Conditions Added to a Driver's Licence

The conditions that can be added to a driver's licence are mainly related to the driver's state of health and drug or alcohol use behaviour.

Ensuring your own safety and the safety of others

Various conditions can be added to your driver's licence to ensure your own safety and that of other road users.

These conditions can be related to:

  • your state of health or a disability
  • alcohol-related health problems
  • a criminal conviction for driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or other substances

Conditions can be added to your driver's licence when:

  • you obtain a new licence
  • you declare a change in your state of health
  • the medical or eye examination we requested revealed problems

Conditions associated with a driver's licence are indicated:

On the driver's licence

A letter on the front of the licence indicates what condition is associated with the licence, and a description appears on the back.

In the driver's medical record

Conditions will remain on file as long as the information in the driver’s medical record at the SAAQ indicates that they are necessary to ensure the holder's safety and the safety of others.

Removing a condition from your licence

To have a condition removed:

  1. Download the Medical Examination Report (PDF, 280.1 ko) or call us to ask for a copy at 1-800-361-7620.
  2. Consult a physician, a specialized nurse practitioner or other health care professional to have the examination report filled out and signed.
  3. Send us the document for analysis at the following address:

    Service de l'évaluation médicale et du suivi du comportement
    Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
    Case postale 19500, succursale Terminus
    Québec (Québec) G1K 8J5

We will inform you of our decision in writing.

Removing condition a

To have Condition A (must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses) removed from your driver’s licence, you must either:

  • Go to a service centre to undergo a free eye examination.
    OR
  • Provide a copy of the eye examination report (form M-5). Note that any fees charged to complete the form must be paid by the person who underwent the examination and do not qualify for reimbursement by the SAAQ.

Note: In both cases, if your visual acuity meets the requirements of the class or classes of licence you hold, Condition A can be removed free of charge.

List of the conditions that can be added to a licence

Eyeglasses and hearing aid

Letter indicated on the licence The driver's licence holder is required to wear…

A

Eyeglasses or contact lenses while driving

C

A hearing aid when driving (Class 2, 4A or 4B)

M

A hearing aid when driving a vehicle transporting dangerous substances

Restrictions related to the hours of driving and the type of vehicle driven

Letter indicated on the licence The driver's licence holder…

B

Must drive between sunrise and sunset

H

Must drive only a vehicle with a net weight of less than 2,500 kg

O

Is prohibited from driving a vehicle transporting dangerous substances

W

Is prohibited from driving a heavy vehicle (Class 1, 2, 3 or 4B) in the United States, since the driver does not meet American standards with regard to the health of drivers. The medical conditions being referred to are epilepsy, and partial or complete hearing loss.

Driver's licence holders can request that this condition be added to their licence

Medical follow-up and other medical conditions

Letter assigned The driver's licence holder…

D

Must undergo a medical examination or health assessment every 5 years

Condition D does not appear on the licence, but it is indicated in the holder's driving record

E

Must undergo a medical examination or health assessment every 6 months

Condition E does not appear on the licence, but it is indicated in the holder's driving record

F

Must undergo a medical examination or health assessment every year

Condition F does not appear on the licence, but it is indicated in the holder's driving record

G

Must undergo a medical examination or health assessment every 2 years

Condition G does not appear on the licence, but it is indicated in the holder's driving record

S

Is subject to medical restrictions as indicated

Condition S does not appear on the licence. It is defined as follows on the back of the licence: "Autre condition"(other condition). The condition's description is specified in the holder's driving record.

Alcohol-related restrictions

Letter indicated on the licence The driver's licence holder is required to…

I

Only drive a vehicle fitted with an alcohol ignition interlock deviceA device that prevents a vehicle from starting when it detects the presence of alcohol in the driver’s body. following, for example, a medical diagnosis or voluntary participation in the SAAQ's program

Condition I cannot be assigned to a learner's licence

X

Drive a vehicle fitted with an alcohol ignition interlock device following a criminal conviction for alcohol-impaired driving or a refusal to provide a breath sample

Condition X cannot be assigned to a learner's licence

Y

Comply with the zero-alcohol rule

Condition Y cannot be assigned to a learner's licence

Mandatory installation of equipment

Letter indicated on the licence The driver's licence holder is required to drive a vehicle with…

J

An automatic transmission

K

Power steering

L

Power brakes

N

A safety harness

P

Hand-operated controls

Q

A manual control to adjust the brightness of the headlights

R

An accelerator on the left side

V

Controls adapted to the holder's disability

Last update: May 13, 2022