Quebec Learner's Licence Numbers Cheat Sheet: Every Figure to Know

The sheet has 86 rows, 84 of them published. Values were checked against the SAAQ Driver's Handbook and its French twin, the Guide de la route, SAAQ folders and course modules, and Quebec.ca. No driving school, forum or prep site was used.
Quebec does not copy the other provinces. Demerit brackets depend on age: 8 points under 23, 12 points at 23 and 24, 15 points from 25. Learner and probationary holders get only 4, and reaching them means revocation, not a suspension, with at least 3 months before a new licence. A blood alcohol of 0.16 or more brings a 30 day vehicle seizure on a first offence. Probationary drivers aged 19 or under may carry one young passenger between midnight and 5 a.m. for six months, then up to three for the next six.
Checking our bank turned up several corrections. Our speeding questions said the fine starts at $15. The Quebec.ca speed page and the SAAQ speeding table start it at $30, plus $10 to $30 for each full 5 km/h over the limit. The 2019 handbook still prints $15. The child seat rule is under 145 cm or under 9 years, as the French Guide de la route words it, while the English handbook says 145 cm or less. One zero alcohol answer also read "until 22 or 5 years licensed": the rule covers everyone under 22 plus every learner and probationary holder, and the five years only concerns moped and tractor licences.
Two further disagreements are shown, not hidden. The French guide says a vélorue (bicycle boulevard, 30 km/h) gives cyclists no priority, while the English handbook says they have right of way. The bank's tailgating fine of $100 to $200 comes from the 2019 handbook, and no second official page we can cite confirms it is still current, so the fine is not published. The 2 demerit points are.
Honest limits: 32 rows rest on a single official source, mostly the handbook, and are marked that way. The Highway Safety Code on Légis Québec blocks scripted access, so it is not listed as a source. The photo licence validity row is left out for lack of a citable source.
Once the figures are in your head, check them against real questions in the free Quebec practice test.
Quebec Learner's licence (Class 5) · Numbers reference
Every number the Quebec Learner's licence (Class 5) knowledge test can ask you for, in one place, checked against the official sources and built to print.
Showing all 84 numbers
Speed limits and defaults
6 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 60 km/h | Minimum speed on autoroutesApplies unless signs or variable message signals say otherwise. |
| 100 km/h | Maximum speed on autoroutesApplies unless signs say otherwise. |
| 90 km/h | Maximum speed on roads with a concrete or asphalt surfaceApplies unless a sign says otherwise, and outside built-up areas. |
| 70 km/h | Maximum speed on gravel roadsApplies unless a sign says otherwise. |
| 50 km/h | Maximum speed in a school zoneCeiling during the school period: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, September to June. A sign can set a lower limit. |
| 30 km/h | Speed limit on a bicycle boulevardSigned bicycle boulevard (vélorue in the French guide). |
Distances
5 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 1 m (50 km/h or less), 1.5 m (over 50 km/h) | Minimum distance when passing a cyclistTwo-part value that depends on the speed limit of the road. |
| More than 5 m | Stopping distance from a school bus with flashing red lightsThe Highway Safety Code says more than 5 m. Some SAAQ and Quebec.ca pages say at least 5 m. Stop clear of 5 m and you are right under both wordings. |
| 150 m | Switch to low beams within this distance of another vehicleOncoming vehicle, or the vehicle you are following. |
| 30 m | First motorist at a collision scene: park on the shoulder about |
| 150 m | Lights or flares signalling a night stop on the roadway must be visible from at least |
Stopping and parking prohibitions
8 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 3 m | No stopping or parking within this distance of a fire hydrant |
| 5 m | No stopping or parking within this distance of an intersectionAlso prohibited inside the intersection. |
| 5 m | No stopping or parking within this distance of a pedestrian crosswalkAlso prohibited on the crosswalk itself. |
| 5 m | No stopping or parking within this distance of a level crossing |
| 5 m | No stopping or parking within this distance of a police or fire station |
| 8 m | No stopping or parking within this distance of the building, on the opposite side of the road from a police or fire station |
| 30 cm | Parked vehicle: greatest distance from the edge of the roadwayPark in the direction of traffic. |
| 70 km/h or more | No stopping or parking on the travelway where the speed limit isExceptions for necessity (for example a breakdown) or where a sign allows it. |
Demerit points by offence
14 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 2 points | Speeding 21 to 30 km/h over the limitSame in every speed zone. |
| 3 points | Speeding 31 to 39 km/h over the limitSame in every speed zone. From 40 km/h over in a zone of 60 km/h or less the points rise. |
| 10 points | Speeding 46 to 49 km/h over the limit, zone of 60 km/h or lessIn faster zones the same excess is 5 points. |
| 14 points | Speeding 61 to 80 km/h over the limitSame in every speed zone. Excessive speeding, with its own extra penalties. |
| 18 points | Speeding 81 to 100 km/h over the limitSame in every speed zone. Excessive speeding. |
| 2 points | Following too closely (tailgating) |
| 2 points | Driving too fast for weather, road or traffic conditions |
| 3 points | Not wearing a seat belt |
| 5 points | Using an electronic device while drivingSame 5 points for a repeat offence. |
| 12 points | Driving in a race or for a wager or stake |
| 4 points | Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle with lights or siren on |
| 4 points | Failing to slow down or change lanes near a stopped vehicle with flashing lights (Move Over law) |
| 9 points | Failing to stop for, or illegally passing, a school bus with flashing lights |
