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As a newcomer to Quebec, you’ll need to contact the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) for information and administrative procedures.
This organization has several mandates, including enforcing the Highway Safety Code and issuing driver’s licenses.
There are 12 classes of driver’s license in Quebec. We’ll be looking at class 5, which allows you to drive a car.
If you’re visiting Quebec and don’t have a principal residence in the province, you can drive with your driver’s license (issued in Canada or abroad) for six consecutive months.
If you want to stay longer in Quebec, you’ll need an international driver’s license. To be valid, it must always be accompanied by your original licence. If you are stopped at a roadside checkpoint, you will need to present these two documents.
The International Driving Permit is only issued in the country where you obtained your license. The SAAQ specifies that if your driver’s license is not in English or French, you must have an international license in hand as soon as you arrive in Quebec.
If you settle in Quebec, you will be entitled to drive a car for six consecutive months with your valid license (foreign or Canadian). After that, you’ll need a Quebec driver’s licence, and therefore a licence exchange.
Here are two special cases to consider:
You’ll be able to drive for the duration of your studies or internship if you have a valid driver’s license, issued in Canada or abroad.
The SAAQ points out that it is recommended to have an international license if your original license is not in English or French.
To exchange your driver’s licence, you will need to request an appointment with the SAAQ.
Simply fill in this form Appointment to have driving experience acquired outside Québec recognized online, then send it in.
Once your appointment has been scheduled, you’ll need to gather a number of documents for the big day, including your original driver’s license and proof of residency in Quebec. Then pay the fee required to exchange the permit.
The SAAQ states that you must have your documents translated if they are not in English or French.
As in most countries, you’ll need to book courses with a driving school recognized by the SAAQ.
Before you can obtain a driving licence, you must:
Here’s a checklist for your Class 5 (car) driver’s license. You will be subject to a demerit point system.
When you drive in Quebec, make sure you:
Before getting behind the wheel, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the Highway Safety Code.
Here are some examples:
If you want the freedom to get around, whether to explore your city, commute to work, or go on a getaway, you can rent a car.
Major car rental companies are widely available in Quebec, but they often offer high rates that vary depending on the pick-up location and the type of vehicle.
Skyscanner, a search engine for flights, hotels and cars, will find the best deals for you in the blink of an eye. It’s easy to compare rates using their interactive map.
To save on car rentals, consider car sharing! If you live in Montreal, Laval, Gatineau, Trois-Rivières, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Boisbriand, Terrebonne or Victoriaville, try Communauto. By subscribing to this service, you’ll have access to a wide range of vehicles that can be rented for a few minutes, a day or even longer.
For other cities in Quebec, turn to Turo, which offers a wide choice of vehicles, shared by local hosts. The option to have the vehicle delivered directly to your home or destination is really convenient.
Choosing the right car insurance cover can be a real headache. In Quebec, there are two different insurance plans, as explained in our guide How does car insurance work in Quebec? You’ll also discover our tips for saving on your insurance premiums.
ClicAssure also offers car insurance services. This platform will help you find the best insurance coverage for your needs.
As for third-party liability coverage, this protects you against any damage caused to another car or to the driver of that car. Our guide: What is third-party liability in car insurance? will answer all your questions on this subject.
Do you intend to do a lot of driving? Credit cards that offer reward points or cash back will help you lighten your gas bill. Here are a few card suggestions:
Our How to save on gas prices in Canada guide has all our tips. Concrete examples will show you how easy it is to put strategies in place.
If you take the wheel of an electric car, we invite you to consult our guide How to save even more with an electric vehicle.
Finally, our page on the Best credit cards for gas and transport details the advantages of each card.
Each year, before your birthday, you will receive a payment review by mail, according to the SAAQ. This document will tell you the total amount of annual fees to be paid.
For Class 5, the cost of a driver’s license is $25.50, when there are no demerit points on the driver’s record, according to the SAAQ.
Do you have a Quebec driver’s licence and are planning to travel abroad? Check whether your destination requires an international driver’s license, says the SAAQ. CAA is the only organization authorized to issue this type of permit in Canada.
SAAQclic offers citizens a number of online services relating to driver’s licenses, vehicle registration, vehicles and driving records.
Quebec’s public automobile insurance plan protects Quebecers who are the victims of a road accident in Quebec or elsewhere in the world, says the SAAQ, adding that the plan also assists tourists in Quebec, depending on their degree of responsibility in the accident.
Before you can obtain a Class 5 license, you’ll need to follow a number of steps: obtain a learner’s permit, take and pass a driving course, and pass the SAAQ theory and road tests.
You can consult the SAAQclic website, or call or e-mail the SAAQ to check the validity of a permit.
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