The conditions that can be added to a driver's licence are mainly related to the driver's state of health and behaviour with regard to drug or alcohol use.
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:
Conditions can be added to your driver's licence when:
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.
To have a condition withdrawn:
We will inform you of our decision in writing.
To have Condition A (must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses) withdrawn from your driver’s licence, you must either:
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.
| 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 hazardous material |
| Letter indicated on the licence | The driver's licence holder… |
|---|---|
B | Must only drive between sunrise and sunset |
H | Must only drive vehicles with a net weight of less than 2,500 kg |
O | Is prohibited from driving a vehicle transporting hazardous material |
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, namely with respect to epilepsy, or partial or complete hearing loss Driver's licence holders can request that this condition be added to their licence |
| Letter assigned | The driver's licence holder… |
|---|---|
D | Must only drive adapted vehicles, such as:
(A detailed description of this condition appears on the licence) |
E | Must use equipment designed to compensate for a limitation and improve functional capacity when driving, such as:
(A detailed description of this condition appears on the licence) |
F | Must comply with certain restrictions regarding where they are authorized to drive, such as:
A detailed description of this condition appears on the licence) |
G | Is only authorized to drive if accompanied, such as by:
(A detailed description of this condition appears on the licence) |
S | Is subject to other medical restrictions (This condition was replaced in February 2023 by Conditions D, E, F and G. Licences currently bearing Condition S will keep it until a change is made to the licence holder’s file. This condition appears simply as "Autre condition"(other condition) on the licence, while the detailed description is kept in the driver’s file.) |
| Letter indicated on the licence | The driver's licence holder is required to… |
|---|---|
X | Must only drive vehicles equipped 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:
Condition X cannot be assigned to a learner's licence |
Y | Must comply with the zero-alcohol rule Condition Y cannot be assigned to a learner's licence |
| 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 |
Last update: June 16, 2023
