N.S. driving tests restarting with backlog of 8,200 cancelled exams

Nova Scotia is turning to retired driving examiners to help get a backlog of road tests up to speed.

The province has cancelled an estimated 8,200 tests since the state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic was first announced inmid-March.

Kevin Mitchell, Nova Scotia'sregistrar of motor vehicles, said they'll be doing everything they can to conductall those tests in the next two months.

"We're going to be working some overtime and weekends to bring that time down as much as we can."

Mitchell said at least six retired examiners have committed to coming back to work.

"We understand that people want to get their drivers'licences, or their driver's licencereinstated. So our effort, our work right now, is to get this done as quickly as we can."

Asking for patience

Mitchell said they're starting with those who were cancelled first, and they'll be contacted in chronological order. So if someone was supposed to be tested in mid-March, they'll be the first to get notice.

He said that's the only way to be fair when dealing with such an immense backlog.

"Right now, I ask for people's patience and let us contact the people that are going to need to rebook," he said. "We're trying to manage call volumes and as you can appreciate, trying to call 8,000 people is a task in itself."

Mitchell said they don't know yet when they'll open the system to new appointments, but he's asking people not to call the office.

He said public announcements will be madeto give advance warning.

New safety measures

Drivers and examiners will now be required to wear masks during the tests. Examiners will also wear a face shield.

Mitchell said they'll be disinfecting touch surfaces in vehicles to make sure they're clean.

"If at any time they feel it's unsafe for them, they also have the right to leave the vehicle or cancel the road test at any point," he said of the examiners.

"Our biggest concern is for their safety and the clients that they're going to be testing."

Pandemic adds to existing wait-lists

Driving students faced long waits before the pandemic started.In the fall, would-be drivers had to waitthree months to get a road test in the Halifax area.

Some opted to have their exams in other communities such as Truro, while some examiners worked Saturdays to help speed things up.

Meanwhile, the province said other services offered at Access Nova Scotia are still operating by appointment only.

"We will continue to use this service-model like many other businesses as part of our transition to the 'new normal' for how we will operate," said astatement.

The government is updating its website as various services are reactivated. Drivers'licences that are soon expiring have automatically been extended by five months. The province said that is to avoid overcrowding at the centres.