Nova Scotia

At a glanceRequirements at a glance

Safety Fitness Certificate Required

Yes

Yes — 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.

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

Yes — Liability insurance appropriate to vehicle class.

Corporate Standing

Required

Required — 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

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. 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

Movers must:

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, 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.
8. Provide contracts and estimates that comply with the Consumer Protection Act, avoiding unfair or misleading practices and honoring disclosed terms.
9. Retain safety, operating, and insurance records as required for CCRP applications, renewals, and audits.

ChecklistCompliance checklist

• Valid CCRP registration / Safety Fitness CertificateRequired
• Declaration of business operations and prior safety history completedRequired
• Corporate standing confirmed (if incorporated)Required
• Satisfactory safety rating maintainedRequired
• Liability Insurance in forceRequired
• CCRP registration renewed annuallyRequired
• Contract and estimate compliant with Consumer Protection Act (Nova Scotia)Required
• Safety, operating, and insurance records retainedRequired