Volunteer Fire-fighter and Ground Search and Rescue Workers
Vehicle Permit Fee Exemption Regulations
made under subsection 302(1) of the
Motor Vehicle Act
R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 293
O.I.C. 1999-598 (December 1, 1999), N.S. Reg. 130/1999
amended to O.I.C. 2021-48 (effective February 1, 2022), N.S. Reg. 37/2021
Table of Contents
Please note: this table of contents is provided for convenience of reference and does not form part of the regulations.
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Citation
Active volunteer fire-fighters
Retired volunteer fire-fighters
Active volunteer ground search and rescue workers
Retired volunteer ground search and rescue workers
Application for exemption
Exemption ceases
Citation
1 These regulations may be cited as the Volunteer Fire-fighter and Ground Search and
Rescue Workers Vehicle Permit Fee Exemption Regulations.
Active volunteer fire-fighters
2 In these regulations, an “active volunteer fire-fighter” means a volunteer fire-fighter as
defined by Section 2 of the Volunteer Services Act who
(a) is an active member of a recognized volunteer fire department and has been
an active member for at least 12 months prior to applying for exemption
from payment of a vehicle registration pursuant to subsection 4(1); and
(b) has participated in at least 20% of all activities including fire calls and
training conducted while that volunteer fire-fighter has been an active
member as required by clause (a); and
(c) has written confirmation of active member status required by clause (a) in
the form prescribed by the Department and signed by the Chief or Deputy
Chief of the volunteer fire department.
Retired volunteer fire-fighters
2A In these regulations, a “retired volunteer fire-fighter” means a person who was a
volunteer fire-fighter as defined by Section 2 of the Volunteer Services Act who
(a) for at least 15 years was an active member of a recognized volunteer fire
department in the Province; and
(b) participated in at least 20% of all activities including fire calls and training
conducted while that person was an active member as required by clause
(a); and
(c) has written confirmation of their active volunteer fire-fighter service
required by clause (a) in the form prescribed by the Department and signed
by the Chief or Deputy Chief of the volunteer fire department, or such other
documentation that the Registrar considers to be equivalent confirmation.
Active volunteer ground search and rescue workers
3 In these regulations, an “active volunteer ground search and rescue worker” means a
search and rescue worker who is a volunteer as defined by Section 2 of the Volunteer
Services Act who
(a) is an active member of a recognized ground search and rescue organization
and has been an active member for at least 12 months prior to applying for
exemption from payment of a vehicle registration pursuant to subsection
4(1); and
(b) has participated in at least 20% of all activities including ground searches
and rescue calls and training conducted while that volunteer ground search
and rescue worker has been an active member as required by clause (a); and
(c) has written confirmation of active member status required by clause (a) in
the form prescribed by the Department and signed by the Team President of
the volunteer ground search and rescue organization.
Retired volunteer ground search and rescue workers
3A In these regulations, a “retired volunteer ground search and rescue worker” means a
person who was a volunteer as defined by Section 2 of the Volunteer Services Act who
(a) for at least 15 years was an active member of a recognized ground search
and rescue organization in the Province; and
(b) participated in at least 20% of all activities including ground searches and
rescue calls and training conducted while that person was an active member
as required by clause (a); and
(c) has written confirmation of their active volunteer ground search and rescue
service required by clause (a) in the form prescribed by the Department and
signed by the Team President of the volunteer ground search and rescue
organization, or such other documentation that the Registrar considers to be
equivalent confirmation.
Application for exemption
4 (1) An active volunteer fire-fighter, retired volunteer fire-fighter, active volunteer
ground search and rescue worker or retired ground search and rescue worker may
apply to the Department for exemption from the vehicle permit fee for a vehicle in
the form prescribed by the Department.
(2) When the Department is satisfied with the application made pursuant to subsection
(1), there shall be no vehicle permit fee for one passenger or one commercial
vehicle of a registered weight of 5000 kg or less for which a number plate is issued
in the name of the applicant.
(3) An applicant who is eligible for a vehicle permit fee exemption under subsection
(2) may be assigned one special number plate for the following, as applicable:
(a) a volunteer fire-fighter;
(b) a retired volunteer fire-fighter;
(c) a volunteer ground search and rescue worker;
(d) a retired volunteer ground search and rescue worker.
(4) A special number plate assigned under subsection (3) must be displayed on the
vehicle it was assigned to as required by Section 20 of the Act.
Exemption ceases
5 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), when a person ceases to be an active
volunteer fire-fighter or active volunteer ground search and rescue worker, the
exemption from the vehicle permit fee issued under these regulations shall cease
and the special number plate issued for the vehicle must be returned and a new
number plate issued for the vehicle prior to being operated.
(2) A retired volunteer fire-fighter or a retired volunteer ground search and rescue
worker who is eligible for a vehicle permit fee exemption under subsection 4(2)
must, as soon as practicable, return their volunteer fire-fighter special number
plate, volunteer ground search and rescue worker special number plate or vehicle
number plate to obtain a retired volunteer fire-fighter or retired volunteer ground
search and rescue worker special number plate, as applicable, for the vehicle at no
fee.