Your driver’s licence was issued elsewhere in Canada

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 moped or scooterA 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 driver's licence issued elsewhere in Canada:

• is valid
• authorizes you to drive the type of road vehicle that you wish to use

Vehicles that you may not drive with your licence issued elsewhere in Canada

Even if your current 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

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 all road vehicles, except heavy vehicle combinations (Class 1)

If your licence is valid or expired less than three years ago

You must exchange your licenceLicence 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. issued in another Canadian jurisdiction for a Québec licence corresponding to the equivalent class.

You do not have to pass any proficiency testsProficiency 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 driver's licence.

If your licence expired three or more years age

You will be required to complete a driver training course and participate in the graduated licensing requirements. You must also pass the proficiency testsLes examens de compétence permettent à la SAAQ de vérifier les connaissances et les habiletés des conducteurs. Ils peuvent être théoriques ou pratiques et diffèrent selon la classe de permis de conduire. Ils sont presque toujours obligatoires dès qu'une personne veut obtenir un permis pour la première fois. to obtain a new licence of the desired class.

For a truck, emergency vehicle, bus or minibus

You must submit a medical examination report.

For heavy vehicle combinations (Class 1)

1. If you have completed a recognized training courseOnly training courses based on National Safety Code Standard 16 are recognized. Most Canadian provinces and territories already offer training based on this standard.  (if you have an Ontario driver’s licence, refer to the box below) AND
   • your driver’s licence is valid or expired less than three years ago:
     • You must undergo a medical examination
     • You can exchange your driver’s licence without having to pass the proficiency tests
   • your driver’s licence expired three or more years ago:
     • You must follow the graduated licensing process
2. If you have not completed a recognized training courseOnly training courses based on National Safety Code Standard 16 are recognized. Most Canadian provinces and territories already offer training based on this standard. 
   • If you have 24 or more months of experience driving a Class 1 (or equivalent) vehicle AND
     • your driver’s licence is valid or expired less than three years ago:
       • You must undergo a medical examination
       • You can exchange your driver’s licence without having to pass the proficiency tests
     • your driver’s licence expired three or more years ago:
       • You must follow the graduated licensing process
   • If you have between 12 and 24 months of experience driving a Class 1 (or equivalent) vehicle AND
     • your driver’s licence is valid or expired less than three years ago:
       • You must undergo a medical examination
       • You must pass the Class 1 knowledge and road tests
       • If you fail the Class 1 tests twice, you will be required to complete mandatory training
     • your driver’s licence expired three or more years ago:
       • You must follow the graduated licensing process
   • If you have less than 12 months of experience driving a Class 1 (or equivalent) vehicle AND
     • your driver’s licence is valid or expired less than three years ago:
       • You must complete mandatory Class 1 training
     • your entire driver’s licence expired three or more years ago:
       • You must follow 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)
• hold a driver's licence issued in another Canadian jurisdiction
• 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 following form :

• Appointment to Have Driving Experience Acquired Outside Québec Recognized - SAAQ

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 driver's licence from another Canadian province or territory
• proof of Canadian citizenship or the right to stay in Canada
• proof of residency in Québec
• proof that you were a resident in the province or territory that issued your licence if you have held your licence for less than three years
• your driving record (recommended)

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.

Step 4 – Pass the proficiency tests, if required

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 may make an appointment for the road test or tests (depending on the desired licence class).

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.

Road test fees are payable at the time of the test and vary depending on the class of licence. If you pass the required road test or tests, you can 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 probationary licenceLicence 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 determine your experience on the basis of your driver’s licence and driving record.