Category: Nunavut

Photo: OhanaUnited, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Nunavut, a minor or novice driver with any alcohol, or a detectable amount of another drug, faces a 30-day roadside licence suspension under the Traffic Safety Act. Learner’s (Class 7) and probationary licence holders count as novice drivers. The federal Criminal Code applies on top, to every driver and to snowmobiles and ATVs as well as cars and trucks. This explainer sets out both layers, the roadside suspensions for other drivers, and what it all means for new drivers in Iqaluit and the communities. It is for Nunavut learners, new drivers and their families.

Key facts

• Zero tolerance: minors and novice drivers must have no alcohol and no detectable drugs, including cannabis.
• Breaking zero tolerance: 30-day roadside licence suspension. Refusing to give a breath or blood sample is treated the same way.
• Learner’s and probationary licence holders are novice drivers under the Act.
• Other drivers face roadside suspensions too: 24 hours for a first suspension, 30 days for someone previously suspended, disqualified or prohibited.
• Criminal Code: impaired to any degree, or 80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood within two hours of driving, is a criminal offence.
• The Criminal Code covers snowmobiles and ATVs: any vehicle not powered by muscle, apart from railway equipment.

Zero tolerance for new drivers in Nunavut

Nunavut’s Traffic Safety Act sets a zero limit for two groups:

• Minors (young drivers, as defined in the Act), and
• Novice drivers, which includes anyone on a learner’s licence (Class 7) or a probationary licence.

For these drivers, the legal amount of alcohol is none, and the legal amount of other drugs, cannabis included, is none that can be detected. There is no “one drink” allowance.

What happens at the roadside

Situation	Consequence
Minor or novice driver with any alcohol, or a detectable drug	30-day roadside licence suspension
Novice driver refuses to give a breath or blood sample	30-day roadside licence suspension
Novice driver holding a licence from outside Nunavut	30-day disqualification from driving in Nunavut

The suspension starts at the roadside; it does not wait for a court case. Police send a report to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Confirm the current wording with Motor Vehicles in Nunavut before relying on any detail.

Roadside suspensions for other drivers

The Traffic Safety Act also gives police short-term roadside powers for drivers who are not novices:

Driver’s history	Roadside licence suspension
No previous suspension, disqualification or prohibition in Nunavut, a province or another territory	24 hours
A previous suspension, disqualification or prohibition	30 days

The Act also has disqualifications of 24 hours for a first-time driver and 90 days for a repeat driver. Your supervisor counts here too: a learner can only drive with a qualified supervisor, and a supervisor who has been drinking is putting both of you at risk.

The Criminal Code layer

Federal law applies everywhere in Canada, to every driver, whatever their licence. Under section 320.14 of the Criminal Code it is an offence to:

• operate a vehicle while your ability is impaired to any degree by alcohol, a drug or both;
• have 80 mg or more of alcohol per 100 mL of blood within two hours after driving;
• have a blood drug concentration at or over the regulated level within two hours after driving (a lesser offence applies at a lower drug level);
• have alcohol and a drug together at or over the regulated combined levels.

A Criminal Code charge is separate from, and on top of, any territorial suspension. For penalties and how other provinces compare, see impaired driving in Canada for new drivers.

Snowmobiles, ATVs and impairment

Many Nunavummiut drive a snowmobile or ATV long before a car. The Criminal Code defines a motor vehicle as any vehicle drawn, propelled or driven by anything other than muscle power, except railway equipment. That includes snowmobiles, ATVs and side-by-sides. Motorboats are covered too, because the impaired driving sections apply to vessels as well. Impaired operation of any of them is a criminal offence.

• Riding a snowmobile home from a party after drinking is not a lesser offence because it happens off the road.
• Passengers on a sled or ATV are at the same risk as the operator. Impaired riders misjudge speed, sea ice and terrain.
• Whether territorial zero-tolerance suspensions also apply to off-road vehicles depends on where and how the vehicle is used. Ask Motor Vehicles or your local RCMP detachment.

For the territorial ATV and snowmobile rules (registration, helmets, ages, crossings), see driving in Iqaluit and Nunavut communities.

