Preparing for the knowledge and road tests
If you have to take the SAAQ’s knowledge and road tests in order to exchange your current driver’s licence for a Québec licence, everything you need to know to prepare for them is available here.
To find out whether you need to take the SAAQ tests, visit our Obtaining a Driver’s Licence web page for the conditions that apply to your situation.
-
-
Cost
- 13,20 $
-
Preparing for the test
- Reference guides:
- Companion documents:
- Road Access Binder, available in French and English from driving schools recognized by the SAAQ
- Guide to Knowledge Test Illustrations (PDF, 5.6 MB)
- Modules, exercises and quiz:
- passenger vehicle driving course modules and exercises (theoretical component)
- Road Safety Quiz
Watch this video on preparing for the knowledge test (available in French only).
Passing mark
To pass the knowledge test, you must obtain a score of 75% on each of the three sections. If you fail the test, you must wait at least 28 days before you will be allowed to retake the test. You will only have to retake the sections of the test that you failed. Fees will apply each time you retake the test.
Test given in 5 languages
The knowledge test is available in French and English. You may also take the test in Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin. Simply make your request at the service centre counter on the day of your test.
Test with an interpreter
You may also take the test with the assistance of an interpreter upon request. For the conditions and applicable fees, ask the service centre employee on the day of your eligibility appointment.
Deaf or hard of hearing persons
The knowledge test can be administered with the help of a sign language interpreter, at no extra cost, at service centres in Gatineau, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda and Saguenay, as well as the Hamel service centre in Québec and the Henri-Bourassa service centre in Montréal.
You can also take your knowledge test using interpretation services provided by videoconference at any other service centre where knowledge tests are administered. If you are interested in this service, please contact our call centre.
For more information: Sign-Language Services
Special needs
If you have special needs and require accommodations to take the knowledge test, please contact our call centre so that the proper person may be notified.
Contents of the test
The knowledge test is based on the Road Safety Education Program (RSEP) and divided into three parts:
- the Highway Safety Code
- road signs and traffic signals
- behaviours and techniques applicable to driving a passenger vehicle (specialization)
The knowledge test is comprised entirely of multiple-choice questions. To assist with reading, French- and English-language audio recordings of the questions and their possible answers are available.
Many test questions include illustrations such as this:
- Take the time to carefully read the question.
- Expand the illustration if needed by clicking on it. It will then fill the entire screen.
- Take the time to carefully analyze the illustration to decode all the information it contains:
- Look closely at what each vehicle is doing and identify any potential traffic offences based on what you know about traffic rules, road signs, traffic signals and road-sharing principles;
- identify which vehicles are being referred to in each statement (each vehicle is assigned its own number).
- Select your answer (A, B, C or D).
Making an appointment
Once you are well prepared for the knowledge test, request an eligibility appointment by filling out the appointment request form online.
Depending on your situation, you may be able to take the knowledge test at the service centre on the same day as your appointment, or you may have to make another appointment.
On the day of the test
Before the test
- Go to the service outlet that you selected when you made your appointment.
- Pay the test fee.
Pieces of identification:
One or two pieces of identification, depending on your status in Canada
Payment options:
- cash
- debit card
- one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
- cheque or money order
Payment by credit card is not accepted.
Test duration
The knowledge test takes between 30 and 60 minutes to complete.
Cheating
The only material you are allowed to use during the test is a paper dictionary (without illustrations or notes) and the material provided by the SAAQ. Any other document or device (“cheat sheet,” cell phone, smart watch, etc.) is prohibited during the test.
Using any prohibited material or trying in any way to contact someone will be considered cheating. Anyone found cheating will automatically fail the test and will have to wait at least 56 days before being allowed to take the test again. People caught cheating more than once will have to wait at least 90 days.
-
-
Prerequisite
- You must have passed the knowledge test.
-
-
-
Making an appointment
To make an appointment, you must use the SAAQclic online services platform.
-
-
-
Cost
Road test: $33,00
Please print and sign the document giving your consent and bring it with you to your road test appointment.
-
If you cannot make it to your test, you must cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 48 hours in advance using SAAQclic . If you fail to do so, you will be charged a cancellation fee .
