Driving a Vehicle

in Qubec
NON-RESIDENTS AND NEW RESIDENTS
NON-RESIDENTS
visiting Qubec
You may drive a road vehicle in Qubec for 6 consecutive
months without being the holder of a Qubec drivers
licence.
If you are a student, cooperant or trainee, you may
drive an automobile, a motorcycle or a moped/scooter for
the duration of your studies or internship without holding a
Qubec drivers licence.
You must, however, meet the following conditions:
hold a valid drivers licence issued by another jurisdiction;
comply with all the conditions specied on your licence;
only drive a road vehicle of the category authorized by
your licence.
If you hold an international drivers licence, you may
drive road vehicles authorized by your foreign drivers
licence for the entire validity period of your international
drivers licence.
You must have both licences with you whenever you drive.
NEW RESIDENTS
of Qubec
During the 6 months that follow your settlement in
Qubec, you may drive an automobile, a motorcycle or
a moped/scooter if you hold a valid drivers licence issued
outside of Qubec authorizing you to drive the corresponding
category of vehicle.
After 6 months, you must obtain a Qubec drivers licence
to be allowed to continue driving.
If your licence was issued in Canada
You may exchange your licence for a Qubec drivers licence
of an equivalent class without having to take a test.
However, to exchange a professional drivers licence
(authorizing you to drive a truck, an emergency vehicle, a bus,
a minibus or a taxi, that is, Classes 1 to 4C), a medical report
may be required.
If your licence was issued outside
of Canada
Important: To obtain a Qubec drivers licence under the
conditions listed below, you must apply for the licence within
12 months of your settlement in Canada.
If your licence was issued in the United States
You may exchange your licence for an equivalent licence
authorizing you to drive an automobile (Class 5) or a
moped/scooter (Class 6D) without having to take a test.
However, you will have to pass the required tests to obtain
a licence to drive a motorcycle (Classes 6A, 6B or 6C),
a truck, an emergency vehicle, a bus, a minibus or a taxi
(Classes 1 to 4C).
If your licence was issued by one of the following
countries:
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Isle
of Man, Japan, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland,
the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan, you may
exchange your licence for an equivalent licence
authorizing you to drive an automobile (Class 5) without
having to take a test. However, you will have to pass the
required tests to obtain a licence to drive a motorcycle
(Classes 6A, 6B or 6C).

If your licence was issued by a country not listed
above
You may obtain an equivalent licence authorizing you to
drive an automobile (Class 5) after passing the required
tests. However, you must have held your licence for at
least one year before settling in Qubec.
Driving experience
If the Socit de lassurance automobile du Qubec
considers that you have fewer than 24 months of
experience driving an automobile or a motorcycle, you will
be issued a probationary licence.
You will hold this licence until you accumulate 24 months
of driving experience.
Other situations
If you do not meet the requirements listed above, but wish
to obtain a Qubec drivers licence, you must meet the
graduated licensing requirements, which include:
passing a driving course given by a recognized school;
holding a learners licence for a learning period of at least
12 months (accompanied driving);
passing the knowledge and road tests;
holding a probationary licence for 2 years.
During the learning phase (learners licence) and
probationary phase (probationary licence), you will be
subject to the following restrictions:
you are prohibited from driving after consuming alcohol
(zero alcohol);
you must have fewer than 4 demerit points entered on
your driving record.
For more information, or to make
an appointment to check whether
you qualify for a drivers licence, call
one of the following telephone numbers:
If you are a Canadian citizen, and:
you hold a drivers licence issued in Canada,
or
you do not hold a drivers licence (no appointment is required
in this case):
MONTRAL: 514 873-5803
QUBEC: 418 643-5213
ELSEWHERE IN QUBEC: 1 888 667-8687 (toll free)
If you are a Canadian citizen, and:
you hold a drivers licence issued by another country,
or
you are not a Canadian citizen (regardless of whether you
hold a drivers licence):
MONTRAL: 514 954-7771
ELSEWHERE IN QUBEC: 1 888 356-6616 (toll free)
www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca
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This is is not a legal text. For any reference of a legal
nature, please consult the Highway Safety Code
and attendant regulations.
Version originale franaise disponible sur demande.