Obtaining a Driver's Licence

Emergency Vehicles (Class 4A)

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To obtain a Class 4A licence to drive an emergency vehicle, you must first hold a valid Class 5 licence and pass a knowledge test.

With this licence, you can drive an emergency vehicle, namely:

  • an ambulance
  • a police car
  • a fire department vehicle
  • any other road vehicle that satisfies the criteria established by regulation and is recognized as an emergency vehicle by the SAAQ

This licence also authorizes you to drive:

  • a bus or a minibus with a seating capacity of 24 or fewer passengers (Class 4B)
  • a taxi (Class 4C), if you also hold a taxi driver's permit
  • an automobileVehicle with 2 axles and whose net weight is under 4,500 kg. (Class 5)
  • 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. (Class 6D)
  • a farm tractor (Class 8)

If you hold a Class 1, 2 or 3 driver's licence, you may also drive Class 4A vehicles.

1 Eligibility

Driving experience required

  • You must hold a Class 5 probationary licence and have passed an emergency vehicle driving course recognized by the SAAQ


    • OR

  • Hold a Class 5 driver's licence (automobile)
1 Eligibility

2 Medical examination and vision test

The first step in obtaining a Class 4A driver's licence is to go to one of our service centres (SAAQ offices only) to undergo a vision test.

During your visit, we will give you a Medical Examination Report (PDF, 298 KB) form to be completed by a physician, because your state of health must meet the requirements set out in the Regulation respecting the health of drivers. You must then return the form by mail or bring it to a service outlet.

2 Medical examination and vision test

3 Preparing for the knowledge test

The knowledge test consists of 32 questions covering specialized driving techniques.

To help you prepare for the test

We recommend that you study the following guides:

They are available for purchase from Publications du Québec or at bookstores.

3 Preparing for the knowledge test

4 Knowledge test

    • Costs

      • Knowledge Test: $11.60
      • Adding a Class to Your Licence: $16.00

    • Time/Duration

      • Approximately 1 hour

Passing the knowledge test allows you to obtain a Class 4A driver's licence or probationary licence.

Please note that using a portable electronic device (phone, watch, etc.) to record images during the road test is prohibited. If you fail to respect this rule, you will immediately fail the test.

Taking the test

You must schedule an appointment.

Online

Driving Test – Emergency Vehicles

Using our automated telephone service

On the To Reach Us page, select the option “To make, change, cancel or check an appointment for a driving test” under “Automated Telephone Services”

On the day of the test

Step 1 – Go to the service outlet with which you scheduled your appointment for the test, and bring:

  • your driver’s licence

Step 2 – Pay the fees for:

  • the knowledge test: $11.60
  • the addition of a class to your driver’s licence: $16.00

Payment methods

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

  • in cash
  • by Interac (debit card)—not available in some service outlets
  • by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Passing mark

You must correctly answer at least 24 of the 32 questions.

If you fail the knowledge test

You must wait at least 7 days before being allowed to take the test again. You will have to make another appointment and pay the test fees again.

Emergency vehicles and Road Safety

Emergency vehicle drivers are required to master defensive driving methods and techniques used in emergency situations, but they must also obey the Highway Safety Code. For your safety and the safety of others, read our advice in the Automobiles section.

4 Knowledge test