Preparing for the test
Deaf or hard of hearing persons
You must use a vehicle equipped with a dual pedal system for your road test. We reimburse the cost of renting such a vehicle.
The road test can be administered with the help of a sign language interpreter at any service centre where road tests are administered (instructions before the test and feedback afterwards). We reimburse the fees for this service, which can be provided by the interpreter on site or online (via videoconference). If you are interested in this service, please contact our call centre.
Special needs
If you have special needs and require accommodations to take the test, please contact our call centre so that the proper person may be notified.
The road test is used to evaluate your driving ability to ensure you become a safe, cooperative and responsible driver.
Driving Skills Assessed
| Main Driving Skills Assessed | |
|---|---|
| Independent driving |
|
| Performing visual checks |
|
| Controlling the vehicle |
|
| Driving with confidence and showing courtesy |
|
| Obeying traffic rules |
|
For an idea of what to expect, watch this video on the SAAQ road test(available in French only).
Getting used to driving in Québec
Before taking the test, you need to practise driving on Québec roads. If you would like to hone your driving skills, you can take a personalized refresher course at a driving school.
Road test vehicle
The SAAQ does not provide any vehicles for road tests. You must report to your test with a vehicle that is safe and in good mechanical condition. If the inspection reveals that the vehicle does not meet applicable standards, you will not be allowed to take the test and will have to make another appointment.
If you lack French- or English-language skills, the driving examiner will use hand signals to give you instructions during the road test. In this case, you may need to rent a vehicle with two sets of pedals from a driving school.
If you took the knowledge test in a language other than English or French, you will be required to rent a vehicle with two sets of pedals.
The examiner will check:
- The vehicle’s mechanical components, including the windshield, side windows, turn-signal lights, brake lights, rear-view mirrors, etcIncluding the windshield, side windows, turn-signal lights, brake lights, rearview mirrors, etc.
Important rules to remember:
- Passengers and pets are prohibited from being on board the vehicle during the test.
- In the case of a rental vehicle, the rental contract or receipt must be presented.
- A removable sign provided by the SAAQ that reads “Examen de conduite” will be installed on the vehicle.
Passing mark
To pass the road test, you must obtain a score of 75%.
Important!
Should you fail the road test, you will no longer be authorized to drive with your foreign driver’s licence. Instead, you will be issued a learner’s licence, which comes with the following conditions:
- You must be accompanied while driving by someone who holds a valid Québec Class 5 driver’s licence and has at least 2 years of driving experience.
- You must not drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
- You must abide by the zero-alcohol rule
- You must have fewer than 4 demerit points entered on your driving record
It is therefore important that someone with a valid driver’s licence accompany you to your road test, as that person will be able to drive you home if need be.
If you fail the road test, you will have to pay for a learner’s licence.
Please note that you must wait at least 28 days before you can retake the road test. You will have to make a new appointment .
Once you pass the road test, the SAAQ will issue a licence that reflects your years of driving experience.
You may automatically fail the test if you make a mistake like failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, or driving over the posted speed limit or against traffic.
On the day of the test
Before the test
- Go to the service outlet that you selected when you made your appointment.
- Present your learner's licence, the valid and signed registration certificate for the vehicle you will be using for the test, a paper copy of your proof of liability insurance, and your driving course attestation (If you have attended more than one driving school, you must provide the certificate obtained from each one.).
- Pay the test fee.
Pieces of identification to present
- Québec learner’s licence (if you hold one)
OR
- One or two pieces of identification, depending on your status in Canada
Required vehicle documents
- Private vehicle: valid registration certificate and proof of liability insurance
- Driving school vehicle: rental agreement
Payment options:
- cash
- debit card
- one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
- cheque or money order
Payment by credit card is not accepted.
Before the test, the examiner will inform you about the test procedure.
Test duration
The road test takes approximately 30 minutes to complete (the whole appointment should take about 1 hour).
Using a portable electronic device (smart phone, smart watch, etc.) to record images during the road test is prohibited and will result in automatic failure of the test.
After the test
Regardless of your test results, the examiner will take the time to indicate your strong points and those that need some improvement.
If you passed the road test, you will have to pay the applicable licence fees.
Last update: July 17, 2025