Worked examples

A learner after a small drink

A 17-year-old Class 7 learner has one beer, then drives with a supervisor. Any alcohol breaks zero tolerance: a 30-day roadside suspension, before any other consequence.

A novice who refuses the test

A probationary driver is stopped and refuses to blow. Refusal brings the same 30-day suspension.

A snowmobile ride home

An adult with a full licence drinks at a gathering and rides a snowmobile home. If impaired to any degree, or at 80 mg or more, it is a Criminal Code offence, even though no car was involved.

Practical rules for new drivers and their families

1. Zero means zero. Plan the trip home before anyone drinks.
2. Cannabis counts. Adults may possess it legally, but a novice may not drive with any detectable amount.
3. Check your medicines. Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs affect driving. Ask a pharmacist.
4. Supervisors stay sober. A learner’s supervisor is responsible for the drive.
5. Same rules on the land. Treat a snowmobile or ATV like a car when it comes to alcohol and drugs.

Common questions

What is the legal alcohol limit for a new driver in Nunavut?

Zero. Learners, probationary drivers and minors may have no alcohol and no detectable drugs.

How long is the suspension for a novice caught with alcohol?

30 days, imposed at the roadside under the Traffic Safety Act.

Does zero tolerance end when I get my full licence?

It ends when you are no longer a novice or a minor. The 24-hour and 30-day roadside suspensions and the Criminal Code still apply to every driver.

Can I be charged for drunk driving on a snowmobile?

Yes. The Criminal Code covers any vehicle not powered by muscle, so snowmobiles and ATVs count, on or off the road.

Does a suspension in Nunavut affect me in other provinces?

The Act counts previous suspensions from “Nunavut, a province, or another territory” when deciding a roadside suspension, so a suspension elsewhere can count against you in Nunavut. See driving in another province on a learner or novice licence.

Where can I check the current rules?

Contact Motor Vehicles in Nunavut (Government of Nunavut) or read the Traffic Safety Act on nunavutlegislation.ca.

Related: learning to drive in Nunavut (full guide), Nunavut knowledge test and road test, Nunavut restricted driver’s licence, driving in Iqaluit and Nunavut communities, impaired driving in Canada.

Sources

• Government of Nunavut, “Traffic Safety Act, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Motor Vehicles Act, An Act to Amend”, 2017, roadside suspension and novice driver provisions (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Legislative Assembly of Nunavut, Bill 29, “An Act to Amend the Motor Vehicles Act”, 2016 (assembly.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Driver’s Licence Regulations, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Apply for a Driver’s Licence” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Canada, Justice Laws, “Criminal Code”, sections 2, 320.11 and 320.14 (laws-lois.justice.gc.ca)

Photo: Sebastian Kasten, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Driving in Iqaluit and other Nunavut communities means sharing short, often gravel or snow-packed roads with ATVs, snowmobiles, pedestrians and dogs. Speeds are low: Iqaluit’s default limit is 30 km/h unless signs say otherwise. This guide is for new drivers and their families. It covers the territorial and Iqaluit rules for ATVs and snowmobiles, what that means when you are behind the wheel, and the Arctic conditions to plan for.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• In Nunavut law, an “all-terrain vehicle” includes snowmobiles, three-wheelers and quads (vehicles up to 900 kg built for cross-country travel).
• Iqaluit speed limit: 30 km/h unless posted (City of Iqaluit, 2022).
• ATVs on a highway: 30 km/h unless a sign sets a different ATV limit, and never over 50 km/h (All-terrain Vehicles Act).
• In Iqaluit, ATVs and snowmobiles used on roads must be registered and insured, and riders must wear helmets. A traditional-use exemption applies (see below).
• No one may drive while holding or using a hand-held electronic device (Traffic Safety Act).

