Quebec Driving Study Guide 2026 — Free Cheat SheetEnglish

The process to obtain a passenger vehicle (Class 5) licence in Quebec involves a mandatory driving course, a learner's phase, a probationary phase, and passing multiple tests.

• ✓Minimum age to start is 16.
• ✓Parental consent is required if under 18.
• ✓Must complete the mandatory Road Safety Education Program at a recognized driving school.
• ✓Must pass a vision test, knowledge test, and a final road test.
• ✓The process includes holding a learner's licence for at least 12 months, followed by a probationary licence for 24 months.

The learner's licence is the first stage of graduated licensing and comes with strict conditions to ensure safety while learning.

• ✓Must be accompanied at all times by a person who has held a valid driver's licence for at least two years.
• ✓Driving is prohibited between midnight and 5 a.m.
• ✓Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs is enforced.
• ✓Licence is revoked upon accumulating 4 or more demerit points.

After passing the road test, a driver receives a probationary licence for 24 months, which also has specific rules and a lower demerit point threshold.

• ✓Must be held for 24 months before obtaining a full driver's licence.
• ✓Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs is enforced.
• ✓Licence is revoked upon accumulating 4 or more demerit points.
• ✓Cannot act as an accompanying rider for a learner driver.

The number of demerit points that leads to a licence suspension varies based on the driver's age and licence type.

• ✓Learner's and Probationary Licence: 4 points.
• ✓Driver's Licence (under 23 years old): 8 points.
• ✓Driver's Licence (23 or 24 years old): 12 points.
• ✓Driver's Licence (25 years or older): 15 points.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a Criminal Code offence with severe penalties. Quebec has a zero-tolerance policy for new drivers.

• ✓Learner's and probationary licence holders are subject to a zero-tolerance rule for both alcohol and drugs.
• ✓Driving while impaired can lead to immediate licence suspension, vehicle seizure, fines, and a criminal record.

Probationary licence holders aged 19 or under are restricted in the number of young passengers they can carry at night.

• ✓Between midnight and 5 a.m., drivers with 6 months or less experience can carry only one passenger aged 19 or under.
• ✓Between midnight and 5 a.m., drivers with 6 to 12 months of experience can carry up to three passengers aged 19 or under.
• ✓These restrictions do not apply to immediate family members or if a qualified accompanying rider is in the front seat.

A driver's ability can be negatively affected by various factors, including fatigue, distractions like electronic devices, and their mental state.

• ✓Drivers must not use handheld electronic devices while driving.
• ✓Driving while fatigued significantly impairs judgment and reaction time.
• ✓A driver's mental state, such as stress or anger, can lead to unsafe driving.

• ✓Yellow/Amber Lights

• ✓Distance from Cyclists (The "1.5m / 1m" Rule)

• ✓A police officer asks you to provide a breath sample for a roadside screening. You refuse to blow into the device.Your licence is immediately suspended for 90 days and you face the same criminal penalties as if you were over the 0.08 limit.

• ✓Thresholds: Learner/Probationary = 4; Under 23 = 8; 23-24 = 12; 25+ = 15

• ✓ou clear only a small "porthole" on the windshield and start driving. Is this legal? No, the law requires you to clear all windows, mirrors, lights, and the roof of the vehicle to ensure full visibility and safety for others.

• ✓How close are you permitted to park your vehicle to an intersection? 5 metres

• ✓Two lanes are merging into one due to construction. What is the correct "Zipper Merge" procedure? Stay in your lane until it ends, then take turns with drivers in the other lane (one car from the left, then one from the right).

• ✓According to Quebec law, at what point can a child stop using a booster seat and use a standard seat belt? When they are 145 cm tall OR 9 years old.

All vehicles must be equipped with specific safety components that must be maintained in good working order at all times.

• ✓Essential equipment includes brakes, lights, signals, horn, exhaust system, windshield and wipers, rearview mirrors, and seat belts.
• ✓All mandatory equipment must be functional.
• ✓The speedometer and odometer must be in working order.

Tires are a critical safety component. They must have sufficient tread depth and be appropriate for the season.

• ✓Tires must be in good condition with adequate tread.
• ✓Winter tires are mandatory in Quebec from December 1 to March 15.
• ✓Using studded tires is only permitted during a specific period.

Every vehicle operated on a public road in Quebec must be registered with the SAAQ, and the registration certificate must be carried in the vehicle.

