When renewing your vehicle permit, be sure you're correctly entering your information as shown on your renewal notice. You can also find the information on your vehicle permit if you do not have your renewal notice.
Sample renewal notice
Sample renewal notice - heavy commercial
Sample vehicle permit
Providing your insurance information
When you apply for a vehicle registration or renewal (plate, temporary permit or in-transit), you must provide your complete insurance information. You can find this information on your motor vehicle liability policy.
The Department of Service Nova Scotia and Internal Services may contact your insurance company to verify the information you provide. It’s a serious offence to make a false statement. If convicted, penalties could include fines, prison or both.
The requirement for insurance information doesn't apply to off-highway vehicles, trailers, semi-trailers, miscellaneous towed vehicles and vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan.
Driving with your 30-day interim vehicle permit
When you complete your plate renewal online, print your receipt and keep it in your vehicle. The printed receipt is your interim vehicle permit and allows you to drive your vehicle for up to 30 days while you wait for your new vehicle permit and sticker to arrive in the mail. Keep your licence plate on your vehicle while you wait, even if the old sticker has expired.
Troubleshooting error messages and problems
You may encounter this error message:
This vehicle permit cannot be renewed online as the information entered is incorrect or this vehicle permit is not eligible for online renewal. Please click here for more information.
You may receive this error message if:
- your plate or vehicle type is not renewable online
- you have outstanding defaulted fines
- you have an outstanding suspension related to your vehicle, plate or vehicle permit
- your Nova Scotia Safety Code - Commercial Carrier Registration has expired or has an unsatisfactory rating
- you entered information within the online service that’s not correct or is inconsistent with Registry of Motor Vehicles
Your plate or vehicle type is not renewable online
Your plate or vehicle type is not renewable online, because you have:
- firefighter plates (requires documentation from firefighter chief or deputy chief)
- volunteer firefighter plates (requires documentation from firefighter chief or deputy chief)
- Ground Search and Rescue plates (requires documentation from ground search team president)
- prorate plates (International Registration Plan)
- commercial plate with condition 105 - one way allocated (prorate)
- ambulance (requires documentation from Department of Health and Wellness)
How to proceed
Renew by mail or in person and provide the appropriate additional supporting documentation as noted on your renewal notice.
You have outstanding defaulted fines
You have one of the following outstanding defaulted fines:
- Halifax Regional Municipality parking tickets
- motor vehicle related fines
- Privilege Reinstatement fee for outstanding fines
How to proceed
If some Registry of Motor Vehicles services have been restricted on your account due to unpaid motor vehicle or parking fines, renewals can’t be processed using this service until all outstanding amounts are paid. You can pay a fine or pay a privilege reinstatement fee online.
You have an outstanding suspension related to your vehicle, plate or vehicle permit
You’re not able to perform Registry of Motor Vehicles transactions until a particular matter has been resolved (for example, NSF cheque, proof of insurance, outstanding vehicle tax or proof of motor vehicle inspection).
How to proceed
Submit the appropriate application and fee for all applicable outstanding suspensions by mail or in person before applying to renew your vehicle permit.
Your Nova Scotia Safety Code - Commercial Carrier Registration has expired or has an unsatisfactory rating
Your Nova Scotia Safety Code - Commercial Carrier Registration has expired or has an unsatisfactory rating that includes:
- Your vehicle has a registered vehicle weight greater than 4500 kgs and you have an expired commercial carrier registration or an unsatisfactory rating.
- Your bus has a seating capacity of more than 10 and you have an expired commercial carrier registration or an unsatisfactory rating.
How to proceed
Submit the appropriate application and fee to renew your commercial carrier registration by mail or in person before applying to renew your vehicle permit.
You entered information within the online service that’s not correct or is inconsistent with Registry of Motor Vehicles
How to proceed
Review the information you entered with your renewal notice or vehicle permit. Make sure you enter the:
- correct Master Number (you can find this on your vehicle permit or your renewal notice)
- plate number without any spaces
- correct vehicle identification number (VIN)/serial number
Make the necessary corrections and try again. If you're still unable to proceed you need to contact us by phone or in person.
Contact us
Contact us if a valid vehicle permit and registration sticker isn’t received within 30 days of renewal. Or if you have questions or require information about your vehicle.
Phone: 902-424-5851
Toll-free: 1-800-898-7668
rmv@novascotia.ca