ATV and snowmobile rules every Nunavut driver should know

Knowing what ATV and snowmobile riders are allowed to do helps you predict where they will be. Under Nunavut’s All-terrain Vehicles Act:

• On a roadway, an ATV must keep as close as practical to the right-hand edge. It must not ride side by side with another vehicle except when passing, and must not carry more people than it was designed for.
• ATVs may not use sidewalks.
• At night, an ATV on a highway needs a white headlight visible for 100 m and a red tail light visible from 150 m.
• Outside a municipality, ATVs generally may not use the roadway or shoulder. They may cross it after stopping, unloading passengers and yielding to all traffic, at a point with clear views both ways.
• For quads and three-wheelers on a highway: riders must be at least 14, wear a helmet fastened with a chin strap, and carry no more than two people. An infant in an amauti does not count.
• Each community council can make its own ATV bylaws, so rules differ between communities. Check your hamlet’s bylaws.

The consolidated text of the Act online is not fully up to date, so confirm details with your municipality or Nunavut Motor Vehicles.

Iqaluit rules for ATVs, snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles

The City of Iqaluit’s public notices (2022 and 2024) under Traffic Safety Bylaw 894 say:

• Registration and insurance. ATVs and snowmobiles on municipal roads need valid registration and insurance. Snowmobiles register with the City ($25 a year in the City’s 2022 notice). ATVs register with the Government of Nunavut Motor Vehicles Division.
• Traditional use. Snowmobiles and ATVs used for traditional purposes do not need registration and insurance. The operator must be going to or from the land or sea ice by the most direct route.
• Helmets. Required for ATV, UTV and recreational off-road vehicle operators in the city, unless travelling for traditional purposes to or from the land or sea ice. Seatbelts must be worn where the manufacturer fitted them.
• Age. No one under 14 may operate an ATV unless accompanied on it by an adult.
• Crossings. ATV riders must stop before crossing any highway and have no right of way at ATV crossings.
• Dirt bikes need registration, insurance, a headlamp and a tail light to use city roads.
• Playgrounds. No vehicle may be operated in a playground area.

The City’s 2022 notice listed fines of up to $575 for an ATV without valid insurance (the ATV can also be seized) and $150 for no valid registration. Check current amounts with City of Iqaluit Municipal Enforcement.

What this means when you are driving a car or truck

1. Expect ATVs and snowmobiles on the right edge and at trail crossings. Children’s mini snowmobiles (120cc or 200cc) are covered by the same rules and are easy to miss.
2. Slow down near trail crossings, schools and playgrounds. At 30 km/h you can stop for someone who misjudges a crossing.
3. Give sleds and qamutiit room. Snowmobiles often tow sleds that swing wide on turns.
4. Look twice at night and in low light. Some machines and riders have no lights or reflectors.
5. Pass only on the left. Iqaluit prohibits passing on the right unless there is a right-turn lane, and driving on the shoulder to pass.
6. Phones down. Hand-held devices are banned for every driver. Hands-free use is allowed under the Traffic Safety Act.

Arctic conditions to plan for

• Snow-packed and icy surfaces for much of the year. Braking distances grow, so leave a much bigger gap and brake early.
• Blowing snow and whiteouts. If you cannot see, slow right down and turn on your low beams. Consider waiting it out rather than pushing on.
• Long periods of low light. Keep your windshield, mirrors and lights clear of frost and snow before every trip.
• Gravel and dust. When you meet a vehicle raising heavy dust, turn on your headlights, get well over to your side and slow to no more than 60 km/h. Do the same for flying stones.
• Plows and road crews. Give snowplows the right-of-way and pass with caution. Maintenance equipment with a red flag or flashing amber light also has the right-of-way.
• Between communities. Outside cities and towns the basic limit is 90 km/h, day or night, unless posted. Never stop on the travelled part of the road: pull onto the shoulder and use your emergency lights.
• Cold starts. Carry warm clothing even for short trips. A breakdown at the edge of town can still be dangerous.

For winter technique, emergency kits and skid recovery, see winter driving in Canada for new drivers. For caribou on the road, see moose, deer and caribou.

Common questions

Can I drive a snowmobile on the road in Iqaluit?

Only if it is registered and insured, unless you are using it for traditional purposes and going directly to or from the land or sea ice. Follow all traffic signs and keep right.

Do I need a driver’s licence to ride an ATV in Nunavut?