• ✓A vehicle must be registered to be legally driven.
• ✓Proof of valid liability insurance is required for registration.
• ✓The registration must be renewed periodically.

Certain vehicle modifications and accessories are illegal because they pose a safety risk to the driver or other road users.

• ✓Radar detectors are illegal in Quebec.
• ✓Modifying or removing seat belts is prohibited.
• ✓Exhaust systems cannot be modified to be excessively loud.
• ✓Tinting on the windshield and front side windows is heavily restricted.

Drivers are responsible for ensuring their vehicle is in safe operating condition before driving by performing regular checks.

• ✓Routinely check brakes, tires, lights, and signals.
• ✓Ensure the windshield is clean and wipers are functional.
• ✓Verify that seat belts and headrests are properly adjusted.

Traffic lights control the flow of traffic at intersections. Drivers must understand and obey all signals, including solid lights and arrows.

• ✓Solid Red: Stop before the stop line or crosswalk.
• ✓Solid Yellow: Stop before the intersection if you can do so safely; otherwise, clear the intersection.
• ✓Solid Green: Proceed if the intersection is clear.
• ✓Green Arrow: You may proceed in the direction of the arrow after yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles already in the intersection.

Flashing lights are used at intersections or other locations to indicate that drivers must stop or proceed with caution.

• ✓Flashing Red Light: Treat as a stop sign. Come to a complete stop and proceed only when it is safe.
• ✓Flashing Yellow Light: Slow down and proceed through the intersection with caution.

Lines, symbols, and words painted on the roadway guide drivers and regulate traffic flow.

• ✓Yellow Lines: Separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
• ✓White Lines: Separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge of the road.
• ✓Solid Line: Do not cross or change lanes.
• ✓Broken Line: Lane changes are permitted when safe.

The shape and color of a road sign provide instant information about its meaning.

• ✓Octagon (Red): Stop.
• ✓Triangle (Red/White): Yield right-of-way.
• ✓Diamond (Yellow): Warning of a hazard ahead.
• ✓Rectangle (White/Black): Regulatory information (e.g., speed limit).
• ✓Orange (Diamond): Warning of a work zone ahead.

Special orange signs, signals, and flag persons are used to manage traffic safely through construction and maintenance zones.

• ✓Obey all signs and instructions from flag persons in work zones.
• ✓Reduce speed and be prepared for sudden stops or lane changes.
• ✓Fines for speeding are doubled in work zones.

Signals at railway crossings, including flashing lights and gates, warn drivers of an approaching train.

• ✓Always stop when the red lights are flashing or the gate is lowering.
• ✓Do not proceed until the lights have stopped flashing and the gate is fully raised.
• ✓Never drive around a lowered gate.

Right-of-way rules determine who should go first in different traffic situations to prevent collisions.

• ✓At an uncontrolled intersection or a 4-way stop, the vehicle that arrives first has the right-of-way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first.
• ✓A driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic.
• ✓Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in a crosswalk.

Drivers must stop for a school bus when its flashing red lights are activated to ensure the safety of children getting on or off.

• ✓When a school bus stops with its red lights flashing, traffic in both directions must stop.
• ✓The only exception is on a highway divided by a physical median; in this case, only vehicles travelling in the same direction as the bus must stop.
• ✓Do not proceed until the lights stop flashing and the bus begins to move.

Drivers must yield to emergency vehicles that have their sirens or flashing lights activated.

• ✓Immediately pull over to the right-hand edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop.
• ✓Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
• ✓Do not follow within 150 metres of an emergency vehicle.

Overtaking another vehicle must be done safely and only where permitted by law and road markings.

• ✓Passing is generally done on the left.
• ✓Do not pass when your view is obstructed, such as on a hill or curve.
• ✓Do not pass if there is a solid yellow line on your side of the centre line.
• ✓Ensure you have enough space to return to your lane safely.

Proper procedure for making turns includes signaling, positioning the vehicle correctly, and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.

• ✓Signal your intention well in advance of the turn.
• ✓For a right turn, approach and make the turn as close as possible to the right-hand curb.
• ✓For a left turn, approach in the lane closest to the centre line and turn into the corresponding lane on the other road.
• ✓Always check for cyclists and pedestrians before turning.

Drivers must exercise increased caution around pedestrians and cyclists, who are more vulnerable in traffic.

• ✓Yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks and intersections.
• ✓When passing a cyclist, maintain a minimum distance of 1 metre on roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less, and 1.5 metres on roads over 50 km/h.
• ✓Check for cyclists before opening your car door when parked.

