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)