Licensing for ATV operators is set by each community’s bylaws under the All-terrain Vehicles Act. Ask your municipal office or City of Iqaluit Municipal Enforcement.

How old do you have to be to ride an ATV in Iqaluit?

Under 14, you may only operate an ATV with an adult on board. The territorial Act sets 14 as the minimum to operate a quad or three-wheeler on a highway.

Who has the right of way at an ATV crossing?

Road traffic. The ATV rider must stop and cross only when it is safe.

Are helmets required on snowmobiles in Iqaluit?

Yes, unless the rider is using it for traditional purposes and going to or from the land or sea ice.

What licence do I need to drive a car here?

A Class 7 learner’s licence with a qualified supervisor, then Class 5. If you only drive locally, a restricted licence may suit you. See Nunavut restricted driver’s licence.

Full guide: learning to drive in Nunavut. Test prep: Nunavut written knowledge test and road test.

Sources

• Government of Nunavut, “All-terrain Vehicles Act, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Traffic Safety Act, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• City of Iqaluit, “Snowmobile and ATV use on Municipal Roads” (iqaluit.ca)
• City of Iqaluit, “Mini Ski-doos and off highway vehicles” (iqaluit.ca)
• City of Iqaluit, “Road Safety” (iqaluit.ca)
• City of Iqaluit, “Reminder: Helmet / Insurance / Registration / Licence Plate Required For All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)” (iqaluit.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Nunavut Driver’s Manual” (gov.nu.ca)

Photo: Sebastian Kasten, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Nunavut restricted driver’s licence limits where you can drive. A B endorsement means you may drive in Nunavut only. A G endorsement means you may drive only within 100 km of your home community. It suits residents who will only ever drive in and around their own community. This page explains how it works, how it differs from a standard licence, and what to check before choosing one.

Key facts (Nunavut, as of November 2026)

• The Government of Nunavut publishes a separate Restricted Driver’s Manual for this licence.
• B endorsement: driving in Nunavut only.
• G endorsement: driving only within 100 km of your home community (the regulations say “100 km of address on licence”).
• You must obey every endorsement on your licence. Ignoring one can stop the licence from being renewed.

How the restricted licence works under Nunavut law

Section 5 of the Driver’s Licence Regulations allows the Registrar to issue a restricted licence. This applies when an applicant “complies substantially but not completely” with the requirements for a licence. The Registrar marks the limits on the licence using the endorsement codes in Schedule D.

The Government of Nunavut describes the Restricted Driver’s Manual as being for Nunavut residents who want a licence that lets them drive only in Nunavut.

B or G: which restriction you get

Code	What it means	Who it suits
B	Drive in Nunavut only. The consolidated regulations still print this code as “Restricted to N.W.T.”, wording that predates Nunavut’s creation in 1999. The Government of Nunavut describes it as Nunavut only.	Someone who may drive in more than one Nunavut community but not outside the territory
G	Drive only within 100 km of the address on your licence	Someone who only drives in and near their home community

If you move, a G restriction is tied to the address on your licence. Tell the issuing office within 15 days so the licence still matches where you live and drive. The manuals say the change is free, while the fee schedule in the regulations lists $15 (as of November 2026), so ask before you go.

Other endorsements you might see

Restrictions are not only about distance. Schedule D lists other codes the Registrar can add, including:

• A adequate lenses (glasses or contacts required)
• D daylight driving only
• F speed zones of 70 km/h or less
• K automatic transmission required
• H periodic vision test

These can appear on a standard licence too. They are usually linked to vision, medical fitness or the vehicle used on the road test.

Restricted vs standard Nunavut licence

	Restricted (B or G)	Standard Class 5
Where you can drive	Nunavut only, or within 100 km of home	Anywhere your licence is recognised
Study material	Restricted Driver’s Manual	Nunavut Driver’s Manual
Driving outside Nunavut	Not allowed	Allowed

The Restricted Driver’s Manual describes the same three checks: a written test (rules and signs), a vision test and a road test, with at least 4 weeks of practice first for a new driver. Ask Nunavut Motor Vehicles or your Government Liaison Officer how the restricted papers differ from the standard ones before you apply.

