Category: Quebec

  • Quebec learner’s licence rules: rider, curfew and demerits

    Quebec learner’s licence rules: rider, curfew and demerits

    Photo: Gabriel Picard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    On a Quebec Class 5 learner’s licence you may drive only with an accompanying rider who has held a valid passenger vehicle licence for at least 2 years, never between midnight and 5 a.m., and with zero alcohol. Reaching 4 demerit points costs you the licence for at least 3 months. This page is for learners and the parents or friends who ride with them. For the full path, see learning to drive in Quebec.

    Quebec learner’s licence rules: summary

    Rule What it means
    Accompanying rider Always required. Must have held a valid passenger vehicle licence for at least 2 years.
    Night curfew No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
    Alcohol Zero alcohol, whatever your age.
    Demerit points At 4 points, the learner’s licence is revoked for at least 3 months.
    Minimum period At least 10 months before the SAAQ knowledge test and 12 months before the road test.

    Who can be your accompanying rider?

    Your rider must have held a valid licence to drive a passenger vehicle for at least 2 years and be able to give you help and advice. Two points catch people out:

    • A probationary licence holder cannot be your rider. A sibling who passed their road test last year does not qualify.
    • Time on a probationary licence does not count toward the rider’s 2 years, according to the SAAQ’s rider guidance.

    The SAAQ’s Accompanying Rider’s Guide gives riders practical tips on what to practise at each stage of the course.

    Why you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.

    The curfew applies to every Class 5 learner, whatever their age and even with a qualified rider beside them. Plan practice drives so you are home before midnight, and do not start before 5 a.m.

    Zero alcohol for learners

    As a learner you must have no alcohol in your body when you drive, whatever your age. The penalty is an immediate 90-day licence suspension, 4 demerit points and a fine of $300 to $600. Because 4 points is the learner limit, a conviction also means revocation for at least 3 more months. More on this: zero alcohol in Quebec until 22.

    Demerit points on a learner’s licence

    Learners and probationary drivers have a far lower demerit limit than experienced drivers. At 4 points, the SAAQ revokes your learner’s licence and you cannot get a new one for at least 3 months. A single offence can be enough, so ride as if you were already on test. See Quebec probationary licence rules for how the same 4-point limit carries over once you pass.

    Practice checklist for learner and rider

    • Match practice to your course phase: basic manoeuvres first, then complex traffic.
    • Practise in winter conditions before your road test if you can, with winter tires fitted from 1 December to 15 March.
    • Learn the French road sign wording: Quebec road signs in French.
    • Keep your learner’s licence with you on every drive.

    Common questions

    Can my parent with a licence from another country be my rider?

    The rider must hold a valid licence to drive a passenger vehicle for at least 2 years. If their licence is from outside Quebec, check with the SAAQ that it counts.

    Can I carry passengers as a learner?

    Check with the SAAQ before you carry other passengers. The learner conditions confirmed here are the accompanying rider, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and zero alcohol.

    Does the curfew apply if I am over 18?

    Yes. It applies to all Class 5 learner’s licence holders.

    What happens if I get 4 demerit points?

    Your learner’s licence is revoked and you cannot get a new one for at least 3 months.

    Sources

    • SAAQ, “Obtaining a Passenger Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Quick Reference Guide: Obtaining a passenger vehicle driver’s licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Accompanying Rider’s Guide: passenger vehicle” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “First Driver’s Licence” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Drinking and Driving: Impairment and Consequences” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Demerit Points: Driver’s Licence” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
  • Taking the SAAQ tests in English or another language

    Taking the SAAQ tests in English or another language

    Photo: Gabriel Picard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Yes, you can take the SAAQ tests in English. The Quebec knowledge test is offered in French or English, with audio in both languages, and new Quebec residents can ask for Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin. On the road test, an examiner will use hand signals if you lack French or English. This page sets out what is confirmed and what to ask the SAAQ before you book. For the full licence path, see learning to drive in Quebec.

