Permis PrêtSupervising a learner driver in Quebec: the rules for parents
Your teen has a learner’s licence? Here is who may sit beside them, and the rules the learner must follow.
Short answer: a learner driver may only drive with an instructor from a driving school recognized by the SAAQ or with an accompanying driver (“accompagnateur”). The accompanying driver has held a valid Québec licence of the appropriate class (Class 5 for a car) for at least 2 years, sits beside the learner and can give help and advice. A probationary licence holder cannot supervise a learner.
Who can be the accompanying driver?
| Condition | What it means |
|---|---|
| Valid Québec licence of the appropriate class | For a car: a valid Class 5 licence |
| For at least 2 years | At least 2 years of driving experience with that licence |
| No probationary licence | A new driver still on probation cannot supervise |
| Seated beside the learner | In the front passenger seat, not in the back |
| Able to help | Able to give help and advice while the learner drives |
Sources: SAAQ, “Auto (classe 5)” page, definition of “accompagnateur” and “Obligations” section (modified 2026-09-09); Highway Safety Code, s. 99.
What the learner must follow (even with you in the car)
- Always accompanied by a driving-school instructor or an accompanying driver.
- No driving between midnight and 5 a.m. (Highway Safety Code, s. 99).
- Zero alcohol for the learner (s. 202.2).
- 4 demerit points revoke the learner’s licence, with no new licence for at least 3 months (s. 191.2).
Where the parent comes in
- Under 18: a parent or guardian signs the written consent on the SAAQ form for the licence application.
- During the learning period: the learner’s licence is held for at least 12 months. Practice drives with the accompanying driver come on top of the mandatory driving course; they don’t replace it.
- SAAQ knowledge test: at the earliest 10 months after getting the learner’s licence; 75% is needed in each of the three parts.
- Road test: after at least 12 months on the learner’s licence, a passed knowledge test and the whole driving course completed.
Sources: SAAQ, “Auto (classe 5)” page; Guide de la route, ch. 1; Highway Safety Code, ss. 67 and 99.
Key points
- Accompanying driver: valid Québec Class 5 licence for at least 2 years, seated beside, not on probation.
- Learner: never alone, no driving from midnight to 5 a.m., zero alcohol.
- The SAAQ publishes a Guide de l’accompagnateur (French) to help parents during practice drives.
15 questions with explanations and sources, no sign-up.
Practise for free
Official sources
- SAAQ, “Auto (classe 5)” (French page), definition of “accompagnateur”, sections “Obligations” and “Formation pratique” (page modified 2026-09-09, consulted 2026-11-03)
- SAAQ, Guide de l’accompagnateur : véhicule de promenade (French)
- Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 67, 99, 191.2 and 202.2
- SAAQ, Guide de la route (4th ed., 2024, French), ch. 1, “Pour obtenir un premier permis de conduire”
See also
- Learner’s licence in Quebec: what are the steps?
- Free SAAQ practice test: 15 questions with answers
- Mandatory Class 5 driving course: how many hours, and who has to take it?
General information page, current as of 2026-11-03. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.