Should you choose a restricted licence?

• Yes, if you only drive locally, for example to work, the store or the land trail access points in your community.
• Think twice if you plan to study, work or travel in the south. You cannot drive there on a B or G licence and would need to upgrade.
• Ask Motor Vehicles how to remove a restriction later, and which tests you would need to take.

Common questions

Can I drive in Ottawa or Yellowknife with a Nunavut restricted licence?

No. A B endorsement limits you to Nunavut, and a G endorsement limits you to within 100 km of your home address.

Does the 100 km count by road or straight line?

The regulations say “100 km of address on licence” without defining the measurement. Check with Nunavut Motor Vehicles if you are near the limit.

Is the restricted licence a learner’s licence?

No. Class 7 is the learner’s licence. A restricted licence is a licence with conditions printed on it.

Do the zero-tolerance rules still apply?

Yes, if you are a minor or hold a learner’s or probationary licence. Any alcohol or detectable drug can mean a 30-day roadside suspension under the Traffic Safety Act.

What happens if I ignore an endorsement?

You must comply with every endorsement. The Registrar can refuse to renew your licence if you have not.

Start with the full guide: learning to drive in Nunavut. Related: Nunavut written knowledge test and road test and driving in Iqaluit and Nunavut communities.

Sources

• Government of Nunavut, “Driver’s Licence Regulations, Consolidation of” with amendments R-042-2018, R-041-2021 and R-008-2025 (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Driver’s Manuals” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Restricted Driver’s Manual” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Traffic Safety Act, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)

Photo: OhanaUnited, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nunavut’s learner’s test is a written knowledge test with at least 20 questions on the rules of the road and how to drive. It also includes sign identification, and you need 80% to pass. Pass it, along with a vision check, and you get a Class 7 learner’s licence. Later you take a road test, by appointment, for a Class 5 licence. This page covers both tests for learners in Iqaluit and every other Nunavut community.

Key facts (Nunavut, as of November 2026)

• Written test: at least 20 questions; pass mark 80%.
• Examination fee for Class 5, 6 or 7: $30 (Schedule E, Driver’s Licence Regulations).
• Road test: by appointment only. Cancel late or not at all and you may lose the test fee.
• Bring to the road test: your licence, vehicle registration and a liability insurance card.

The Nunavut written knowledge test

What is on it

The Driver’s Licence Regulations require a written test of at least 20 questions on the rules of the road and the operation of the vehicle class you are learning. According to the Nunavut Driver’s Manual, the test has two parts:

1. rules of the road and safe driving practices
2. sign identification

The pass mark for every written test in Nunavut is 80%. On a 20-question test, that means 16 correct. If you fail one part, you rewrite only that part.

How to prepare

• Study the Nunavut Driver’s Manual from the Government of Nunavut. Every test question comes from that material.
• Learn sign shapes and colours as well as the wording. Sign identification is its own part of the test.
• Know the numbers in the manual, such as speed limits, following distances and stopping rules. A partial guess will not get you to 80%.

