Permis PrêtDriving in Quebec as a newcomer: your first 6 months and after
Resident, visitor or student, the list of countries whose licence is exchanged without a test, the international driving permit, and what the public insurance plan covers (Class 5).
Short answer: if you settle in Quebec, you can drive a car, motorcycle or moped on your valid foreign licence for up to six consecutive months; after that you need a Quebec licence. The SAAQ recommends filling in the appointment form as soon as you arrive. A licence from another province, the United States or one of the 12 countries and jurisdictions named by the SAAQ is exchanged for a car licence without a test; otherwise, you take the knowledge and road tests.
Resident, visitor or student: which rule applies to you?
| Your situation | On your valid licence from elsewhere |
|---|---|
| You settle in Quebec (new resident) | Car, motorcycle or moped for up to six consecutive months, then a Quebec licence |
| You are visiting (non-resident, tourist) | Road vehicle for six consecutive months; beyond that, a valid international driving permit is required |
| Student, co-operant or trainee whose principal residence is outside Quebec | Car, motorcycle, moped or scooter for the length of the studies or traineeship |
In every case the licence must be valid, its conditions must be followed, and it only lets you drive the vehicle categories it authorizes. A student or trainee who settles in Quebec becomes a new resident. Even with a foreign licence that allows it, a new resident may not drive a truck, an emergency vehicle, a bus, a minibus or a taxi without a Quebec licence of the right class.
Source: SAAQ, “Obtaining a Driver’s Licence” (tourists and newcomers, last update June 18, 2026).
After 6 months: exchange or tests
| Licence issued… | For a car (Class 5) |
|---|---|
| In another Canadian province or territory | Exchanged for an equivalent class, without proficiency tests |
| In the United States | Exchanged without tests (car, Class 5, and moped or scooter, Class 6D) |
| In one of the 12 countries or jurisdictions listed below | Exchanged without tests |
| Elsewhere, licence held for at least one year before settling in Quebec | Equivalent licence after passing the knowledge and road tests |
| Other situations | Graduated licensing: driving course, learner’s licence for at least 12 months, tests, probationary licence for two years |
For a motorcycle (Classes 6A, 6B or 6C), tests are required even with a licence from the US or a listed country. Source: SAAQ, “Obtaining a Driver’s Licence”. Deadlines and the documents to bring are covered in our guide on exchanging a foreign licence.
The 12 countries and jurisdictions whose licence is exchanged without a test
For a car (Class 5), the SAAQ names:
- Austria
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Great Britain
- Isle of Man
- Japan
- the Netherlands
- Northern Ireland
- the Republic of Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
Your country isn’t listed? You will take the SAAQ tests if you have at least one year of experience. The knowledge test can be taken in French, English, Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin: see our guide on test languages.
Source: SAAQ, “Obtaining a Driver’s Licence” (last update June 18, 2026).
The international driving permit
- It is a “translation” of your licence, using an internationally recognized classification. It does not replace your licence: always carry both.
- It can be valid for one to three years; you apply for it in your own country before leaving for Quebec.
- Visitors: the SAAQ requires an international driving permit if your licence is not in English or French. For a stay of more than six months, a valid international driving permit is required to drive on Quebec roads.
- It does not extend a new resident’s six months: after that period you need a Quebec licence.
- It is not an official translation of your licence for the SAAQ exchange.
- Exception: after six months, a person with a Quebec home address and the right to stay in Canada for more than six months may no longer drive a Class 1 vehicle, even with an international driving permit.
Sources: SAAQ, “International driving permit” (last update April 20, 2026); “Obtaining a Driver’s Licence”; “Permis de conduire canadien ou étranger” (French; last modified April 30, 2026).
If you fail the road test
Since June 5, 2025, your foreign licence no longer lets you drive once you fail the road test. The SAAQ issues you a learner’s licence (you pay the fee), with these conditions:
- you must be accompanied by someone holding a valid Quebec Class 5 licence with at least two years of driving experience;
- no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.;
- the zero-alcohol rule;
- fewer than four demerit points on your record.
You can retake the test after a minimum of 28 days, with a new appointment. Once you pass, you get a probationary licence if you have fewer than 24 months of recognized experience, otherwise a driver’s licence. See also our guide on the road test.
Sources: SAAQ, “Obtaining a Driver’s Licence”; SAAQ newsroom, “Modifications apportées au Règlement sur les permis” (May 22, 2025).
Insurance: what the public plan covers
- The public automobile insurance plan protects all Quebec residents for injuries or death in a road accident, anywhere in the world, regardless of who was at fault.
- Claims go to the SAAQ, within a maximum of three years.
- Non-residents are covered under certain conditions. In a vehicle registered in Quebec, you are compensated like a resident; otherwise (or as a cyclist or pedestrian), compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility. Agreements with Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta apply to their residents.
- These SAAQ pages are about injuries. For insuring your vehicle (property damage, civil liability), ask an insurer.
Sources: SAAQ, “Régime public d’assurance automobile” (French; last modified May 17, 2022); SAAQ, “Si vous avez un accident” (French, tourists and newcomers; last modified June 4, 2022).
Frequently asked questions
How long can I drive on my foreign licence?
Up to six consecutive months after you settle, for a car, motorcycle or moped, if your licence is valid and covers those vehicles. After that you need a Quebec licence. Trucks, emergency vehicles, buses, minibuses and taxis require a Quebec licence from the start.
Which countries can exchange their licence without a test?
For a car: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, the Isle of Man, Japan, the Netherlands, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan, in addition to the other Canadian provinces and the United States. Motorcycle licences require tests.
Does an international driving permit replace a Quebec licence?
No. It is a translation of your licence: it does not replace it and is carried with it. It does not extend a new resident’s six months, and it is not an official translation for the licence exchange.
Key points for the test
- New resident: up to six consecutive months on your valid original licence.
- Request your SAAQ appointment as soon as you arrive.
- 12 countries and jurisdictions, the other provinces and the US: exchanged without a test for a car.
- Failed road test: learner’s licence, accompanied driving, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.
15 questions with explanations and sources, no sign-up (English or French).
Practise for free
Official sources
- SAAQ, “Obtaining a Driver’s Licence” (last update June 18, 2026; consulted 2026-11-04): six months, situations, list of 12 countries and jurisdictions, failed road test, graduated licensing
- SAAQ, “International driving permit” (last update April 20, 2026; consulted 2026-11-04)
- SAAQ, “Permis de conduire canadien ou étranger” (French; last modified April 30, 2026; consulted 2026-11-04): stays of more than six months, official translation
- SAAQ newsroom, “Modifications apportées au Règlement sur les permis” (published May 22, 2025, in force June 5, 2025)
- SAAQ, “Régime public d’assurance automobile” (French; last modified May 17, 2022; consulted 2026-11-04)
- SAAQ, “Si vous avez un accident” (French; last modified June 4, 2022; consulted 2026-11-04)
See also
- Can you take the SAAQ knowledge test in Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin?
- Can you take the SAAQ knowledge test online?
- Learner’s licence in Quebec: what are the steps?
General information page, current as of 2026-11-04. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca before your appointment. Heavy-vehicle, bus, taxi and motorcycle licences follow other rules, not covered here.