The Quebec road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can check you meet all three requirements before booking.
• You can prepare the right documents and a suitable vehicle.
• You can describe the skills the examiner assesses.
• You can avoid the errors that cause an automatic fail.

What you need to know and understand

• You need 12 months on your learner's licence, a pass on the SAAQ knowledge test and a passed driving course.
• Book through SAAQclic; cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours ahead or you pay a cancellation fee.
• You supply the vehicle; the SAAQ does not provide one.
• The drive lasts about 30 minutes, and the whole appointment about an hour.
• You need 75% to pass. Certain errors, such as running a red light or stop sign, speeding or driving against traffic, can fail you automatically.
• After a fail you wait at least 28 days and pay again.
• The SAAQ listed the road test fee as $33.75 and the 24-month probationary licence as $107.96 in 2026.

What to bring on the day

Bring someone with a valid licence who can drive the car home if you do not pass.

• Your learner's licence.
• The valid, signed registration certificate for the test vehicle.
• A paper copy of proof of liability insurance (or the rental contract for a school car).
• Your driving course attestation, one from each school if you attended more than one.
• Payment: cash, debit, cheque, money order or pre-authorized debit, not credit card.

Getting the vehicle ready

The examiner checks the car before the test. If anything fails, the test is cancelled and you must rebook. Check the windows and windshield, all lights and signals, mirrors, wipers, brakes and parking brake, horn, muffler, speedometer, headrests, seatbelts and tires. Between 1 December and 15 March the car needs winter tires. No passengers or pets may ride along, and the SAAQ fixes an Examen de conduite sign to the car.

What the examiner is watching

Phones, smart watches and cameras are banned, and recording any part of the test is cheating, which means an automatic fail and a 90-day wait. Afterwards, the examiner explains your strengths and what to improve, pass or fail. Our guide to the SAAQ road test explains the scoring in more depth.

• Independent driving: observe, evaluate, then act at the right moment.
• Visual checks: shoulder checks when turning and changing lanes, and constant scanning.
• Vehicle control: speed, lane position and safety margins all around.
• Confident, courteous driving: keeping to the limit and using your right of way.
• Obeying the rules: full stops at red lights and stop signs, speed limits and right of way.

Common mistakes

• Rolling through a stop sign or turning right on red without a full stop. Stop completely every time.
• Forgetting shoulder checks on lane changes and turns. Make them clear and deliberate.
• Drifting over the limit on a downhill stretch. Glance at the speedometer often.
• Arriving with a burnt-out brake light. Walk around the car the night before.

Test yourself: The Quebec road test

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Quebec road signs in French
• SAAQ road test
• Exchanging a foreign licence in Quebec