{"id":14037,"date":"2026-10-02T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/?p=14037"},"modified":"2026-10-02T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T13:00:00","slug":"4-phases-driving-course-quebec","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jeconduis.com\/en\/4-phases-cours-de-conduite-quebec\/","title":{"rendered":"The 4 Phases of the Quebec Driving Course: Length and Content"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n
\n
Driving course<\/div>\n

The 4 phases of the Quebec driving course: length and content<\/h2>\n

The Class 5 driving course is not a block of lessons to take in any order. It is a 4-phase program, defined by the SAAQ, that alternates theory and practice over about a year. Here is what each phase contains, how long it lasts and when the learner's licence and the tests come in.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

The Road Safety Education Program is the same in every SAAQ-approved school: 12 theory modules (24 hours) and 15 in-car sessions (15 hours), spread over 4 phases. What changes from one school to another is the quality of teaching, instructor availability and price. The content itself is regulated.<\/p>\n\n\n
Phase<\/th>Theory<\/th>In-car<\/th>Minimum length<\/th><\/tr>\n
Phase 1<\/td>Modules 1 to 5<\/td>No sessions<\/td>28 days<\/td><\/tr>\n
Phase 2<\/td>Modules 6 and 7<\/td>Sessions 1 to 4<\/td>28 days<\/td><\/tr>\n
Phase 3<\/td>Modules 8 to 10<\/td>Sessions 5 to 10<\/td>56 days<\/td><\/tr>\n
Phase 4<\/td>Modules 11 and 12<\/td>Sessions 11 to 15<\/td>56 days<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table>\n\n

Phase 1: theory before the learner's licence<\/h2>\n\n

Phase 1 takes place entirely in the classroom. Five two-hour modules cover the vehicle, the driver, the road environment and risky behaviours, followed by an evaluation. You must pass it for the SAAQ to issue your learner's licence. This phase can start before age 16; the learner's licence itself is only issued from 16.<\/p>\n\n

\n

Key step.<\/strong> At the end of Phase 1, the school gives you an attestation. With it, your ID and $88.35, you get your learner's licence at an SAAQ service centre. Everything is explained in our learner's licence guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Phase 2: directed driving<\/h2>\n\n

Your first sessions on the road, four in total, with the instructor guiding every manoeuvre. Alongside, modules 6 and 7 cover accompanied driving and the OEA strategy (observe, evaluate, act), the method you will apply in every session. It is also when your parents or accompanying driver start driving with you outside the course.<\/p>\n\n

Phase 3: semi-directed driving<\/h2>\n\n

Six sessions (5 to 10) where you gradually make the decisions, with an instructor who steps in less and less. Modules 8 to 10 cover speed, sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and trucks, then alcohol and drugs. An evaluation of your practical training is done at sessions 5 and 10.<\/p>\n\n

\n
Why 56 days minimum<\/div>\n

Phases 3 and 4 each require at least 56 days. That is not administrative slowness: the SAAQ wants accompanied practice to spread over time, across several seasons and road conditions, rather than being crammed into two weeks. These phases are also where the 10-month wait before the knowledge test falls.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

Phase 4: toward independent driving<\/h2>\n\n

The last five sessions (11 to 15) put you in real conditions: longer trips, highway, varied conditions, and session 15 serves as a summary before the SAAQ road test. Modules 11 and 12 cover fatigue, distractions and eco-driving. At the end of Phase 4, the school gives you the attestation that lets you book the road test, provided you have held your learner's licence for at least 12 months.<\/p>\n\n

Where the SAAQ tests fit in<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
After Phase 1<\/div>\n
Learner's licence<\/div>\n

Obtained at the SAAQ with the school's attestation. No SAAQ test at this stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
10 months after the learner's licence<\/div>\n
Knowledge test<\/div>\n

$13.50, at a service centre, 3 parts, 75% in each. Usually during Phase 3 or 4.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
12 months after the learner's licence<\/div>\n
Road test<\/div>\n

$33.75, after completing the course. Session 15 is your dress rehearsal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
After the road test<\/div>\n
Probationary licence<\/div>\n

$107.96 for 24 months. Then the full Class 5 driver's licence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

How long does the whole course take?<\/h2>\n\n

Adding up the minimum lengths of the 4 phases gives 168 days, about five and a half months. But the real calendar is set by the SAAQ's waiting periods: 12 months on a learner's licence before the road test. A student who follows the course at a steady pace therefore gets a probationary licence 12 to 13 months after the learner's licence. Each step is detailed in the steps to a Quebec driver's licence<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

What the course costs, and what is included<\/h2>\n\n

At Vision Plus, the complete course (12 modules and 15 sessions) is $999 + taxes, payable in 6 instalments, at our 5 branches. We break down what that price includes in the $999 driving course: what's included<\/a>, and compare market prices in how much does a driving course cost in Quebec<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n
\n
\n
Can you skip a phase or speed up the course?<\/div>\n

No. The phases follow in order and each has a minimum length set by the SAAQ. A school promising the full course in a few weeks is not following the program.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
How long is an in-car session?<\/div>\n

Each session lasts 55 minutes with the instructor. The 15 sessions add up to the program's 15 hours of practice.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
Can the theory be done online?<\/div>\n

The SAAQ allows approved schools to offer the theory modules in class or online. Ask about the format offered at your branch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
What if I change schools partway through?<\/div>\n

A transfer is possible. Ask both schools how completed modules and sessions are recognized and what fees apply before switching.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

One complete course, 4 phases, one price<\/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 the SAAQ website: Road Safety Education Program overview (PDF, French)<\/a> and Class 5 licence page<\/a> (fees, delays, minimum lengths). 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":"

12 modules de th\u00e9orie, 15 sorties sur la route, 4 phases avec des dur\u00e9es minimales fix\u00e9es par la SAAQ : voici comment se d\u00e9roule le cours de conduite classe 5 au Qu\u00e9bec, du premier module \u00e0 l’examen pratique.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14091,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[48,46,58,57,44],"class_list":["post-14037","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-choisir-son-ecole","tag-forfait-cours-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