Drivers of passenger cars must be aware of the large blind spots (No-Zones), long stopping distances, and wide turns of heavy vehicles.

• ✓Avoid driving in a truck's blind spots, which are located at the front, back, and on both sides.
• ✓Do not cut in front of a heavy vehicle, as it needs much more room to stop.
• ✓Allow extra space for trucks making wide turns.

Drivers must know where parking is permitted and prohibited to ensure safety and traffic flow.

• ✓Do not park within 5 metres of a fire hydrant, intersection, or stop sign.
• ✓Do not park in a space reserved for persons with a disability without a valid permit.
• ✓When parking on a hill, turn your wheels to prevent the car from rolling into traffic (uphill with curb: away from curb; all other situations: towards curb/edge).

If involved in a collision, a driver has specific legal duties to perform at the scene.

• ✓Stop your vehicle immediately at or near the scene without obstructing traffic if possible.
• ✓Provide assistance to anyone who is injured and call for help (911).
• ✓Exchange information with other drivers involved: name, address, driver's licence number, vehicle registration, and insurance details.
• ✓Report the accident to the police if there are injuries or property damage exceeds the mandated amount.

Leaving the scene of an accident in which you are involved is a serious offence under the Criminal Code.

• ✓It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident without stopping, providing assistance, and giving your identification.
• ✓This applies to any accident, whether it involves another person, a vehicle, or property.
• ✓A hit-and-run can result in severe penalties, including fines, demerit points, licence suspension, and imprisonment.

Exceeding the speed limit results in fines and demerit points that escalate with the severity of the offence.

• ✓Fines and demerit points increase based on how many km/h you are driving over the limit.
• ✓Fines are doubled for speeding in a designated road work zone.
• ✓Excessive speeding can lead to immediate licence suspension and vehicle seizure.

The consequences for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are among the most severe under the law.

• ✓Penalties include an immediate 90-day licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
• ✓Upon conviction, consequences include heavy fines, a criminal record, licence revocation, and potential jail time.
• ✓Costs associated with an impaired driving conviction can total thousands of dollars.

Drivers are required to create a safe space for stopped emergency vehicles and tow trucks with their lights flashing.

• ✓When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights, you must slow down.
• ✓On a multi-lane highway, you must change lanes to one not adjacent to the stopped vehicle, if it is safe to do so.
• ✓Failure to comply results in significant fines and demerit points.

Accumulating the maximum number of demerit points for your licence class results in an automatic licence revocation.

• ✓The period of revocation is typically 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on your driving record.
• ✓After the revocation period, you must meet certain conditions to get your licence back.
• ✓Major offences, such as using a handheld device (5 points) or failing to stop for a school bus (9 points), can quickly lead to suspension.

• A. Stop your vehicle completely before your front wheels cross the white stop line. ✓ Answer
• B. Stop with your front wheels on the crosswalk to get a better view of cross-traffic.
• C. Slow down and proceed carefully if no pedestrians are present.
• D. Stop only if there is cross-traffic approaching the intersection.

• A. Check your rearview mirror one last time.
• B. Re-check the traffic light to ensure it is still green.
• C. Make sure your radio volume is low.
• D. Check your blind spot and the crosswalk for pedestrians and cyclists. ✓ Answer

• A. Approach in the lane closest to the centre line and turn into the corresponding lane on the new road. ✓ Answer
• B. Approach in the right-most lane and make a wide turn into the left-most lane of the new road.
• C. Approach in the lane closest to the centre line and turn into whichever lane is clearest on the new road.
• D. You can approach from any lane as long as you signal your intention to turn left.

• A. In the centre of your lane to allow for a wider turn.
• B. Slightly to the left of your lane to improve your view of cross-traffic.
• C. As close as is practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the road. ✓ Answer
• D. In the lane designated for bicycles, if it is empty.

• A. Well in advance of the turn, before you begin to slow down. ✓ Answer
• B. Just as you begin to steer into the turn.
• C. Only after you have come to a complete stop before the turn.
• D. Exactly 50 metres before the intersection.

• A. You must not pass, as the solid line on your side indicates a no-passing zone for your lane of traffic. ✓ Answer
• B. You may pass if you can do so without exceeding the speed limit.
• C. You can pass, but you must return to your lane before the line becomes solid on both sides.
• D. You should wait for the driver ahead to signal that it is safe for you to pass.