    SAAQ test languages at a glance

    Test Language options How to get them
    SAAQ knowledge test French or English Standard
    Knowledge test audio French or English audio tracks On the test computer
    Knowledge test, new residents Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin Ask at the service centre counter on the day of your test
    Road test Instructions in French or English; hand signals if you lack French or English skills The examiner uses hand signals as needed

    Taking the knowledge test in English

    Ask for English when you book or at the counter. You can also use the English audio track, which reads the questions aloud through the test computer. This helps if you read slowly or English is your second language. The test still uses Quebec road signs, many of which carry French words such as “Arrêt” and “Préparez-vous à arrêter”. Learn them from the Quebec road signs in French guide.

    Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin for newcomers

    If you are a new resident of Quebec, you can ask for the knowledge test in Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin. Make the request at the service centre counter on the day of your test. If you are exchanging a licence from abroad, see exchanging a foreign licence in Quebec first, because you may not need the full learner process.

    The road test if you speak neither French nor English

    The SAAQ says that if you lack French or English skills, the examiner will use hand signals to give you instructions. Practise with your instructor or accompanying rider using hand signals for “turn left”, “turn right”, “go straight” and “pull over” so they feel natural. Scoring is the same as for any candidate: see the SAAQ road test guide.

    What to confirm with the SAAQ before booking

    Ask the SAAQ about these points when you book:

    • whether an interpreter may sit in on either test
    • whether a specific vehicle (such as a dual-control car) is required if you test in a language other than French or English
    • whether your eligibility for services in English has changed under the SAAQ’s language policy, which follows the Charter of the French Language

    Common questions

    Is the SAAQ knowledge test available in English?

    Yes, in French or English, with audio in both.

    Can I take the test in Punjabi, Hindi or another language?

    The SAAQ lists only French and English, plus Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin for new residents. Ask the SAAQ about any other language.

    Is the road test given in English?

    The examiner can give instructions in English, and uses hand signals if you lack French or English skills.

    Are Quebec road signs in English?

    No. Signs use pictograms and French wording, so learn the French terms whatever language you test in.

    Is the driving course available in English?

    That depends on the school. See Quebec’s mandatory driving course for what to ask.

    Sources

    • SAAQ, “Newcomers: Preparing for the tests” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Quick Reference Guide: Obtaining a passenger vehicle driver’s licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “The SAAQ’s Language Policy” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Government of Quebec, “Warning signs” (quebec.ca)
    • Government of Quebec, “Regulatory signs” (quebec.ca)
  • SAAQ road test: the 75% pass mark, scoring and automatic fails

    SAAQ road test: the 75% pass mark, scoring and automatic fails

    Photo: Gilbert Bochenek, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The SAAQ road test is the roughly 30-minute driving test you must pass in Quebec to move from a Class 5 learner’s licence to a probationary licence. You need a score of 75% or more, and some serious errors fail you on the spot whatever your score. This guide covers eligibility, how scoring works, what causes an automatic fail and what happens if you fail. It is part of the Quebec learner driver guide.

    Key facts

    • Eligibility: driving course completed, at least 12 months on your learner’s licence, SAAQ knowledge test passed.
    • Length: about 30 minutes.
    • Pass mark: 75%.
    • Automatic fail: actions or behaviours that create a dangerous situation, or a Highway Safety Code offence.
    • Retest wait after a fail: at least 28 days.

    Can you book the SAAQ road test yet? Checklist

    • You have completed the recognized driving course, including all 15 in-car sessions.
    • You have held your Class 5 learner’s licence for at least 12 months.
    • You have passed the SAAQ knowledge test.
    • You have fewer than 4 demerit points on your record (at 4, your learner’s licence is revoked).

    How the SAAQ road test is scored

    The examiner assesses your driving throughout the test and gives a result as a percentage. A score of 75% or higher is a pass. Separately, certain serious mistakes mean an automatic fail, even if the rest of the drive was good.

    The SAAQ describes eliminatory errors as actions or behaviours that lead to dangerous situations, or offences against the Highway Safety Code. In practice, think of anything that breaks a traffic rule or forces another road user to react, for example:

    • not stopping fully at an “Arrêt” (stop) sign or a red light
    • failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
    • speeding, including in a school zone or roadwork zone
    • a lane change or turn that cuts off another vehicle or a cyclist
    • the examiner having to intervene to avoid a collision

    These are illustrations of the SAAQ’s categories, not an official list. Your instructor’s formative evaluations in in-car sessions 5, 10 and 15 are the best guide to your weak spots.

