Reacquiring or Reinstating a Driver’s Licence

Several health problems can hinder a person's ability to drive safely and lead to the suspension of their driver’s licence, such as:

• epilepsy
• stroke
• amputation
• uncontrolled diabetes
• cognitive disorders
• substance use disorder (alcohol, drugs, medication)

A physician or another health care professional can determine whether a health problem hinders a person’s ability to drive a vehicle. They will indicate their diagnosis and/or observations in a report, which is sent to us.

Once we have analyzed the report and that person’s driving record, we notify them in writing of our decision regarding whether or not to suspend one or more classes of licence.

Step 1 – Write a letter to the SAAQ to apply for a review of its decision

If there are new facts regarding your state of health that you want to bring to our attention and that demonstrate that you are able to drive safely, you can enclose a favourable report from a physician or another health care professional. Such facts may be the result of:

• an improvement in your state of health
• surgery
• medical treatment
• long-term remission
• use a prosthesis
• acquiring new skills

If there are no new facts to bring forward since you last sent us a medical report, there is no reason to have your health care professional complete a new form at this stage. If applicable, we will inform you of any additional steps you must take.

Step 2 – Mail us your application for review

Service de la révision
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
333, boulevard Jean-Lesage
Case postale 19500, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec)  G1K 8J5

Step 3 – Provide additional information upon request

After analyzing your application, we may ask you to take additional steps, which will be determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature and severity of the medical issues. We may ask you to submit a new medical report, a report from a medical specialist or other health care professional, or a road test report completed at an SAAQ service centre or by an occupational therapist.

We will specify which steps you must take in our response.

Step 4 – Await our decision

After analyzing your file, we will either authorize you to drive or uphold the suspension of your driver’s licence.

If our decision is favourable

We will send you a letter to inform you that your licence suspension has been lifted and explain the steps to follow to reacquire a valid driver’s licence.

If your licence has been expired for 3 years or more, you must pass the applicable proficiency examinations (knowledge and road tests) to obtain the desired licence class.

If our decision is unfavourable

You can contest the decision before the Administrative Tribunal of Québec by filing a proceeding within 60 days of the date of our decision.

Decisions rendered by the Tribunal are final.