New measures to improve service delivery at the SAAQ

The SAAQ has introduced the following measures to reduce wait times in service outlets and avoid penalizing clients:

  • Licence holders who have received a licence renewal notice requiring that they have their photo taken:

    • The validity period of driver’s licences that would normally expire between June 1 and August 31, 2023, inclusive has been extended. Licence holders will have a 90-day grace period following their birthday to pay the required fees. Furthermore, they will not have to go to a service outlet to have a new photo taken. They will receive their payment notice and new driver’s licence in the mail. We will reuse the most recent photo and signature we have on file.
  • Grace period for driving with a licence issued outside Québec
    • Holders of a valid driver’s licence issued outside Québec will have longer than the usual 6 months to exchange their current licence for a Québec licence. They now have until August 29, 2023 to do so.
    • However, holders of a licence issued outside Québec that is set to expire before August 29, 2023 must obtain their Québec licence before their current licence expires.
    • This measure applies to passenger vehicle licences only.
    • If you have any questions about the licence exchange program, please call us at 514-954-7771 to speak with one of our representatives.
       
  • IRP registration certificate (cab card) validity period extended
    The validity period of a heavy vehicle’s IRP registration certificate has been extended for 90 days. During this period, truck drivers remain subject to all other Highway Safety Code provisions that usually apply.

    This measure aims to give truckers more time to renew their IRP registration certificates.
  • Taking a co-owned recreational vehicle out of storage in the case of co-owners currently outside Québec
    Co-owned recreational vehicles can now be taken out of storage more easily by co-owners who find themselves outside Québec and who are unable to carry out this operation using SAAQclic. Co-owners can request to have their vehicle taken out of storage by email This link opens your default email software.. They must enter “Taking a co-owned recreational vehicle out of storage” in the subject line. In the body of the email, they must list the names of all the co-owners appearing on the registration certificate, as well as a telephone number where they can be reached outside Québec at any time. For more information, refer to the FAQ page.
  • Reuse of the photo on file when renewing a health insurance card
    As a temporary measure, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) is allowing people to reuse the most recent photo of them it has on file when renewing their health insurance card. People who have already received their renewal notice from the RAMQ do not need to go to an SAAQ service outlet. They can simply fill out and sign their renewal notice and drop it in the mail. Please refer to the RAMQ’s press release for more information on this measure. 

Additional steps

  • The SAAQ has implemented an action plan to improve client service. The plan includes the following measures:
  • 150 additional employees will gradually be assigned to help out in service outlets experiencing the highest traffic.
  • Service outlets will open earlier and stay open later to handle overflow, as required. In addition, certain services will be available by appointment on weekends.
  • Average wait times in each service outlet will be posted on the SAAQ website.
  • Self-service kiosks will be added in some service outlets.
  • Anyone who would like help with creating their Government Authentication Service account in order to access SAAQclic can now take advantage of the simplified authentication process that is available in 16 SAAQ service centres (Langelier, Gatineau, Laval, Longueuil, Lebourgneuf, Drummondville, Victoriaville, Thetford Mines, Matane, Gaspé, Alma, Saguenay, Roberval, Rouyn-Noranda, La Sarre and Sherbrooke). The simplified process requires only 2 pieces of identification (instead of 4) in order to create a SAAQclic account. In addition to their health insurance card and driver’s licence or learner’s licence, people must also provide a valid email address.
  • Anyone who would like help creating their SAAQclic account can speak with one of our representatives by calling 1-833-466-1322.
  • Anyone having trouble creating their Government Authentication Service account can contact Services Québec at 1-877-644-4545.

For more information, please refer to the FAQ page.