Photo: Ycleymans, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Newfoundland and Labrador learner’s written test is a multiple choice test on rules of the road, safe driving practices and road sign recognition, and you need 85 per cent to pass. You can take the Class 5 test online through MyGovNL, then visit a Motor Registration office for your vision test and photo before you can drive. This page is for anyone 16 or older about to take the Class 5 Level I test in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Key facts
- Pass mark: 85 per cent.
- Format: multiple choice.
- Topics: rules of the road, safe driving practices, road sign recognition, based on the Driver’s Handbook and the Highway Traffic Act and Regulations.
- Where: online in English through MyGovNL, or at a Motor Registration office.
- Passed result valid for six months.
- Minimum age 16; under 19 needs parent or guardian consent.
What does 85 per cent mean in practice?
You can miss very few questions. Check the current question count with Motor Registration if you want to know exactly how many you can get wrong. Prepare to know the whole handbook, not just most of it.
How to take the test online through MyGovNL
- Register for a MyGovNL account. Use a photo ID issued by Motor Registration, or if you do not have one, sign up with your email and MCP card.
- Take the Class 5 Level I test online (English only).
- If you pass, book an appointment at a Motor Registration office or Government Service Centre.
- At the appointment your result is validated, you take a vision test, you are photographed, your identity documents are checked and you pay the learner’s permit fee.
Your learner’s permit is not valid until you complete step 4, so do not drive before then.
Taking the test in French, Ukrainian or with help
- French and Ukrainian versions of the Class 5 written test are offered at all Motor Registration office locations. Book an appointment online.
- If you need help with reading or writing during the test, contact the office in advance and schedule an appointment.
- Interpreters for other languages must be approved by the Registrar, and you pay any interpreter costs.
What the test covers
| Handbook chapter | What to know cold |
|---|---|
| Licensing and Registration | GDL Level I and II rules: 4-year supervisor, no passengers, midnight to 5 a.m. ban, NOVICE DRIVER sign, 0% BAC |
| Road Safety | Stopping distance, distracted and impaired driving, demerit points, collisions, animals on the road |
| Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings | Sign shapes and colours, warning signs (including the moose crossing sign), lane markings |
| Rules of the Road | Right of way, intersections, roundabouts, turns, speed, school buses, emergency vehicles |
The handbook also has motorcycle and commercial chapters, which are not needed for the Class 5 test.
Sign shapes worth memorizing
- Octagon: stop.
- Inverted triangle: yield right of way.
- Pentagon: school zone or school crossing.
- Crossbuck: railway crossing.
- Vertical rectangle or square: regulation.
- Horizontal rectangle: directions and distances.
Numbers that come up
- Learner supervisor: at least 4 years as a Class 5 driver.
- NOVICE DRIVER sign lettering: at least 5 cm, black on white.
- Novice demerit limit: 6 points in one year; warning letter at 3.
- Full licence demerit limit: 12 points in two years.
- Speeding 51 km/h or more over the limit: 7-day licence suspension.
- Report a collision to police if anyone is injured or killed, or damage is $2,000 or more.
- At 60 km/h an alert driver travels about 12 m while reacting and another 20 m braking.
A study plan that works
- Read the four Class 5 chapters of the handbook once, start to finish.
- Reread the GDL pages and the sign chapter. These are pure memory and easy marks.
- Write down every number from the handbook (distances, points, times, BAC) on one sheet.
- Get someone to quiz you on scenarios: who goes first at a four-way stop, what to do when a school bus has its lights flashing.
- Book the test only when you would score well above 85 per cent.
After you pass
You become a Class 5I (Level I) learner. The licence is valid for two years. You need at least 12 months at this level (8 with approved driver education) before the road test. Read the Level I and Level II rules before your first drive, and see the full path in learning to drive in Newfoundland and Labrador. Two handbook topics worth extra study: demerit points for novice drivers and moose on Newfoundland roads. When you are ready for the next step, see the road test guide.
Common questions
What is the pass mark for the Newfoundland learner’s test?
85 per cent.
Can I do the Newfoundland written test online?
Yes, the Class 5 Level I test is available online in English through MyGovNL. You still need an in-person appointment for the vision test, photo and ID check.
How long is a passed written test valid?
Six months. Complete the vision test and permit appointment within that time.
How much does the written test cost?
The fees policy lists $60 for a Class 5I licence, paid at the appointment. A separate written test fee is not shown on the Motor Registration pages; check the current figure with Motor Registration before booking.
What if I fail?
Check the waiting period between attempts with Motor Registration. Contact your local Motor Registration office for retest rules.
Do I need a parent with me?
If you are under 19 and applying for the first time, a parent or legal guardian must sign consent on the application, and the handbook says they must come with you to the Motor Registration office. The signature is not needed if you can show you are married or self-supporting.
Sources
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Motor Registration Division, “Licence Application Process” (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Motor Registration Division, “Graduated Driver Licencing Program” (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, “Driver’s Handbook” (gov.nl.ca)
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Motor Registration Division, “Demerit Point System” (gov.nl.ca)
- Department of Digital Government and Service NL, Motor Registration fees policy, 21 December 2023 (gov.nl.ca)