Failed the SAAQ test? Retake delays, fees and what to do next
Failing the SAAQ knowledge or road test is neither rare nor final. What matters is what you do with the next 28 days. Here are the exact retake rules, what it costs, and how to turn a fail into a pass on the second try.
Many candidates leave the service centre with a negative result and a single question: now what? The good news is that the SAAQ has set a clear framework: a minimum delay, known fees, and a learner's licence that stays valid. The less good news is that a retake without changing your method often gives the same result. This article covers both.
The retake rules at a glance
| Knowledge test | Road test | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum delay before retake | 28 days | 28 days |
| Fee paid again | $13.50 | $33.75 |
| Number of retakes | No maximum stated by the SAAQ | No maximum stated by the SAAQ |
| Learner's licence | Kept | Kept |
| Appointment | Book again (SAAQclic or phone) | Book again, with a vehicle |
The 28-day delay is a minimum, not a target. You can book later if you need more time. What is not possible is retaking earlier, whatever the reason.
Failed the knowledge test: what happened?
The knowledge test has three parts and you need 75% in each. A fail therefore often comes from one weak part, not a general gap. Your result tells you which one. The two most frequent causes: road signs (look-alike signs) and scenario questions (applying the rule rather than reciting it). Our article on the 3 parts and the pass mark explains the scoring.
Go back to the course modules covering that part. Do not redo everything: focus the effort where the points were lost.
The SAAQ's free practice test, in sets of 30 questions. Goal: above 75% in every part several days in a row.
As soon as your results are stable. Bring your ID and an accepted payment method (no credit cards).
The test takes 30 to 60 minutes. Many mistakes come from a question read too fast, not from an unknown rule.
For the full method, see where to practise the knowledge test for free and how to pass the SAAQ knowledge test.
Failed the road test: the usual causes
On the road test, the examiner scores your manoeuvres and behaviours over about 30 minutes of driving. Fails rarely come from a spectacular manoeuvre. They come from repeated errors or a single serious fault: incomplete stop, blind spot check missed, inappropriate speed, right of way not yielded. Our guide how to pass the SAAQ road test on your first try details what is evaluated.
Ask the examiner, or read on your result sheet, which items caused the fail. Then book one or two extra sessions with an instructor, targeted at those specific items, before the retake. Driving for 28 days with an accompanying driver without correcting the identified error only makes it a habit.
The vehicle for the retake
For the road test you must show up with a compliant vehicle: registration, insurance, and in good condition. If you do not have access to a car on retake day, renting a vehicle for the test is possible. We explain the options in car rental for the SAAQ road test.
What about the learner's licence meanwhile?
A fail does not affect your learner's licence. It stays valid until its expiry date (18 months after issue) and you can keep driving with an accompanying driver, within the restrictions. If the expiry is near, a new learner's licence, valid 12 months, can be requested. All the details are in our learner's licence guide.
Frequently asked questions
At least 28 days, for both the knowledge test and the road test. You can book later if you wish.
Yes. $13.50 for the knowledge test, $33.75 for the road test, at every attempt.
The SAAQ states no maximum number of retakes. The real constraints are the learner's licence validity and the cost of each attempt.
No. The course completed at an approved school remains valid. Extra sessions with an instructor are optional, but often the best preparation for the retake.
A retake is best prepared with an instructor
SAAQ-approved driving school, 5 branches from Laval to Saint-Jérôme. Complete Class 5 course for $999 + taxes, payable in 6 instalments.
Register onlineInformation verified in September 2026 on saaq.gouv.qc.ca (fees, 28-day retake delay, learner's licence validity and renewal) and on the SAAQ test preparation page (test duration, payment methods). Rules can change: check the SAAQ website for the current version.