    What to bring on test day

    Check the list in your appointment confirmation. Expect to need your learner’s licence and a vehicle that is registered, insured and roadworthy. Between 1 December and 15 March, a Quebec-registered car must have winter tires. If you plan to use your driving school’s car, confirm the cost with the school.

    If you do not speak French or English well

    The SAAQ says the examiner will use hand signals to give you instructions if you lack French or English skills. Other language options are covered in taking the SAAQ tests in English or another language.

    What happens if you fail the SAAQ road test?

    1. You keep your learner’s licence and keep practising with an accompanying rider.
    2. You must wait at least 28 days before retaking the test.
    3. Make another appointment. Check the fee for the new test when you book.

    What happens when you pass?

    You get a probationary licence, valid for 24 months. SAAQ material lists the probationary licence at $58.10 for the 24 months, and the SAAQ’s 2024 fee table lists the passenger vehicle road test at $32.00. Fees are indexed, so check current amounts before you go. Then read up on Quebec probationary licence rules, because losing 4 points sends you back off the road for at least 3 months.

    Common questions

    How long is the SAAQ road test?

    About 30 minutes.

    What score do I need to pass?

    75% or higher, with no eliminatory error.

    Can I take the road test after 10 months?

    No. Ten months is the minimum for the knowledge test. The road test needs at least 12 months on your learner’s licence.

    How soon can I retake the road test?

    After at least 28 days.

    Can I use my own car?

    Ask the SAAQ when you book. The car must be legal to drive, which in winter includes winter tires on a Quebec-registered vehicle.

    Can I drive alone the day I pass?

    Once your probationary licence is issued, yes, under probationary rules such as zero alcohol and, for drivers 19 or younger, night-time passenger limits in the first 12 months.

    Sources

    • SAAQ, “Obtaining a Passenger Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Quick Reference Guide: Obtaining a passenger vehicle driver’s licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “I Drive My Own Life: Driver’s Licence, Automobile” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Newcomers: Preparing for the tests” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Fees Related to Knowledge and Road Tests” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Driving Course: Automobile (Passenger Vehicle)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Government of Quebec, “Requirements for winter tires” (quebec.ca)
  • SAAQ knowledge test: format, timing and how to book

    SAAQ knowledge test: format, timing and how to book

    Photo: Elias Touil, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The SAAQ knowledge test is the computer-based theory test you take at an SAAQ service centre after at least 10 months on a Quebec Class 5 learner’s licence. It has three sections: the Highway Safety Code, road signs and traffic signals, and driving behaviours and techniques. Fail it and you wait at least 28 days to retake it. This guide covers when you can take it, what is on it and how to prepare. For the full licence path, see learning to drive in Quebec.

    Key facts

    • Eligibility: at least 10 months on your Class 5 learner’s licence.
    • Three sections: Highway Safety Code, signs and signals, passenger vehicle behaviours and techniques.
    • Languages: French or English, with French and English audio. New residents can ask for Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin.
    • Retake after a fail: wait at least 28 days.
    • Pass it before you can book the SAAQ road test.

    Two knowledge tests: do not mix them up

    Module 5 evaluation SAAQ knowledge test
    Who runs it Your driving school The SAAQ, at a service centre
    When End of Phase 1 of the driving course After 10 months on the learner’s licence
    What it unlocks Your learner’s licence Booking the road test

    More on Module 5: Quebec’s mandatory driving course.

    What is on the SAAQ knowledge test?

    1. Highway Safety Code: the traffic rules set by Quebec law.
    2. Road signs and traffic signals: Quebec signs, many of which use French words. Study the Quebec road signs in French guide.
    3. Behaviours and techniques for driving a passenger vehicle: the specialization section, drawn from the SAAQ’s driving guide and your course modules.

    How many questions, and what is the pass mark?

