SAAQ road test score sheet: what the examiner checks
Many candidates go looking for the SAAQ road test "score sheet". Here is what the SAAQ actually publishes about how your driving is assessed, what leads to an automatic failure and how you get your result.
Before a road test, everyone wants to know what they will be judged on. That makes sense: it is easier to prepare when you know the criteria. The catch is that the "score sheets" circulating online, with points deducted per error, rarely point to an official source. This article sticks to what the SAAQ publishes itself.
Is there an official public score sheet?
Short answer: the SAAQ does not publish the evaluation form the examiner fills out during the Class 5 road test, or the value assigned to each error. Its internal policy on competency tests, which is publicly available, does not include a detailed grid either.
What the SAAQ does publish is still useful:
- the 5 areas of driving that are assessed;
- the passing mark for the road test;
- examples of behaviour that lead to an automatic failure;
- the rules on the vehicle, electronic devices and cheating;
- what happens after the test.
If a website shows you a precise scale (for example, a number of points taken off for each mistake), check where it comes from. The SAAQ does not publish that kind of scale for the Class 5 test. Prepare on the 5 areas below instead.
The 5 areas the examiner watches
On its Class 5 licence page, the SAAQ explains that the road test is there to make sure you are a safe, cooperative and responsible driver. It describes five areas that are assessed:
| Area assessed | How the SAAQ describes it | What to practise |
|---|---|---|
| Independent driving | Observing the situation, making the right decision and acting at the right time | Anticipating lights, pedestrians and other road users without being told |
| Visual checks | Looking over your shoulder when turning or changing lanes, scanning your surroundings | Mirrors and blind spot for every lane change, turn and pull-out |
| Vehicle control | Managing speed, lane position and safety margins around the vehicle | Smooth braking, steady path, following distance |
| Confident, courteous driving | Observing the speed limit and using right of way correctly | Not hesitating when you have the right of way, yielding when required |
| Traffic rules | Stopping at red lights and stop signs, respecting speed limits and right of way | Full stops, speed adjusted for school and residential zones |
The SAAQ does not publish a list of mandatory manoeuvres. If the examiner asks you to do one, such as parking, it is observed through these same areas.
The passing mark: 75%
The SAAQ states that the passing mark for the road test is 75%. Its competency test policy also sets the pass threshold for the Class 5 on-road test at 75 out of 100.
The SAAQ does not say publicly how that percentage is calculated or what each error is worth. In practice, do not try to "count" your mistakes during the test. Focus on driving consistently and safely from start to finish.
Key point. A 75% mark does not protect you from an automatic failure. Some behaviours are enough on their own to fail the test, no matter how well the rest of the drive went.
What leads to an automatic failure
The SAAQ gives examples of behaviour that can result in an automatic failure:
- failing to stop at a red light or a stop sign;
- speeding;
- driving against traffic.
These are examples, not a complete list. Remember the principle: an action that creates danger or clearly breaks a basic rule can be enough by itself.
Cheating and intimidation also mean an automatic failure. Under the SAAQ's policy, the examiner ends the test and a failure is recorded. You then have to wait 90 days before retaking the test for a first offence, and 180 days for a repeat offence. During the road test, you may not have any electronic device on you (phone, smartwatch, smart glasses, camera, earphones), and you may not film, record or photograph anything.
How the test unfolds, from the lot to the result
The SAAQ does not supply vehicles. The examiner checks that yours is safe and in good mechanical condition: lights, signals, brake lights, mirrors, wipers, brakes (including the parking brake), horn, seat belts and tires, among others. If the vehicle does not pass, the test does not take place and you have to book a new appointment.
The examiner puts a removable "Examen de conduite" sign on the vehicle. No passengers or pets are allowed during the test.
The test itself takes about 30 minutes, and the whole appointment about one hour. You follow the examiner's directions while they observe the 5 areas described above.
Whatever the result, the examiner goes over your strengths and the areas to improve. Write them down as soon as you can: this is the only concrete "score sheet" you will walk away with.
If you do not have a vehicle that meets the requirements, our article on renting a car for the SAAQ test explains your options.
After the test: pass or fail
If you pass, you pay the probationary licence fees. For the next steps, see the SAAQ page.
If you fail, a minimum waiting period applies before you can retake the test, and you pay the fee again. We cover this in a separate article: failed the SAAQ test: waiting periods and retakes.
Either way, the examiner's feedback is your best tool. Comments like "not enough visual checks" or "speed not adjusted" map directly to the areas being assessed. For general preparation tips, read how to pass the SAAQ road test on your first try.
Frequently asked questions
The SAAQ does not publish the form the examiner uses. It publishes the 5 areas assessed, the passing mark and examples of automatic failures. At the end of the test, the examiner explains your strengths and the areas to improve.
The SAAQ states a passing mark of 75%. It does not publish what each error is worth.
The SAAQ mentions failing to stop at a red light or stop sign, speeding, driving against traffic, as well as cheating and intimidation.
About 30 minutes of driving, for an appointment of about one hour in total, according to the SAAQ.
Prepare with a recognized school
Vision Plus is a SAAQ-recognized driving school with 5 schools from Laval to Saint-Jérôme, where our instructors teach the official program: find the school nearest you.
Register onlineInformation verified in October 2026. Class 5 road test: SAAQ. Competency test policy (French only): SAAQ (PDF). Cheating policy (French only): SAAQ (PDF). Rules can change: check these sources for the current version.
