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quebec driving laws

saaq

Your Quebec driver's license will cost double in 2026 — but some drivers get a discount

Quebec drivers will be paying a lot more to renew their Class 5 driver's licence next year. The SAAQ announced this week that the cost of a standard licence will nearly double in 2026, even with a built-in discount that applies only to people with a clean record.

On November 20, the provincial agency confirmed it will offer a 75% reduction on the regular licence fee in 2026. That sounds generous, but it still leaves most Class 5 drivers with a bill of $50 — almost twice the $26.25 charged this year.

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quebec driving laws

11 surprising Quebec road laws that could get you fined up to $525 if you break them

By this point, many Montreal drivers have gotten used to weaving through bike lanes, dodging potholes, and finding parking in construction zones. But staying on the right side of the law? Well, that's a whole other challenge.

Even if you think you're a decent driver (or cyclist), Quebec's Highway Safety Code is full of obscure rules you might not know about, and breaking them can cost you.

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quebec language laws

7 strange laws in Quebec you probably weren't aware of

Quebec is known for a lot of things — poutine, hockey, Celine Dion, and, of course, its own set of quirky rules. From strict language laws to winter tire mandates, the province definitely marches to the beat of its own drum.

But like many places that boast a rich history, some of Quebec's laws are outdated... or just plain weird.

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winter tires quebec

Winter Tires In Quebec Can Come Off Soon — Here's What You Need To Know

Montreal weather is warming up (quicker than expected, but who's complaining?), giving us all a preview of what's to come this spring.

With warmer temps comes drier road conditions, meaning Quebec drivers can soon swap their winter tires for summer tires. Per Quebec law, vehicles must be equipped with winter tires that meet provincial standards and are in good standing condition as of December 1.

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Quebec Is Increasing Fines For Speeding & Beefing Up Photo Radar

Speeding across Quebec may be fun, but soon you'll pay an extra premium if you're caught driving above the speed limit. A new four-pronged initiative from the provincial government called the Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2028 seeks to better protect pedestrians and roadworkers through various measures including increased fines for certain offences.

The four prongs begin with the development of a safer road network, which includes reducing the school zone speed limit to 30 km/h across the province (with limited exceptions), expanding school zones and corridors, and investing $68 million in additional municipal funding to make the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

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Quebec Introduced A New 'Dutch Reach' Rule So Drivers Don't Accidentally Slam Cyclists

The Dutch reach, "pivot technique" or "far-hand method," is a way of opening your car door safely to avoid "dooring" oncoming cyclists — something that can quickly become very dangerous, if the right precautions aren't taken.

Quebec's Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has introduced this technique into its Road Safety Education Program (RSEP) and in the guides used by student drivers and instructors, according to SAAQ spokesperson Anne Marie Dussault Turcotte.

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quebec police

Quebec Police Presence Will Be Beefed Up On The Roads This Weekend

Police will be paying closer attention to the roads over the next two weekends. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) says its officers will be out on roads and highways to catch travellers who are speeding or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The Quebec police force says speed and impaired driving "remain the main causes of fatal collisions" in the province.

Last year, authorities recorded nine fatal crashes during the Saint-Jean and Canada Day weekends.

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Believe It Or Not, Quebec Has The Least Distracted Drivers In Canada — Alberta The Most

Almost half of us cruise down the road while glued to our smartphones, a new survey has found.

According to a report by Ratesdotca, 43% of Canadians admit to using their phones behind the wheel while 83% engage in distracted driving behaviour of one kind or another. 67% of respondents admitted to eating or drinking while driving. A dangerous minority (5%) admitted to watching videos.

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The SAAQ Is Ending The Vision Test Requirement For Some Older Drivers

Aiming to "simplify" the licence renewal process, the SAAQ is ending the medical and vision test requirement for drivers between the ages of 75 and 80. Previously, drivers had to submit medical and vision evaluation forms when they turned 75.

Now, they will only have to submit a medical self-declaration. Drivers with medical conditions that, in the words of the SAAQ, "may not be compatible with safe driving," and drivers 80 years and older will still have to undergo exams and send in evaluations every two years.

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Quebec Police Fined A Laval Dude Almost $2,000 For Driving 214 km/h On The Highway

A Laval man was fined $1,996 for speeding on Saturday night. The driver was stopped for driving an entire 114 km/h above the speed limit.

The driver was not identified, except to say that he was a 23-year-old man from Laval. He currently faces $1,996 in tickets and 24 demerit points. His driver's license has been suspended for seven days.

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8 Quebec Driving Laws That You May Not Know Exist

When it comes to driving in La Belle Province, you may want to be wary of certain Quebec driving laws that you may not know exist.

It may have been years since you've taken a driving course in our province, so here's a little update on rules you may have forgotten since then.

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Police Were Out Catching Montreal Drivers Without Winter Tires & Issued Dozens Of Tickets

A Quebec police task force made up of the Montreal police (SPVM), the Contrôle routier Québec (CRQ) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) gave out a bunch of tickets to Montreal drivers on Tuesday for not having their winter tires installed.

In an operation that took place on Tuesday morning on boulevard Crémazie Est and 24e avenue in the borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension, police intercepted more than 200 vehicles and issued 43 statements of offence, according to a press release from the SPVM.

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