    SAAQ pages for some other licence classes give a 75% pass mark. For the Class 5 test, online claims vary and an older format is still quoted on some sites, so check the current number of questions and pass mark with the SAAQ when you book, and aim to know every topic well rather than aiming for a minimum score.

    How to book the SAAQ knowledge test

    1. Wait until you have held your learner’s licence for at least 10 months.
    2. Make an appointment with the SAAQ.
    3. When you book, check what ID to bring and the current test fee (listed on the SAAQ’s rates page).
    4. If you want the test in Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin as a new resident, ask at the service centre counter on the day. See taking the SAAQ tests in English or another language.

    How to prepare

    • Use the SAAQ’s own books: Driving a Passenger Vehicle and The Road Safety Guide (Le Guide de la route) cover the material.
    • Try the SAAQ’s free online quiz (Check your Road Safety Knowledge). It has 30-question quizzes by category and a 10-question illustrated scenarios quiz. The SAAQ says it is not a replica of the real test, so use it to find weak areas.
    • Revisit your course modules, especially the ones on alcohol and drugs and on sharing the road.
    • Learn Quebec-specific rules: winter tires, zero alcohol until 22 and probationary demerit limits.

    Common questions

    Can I take the SAAQ knowledge test before 10 months?

    No. You need to have held your Class 5 learner’s licence for at least 10 months.

    Can I take it in English?

    Yes. It is offered in French or English, and French and English audio is available on the test computer.

    What if I fail?

    Wait at least 28 days, then make a new appointment.

    Can I bring notes or use my phone?

    No. For other classes the SAAQ allows only a paper dictionary without illustrations or notes, and bans phones and smart watches. Expect the same and leave devices aside.

    Is the SAAQ practice quiz the same as the real test?

    No. The SAAQ says its online quiz is not a replica of the knowledge test.

    Sources

    • SAAQ, “Obtaining a Passenger Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Quick Reference Guide: Obtaining a passenger vehicle driver’s licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Newcomers: Preparing for the tests” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Minibus and Small Bus Driver’s Licence (Class 4B)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Check your Road Safety Knowledge” (testdeconnaissances.saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
  • Quebec’s mandatory driving course: phases, modules and cost

    Quebec’s mandatory driving course: phases, modules and cost

    Photo: Gabriel Picard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Yes, a driving course is mandatory in Quebec: you cannot get a Class 5 learner’s licence or book the SAAQ road test without it. The Road Safety Education Program has 24 hours of theory in 12 two-hour modules and 15 in-car sessions, spread over four phases. This page explains what happens in each phase, when you get your learner’s licence, and what to ask a school about price. It is part of the Quebec learner driver guide.

    Key facts

    • Theory: 12 modules of 2 hours each (24 hours), each with an online self-study part.
    • Practice: 15 in-car sessions with an instructor.
    • Phase 1 lasts at least 28 days and ends with the Module 5 evaluation at your school.
    • Passing Module 5 lets you get your learner’s licence from the SAAQ.
    • You can register before you turn 16 to complete the theory.

    The four phases of the Quebec driving course

    Theory modules and in-car sessions alternate. You move through the phases in order.

    Phase Name What it covers
    1 Prerequisite for a learner’s licence Modules 1 to 4 (theory only), then Module 5, the school’s evaluation. Minimum 28 days.
    2 Guided driving Starts once you have your learner’s licence. Includes Module 6, Accompanied Driving, and the first in-car sessions on basic manoeuvres.
    3 Semi-guided driving More complex manoeuvres in varied traffic. Includes Module 10, Alcohol and Drugs.
    4 Semi-guided to independent driving Advanced manoeuvres and the final in-car session that prepares you for the SAAQ road test.

    What the 15 in-car sessions cover

    • Sessions 1 to 4: basic vehicle manoeuvres and safe, cooperative behaviour in simple situations.
    • Sessions 5 to 10: more complex manoeuvres in varied environments.
    • Sessions 11 to 14: deeper work on manoeuvres.
    • Session 15: a summary session that prepares you for the SAAQ road test.

