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New drivers

Mandatory driving lessons

The rules apply to people who do not have and have never had a class-5 learner's licence or probationary licence.

The length of time people must keep their passenger vehicle learner's licence (class 5) is 12 months for everyone.

The reason is to make sure new drivers gain more driving experience with the presence and assistance of an instructor.

Probationary licence

Because of their lack of experience, all new drivers are at greater risk of getting involved in a collision in their first years of driving, no matter how old they are. Therefore the probationary licence is mandatory and in effect for 24 months for all new drivers.

5 steps to a class 5 driver's licence:

  1. Register for a driving course
  2. Obtain a learner's licence
  3. Pass the theoretical exam
  4. Pass the practical exam
  5. Obtain a probationary licence

Regulation on the limitation of passagers

The driver of a road vehicle who holds a class 5 probationary licence, as determined by regulation, and who is 19 years of age or younger is subject to the following rules in the year after the licence is issued:

(1) for the first six months, the driver may only carry one passenger 19 years of age or younger between midnight and 5 a.m.; and

(2) for the next six months, the driver may only carry three passengers 19 years of age or younger between midnight and 5 a.m.

The rules set out in the first paragraph do not apply if one of the passengers has held, for at least two years, a valid driver’s licence of the appropriate class for driving the vehicle, is seated beside the driver and is in a position to give the driver assistance and advice.

For the purposes of the first paragraph, a passenger who is a member of the driver’s immediate family is not taken into account in the computation of the number of passengers.


Drivers who fail to comply with this rule while be finded $200 plus applicable fees.

Demerit point and alcohol

The learner's and probationary licences are subject to stricter regulations concerning demerit points and alcohol-impaired driving.

  • Holders of a learner's or probationary licence have a limit of 4 demerit points. Once this limit is passed, the licence is suspended for 3 months.
  • Holders of a learner's or probationary licence are considered to have committed an offence if they drive after consuming even a single drop of alcohol. For this breach of the Highway Safety Code, 4 demerit points are entered in the driver's record, and the licence is automatically suspended for 3 months. The Code also provides for a fine of $300 plus costs.

A driver found guilty of driving with a blood alcohol level of 80 mg/100 ml (0.08%) or more is also guilty of breaching the Criminal Code.

Find out more

Getting a First Licence to Drive - SAAQ

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