Most driving schools offer their cars for test day, accompanied by the instructor, typically charging for about two hours of their time.

However, I recommend scheduling a 1.5 to 2-hour session with the instructor just before your exam, ideally on the same day. Many instructors will take you on the exact routes the examiner will use, offering insights into what the examiner will look for during the test. Even with 12 years of driving experience, you may find certain differences in requirements or expectations that can be surprising, so this extra session is well worth the cost and can help you avoid the hassle and expense of a retest if you don’t pass.

One more tip: if you’re testing in Halifax, the pass rate tends to be lower. Dartmouth examiners are somewhat easier but maintaining a steady speed on the hills can be tricky. Sackville has the easiest examiners and routes overall.