Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about driving schools or driving courses? Find the answers here!

Driving school recognized by the saaq, but temporarily suspended

Can I take lessons even if my school has been suspended?

As long as the school is suspended, it cannot:

  • give driving lessons
  • accept new students

However, its offices remain open so that it can:

  • issue attestations for the driving lessons taken
  • reimburse lessons that have been paid for but not taken (if applicable) to students who would like to continue the course in another school.

Driving school closed or no longer recognized by the SAAQ

A school that closes or that is no longer recognized by the SAAQ (revocation) ceases its activities. As a result, it can no longer give driving lessons for purposes of obtaining a driver’s licence.

How can I get a driving course attestation for the lessons that I took before the school closed?

If you were unable to obtain a driving course attestation before the school closed or if you have lost the attestation that was given to you, the SAAQ can issue a duplicate of a lost or missing attestation. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Fill out and sign one of the forms below, in accordance with the licence class:
    Request To Be Issued a Duplicate of a Lost or Missing Attestation – Class 5 (PDF, 127.4 ko)
    Request To Be Issued a Duplicate of a Lost or Missing Attestation – Class 6 (PDF, 203.0 ko)

     
  2. Send us the duly signed and completed form along with the required documents.

The SAAQ will analyze your file and send you a course attestation that corresponds to the level you had reached when the school closed, as applicable.

Can I get a reimbursement of the amounts paid for the lessons that I did not receive before the school closed?

If your contract was active before the school closure and you made one or more payments for lessons that the school did not provide before it closed, you will receive a notice from the SAAQ.

In certain cases, the driving school’s obligations are guaranteed by a surety. The SAAQ can assist you with claiming a reimbursement from this surety. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Fill out and sign one of the forms below, in accordance with the licence class:
    Filing a Claim with the Surety – Class 5 (PDF, 196.1 ko)
    Filing a Claim with the Surety – Class 6 (PDF, 171.4 ko)
     
  2. Send us the duly signed and completed form along with the required documents.

The SAAQ will transfer all complete claims that have been received within 65 days of the notice to the surety.  

For any questions regarding this matter, contact us.

Registering for a driving course

Can my school make me pay for lessons that I have missed? If so, how much can the school charge?

Visit the Penalty for Absence page on the Office de la protection du consommateur website.

Where should I buy the course manual?

You must purchase an unused and up-to-date course manual (also called the Road Access Binder in some schools) in a driving school recognized by the SAAQ.

To learn more about the contract for the purchase of supplies, visit the Knowing Where to Buy the Necessary Equipment page on the Office de la protection du consommateur website.

What should I do if I cannot finish my driving course?

Make sure that you receive and keep the course attestation issued by the school after your cancellation. Otherwise, you will have to redo the part of the course that you have already taken.

To learn how to cancel your registration, visit the Cancelling a Course Registration on the Office de la protection du consommateur website.

Are there penalties if I cancel my contract with the driving school?

Visit the Knowing the Cancellation Terms on the Office de la protection du consommateur website.

For any other question about the service contract and related fees, visit the website of the Office de la protection du consommateur.

Last update: June 15, 2022