You just passed your road test — congratulations! The licence you receive, however, is not yet the "full" driver's licence: it is the probationary licence. For 24 months, stricter rules apply, and ignoring them can cost you dearly: zero tolerance for alcohol, a limit of 4 demerit points and, for drivers 19 or under, night-time passenger restrictions.
This guide clearly explains how the probationary licence works in Quebec in 2026: how long it lasts, what it costs, the three big rules to respect, and what happens at the end of the 24 months.
24 months, zero alcohol, 4 points: the trio to remember
The probationary licence lasts 24 months, prohibits any alcohol before driving and tolerates only 4 demerit points. After those two years, you move on to the class 5 licence — with no further exam.
What is the probationary licence?
The probationary licence is the stage between the learner's licence and the full class 5 driver's licence. You obtain it by passing the SAAQ road test, after your mandatory driving course and your minimum 12 months as a learner. If your exam is coming up, our tips for passing the road test on your first try will help.
It costs $107.96 according to the SAAQ fee schedule and is valid for 24 months. Unlike the learner's licence, it lets you drive alone, without an accompanying rider. But it comes with special conditions — and that is where many new drivers get caught.
The 3 big rules of the probationary licence
A single drop of alcohol before getting behind the wheel is an offence. The "0.08" rule does not apply to you: it is zero, period. Apply the same caution to cannabis and drugs.
An experienced driver gets 15 points; you get only 4. One major speeding ticket, or a red light plus a phone in hand, can be enough to have your licence revoked.
Between midnight and 5 a.m.: maximum 1 passenger aged 19 or under during your first 6 months, then maximum 3 during the following 6 months. Immediate family is exempt.
To accompany a learner driver, you must have held a full driver's licence for at least 2 years. With a probationary licence, you therefore cannot supervise a friend who is learning.
Your licence is revoked. The sanction lasts a minimum of 3 months and can reach 12 months depending on your record, as explained on the SAAQ's official demerit points page. Getting back on the road then means new procedures — and your insurance bill remembers it for a long time.
How many points for which offences?
A few frequent examples among new drivers: using a phone while driving, speeding, and failing to stop at a red light or stop sign all carry demerit points that add up fast when your limit is 4. The full breakdown by offence is published by the SAAQ. The legal-education organization Éducaloi and the SPVM also offer excellent summaries of the rules for new drivers.
After 24 months: the class 5 licence
Good news: there is no further exam. After 24 months with a probationary licence, you become eligible for the full class 5 driver's licence. The probationary restrictions fall away — but note that the point limit remains reduced for young drivers (8 points under age 23, 12 points from 23 to 24), and zero tolerance for alcohol continues to apply to drivers aged 21 or under.
FAQ: probationary licence in Quebec
24 months, from its issue after you pass your road test. You then move on to the class 5 licence without a new exam.
Yes. Unlike the learner's licence, no accompanying rider is required. You cannot, however, act as an accompanying rider for a learner driver yourself.
Tolerance is zero: any presence of alcohol is an offence, with immediate consequences for your licence. The simplest approach: never drive after drinking, even "just one beer".
$107.96 for the 24 months, according to the SAAQ's current fee schedule. That comes on top of the fees already paid for the learner's licence and the exams.
The best way to avoid bad surprises: real training
At Vision Plus, our instructors prepare students for the probationary rules well before the exam. Five branches in Laval, Sainte-Thérèse, Saint-Jérôme, Mascouche and Laval – Duvernay.
Register nowInformation updated July 28, 2026. Rules, fees and sanctions are provided for reference only and may change. Visit saaq.gouv.qc.ca for the latest official information.