    Your instructor carries out formative on-road evaluations during sessions 5, 10 and 15. These do not count as the SAAQ road test, but they show where you stand. Workbook exercises for each session are in the SAAQ’s In-Car Session Workbook.

    Module 5: the evaluation that unlocks your learner’s licence

    Module 5 is a knowledge evaluation given by your driving school at the end of Phase 1. It checks what you learned in Modules 1 to 4. Pass it, and you can get your learner’s licence from the SAAQ. This is different from the SAAQ knowledge test, which you take later, after at least 10 months on your learner’s licence. See the SAAQ knowledge test guide.

    Practising between lessons

    The 15 in-car sessions alone will not make you road-test ready. Between sessions, practise with an accompanying rider who has held a valid licence for at least 2 years. The SAAQ’s Accompanying Rider’s Guide gives the rider tips on what to practise at each stage. The rules for these practice drives are in Quebec learner’s licence rules.

    How much does a driving course cost in Quebec?

    The SAAQ sets the course content but not the price. Each school sets its own fee, so prices vary by school and region. When you compare schools, ask:

    • Does the price include all 12 modules and all 15 in-car sessions?
    • Is use of the school car for the SAAQ road test included, or extra?
    • What do extra in-car lessons cost?
    • Are taxes included?

    SAAQ test and licence fees are paid separately to the SAAQ.

    Common questions

    Can I skip the driving course if I am over 18?

    No. The course is required for a first Class 5 licence whatever your age. Different rules apply if you already hold a licence from elsewhere: see exchanging a foreign licence in Quebec.

    How long does the course take?

    Phase 1 takes at least 28 days. The rest is spread over your learner period, which lasts at least 12 months before the road test.

    Can I start before I turn 16?

    Yes, you can register before 16 to complete the theory. You still need to be 16 for the learner’s licence.

    Is the course offered in English?

    That depends on the school. Ask before you enrol whether classes, in-car sessions and the Module 5 evaluation are available in English.

    Does finishing the course shorten my learner period?

    No. You still need 12 months on your learner’s licence before the road test.

    Sources

    • SAAQ, “Driving Course: Automobile (Passenger Vehicle)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Quick Reference Guide: Obtaining a passenger vehicle driver’s licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Phase 1, Prerequisite for a Learner’s Licence: Module 5 Evaluation” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “In-Car Session Workbook” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “I Drive My Own Life: Driver’s Licence, Automobile” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Accompanying Rider’s Guide: passenger vehicle” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
  • Learning to drive in Quebec: SAAQ learner to probationary licence

    Learning to drive in Quebec: SAAQ learner to probationary licence

    Photo: Gilbert Bochenek, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    To get a Class 5 (passenger vehicle) licence in Quebec, you take a driving course at a recognized school, earn a learner’s licence, hold it for at least 12 months, pass the SAAQ knowledge test and road test, then drive on a probationary licence for 24 months. This guide sets out each step in order, with the waiting periods and rules the SAAQ (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec) applies. For how Quebec compares with other provinces, see learning to drive in Canada.

    Key facts

    • Minimum age: 16. Under 18, you need consent from a parent or legal guardian.
    • The driving course is compulsory: 24 hours of theory plus 15 in-car sessions.
    • SAAQ knowledge test: after at least 10 months on a learner’s licence.
    • SAAQ road test: after at least 12 months on a learner’s licence. Pass mark 75%.
    • Probationary licence: 24 months, fewer than 4 demerit points, zero alcohol.

    The Quebec licence path at a glance

    Stage What you do Minimum time
    1. Driving course, Phase 1 Modules 1 to 4 (theory), then the school’s Module 5 evaluation Phase 1 lasts at least 28 days
    2. Learner’s licence Issued by the SAAQ once you pass Module 5. Continue the course (Phases 2 to 4) and practise with an accompanying rider At least 12 months before the road test
    3. SAAQ knowledge test Computer test on the Highway Safety Code, signs and signals, and driving techniques After 10 months on the learner’s licence
    4. SAAQ road test About 30 minutes on the road with an examiner After 12 months on the learner’s licence, with the course finished
    5. Probationary licence Drive alone, under probationary rules 24 months
    6. Regular licence Normal Class 5 licence After the probationary period

    Step 1: Enrol in a recognized driving course

    In Quebec you cannot get a learner’s licence without first starting the Road Safety Education Program at a driving school. You can register before your 16th birthday to complete the theory.

