Is your teenager ready to get behind the wheel? If so, there are some things you should know about getting a driver’s licence in Nova Scotia, including how it will impact your auto insurance.
Here’s what you should be aware of when it comes to your teen learning to drive. Three steps to a full driver’s licence In order to be eligible to obtain a driver’s licence in Nova Scotia, your child must be at least 16 years old. The province has a graduated driver licensing program with three levels. The stages are as follows: 1. The learner's licence phase 2. The newly licensed driver phase 3. The restricted individual phase Your child needs to pass a knowledge and vision test in order to earn a learner’s licence and start driving. Once they’ve passed the test, your teen can get behind the wheel. However, new drivers require a supervising driver to be with them in the front passenger seat at all times. No other people can be in the vehicle. The supervising driver must have a valid driver’s licence. Road tests After a year of earning their learner’s licence (or nine months if they’ve taken an approved driving course), your teen can proceed to the next phase. Graduating to levels two and three requires that your child be able to pass a road test. To obtain a restricted individual licence, the driver will also need to present a valid vehicle permit for the test vehicle and a valid insurance card. Insurance for high-risk drivers Insurance companies consider newly licensed drivers to be high-risk drivers. If your child will be getting behind the wheel, you will need to update your auto insurance policy. Car insurance for high-risk drivers is more expensive. This is because there’s an increased risk that new drivers will get into an accident and file an auto insurance claim. Minimizing the cost of insurance If there’s a young driver in your family, there are two ways to make your auto insurance more affordable. You could: • Opt for a higher deductible. This will lower your monthly premiums. However, you’ll be on the hook to pay more if there’s a crash involving a claim. • Opt for minimal coverage. You could choose a policy that includes limited liability insurance and little to no comprehensive insurance to bring down your monthly payments (but you’ll be giving up coverage in the event of an accident). Ask an experienced insurance broker in Nova Scotia At Eisenhauer Insurance, our experienced brokers can help you obtain auto insurance for your high-risk driver. We can assist you in finding a policy that protects you, your family, and your car. We can also offer advice on how to lower your monthly premiums. Contact us today to learn more or get a free quote.