Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
Foreign Driver's Licence

Your licence was issued in a jurisdiction with an agreement

Vehicles that you may drive during the first six months

During the first six months after settling in Québec you may drive:

  • a passenger vehicle
  • a motorcycle
  • a A 2- or 3-wheel passenger vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cc and an automatic transmission.

However, make sure that your foreign licence:

  • is valid
  • authorizes you to drive the type of road vehicle that you are using

Québec driver’s licence required after the first six months

Here is the procedure to obtain a Québec licence, according to the road vehicle that you drive. You can begin the application process as soon as you settle in Québec.

For a passenger vehicle or moped or scooter

You must Licence exchange allows holders of a licence issued in a Canadian province or territory other than Québec, in the United States or in a country that has entered into an agreement with Québec to obtain an equivalent Québec licence without having to follow a driving course. In some cases, holders may have to pass proficiency examinations before being eligible to exchange their licence. for a Québec licence.

For a motorcycle

You must Licence exchange allows holders of a licence issued in a Canadian province or territory other than Québec, in the United States or in a country that has entered into an agreement with Québec to obtain an equivalent Québec licence without having to follow a driving course. In some cases, holders may have to pass proficiency examinations before being eligible to exchange their licence. to operate a motorcycle for a Québec licence after first passing the motorcycle(Classes 6A, 6B and 6C) Proficiency examinations allow the SAAQ to check the knowledge and skills of drivers. They include both knowledge and road tests and differ based on the class of driver's licence. They are almost always mandatory when an individual wants to obtain a licence for the first time. . You may begin the application process as soon as you arrive in Québec.

If your licence has expired

In most cases, you must pass the applicable Proficiency examinations allow the SAAQ to check the knowledge and skills of drivers. They include both knowledge and road tests and differ based on the class of driver's licence. They are almost always mandatory when an individual wants to obtain a licence for the first time.  to obtain a passenger vehicle or moped or scooter licence.

Vehicles that you may not drive with a foreign licence

Even if your foreign licence authorizes you to, you may not drive:

  • a truck or heavy vehicle combination
  • an emergency vehicle
  • a bus
  • a minibus
  • a taxi or a vehicle comparable to a taxi

Procedure to be authorized to drive these vehicles (New requirements for exchanging a Class 1 licence come into effect on December 15, 2025. , 2, 3, 4A and 4B vehicles)

You must first obtain a Québec Classe 5 licence. After that, you will be able to apply for any other licence class you wish to obtain by meeting the requirements specific to that licence class and following the graduated licensing process. 

Procedure to exchange your licence

Step 1 – Meet the following conditions:

  • be aged 16 or older (or 14 for a Class 6D licence for a moped or scooter with an engine displacement of 50 cc or less)
  • have a foreign driver's licence authorizing you to drive a passenger vehicle or operate a motorcycle or A 2- or 3-wheel passenger vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cc and an automatic transmission.
  • have your principal residence in Québec
  • have Canadian citizenship or the right to stay in Canada for more than six months

Step 2 – Request an appointment

Online

Request an appointment to have your driving experience acquired outside Québec recognized by completing the form on our website.

If you need help completing the form, please call 1 833 762-1502.

We will contact you by phone or email within 20 business days after receiving your completed form.

Step 3 – Go to your service centre appointment with the following original documents:

  • your foreign driver’s licence
  • proof of Canadian citizenship or the right to stay in Canada
  • proof of residency in Québec
  • proof that you were a resident of the country that issued your driver’s licence was licence if you have held your licence for less than three years
  • your driving record (recommended)
  • An official or certified translation of any required documents written in a language other than French or English (the international driver’s permit is not considered an official translation of your driver's licence)

In certain situations, other documents may be required. When one of our representatives contacts you to schedule an appointment, be sure to ask which documents you must bring with you.

Translation of documents written in a language other than French or English

You must have them translated by a translator who is a member of one of the following:

If you hold a driver’s licence from Japan:

  • If your licence is expired, you must have it translated as indicated above.
  • If your licence is valid, a translation is not required. However, you must obtain a certificate from the Consulate of Japan.

Step 4 – Pass the applicable proficiency tests

To help you prepare for the tests, we recommend you study the following publications, as applicable:

Paper versions can also be purchased at bookstores in Québec.

You can also read:

  • the Road Access Binder, available in both French and English from driving schools recognized by the SAAQ  

Knowledge test

Depending on your situation, you may be able to take the knowledge test at the service centre on the same day as your appointment, or you may have to make another appointment. The fees for the test are $13.50.

Road tests

Once you pass the knowledge test, you can schedule an appointment for the applicable road test(s):

Online

You can make an appointment via SAAQclic.⁠ ⁠

By phone

If you wish to make an appointment for a knowledge or road test, but you do not have a Health Insurance Card because you have not been living in Québec for very long, call 1-800-361-7620, then press 2 and 2 again to speak to one of our representatives.

On the day of your road test(s), you must pay the applicable fees⁠ ⁠. Once you pass the applicable road test(s), you will be allowed to exchange your licence.

Step 5 – Pay the licence exchange fees

The licence exchange fees vary depending on the licence class, and are higher if you apply for an additional licence class.

Payment options

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

  • in cash
  • by debit card (not available at some service outlets)
  • by one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
  • by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Driving experience

If the SAAQ considers that you have less than 24 months of experience driving a passenger vehicle, you will obtain a Licence issued to a person driving an automobile or a motorcycle alone for the first time. This licence allows the holder to acquire the driving experience necessary to obtain a driver's licence (24 months). The holder is subject to the zero-alcohol rule and the 4-demerit point bracket. . You will hold this licence until 24 months of driving experience have been recognized. We base ourselves on your American driver’s licence and driving record when recognizing your months of driving experience.

Last update: December 15, 2025