    • Phase 1 covers Modules 1 to 4. Each module has a 2-hour classroom session and a self-study part done online.
    • Module 5 is an evaluation run by your school. Passing it is the prerequisite for the learner’s licence.

    Full breakdown of phases, modules and in-car sessions: Quebec’s mandatory driving course.

    Step 2: Get your learner’s licence

    Once you pass Module 5, the SAAQ issues your Class 5 learner’s licence. If you are under 18, bring the SAAQ’s Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority form. Learner rules in Quebec:

    • Drive only with an accompanying rider who has held a valid passenger vehicle licence for at least 2 years.
    • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
    • Zero alcohol.
    • Reaching 4 demerit points costs you the learner’s licence for at least 3 months.

    Details: Quebec learner’s licence rules.

    Step 3: Pass the SAAQ knowledge test

    After at least 10 months on your learner’s licence, you can take the SAAQ knowledge test at a service centre. It has three sections: the Highway Safety Code, road signs and traffic signals, and behaviours and techniques for driving a passenger vehicle. If you fail, you wait at least 28 days to retake it. See the SAAQ knowledge test guide and the guide to Quebec road signs in French.

    Step 4: Pass the SAAQ road test

    To book the road test you must have completed the driving course, held your learner’s licence for at least 12 months and passed the knowledge test. The test lasts about 30 minutes. You need 75% to pass, and certain dangerous actions or Highway Safety Code offences mean an automatic fail. A failed test means waiting at least 28 days before trying again. See the SAAQ road test guide.

    The tests are offered in French or English, with some extra options for newcomers: taking the SAAQ tests in English or another language.

    Step 5: Drive on a probationary licence for 24 months

    • Keep fewer than 4 demerit points. Reaching 4 means losing the licence for at least 3 months.
    • Zero alcohol for the whole probationary period.
    • If you are 19 or younger and have held the licence for less than 12 months, passenger limits apply between midnight and 5 a.m.
    • You cannot act as an accompanying rider for a learner.

    Details: Quebec probationary licence rules and zero alcohol in Quebec until 22.

    What does it cost?

    You pay the driving school for the course (schools set their own prices) and the SAAQ for each test and licence. The SAAQ’s 2024 fee table lists the passenger vehicle road test at $32.00, and SAAQ material lists the probationary licence at $58.10 for its 24 months. SAAQ fees are indexed each year, so check the current figures on the SAAQ’s rates page before you book.

    Quebec rules every new driver should know

    Common questions

    Is driving school mandatory in Quebec?

    Yes. You must complete a recognized driving course to get a Class 5 learner’s licence and to book the road test.

    How long does it take to get a full licence in Quebec?

    At least 12 months on the learner’s licence, then 24 months on the probationary licence: about 3 years in total from your learner’s licence.

    Can I drive alone with a learner’s licence?

    No. You need an accompanying rider who has held a valid passenger vehicle licence for at least 2 years. A probationary licence holder does not qualify.

    Can I take the tests in English?

    Yes. Both are offered in French or English.

    What happens if I fail the knowledge test or road test?

    You wait at least 28 days before retaking it, and book a new appointment.

    Do I need winter tires to take the road test in winter?

    If the car is registered in Quebec, yes: every Quebec-registered motor vehicle must have winter tires from 1 December to 15 March.

    Sources

    • SAAQ, “Obtaining a Passenger Vehicle Driver’s Licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Quick Reference Guide: Obtaining a passenger vehicle driver’s licence (Class 5)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Driving Course: Automobile (Passenger Vehicle)” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Accompanying Rider’s Guide: passenger vehicle” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Newcomers: Preparing for the tests” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • SAAQ, “Fees Related to Knowledge and Road Tests” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
    • Government of Quebec, “Requirements for winter tires” (quebec.ca)