Who is covered by these new measures?
Anyone who does not hold or has never held a Class 5 learner’s licence or probationary licence.
Why has the SAAQ reinstated the mandatory driving course for future drivers when it abolished this requirement in 1997?
Advances have been made in driver education research over the last decade. Thus the SAAQ , in collaboration with the Québec driving school industry, has designed all-new course content and instruction methods based on work and experiments conducted in Europe.
The new Road Safety Education Program has been given at driving schools since January 2010. With this program, learners can acquire the competencies required to become safe, cooperative and responsible drivers. The number of hours of theoretical and practical training has increased and the training process is spread out over a longer period. All of these changes should have a positive impact on the road safety record of young drivers, as well as new drivers age 25 or older, who are also at greater risk of an accident during their first years as drivers.
I hold a motorcycle learner’s licence or driver’s licence. Do I have to take a driving course to get a Class 5 (passenger vehicle) licence?
Yes, if you’ve never held a Class 5 learner’s licence.
What is the content of the driving course?
A driver education program has been implemented that includes 4 phases, with alternating theoretical instruction and practical training. There are a total of 24 hours of theoretical instruction in a series of 12 two-hour modules. The practical training includes 15 one-hour on-road instruction sessions for a total of 15 hours.
Do I have to wait until I am 16 to start taking the course?
No. However, you must be 16 to get a learner’s licence.
How does the driving school determine whether I have passed the course?
At the end of Phase 1 of the program, that is, after completing the first 4 theoretical modules, students take a test at the driving school. This evaluation is the 5th module of the course. The test is given by the driving school, but provided by the SAAQ . Students who pass the test can then go to an SAAQ service centre to get a learner’s licence.
Once they have their learner’s licence, students can continue the theoretical instruction and begin the on-road training. They can also drive with an accompanying rider. Students may take the SAAQ knowledge test 10 months after getting a learner’s licence. Lastly, 12 months after getting their learner’s licence and once they have passed the knowledge test and gotten an attestation of successful completion of the driving course, they can take the SAAQ road test and get a probationary licence.
How much does the driving course cost?
The maximum cost is $760(taxes included).
Will additional driving schools be accredited?
A moratorium on driving schools recognition is in effect from December 21, 2007 to January 16, 2011. No new driving school can be accredited until this moratorium is lifted, except where previously provided for, that is, in areas where there are not enough schools.
I started the theoretical part of a passenger vehicle driving course before the measures came into effect and I haven’t gotten a Class 5 learner’s licence. I just found out that the course content has changed and that the course is now mandatory. Do I have to start taking a driving course over from the beginning? Will the hours taken and the fees paid be credited?
You have to follow the new procedure. The driving school should have informed you that new measures would come into effect. We suggest that you discuss the matter with the school’s management.
I currently hold a Class 5 learner’s licence. Am I subject to the new measures?
You remain eligible to take the road test and get a probationary licence after 8 months if you have taken a driving course or after 12 months if you have not. However, you are required to hold a probationary licence for 24 months before getting a driver’s licence, regardless of your age.
I have already held a Class 5 learner’s licence, but it is expired. Am I subject to the new measures?
You are not subject to the new measures with regard to the driving course. However, you must have held a probationary licence for 24 months, regardless of your age, before getting a driver’s licence. If your licence has been expired for more than 3 years, you must pass the tests again.
My Class 5 learner’s licence has been suspended or revoked. Am I subject to the new measures?
You are not subject to the new measures with regard to the driving course and the time frame for getting a probationary licence. However, you must have held a probationary licence for 24 months, regardless of your age, before getting a driver’s licence. If your licence has been expired for more than 3 years, you must pass the knowledge test again.
When can I get a Class 5 learner’s licence?
If you are 16 years of age or older and have successfully completed Phase 1 of the driving course (5 two-hour modules, including the evaluation), you have to go to an SAAQ service centre with the attestation of successful completion issued by the driving school to open a file, pass a vision test, fill out the Declaration of Illness or Impairment form and get a learner’s licence. If you are under 18, you must provide the original of the written Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority form.
Do I have to pass a knowledge test or a road test before getting a Class 5 learner’s licence?
No. You will have to pass the tests later.
Do I have to make an appointment to apply for a Class 5 learner’s licence?
No. For the time being, it is not necessary to make an appointment to apply for a Class 5 learner’s licence.
I completed the first phase of the driving course at age 15. Can I get a learner’s licence right away?
No. You need to be 16 to get a learner’s licence.