Rules and numbers to learn from the manual

Topic	The rule
Speed	90 km/h outside cities and towns, day or night, and 50 km/h inside them, unless posted. Never drive too fast to stop in the clear distance ahead
Sign colours	Red: stop or prohibition. Green: movement allowed or direction. White: regulation. Orange: construction. Blue: school or service. Yellow: general warning. Brown: off-road facilities
Following distance	Keep at least a 2-second gap, and more on slippery roads
Traffic lights	Red: stop, then turn right if no sign forbids it and the way is clear. Amber: do not enter unless the light changes as you are entering. Flashing red: treat as a stop sign. Flashing amber: slow down and go with caution. Turning on green: pedestrians have the right-of-way
Road lines	Yellow separates opposite directions and white separates the same direction. Broken lines allow passing or lane changes; solid lines do not
Signalling	Signal about 30 m ahead in town and 150 m on the highway. Use hand signals if your lights fail
Uncontrolled intersections	Both drivers slow down. The vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right
Traffic circles	Traffic entering yields to traffic in the circle, and the vehicle on the right yields to the vehicle on the left
Emergency vehicles	Pull to the right edge, clear of the intersection, and stop until they pass. Never follow within 150 m of a fire engine
School buses	Stop from the front or rear for a bus stopped with flashing lights. Wait until it moves, the lights stop or the driver waves you on
Crosswalks	Stop for anyone in a crosswalk. Passing a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian is illegal. Do not overtake in a school or playground zone
Railway crossings	When you must stop: at least 5 m from the nearest rail outside a municipality, and at least 15 m inside one. Never shift gears on the crossing
Parking	Within 30 cm of the curb. Not within 6 m of a crosswalk or fire station driveway, 3 m of a hydrant, 5 m of a stop sign or signal, or 15 m of a railway crossing, and never on a bridge or in an intersection
Hill parking	Uphill with a curb, wheels left. Uphill without a curb, and downhill, wheels right
Passing	Not within 30 m of an intersection, railway crossing, bridge or tunnel
Headlights	Dim within 300 m of an oncoming vehicle and within 60 m of a vehicle ahead
Cyclists	Bicycles are small and easy to miss, and young riders can be unsteady. Check your mirrors and blind spots before turning
Towing	A trailer over 680 kg gross needs brakes. Use two separate hitches, and fit outside mirrors if your rear view is blocked
Seat belts	Required by law for the driver and every passenger, with child restraints for small children
Snowplows	Give them the right-of-way and pass with caution
Collisions	Stop, help and exchange details. Report at once to the RCMP if anyone is hurt or killed, or total damage is over $1,000

What to bring

• Identification from the list on the Government of Nunavut’s “Apply for a Driver’s Licence” page.
• Your glasses or contacts if you need them. You will also have a vision check, and you must meet the vision standard.
• The fee. Confirm the current amount and payment options with Motor Vehicles first.

The Nunavut road test

When you can take it

You must be at least 16 and hold a valid Class 7 (or Class 6) licence before you can be issued a Class 5. Nunavut’s restricted manual sets at least 4 weeks of practice on a learner’s permit before a first road test. After a failed test, practise for at least 2 weeks. After a second or later failure, the examiner sets the period. Confirm the wait with Nunavut Motor Vehicles before you book.

Booking

• Road tests are by appointment only. Book through a Motor Vehicles office, or through the Government Liaison Officer in a community without an office.
• Give notice if you need to cancel. If you fail to notify the office, you may forfeit the test fee.
• Pay the fee when you book. Each retest needs a new fee and receipt.
• Arrive on time. Late applicants can be refused.

Ask when the next road test date is for your community, and book well before you need the licence, for example before starting a job that needs one.

Test-day checklist

• Your Class 7 learner’s licence
• Vehicle registration
• A liability insurance card for the vehicle
• A Class 5 vehicle with a clean interior and a clearly visible rear licence plate
• Working steering, foot brake, emergency brake, wipers, rear-view mirror, muffler, horn, headlights, signal, brake and tail lights, tires and speedometer
• A qualified accompanying driver if you drive yourself to the test: arrive without one and the test is refused

What the examiner checks

Since 2021, Nunavut’s regulations require knowledge and road tests to meet the national minimum testing standard (National Safety Code Standard 2, “Knowledge and Performance of Tests”). The manual says you are checked on:

• starting out, stopping and turning
• traffic signs and signals
• lane driving
• controlled and uncontrolled intersections
• parallel parking and backing
• spotting hazards as they develop
• other safe driving practices, and your attitude towards others

Locally, also watch for pedestrians, ATVs and snowmobiles, especially near crossings, and suit your speed to gravel and snow. No pets or passengers are allowed except exam staff or authorized personnel, though the examiner can make an exception where language is a problem. The examiner will not coach you or ask for anything illegal, and will explain any errors afterwards. The test is refused or stopped if you show signs of alcohol or drug impairment, or drive so poorly that continuing would be dangerous. The manual’s most common failure reasons are inexperience, over-confidence and traffic law violations.

