Driving Tests

NL Permit Test Online: Class 5 Written Test and 85% Pass Mark

informational·how to guide·Published June 26, 2026

Can I take the Newfoundland and Labrador permit test online?

Yes. The Class 5 written test is online on MyGovNL, in English. It covers traffic laws, safe driving practices and road signs, and the pass mark is 85%. After you pass, book a vision test appointment, where the Motor Registration Division validates your result and checks your original ID. Do not drive before that appointment.

Where these rules come from

The Motor Registration Division (MRD) of Digital Government and Service NL explains the test on its Written Tests page and its Licence Application Process page. The Driver's Handbook page has the free study guide. The Highway Traffic Driver Regulations, 1999 and the MRD Fees Policy (updated December 21, 2023) back the other facts. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Motor Registration Division (gov.nl.ca/motorregistration) before you drive.

What is on the NL permit test?

The test has multiple choice questions about traffic laws, safe driving practices and road sign recognition. The questions are based on the Driver's Handbook and on the Highway Traffic Act and Regulations. The Regulations require a test of your vision, your ability to understand highway signs and your knowledge of traffic laws and safe driving before a Level I Class 5 novice licence. A practice question on the written exam shows the three topic areas.

What score do you need to pass the NL permit test?

You need 85% to pass the written test. A practice question on the pass mark helps you remember this number. A passed written test result is valid for six months, so book your vision test appointment soon after you pass. Later, if your learner's permit expires for more than 12 months, you must take the written test again before the permit can be issued again.

NL permit test online or at a Motor Registration office

NL permit test online or at a Motor Registration office
Item	Online on MyGovNL	At a Motor Registration office
Language	English	French or Ukrainian, by appointment
How to start	Register on MyGovNL, then take the test	Book an appointment
Vision test	Book a separate appointment after you pass	Done during the same visit
Pass mark	85%	85%

What happens after you pass the NL permit test online

1
Book a vision test appointment
Do this after you pass online. A vision test is part of the process for every new driver.
2
Attend the appointment
You have your vision test, the office validates your written test result, and you are photographed. Do not drive until you attend this appointment.
3
Show original documents
Show proof of age, identity and, if it applies, legal presence in Canada. All documents must be originals. Photocopies are not accepted unless certified.
4
Pay the learner's permit fee
You pay the fee at this visit. The MRD Fees Policy (updated December 21, 2023) lists CAD 60 for a Class 5I licence that is valid for 2 years, with no refund. Your permit is not valid until you complete this step.
5
Get your temporary permit
You get a temporary permit at the appointment, and the card comes by mail. You are now a Class 5I novice driver, and restrictions apply. The guide to the Class 5I learner's licence explains them.

Special cases for the NL written test

You need help reading or writing during the exam

Contact the office in advance and book an appointment.

You need a language other than English, French or Ukrainian

Written tests can be in other languages. The Registrar must approve the interpreter, and you pay the cost. The guide to written test languages in Newfoundland and Labrador has the details.

You are under 19

Get the consent of your parent or guardian before you receive a learner's permit. The parent or guardian signs the driver's licence application form.

How do you study for the NL permit test?

Download the Driver's Handbook. It is free. Some MRD pages still use its old name, the Road User Guide. Read the whole Handbook, and give extra time to the rules of the road, safe driving practices and road signs, because the test covers these three areas. Then answer practice questions to find the topics that you must study again. The free Trusted Local Auto practice questions are in English only.

Key takeaways

You can take the Class 5 written test online on MyGovNL, in English.
The pass mark is 85%, and a passed result is valid for six months.
After you pass, book a vision test appointment and bring original ID. Do not drive before the appointment.
Next step: practise on the free Newfoundland and Labrador Class 5I practice test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive right after I pass the online test?

No. You may not drive until you attend your vision test appointment. At that appointment, the office validates your result, takes your photo and checks your original documents. You then get a temporary permit, and your Class 5I card comes to you by mail.

Can I take the NL permit test online without a photo ID?

Yes. If you do not have a photo ID issued by the Vehicle Registration Division, sign up on MyGovNL with your email and your MCP card. After you pass, you still show original proof of age and identity at your vision test appointment.

Is the NL permit test multiple choice?

Yes. All the questions are multiple choice. They test the rules of the road, safe driving practices, road sign recognition and more, and they come from the Driver's Handbook and the Highway Traffic Act and Regulations. You need 85% to pass.

How old do I have to be to get an NL learner's permit?

New drivers in Newfoundland and Labrador must be at least 16 years old. If you are under 19, a parent or guardian must consent before you get a learner's permit. The graduated licensing program applies to all new drivers, at any age.