{"id":14035,"date":"2026-09-28T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/?p=14035"},"modified":"2026-09-28T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T13:00:00","slug":"quebec-learners-licence-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/en\/permis-apprenti-conducteur-quebec\/","title":{"rendered":"Quebec Learner's Licence: Rules, Restrictions and Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Learner's licence<\/div>\n

Quebec learner's licence: rules, restrictions and renewal<\/h2>\n

It is the first real document on your road to a driver's licence. It lets you drive, but under precise rules. Here is what the SAAQ requires to get it, what you are allowed to do with it, and what happens when it expires.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

The learner's licence is not a formality. It opens the practical phase of the driving course, it starts the waiting periods before the tests, and it puts you under a stricter regime than an experienced driver. Understanding these rules from day one avoids bad surprises and, sometimes, a suspension before you even hold your licence.<\/p>\n\n

Requirements to get it<\/h2>\n\n
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Be 16<\/div>\n

The minimum age is 16. If you are under 18, written consent from a parent or guardian is mandatory.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Complete Phase 1 of the course<\/div>\n

You must have passed the first 5 theory modules (Phase 1) at an SAAQ-approved driving school. The school gives you an attestation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Pay $88.35<\/div>\n

The amount includes the photo. It is paid at the SAAQ service centre, where credit cards are not accepted (cash, debit, cheque).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Pass a vision test and show your ID<\/div>\n

A vision test is done on site. Bring the required identification documents. You need an appointment: see our appointment guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Good to know.<\/strong> No knowledge test is required to get the learner's licence. The SAAQ knowledge test comes later, after at least 10 months on the learner's licence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

What the learner's licence lets you do<\/h2>\n\n

With this licence you can drive a passenger vehicle on the road, provided you are accompanied. It is also the licence you use for all your in-car sessions with your instructor in Phases 2, 3 and 4 of the course. It is valid for 18 months, which comfortably covers the normal path: 10 months before the knowledge test, 12 months before the road test.<\/p>\n\n

The restrictions you must follow<\/h2>\n\n
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Rule 1<\/div>\n
An accompanying driver, always<\/div>\n

The person beside you must have held a valid Class 5 driver's licence for at least 2 years and actively help you. A probationary licence is not enough.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rule 2<\/div>\n
No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.<\/div>\n

The night-time ban applies to all learners, whatever their age, even with an accompanying driver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rule 3<\/div>\n
Zero alcohol, zero drugs<\/div>\n

No amount of alcohol is tolerated behind the wheel. A single offence can lead to an immediate suspension.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Rule 4<\/div>\n
A 4-demerit-point bracket<\/div>\n

At 4 points or more, the licence is revoked. One serious offence (for example not stopping for a school bus, 9 points) is enough.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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The 4-point trap<\/div>\n

A driver aged 25 or over has 15 points. A learner has only 4. Holding a phone while driving costs 5 points, not stopping for a school bus, 9 points: a single one of these offences exceeds your limit. In practice, one common mistake can end your journey before the test. The 4-point bracket continues with the probationary licence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Expiry and renewal<\/h2>\n\n

The learner's licence is valid for 18 months. If you have not obtained your probationary licence by then, you can apply for a new learner's licence, this time valid for 12 months. Fees apply again. The time already served is not lost: the original issue date still counts toward the 10-month and 12-month waits before the tests.<\/p>\n\n

The best way to avoid a renewal is to follow the course at a steady pace. The 4 phases of the program are designed to run over about a year, right inside the licence's validity window.<\/p>\n\n

What comes next: the probationary licence<\/h2>\n\n

Once you pass the road test, the learner's licence is replaced by the probationary licence, valid for 24 months, at a cost of $107.96. The restrictions change: no more accompanying driver, but the 4-point bracket and zero alcohol remain, and night-time passenger limits apply to drivers aged 19 and under. We cover everything in our probationary licence guide<\/a> and in the steps to a Quebec driver's licence<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n
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Can you drive alone with a learner's licence?<\/div>\n

No. An accompanying driver who has held a Class 5 licence for at least 2 years must be beside you on every trip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Can you start the course before 16?<\/div>\n

Yes, the Phase 1 theory can start before 16. The learner's licence itself can only be issued from age 16.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How long before you can take the knowledge test?<\/div>\n

At least 10 months after getting the learner's licence. And at least 12 months for the road test, after completing the course.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What happens if I lose my 4 points?<\/div>\n

The learner's licence is revoked. You will have to wait out the sanction, apply again and pay the fees again.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Start Phase 1 and get your learner's licence<\/h3>

SAAQ-approved driving school, 5 branches from Laval to Saint-J\u00e9r\u00f4me. Complete Class 5 course for $999 + taxes, payable in 6 instalments.<\/p>Register online<\/a><\/div>\n\n

Information verified in September 2026 on saaq.gouv.qc.ca<\/a> (requirements, fees, validity, restrictions and renewal of the Class 5 learner's licence). Demerit points: SAAQ official table (PDF, French)<\/a>. Rules can change: check the SAAQ website for the current version.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00c2ge, co\u00fbt, dur\u00e9e de validit\u00e9, accompagnateur, interdiction de conduire la nuit, points d’inaptitude, renouvellement : tout ce qu’il faut savoir sur le permis d’apprenti conducteur classe 5 au Qu\u00e9bec, v\u00e9rifi\u00e9 sur le site de la SAAQ.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14089,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[51,46,58,57,44],"class_list":["post-14035","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-examen-saaq","tag-conseils-conduite","tag-formation-permis-de-conduire","tag-permis-classe-5","tag-permis-de-conduire","tag-saaq"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t