Checking the Validity of a Driver's Licence

If you are about to lend or rent your vehicle to another person, you should check whether the person's driver's licence is valid and bears the appropriate class for the type of vehicle to be driven. Otherwise, your vehicle could be seized and impounded.

If you lend or rent your vehicle to another person

You are responsible for ensuring that that person holds a valid driver's licence that bears the appropriate class of licence for the type of vehicle to be driven.

It is not enough to simply inspect the licence

A visual check does not allow you to find out if the licence has been revoked or suspended, or whether the holder has paid the renewal fees.

In terms of insurance…

Insurers allow you to lend your vehicle so long as the person using it has a valid driver's licence that bears the appropriate class for the type of vehicle to be driven. It is therefore better to check first!

If you lend or rent your vehicle to an individual who does not hold a valid driver's licence

  • Your vehicle could be seized and impounded immediately for 30 days. Should that happen, you will be required to pay the towing and impoundment fees.
  • The person driving your vehicle without a valid licence, or during a period when their licence was revoked or suspended is liable to a fine of $600 to $3,000, as well as additional fees.

To check the validity of a driver's licence

Individuals and businesses

This service is available:

If you want to check the validity of more than 5 licences:

  • We recommend that you submit a request by email. There is a $1.90 fee per licence for the first 5 licences and a $0.35 fee for any additional licences.
  • Businesses can submit a request via SAAQclic Entreprises.

Checking the validity of a driver's licence

Information provided

  • Confirmation of whether or not the driver’s licence is valid
  • The class or classes associated with the driver's licence
  • Any applicable licence restrictions, in particular conditions I, W, X or Y

Undisclosed information

For reasons of confidentiality, no names, addresses or other personal information concerning the driver's licence holder are released, and the reason why a driver's licence is not valid is not disclosed.

For more information about a person's driving record, you are required to submit a driving record request.

To check the validity of a driver’s licence

ONLINE

This service is available for free:

FOR BUSINESSES

This service is also available for free:

If you want to check the validity of multiple licences, there is a $1.90 fee per licence for the first 5 licences and a $0.35 fee for each additional licence.

You can also email your request, but you will receive the results within 5 to 10 business days.

PROCEDURE

  • Complete the Driver’s Licence Validity Check spreadsheet with the following information:
    • 1st column: the driver’s licence number (must have 13 characters, no dashes or spaces)
    • 2nd column: your company's internal reference number (optional – maximum 8 characters)
      Example :

      A123456789876

      01

      D123456789875

      02

      F123456789874

      03

      G123456789873

      04

      L123456789872

      05

      R123456789871

      06

      V123456789870

      07

      S123456789896

      08
  • Save the document as an Excel file: “name of file.xlsx”.
  • Prepare your request.
    Your email’s subject must be: “Driver’s Licence Validity Check”.
    Make sure to include the following information in your email:
    • the name of the person to whom the information is to be sent
    • the name of the company
    • your business’s SAAQ identification number
    • the number of licences to validate
    • the sentence "Guaranteed payment on receipt of the invoice"
  • Your email request must be sent to SAAQ.diffusion@saaq.gouv.qc.ca This link opens your default email software.. A confirmation of receipt will be sent to you.

File reception

A reply is sent by secure email and includes:

  • a data file with information on the validity, categories and classes of the driver's licences, as well as certain licence conditions and endorsements, if applicable
  • a legend to help you read the file
  • an invoice indicating the amount payable on receipt of the email (by cheque or money order)

Last update: September 15, 2023