In a press release dated May 23, 2025, the Société de assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) announced upcoming changes to driving regulations for certain newcomers to Quebec.
Until now, newly arrived individuals were generally allowed to drive a category 5 vehicle for six months using their national driver’s license. After this period, if they did not hold an international driver’s permit, they were required to apply for a Quebec driver’s license.
One important criterion is the country that issued the foreign driver’s license:
- If the person holds a driver’s license issued at least one year ago in another Canadian province, the USA, or a country that has a mutual recognition agreement with Quebec,
- Or if the license was issued by a country that does not have such an agreement.
List of countries with a mutual recognition agreement with Quebec:
- Germany
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- United Kingdom: England, Wales, and Scotland
- Isle of Man
- Northern Ireland
- Japan
- Netherlands: Holland and the Netherlands Antilles (Sint Maarten, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, and Sint Eustatius)
- Republic of Korea (South Korea)
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
If the license was issued in one of these countries, it can simply be exchanged for a Quebec license.
If the country is not on this list, a road test must be passed in order to obtain a Quebec category 5 driver’s license.
What will change as of June 5, 2025?
The changes apply to those who fail the road test. From now on, if a person fails, they will no longer be allowed to continue driving using their foreign license.
Instead, SAAQ will issue a learner’s permit, which allows a person to drive a category 5 vehicle but with restrictions:
- They must be accompanied by a driver who holds a valid Quebec class 5 license for at least two years.
- Driving is prohibited between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
- Zero alcohol tolerance.
- No more than 4 demerit points on their record.
Retaking the road test is allowed an unlimited number of times, but there must be at least 28 days between each attempt, and each attempt requires a new appointment.
There are also changes for:
- Three-wheeled motorcycles (category 6E)
- Road tractors (category 3)
For more information, visit the official SAAQ website