Permis PrêtDooring in Quebec: when can you open your car door, and what is the fine?
What the Code says, who it applies to (driver and passengers), and the technique the SAAQ recommends.
Short answer: in Quebec, no one may open the door of a vehicle unless it is stopped and they have made sure it is safe to do so (s. 430). The rule covers everyone, passengers included, and the fine set by the Code is $200 to $300 (s. 510). Leaving a door open longer than needed is also prohibited (s. 431).
What is dooring?
The SAAQ defines dooring (emportiérage) as hitting a cyclist, making them fall or pushing them into another vehicle by carelessly opening a car door. It also covers a cyclist who swerves to avoid the door and then falls or is hit by another vehicle. Cyclists are most at risk, but moped riders, motorcyclists and even drivers can be victims too (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 4, “L’emportiérage”).
What the Code says
- Opening a door: the Code de la sécurité routière (Quebec’s Highway Safety Code) says no one may open the door of a road vehicle unless the vehicle is stopped and they have made sure it can be done safely (s. 430). So there are two conditions: the vehicle is stopped, and you have checked that no cyclist or vehicle is coming.
- Leaving a door open: allowed only while a person gets in or out, or while goods are loaded or unloaded (s. 431).
- Getting in or out while moving: prohibited, and the driver may not allow it (s. 429).
The Code says “no one may”, not “the driver may not”: a passenger who opens their door without looking commits the offence too. The SAAQ handbook says the check before opening must also be done by passengers (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 3, “Se préparer à quitter le véhicule”).
| Offence | Fine set by the Code |
|---|---|
| Opening a door when it isn’t safe, or before the vehicle has stopped (s. 430) | $200 to $300 (s. 510) |
| Leaving a door open for no reason (s. 431) | $60 to $120 (s. 506) |
| Getting in or out of a moving vehicle (s. 429) | $60 to $120 (s. 506) |
These offences are not listed in the table of the Regulation respecting demerit points: they carry a fine but no demerit points.
What to do before opening
The SAAQ handbook suggests its Observe – Evaluate – Act sequence: check the mirror, then the blind spot, before opening the door (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 4, “L’emportiérage”). Before leaving the vehicle, it also advises you to:
- glance in the mirrors and the blind spot to make sure no vehicle or bike is close;
- open the door only once there is no longer any risk of dooring;
- get out of the vehicle facing traffic (ch. 3, “Se préparer à quitter le véhicule”).
The “Dutch reach”: advice, not law
The SAAQ suggests that occupants use the pivot opening (ouverture pivot): open the door with the hand farthest from it, for example the right hand for the driver’s door (Conduire un véhicule de promenade, ch. 4, “L’emportiérage”). It is widely known in English as the “Dutch reach”.
Note: this is a recommendation in the handbook, not a rule in the Code. The law requires the result (making sure it is safe), not a particular hand.
Key points for the test
- Open a door only when the vehicle is stopped and it is safe (s. 430).
- The rule applies to everyone: driver and passengers.
- Fine: $200 to $300; no demerit points.
- A door may stay open only while someone gets in or out, or while goods are loaded or unloaded (s. 431).
- Before opening: mirror, then blind spot. The pivot opening (far hand) is SAAQ advice.
Original questions with an explanation and a source, “Highway Safety Code” section.
Practise for free
See also
- Free SAAQ practice test: 15 questions
- Passing cyclists: how much space?
- Blind spot: the shoulder check before changing lanes
- No-parking distances to remember
Official sources
- Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 429, 430, 431, 506 and 510
- Regulation respecting demerit points (CQLR c. C-24.2, r. 37), Schedule (table of demerit points)
- SAAQ, Guide de la route (4th ed., 2024, French), ch. 4, “Pratiques non autorisées concernant un véhicule” (“Portières”)
- SAAQ, Conduire un véhicule de promenade (2022), ch. 3, “Se préparer à quitter le véhicule”, and ch. 4, “L’emportiérage”. English edition: Driving a Passenger Vehicle
General information page, current as of 2026-10-29. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.