Photo: Veillg1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In Quebec, every driver, including learners, must meet the health requirements of the Regulation respecting the health of drivers, and that includes vision. When you apply for a learner licence you complete the SAAQ’s health self-declaration. If you declare a condition, or the SAAQ needs more information, it can ask for a medical examination report from a physician or specialized nurse practitioner, or a vision report from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Once licensed, you must tell the SAAQ about any illness or functional impairment that could affect your driving within 30 days of the change.
This page explains the SAAQ process only. Your doctor or optometrist is the person to ask about your own health.
Health checks when you apply for a learner licence
- Self-declaration. You fill in the SAAQ’s Self-Declaration of Medical Information. It lists conditions to tick, including vision problems such as retinopathy, macular degeneration, double vision and loss of an eye or of vision in one eye. If none applies, you tick the box saying you have nothing to declare.
- Vision test. You may be asked to read a chart at the service outlet. Bring the glasses or contact lenses you use for driving.
- Follow-up reports if needed. Depending on what you declare, the SAAQ can ask for a medical or vision report before issuing your licence.
The learner licence steps and knowledge test are explained in Quebec learner’s licence rules and the SAAQ knowledge test.
The SAAQ medical and vision report forms
| Form | Who completes it | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Declaration of Medical Information | You | Health conditions that could affect driving |
| Report on a Person’s State of Health: Driver’s Licence (form 6228A) | A physician or specialized nurse practitioner | Your medical conditions, including a visual disorders section and Snellen visual acuity |
| Vision examination report | An optometrist or ophthalmologist | Acuity and visual field measured for licensing |
Clinics may charge for completing these forms. Ask about the cost before your appointment.
What vision standard applies?
Quebec sets its health standards in its own regulation. The acuity and field thresholds are set in the Regulation respecting the health of drivers. If you are close to the limit, ask your optometrist to check you against the Quebec regulation. National comparison: Canadian driving vision standard explained.
Telescopic (bioptic) lenses
Quebec’s regulation measures acuity without the telescopic portion of a bioptic lens, so a telescope cannot be used to reach the acuity threshold. Some research papers say Quebec has licensed bioptic users in individual cases. If you use one, contact the SAAQ before applying. Ontario publishes a telescopic lens rule: see Ontario’s vision standard and telescopic lenses.
Does my doctor have to report me in Quebec?
Doctor reporting in Quebec is discretionary: a doctor may report a patient they consider unsafe, but is not required to in every case. Your own duty is clear: declare changes in your health within 30 days. See does your doctor have to report you.
Common questions
Do I need a medical exam to get my learner’s licence?
Only if your declaration or file calls for one. Everyone completes the self-declaration.
I wear glasses. Does it matter?
Wear them for the vision check, and wear them whenever you drive if you need them to see clearly at a distance. Ask the SAAQ agent whether a condition will be added to your licence.
Can I take the tests in English?
Yes. See taking the SAAQ tests in English.
Related guides
- Driving with a medical condition or disability in Canada (national overview)
- Learning to drive in Quebec
- Vision test for your learner’s licence in every province
Want to practise the eyesight check? Our sister site Driving Eyesight Test has a free Canada letter chart on drivingeyesighttest.com. It is a practice screen, not an eye test.
Sources
- Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “State of Health and Driver’s Licences” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
- Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Self-Declaration of Medical Information” form (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
- Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Report on a Person’s State of Health: Driver’s Licence” (6228A) (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
- Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, “Medical assessment and vision test” (saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
- Government of Quebec, “Regulation respecting the health of drivers” (C-24.2, r. 40.1) (legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca)