Quebec speed limits and key traffic laws
Quebec's traffic rules come from the Highway Safety Code (Code de la securite routiere). Speed is one of the areas it treats most seriously, with doubled fines in some zones and an instant licence suspension for excessive speeding.
This page covers the default limits and a handful of rules every Quebec learner must know before the road test.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can state the default speed limits when no sign is posted.
- You can recognize when speeding becomes excessive speeding.
- You can explain what to do near a stopped school bus and stopped emergency vehicles.
- You can adapt your speed to the road and weather.
What you need to know and understand
- Unless signs say otherwise: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 70 km/h on gravel roads and 90 km/h on paved roads.
- On autoroutes the limit is 100 km/h maximum and 60 km/h minimum, unless signs show otherwise.
- Speeding fines double in road work zones and in school zones during the school year.
- Excessive speeding means 40 km/h or more over in zones of 60 km/h or less, 50 or more over in zones above 60 up to 90 km/h, and 60 or more over in zones of 100 km/h or more.
- A first excessive speeding offence brings an immediate 7-day suspension, and on conviction the points and fine are doubled.
- You must stop at least 5 metres from a school bus with flashing lights or stop sign on, from either direction, unless a median separates you.
Default limits at a glance
Posted signs always come first. When there is no sign, the Highway Safety Code sets the limit by road type:
- Built-up area (city or town, not an autoroute): 50 km/h.
- Gravel road: 70 km/h.
- Paved road outside a built-up area: 90 km/h.
- Autoroute: no more than 100 km/h and no less than 60 km/h.
When speeding becomes a serious offence
Ordinary speeding of 11 to 20 km/h over the limit costs 1 demerit point, rising with the speed. Excessive speeding triggers an immediate 7-day licence suspension on a first offence, and the points and fine are doubled on conviction. For a learner or probationary driver in the 4-point bracket, any excessive speeding conviction ends the licence. You must also slow down when visibility is poor or the road is slippery; failing to adapt to conditions carries 2 points.
School buses, emergency vehicles and the move-over law
When a school bus has its flashing lights on or its stop sign out, stop at least 5 metres away, whether you are behind it or coming toward it. The only exception is when a median separates your lanes. Not stopping carries 9 demerit points.
Yield to any emergency vehicle using its siren or lights: slow down, pull as far right as you can and stop if needed. Under the move-over law, when an emergency vehicle, tow truck or surveillance vehicle is stopped with its lights or yellow arrow on, slow down and leave as much space as you safely can, changing lanes if possible. Both offences carry 4 points.
Other rules worth remembering
Our guides to the Quebec demerit points table and the winter tire law go into more detail.
- Leave at least 1 metre when passing a cyclist or pedestrian in zones of 50 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres where the limit is higher.
- Do not speed up when another vehicle is passing you.
- Tailgating carries 2 points.
- Winter tires are required from 1 December to 15 March.
Common mistakes
- Assuming 100 km/h applies on every highway. Only autoroutes default to 100; other paved roads default to 90.
- Forgetting that fines double in school zones during the school year.
- Passing a school bus on the opposite side of an undivided road. You must stop from both directions.
- Driving at the posted limit in snow or fog. Adapt your speed to the conditions.
Test yourself: Quebec speed limits and key traffic laws
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Sources: Highway Safety Code (CQLR c C-24.2), section 328, Government of Quebec; SAAQ, Speed: What the Law Says; SAAQ, Offences and Demerit Points; SAAQ, Sharing the Road (In an Automobile) and Move-Over Law. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.