Am I allowed to drive with a Class 5 learner’s licence? Do I have to be accompanied?
This rule has not changed. To drive outside the driving course, you must be accompanied by a person who has held a licence to drive a passenger vehicle for at least two years, and who is qualified to provide you with help and advice. A probationary licence holder cannot serve as an accompanying rider.
I got a learner’s licence after the new measures came into effect, but I don’t want to continue taking the driving course. Is the learner’s licence renewable?
Yes, holders of a learner’s licence can renew their licence. However, you cannot get a probationary licence until you have successfully completed the driving course and passed the SAAQ tests.
I am 25 years old and I got a learner’s licence before the new measures came into effect. Once I pass the road test (in 8 or 12 months), will I get a driver’s licence or a probationary licence for 24 months?
Since you did not complete the procedure to get a driver’s licence before the new measures came into effect, you will be issued a probationary licence for 24 months.
Does the SAAQ still administer tests to get a Class 5 driver’s licence?
Yes. Passing a knowledge test and a road test are part of the graduated licensing procedure.
When do I have to take the tests to get a Class 5 driver’s licence?
You can take the knowledge test once you have held a Class 5 learner’s licence for at least 10 months.
To take the road test and get a probationary licence, you must have held a Class 5 learner’s licence for at least 12 months , have passed the knowledge test and have the attestation of successful completion from the driving school.
Do I need an appointment to take a test?
Yes. You must schedule an appointment to take a knowledge test or a road test.
Can I take the Class 5 knowledge test and road test on the same day?
No. You need to pass the knowledge test before making an appointment to take the road test.
When can I retake a test if I fail?
The wait time before retaking a knowledge test or road test is 28 days.
Why is it no longer necessary to take a knowledge test to apply for a learner’s licence? Aren’t individuals required to show that they have sufficient knowledge about driving rules and techniques before driving?
Module 5 of Phase 1 of the driving course, which must be completed in order to get a learner’s licence, is an evaluation conducted by the driving school. To get a learner’s licence, candidates must prove that they successfully completed this evaluation by showing the attestation to that effect issued by the driving school.
How long do I have to hold a probationary licence before getting a driver’s licence?
If you did not already hold a probationary licence at the time the new measures came into effect, you are required to hold a probationary licence for 24 months, regardless of your age.
When new residents want to exchange their licence, are they subject to the new measures?
Their driving experience is taken into account. If they have driven for less than 24 months, regardless of their age, they are required to drive with a probationary licence until they have 24 months experience (section 92.0.1 of the Highway Safety Code ).
Why are all new drivers, even those age 25 or older, required to drive with a probationary licence for 24 months?
The probationary phase applies to everyone, since all new drivers are at a greater risk of having an accident during their first years of driving, due to their inexperience.
It has been proven that drivers age 25 and older are at greater risk during the first years of driving than more experienced drivers of the same age. Subjecting drivers age 25 and older, who represent nearly 20% of new drivers, to a two-year probationary period allows for a tighter control of this at-risk group.
I held a probationary licence to drive a passenger vehicle when the new measures came into effect. When will I get a driver’s licence?
If you already held a probationary licence before the new measures came into effect, you can get a driver’s licence after 24 months or at age 25, whichever comes first.
What changes have been made to the procedure to get a motorcycle class driver’s licence?
The procedure remains the same, but anyone who was not issued a Class 6A learner’s licence before the new measures came into effect are required to hold this licence for 11 months before taking the road test.
For the motorcycle class, can learners still take the closed track test one month after being issued a Class 6R licence?
Yes. The time frame has not changed.
For the motorcycle class, is the closed track road test still required?
Yes.
How long do I have to hold a Class 6R learner’s licence before taking this test?
The time frame has not changed. You are required to hold a Class 6R licence for 1 month.
What is the wait time to retake the test if I fail?
14 days.
Why is it necessary to wait 12 months to take a road test for a Class 5 licence but only 11 months for a Class 6 licence?
You are required to hold a Class 6R learner’s licence for 1 month before getting a Class 6A learner’s licence, which adds up to 12 months. The principle is the same as before, since learners were required to hold a Class 6A learner’s licence for 7 months.
I held a motorcycle Class learner’s licence before the new measures came into effect. What rules apply?
You are still eligible to take the road test after 7 months.
When can I get a motorcycle Class driver’s licence if I already hold a motorcycle Class probationary licence?
You are still eligible to get a driver’s licence after 24 months or at age 25, whichever comes first.
