Permis PrêtRetaking the SAAQ knowledge test: how long do you wait?
Failed a section? Here is the waiting period and what you have to redo.
Short answer: you must wait at least 28 days before retaking the knowledge test. You only redo the section or sections where you scored under 75%, and you pay the fee again for each retake.
The minimum wait: 28 days
The SAAQ requires at least 28 days between a failed knowledge test and the retake (SAAQ, “Preparing for the knowledge and road tests”; Guide de la route, ch. 1). The Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code) leaves it to the SAAQ to set these retake delays for each licence class (Code de la sécurité routière, s. 67). In practice, book your next appointment at least four weeks after the failed attempt.
Only the failed sections
The test has three sections: the Highway Safety Code, road signs and signals, and driving behaviours and techniques. Each needs 75%. If you pass the first two but not the third, you only sit the third one again (SAAQ, “Preparing for the knowledge and road tests”). The test fee applies to every attempt.
Other waiting periods worth knowing
| Situation | Minimum wait before trying again |
|---|---|
| Failed knowledge test | 28 days |
| Failed road test | 28 days (Guide de la route, ch. 1) |
| Caught cheating, or with a banned device during the test | 90 days; 180 days if it happens again (SAAQ) |
| Failed reinstatement knowledge test (after losing a licence to demerit points) | 28 days (SAAQ brochure “Les points d’inaptitude”) |
Does it delay the road test?
Not necessarily. You can sit the knowledge test after 10 months with a learner’s licence, while the road test requires at least 12 months with that licence, a passed knowledge test and your driving-course certificate (Guide de la route, ch. 1). If you take the knowledge test around month 10, a retake 28 days later can still happen before your 12 months are up. Passing the knowledge test does not excuse you from any module or on-road session of the driving course.
Making the most of the 28 days
- Look at your result section by section: the failed section is what matters, not your average.
- Reread the matching chapters of the Guide de la route (ch. 1 and 4 for rules, ch. 3 for signs) and the SAAQ’s Driving a Passenger Vehicle guide for techniques.
- Practise with situation-based questions: the test checks whether you can apply the rules, not just recite them (Guide de la route, ch. 1).
Key points for the test
- At least 28 days after a fail, for both the knowledge and the road test.
- Only sections under 75% are retaken.
- A fee applies to each retake.
Original questions with explanations and sources, “Highway Safety Code” section.
Practise for free
See also
Official sources
- SAAQ, “Preparing for the knowledge and road tests” (checked 2026-10-28)
- SAAQ, “Auto (classe 5)” (French), “Examen théorique” section
- Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), s. 67
- SAAQ, Guide de la route (driver’s handbook, French 4th ed., 2024), ch. 1, “La réussite de l’examen théorique” and “La réussite de l’examen pratique”
- SAAQ brochure “Les points d’inaptitude” (French, PDF)
General information page, current as of 2026-10-28. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.