Unpaid fines
If your driver's licence was suspended because you haven't paid one or more fines, you must pay them in full to be allowed to drive again.
What you should know
When you are served a statement of offence, you have 30 days to contest or pay the fine. If you do neither, the case is sent to the court, which will render a decision. If you are found guilty, the court will send you a notice indicating the payment deadline.
If you are having financial problems
You may enter into a payment agreement with the concerned bodies. If an agreement is reached before a notice of non-payment is submitted to the SAAQ:
- your licence will not be suspended as long as you respect your obligations
- you will be allowed to sell, purchase or discard a vehicle without any obstacles to vehicle registration procedures
If you still don't pay
The court may notify us of that fact, and we will suspend your driver's licence until your debt has been entirely settled.
Please note that your vehicle's registration will also be suspended and you will be prohibited from registering another vehicle.
If we suspend your licence
You will receive a penalty notice in your SAAQclic account, or by mail if you have not chosen to receive online communications.
Your licence will be suspended as of the date indicated in the notice, and you will no longer be authorized to drive.
Neither will you be allowed to sell or purchase a vehicle, or let someone drive a vehicle registered in your name for as long as you have not paid your fines and we have not lifted the suspension.
If you drive while your licence is under suspension
You face:
- a fine of $600.00 to $2,000.00, plus legal and administrative costs
- seizure and impoundment of the vehicle you were driving for 30 days at the owner's expense
If you wait 3 years or longer to pay your fines
In addition to having to pay the fines and the cumulative late fees, you will also be required to retake the Proficiency 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. .
If you lend or rent a vehicle to another driver, take the necessary precautions!
It is best to check the validity of the licence of the person to whom you are about to entrust your vehicle. If that person's licence is revoked or suspended and they are pulled over, your vehicle will be seized and impounded on the spot for 30 days and at your expense.
If it is proven that you refuse to pay your fines, you could receive a prison sentence and you will still have to pay your fines.
How can you recover your licence?
Simply by paying your fines:
- at the Municipal Court (in French only), the contact information of which appears on the Relevé des infractions et des sanctions enclosed with your penalty notice
OR - at the Bureau des infractions et amendes
Last update: April 9, 2025