Consumer Contract Rules

Yes. Moving agreements with consumers are subject to Nova Scotia’s Consumer Protection Act, enforced by Service Nova Scotia’s Business and Consumer Services Division.

Registration Fee

CCRP application fee. Confirm current amount with Service Nova Scotia before publishing.

Consumer Complaints

Service Nova Scotia, Business and Consumer Services Division

OverviewOverview & Scope

Nova Scotia does not issue a moving-industry-specific license. Carriers operating qualifying commercial vehicles must register under the Commercial Carrier Registration Program (CCRP), administered by Service Nova Scotia’s Registry of Motor Vehicles under the Motor Vehicle Act, which assigns a National Safety Code number and safety rating. A carrier renewing its registration or moving its operation to Nova Scotia from another reciprocating jurisdiction must document its prior safety record as part of the process. These obligations attach to whichever company operates the vehicles; where a mover subcontracts the transport, the carrier’s own registration covers the transport it performs, and the mover should use carriers that hold it. Separately, the consumer-facing side of a move (the contract, estimate, and any unfair or misleading practices) falls under Nova Scotia’s Consumer Protection Act, enforced by the Business and Consumer Services Division, which investigates and resolves complaints directly rather than through a separate tribunal.

RegistrationRegistration & Compliance Essentials

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

1. Register under the CCRP through Service Nova Scotia’s Registry of Motor Vehicles before operating a qualifying commercial vehicle registered in Nova Scotia.
2. Provide a declaration of business operations with the application, including whether any principal, director, officer, or partner has held an unsatisfactory rating in Nova Scotia or an equivalent rating in a reciprocating jurisdiction.
3. Submit a prior operating record if moving an existing operation to Nova Scotia from a reciprocating jurisdiction that already issued a safety fitness certificate.
4. Confirm corporate standing with the Registry of Joint Stock Companies, if incorporated, before applying.
5. Maintain a satisfactory safety rating, since Nova Scotia tracks the carrier’s demerit index and facility audit results under its National Safety Code number.
6. Carry proof of liability insurance appropriate to the vehicle class.
7. Renew CCRP registration annually.

Subcontracted transport

8. Where transport is subcontracted, use carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they perform.

Customer practices

9. Provide contracts and estimates that comply with the Consumer Protection Act, avoiding unfair or misleading practices and honoring disclosed terms.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

Subcontracted transport

• Where transport is subcontracted, the mover uses carriers that hold the licences required for the transport they performWhere applicableVerified by AffirmationRequired

Vehicles and drivers (where the mover operates its own vehicles)

• Valid CCRP registration and Safety Fitness Certificate, renewed annuallyWhere applicable (mover operates its own qualifying commercial vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Good standing with the Registry of Joint Stock CompaniesWhere applicable (mover is incorporated and applies for CCRP registration)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Satisfactory safety rating maintainedWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired
• Liability insurance appropriate to the vehicle class in forceWhere applicable (mover operates its own vehicles)Verified by DocumentRequired

Customer practices

• Contracts and estimates comply with Nova Scotia’s Consumer Protection ActVerified by AffirmationRequired