Driver's Licence Renewal and Fee Payment

You have to renew your plasticized driver's licence every 4 or 8 years. You must also pay the required fees and insurance contribution every year to keep your driving privilege.

Renewal of the plasticized driver's licence

Renewal of your plasticized driver's licence with photo

If your plasticized driver’s licence is set to expire, the SAAQ will reuse the photo it currently has on file to issue your new plasticized licence. This will allow you to avoid having to go to a service outlet. To find out when your new plasticized licence and payment notice will be mailed to you, refer to our update regarding the renewal of your plasticized driver’s licence with photo If your plasticized driver’s licence is set to expire, the SAAQ will reuse the photo it currently has on file to issue your new plasticized licence. This will allow you to avoid having to go to a service outlet. To find out when your new plasticized licence and payment notice will be mailed to you, refer to our update regarding the renewal of your plasticized driver’s licence with photo.

Health insurance card renewal

If you are 14 years of age or older and your photo appears on your current health insurance card, simply fill out and sign your renewal notice and mail it to the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ). You do not need to go to an SAAQ service outlet or provide a photo. The RAMQ will use the photo it currently has on file.

If you are 14 years of age or older and your photo does not appear on your current health insurance card, you must go to an SAAQ service outlet or to your local community health centre (CLSC) to renew your card.

Your health insurance card remains valid until the last day of its expiry month. For example, if the expiry date on your card is 2023/08, that means your card is valid until August 31, 2023.

Once you receive your driver's licence renewal notice, you must go to one of our service outlets prior to the payment due date to:

You will receive your new plasticized driver's licence in the mail within 10 business days.

Note that your driving privilege (for which you pay annual licence renewal fees) is valid for one year starting on your birthday.

To take this opportunity to renew your Health Insurance Card

You must bring:

  • your health insurance card
  • your driver's licence
  • your renewal notice from the Régie de l'assurance maladie du Québec

Payment of the annual driver's licence fees

Every year, before your birthday, you will receive a payment notice by mail.

The payment notice indicates:

  • the total amount payable for annual fees
    • The amount includes fees to keep your driving privilege, the insurance contribution (which is based on your driving record) and administrative fees.
  • the deadline to renew your driver's licence, which is actually your birthday
  • the Declaration of Illness or Functional Impairment regarding your state of health 
  • a section to notify us of a change of address or to justify non-payment of your driver's licence fees

Payment methods

  • Through your financial institution:
    • online
    • at an ATM
    • at the counter
    • by phone
  • By one or more pre-authorized debits. Use our tool to simulate the number of instalments and estimate their amount.
  • By a cheque mailed to the following address:
    Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
    Case postale 19300, succursale Terminus
    Québec (Québec)  G1K 8J6

Payment deadline and bimonthly pre-authorized debits

Pay by the deadline indicated on the notice.

Avoid paying these additional fees

  • For late payment (minimum fee, may vary according to the situation): $12.40
  • For each NSF cheque: $35.00
  • For each rejected pre-authorized debit: $35.00 (if you are charged twice for the same pre-authorized debit, contact the SAAQ to receive a reimbursement)

Change: If you had chosen bimonthly pre-authorized debits (6 instalments per year), please note that this option is no longer available. Instalments will instead be withdrawn 12 times per year. Smaller amounts for less hassle!

If your driver's licence has expired

  • Driving without a valid licence is an offence punishable by a fine of $300 to $600, in addition to other fees. Also, the vehicle could immediately be seized and impounded for 30 days.
  • If your licence has been expired for 3 years or more, you will have to pass the knowledge and road tests again to obtain a new driver's licence

If you choose to not renew your driver’s licence

You must inform us before the payment due date. Otherwise, you will be required to pay a portion of the licence fees and insurance contribution. In addition, late fees may apply.

Last update: August  9, 2023