After you pass

You receive a Class 5 licence, which can carry endorsements such as corrective lenses or automatic transmission only. If you only need to drive locally, ask about a restricted licence. See Nunavut restricted driver’s licence. Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs still applies while you hold a learner’s or probationary licence.

Common questions

How many questions are on the Nunavut learner’s test?

At least 20, under the regulations. You need 80% to pass.

Can I take the knowledge test in Inuktitut?

The manual says the examiner may give an oral test to anyone who cannot read and understand the written one, and may allow an interpreter. Ask your Motor Vehicles office or Government Liaison Officer ahead of time.

What if I fail the written test?

You rewrite only the part you failed. Each examination has a fee, so ask the office how soon you can rebook.

Can I use my own car for the road test?

Yes, if it is a Class 5 vehicle with valid registration and insurance and is in safe condition.

What happens if I miss my road test?

Without notice, you may forfeit the fee and need to pay again to rebook.

Do I need a road test for Class 7?

No. Class 7 needs the written test, a vision check and ID. The road test is for Class 5 or 6.

Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Nunavut. For province comparisons, see how to get a driver’s licence in Canada.

Sources

• Government of Nunavut, “Driver’s Licence Regulations, Consolidation of” with amendments R-042-2018, R-041-2021 and R-008-2025 (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Nunavut Driver’s Manual” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Apply for a Driver’s Licence” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Motor Vehicles Offices” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Traffic Safety Act, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)

Photo: Angela, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

To get a driver’s licence in Nunavut, you apply for a Class 7 learner’s licence at 15 by passing a written knowledge test and a vision check. You practise with an experienced licensed driver, then pass a road test for a Class 5 licence from age 16. This guide covers each step, the fees in the regulations, and the restricted licence option for driving only in Nunavut.

Key facts (Nunavut, as of November 2026)

• Class 7 learner’s licence: minimum age 15.
• Class 5 (cars and light trucks) or Class 6 (motorcycle): minimum age 16.
• Commercial Classes 1 to 4: minimum age 18.
• Written test pass mark: 80%.
• Your supervisor must hold a valid Class 5 licence with at least 2 years’ experience.
• Practice before your first road test: at least 4 weeks on your learner’s licence.
• Zero alcohol and no detectable drugs for learner and probationary drivers.

Nunavut licence classes for new drivers

Class	What it lets you drive	Minimum age
Class 7	A Class 5 or Class 6 vehicle, only while you are learning to drive it. The regulations treat it as Nunavut’s learner’s licence.	15
Class 5	Two-axle vehicles such as cars, pickups and vans (not a bus, taxi, ambulance or motorcycle). It also covers a recreational vehicle, a moped, and towing where the total stays within 4,500 kg.	16
Class 6	Motorcycles.	16

A Class 5 licence does not let you drive a vehicle with air brakes unless your licence specifically permits it.

Step 1: Get your Class 7 learner’s licence

According to the Nunavut Driver’s Manual, you need to:

1. Be at least 15.
2. Show suitable identification. The Government of Nunavut’s “Apply for a Driver’s Licence” page lists the ID it accepts.
3. Meet the vision standard.
4. Pass the written knowledge test. It has at least 20 questions on the rules of the road and vehicle operation, and you need 80% to pass.

The fee for a Class 5, 6 or 7 examination is $30. A 5-year licence costs $70 (Driver’s Licence Regulations, Schedule E, as amended in 2021). Confirm the fees with Nunavut Motor Vehicles before you go. The test itself is covered in detail in Nunavut written knowledge test and road test.

Step 2: Practise with a qualified supervisor

Under the Driver’s Licence Regulations, a learner must be accompanied by someone who:

• holds a valid licence for the type of vehicle you are driving, and
• has at least 2 years’ experience driving that type of vehicle on a Class 5 licence (3 years for Classes 1 to 4).

The supervisor must instruct you while you drive. A supervisor with 2 years on a Class 5 is the minimum. A parent who drives the same roads you will use daily is ideal.

Nunavut’s restricted manual sets a practice period of at least 4 weeks on a learner’s permit before a first road test for Class 5 or 6. Ask Nunavut Motor Vehicles whether night-driving or passenger conditions apply to your Class 7 before you start driving.

Step 3: Take the road test for Class 5

To move up to Class 5 you must already hold a Class 6 or 7 licence and pass a road test in a Class 5 vehicle. Road tests are by appointment only. You must arrive with a qualified accompanying driver if you drive yourself there. Bring a vehicle with valid registration and a liability insurance card, or the test can be refused. Full details are in the test guide.

Restricted licences: driving only in Nunavut

Nunavut also issues restricted licences, with a separate Restricted Driver’s Manual for residents who only need to drive in the territory. A restricted licence carries a B endorsement (drive in Nunavut only) or a G endorsement (drive only within 100 km of your home community). See Nunavut restricted driver’s licence: B and G endorsements.

Registering and insuring a vehicle

Every vehicle on Nunavut roads must be registered and carry at least $200,000 in liability insurance. Plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. If you sell, keep them, and if you move them to another vehicle, get a new registration within 14 days. New residents have 30 days to switch registration.

Rules that apply from day one

• Zero alcohol and drugs. Under the Traffic Safety Act, a minor or novice driver with any alcohol, or detectable amounts of another drug, faces a 30-day roadside licence suspension. Learner’s and probationary licence holders count as novice drivers.
• No hand-held phones. No one may drive on a highway while holding or using a hand-held electronic device. Hands-free mode is allowed under the Act.
• Follow your endorsements. Every condition printed on your licence is binding, and the Registrar can refuse to renew a licence if you ignore them.

Most driving in Nunavut communities also means sharing the road with ATVs and snowmobiles. See driving in Iqaluit and Nunavut communities.

Where to apply

Nunavut has Motor Vehicles offices in its regional centres, including Iqaluit. In communities without an office, the Government Liaison Officer program handles driver services. Motor Vehicles can be contacted by phone at 1-888-975-5999 or by email at [email protected].

How long a Nunavut licence lasts

A licence normally expires on your birthday in the fifth year after the year it was issued. Adults can choose a 10-year licence instead ($140, as of November 2026). Renew in person, up to a year after expiry; after that you must be re-examined. Sign your licence in ink, carry it whenever you drive, report a lost one to the RCMP and tell the issuing office about a new name or address within 15 days. Class 5, 6 and 7 holders need a medical at 75, at 80 and every two years after that.

Common questions

Can I get my learner’s licence in Nunavut at 15?

Yes. Class 7 is available from 15. You must be 16 before you can be issued a Class 5 licence.

Who can supervise me?

Someone with a valid licence for that vehicle type and at least 2 years’ experience on a Class 5 licence. They must sit with you and instruct you.

Is there a minimum time I must hold Class 7?

The restricted manual sets at least 4 weeks of practice before a first road test. If you fail, you must practise for at least 2 more weeks, and after a second or later failure the examiner sets the period. Confirm the current period with Nunavut Motor Vehicles.

I moved to Nunavut with a licence from another province. Do I start again?

Usually not, but you must get a Nunavut licence within 30 days of becoming a resident. An outside licence expired for more than a year means re-examination, and temporary permits are not accepted. See exchanging a foreign or out-of-province licence in Canada, then confirm the exchange process with Nunavut Motor Vehicles.

Can I learn on a motorcycle with Class 7?

Yes, Class 7 covers learning on a Class 6 motorcycle. A learning rider may not ride after sunset or in a 70 km/h or faster zone. Their instructor must have 2 years’ riding experience and either ride on the motorcycle with the learner or follow on another vehicle, keeping the learner in view. All riders must wear helmets.

How does Nunavut compare with other provinces?

See graduated licence rules by province and how to get a driver’s licence in Canada.

Sources

• Government of Nunavut, “Driver’s Licence Regulations, Consolidation of” with amendments R-042-2018, R-041-2021 and R-008-2025 (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Traffic Safety Act, Consolidation of” (nunavutlegislation.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Nunavut Driver’s Manual” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Apply for a Driver’s Licence” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Driver’s Manuals” (gov.nu.ca)
• Government of Nunavut, “Motor Vehicles Offices” (gov.nu.ca)