| 4 points | Driving with any alcohol in the body under the zero-alcohol rule |
Demerit point thresholds and consequences
6 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 4 points | Demerit point limit: learner's or probationary licenceReaching 4 points revokes the licence. The same 4-point bracket applies to someone who has never held a driver's licence. |
| 8 points | Demerit point limit: full driver's licence holder under 23Reaching the limit revokes the licence. |
| 12 points | Demerit point limit: full driver's licence holder aged 23 or 24 |
| 15 points | Demerit point limit: full driver's licence holder aged 25 or older |
| 2 years | Demerit points stay on your record forCounted from the date of conviction or payment of the fine, not the date of the offence. |
| At least 3 months | Minimum wait for a new licence after reaching 4 points on a learner's licenceThe licence is revoked (not just suspended). The wait is 3, 6 or 12 months depending on your record of earlier penalties and the number of points. |
Suspensions, seizures and prohibitions
9 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 90 days | Immediate licence suspension for refusing a peace officer's breath-sample orderCriminal charges can follow. |
| 90 days | Immediate licence suspension at a BAC of 0.08 or more |
| 90 days | Immediate licence suspension under the zero-alcohol ruleLearner, probationary and under-22 drivers. |
| 30 days | Vehicle seizure and impoundment at a BAC of 0.16 or more (first offence)90 days for a repeat offence. |
| 90 days | Vehicle seizure and impoundment at a BAC of 0.08 or more (repeat offence) |
| 30 days | Immediate licence suspension for street racing or car surfing |
| 7 days | Vehicle seizure for street racing (first offence)30 days for a subsequent offence. |
| 3 days | Immediate licence suspension for a first repeat electronic device offence (2-year reference period)The second repeat offence is 7 days; the third or later is 30 days. |
| At least 1 year | Minimum driving prohibition after a first impaired driving convictionCriminal Code prohibition, on top of Highway Safety Code measures. |
Fines
16 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| $30 | Base speeding fine, before the per-5-km/h amountsPlus the amount for each full 5 km/h over the limit. Fees are added on top.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
| $10 per full 5 km/h | Speeding fine: added for each full 5 km/h, 1 to 20 km/h overAdded to the base fine. |
| $30 per full 5 km/h | Speeding fine: added for each full 5 km/h, 61 km/h or more overAdded to the base fine. |
| 3 or more | Excessive speeding fine is tripled after this many earlier convictions for excessive speeding in 10 yearsThe fine is doubled for a first excessive speeding offence. |
| $300 to $600 | Electronic device while driving: first offencePlus 5 demerit points. |
| $600 | Electronic device while driving: minimum fine for a repeat offence (2-year reference period)The minimum fine doubles. 5 more demerit points. |
| $200 to $300 | Driver or occupant not wearing a seat beltPlus 3 demerit points. |
| $80 to $100 | Driving with a passenger under 16 who is not properly secured |
| $60 to $100 | Leaving a child under 7 unsupervised in a vehicle |
| $200 to $300 | Passing or driving by a school bus with flashing lights onPlus 9 demerit points. |
| $30 to $60 | Failing to carry your driver's, learner's or probationary licence |
| $300 to $600 | Driving without a licence of the appropriate class |
| $60 to $100 | Failing to report a change of address to the SAAQ within 30 days |
| $300 to $600 | Fine under the zero-alcohol ruleLearner, probationary and under-22 drivers. |
| $1,000 | Minimum Criminal Code fine for a first impaired driving convictionIn addition to other costs. |
| $1,750 | Minimum total cost of a first impaired driving offence (SAAQ estimate)An estimate that excludes criminal record, lawyer's fees and other variable costs. |
Blood alcohol and zero-alcohol thresholds
5 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 0.08 (80 mg per 100 ml of blood) | Criminal Code blood alcohol limitOver this level you can be charged with impaired driving. You can also be charged below it if your ability to drive is impaired. |
| 2 ng/mL of blood | Criminal Code THC limit (lowest tier)Higher tiers apply at 5 ng/mL, and 2.5 ng/mL combined with alcohol at 50 mg per 100 ml or more. |
| 0.05 (50 mg per 100 ml of blood) | BAC at which an average adult can already be significantly impairedA warning level, not a legal limit for full licence holders. |
| 0.00 (zero alcohol) | Alcohol allowed for a learner's licence holderApplies to learner and probationary licence holders at any age. |
| Under 22 | Zero-alcohol rule applies to every driver under agePlus every learner and probationary licence holder, whatever their age.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
Learner's and probationary licence timeline
9 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 16 years old | Minimum age for a Class 5 learner's licenceWritten consent of a parent or guardian is needed under 18. |
| 12 months | Minimum time holding the learner's licence before the road test |
| 10 months | Learner's licence held at least this long to take the SAAQ knowledge test |
| Midnight to 5 a.m. | Hours a learner may not driveAlso no driving after consuming alcohol or drugs. |
| 24 months | Probationary licence period before a full driver's licenceTime counts only while the probationary licence is valid. Fewer than 4 demerit points are needed to keep it. |
| 1 passenger | Probationary licence holder aged 19 or under, 6 months or less of experience: passengers aged 19 or under, midnight to 5 a.m.Immediate family members are not counted. |
| Up to 3 passengers | Probationary licence holder aged 19 or under, 6 to 12 months of experience: passengers aged 19 or under, midnight to 5 a.m.Immediate family members are not counted. No limit after 12 months. |
| 2 years or more | Years of licence held by a front-seat passenger who lifts the passenger limitsThe passenger must sit beside the driver and be able to give help and advice. |
| 4,500 kg | Class 5 licence covers a car, van or 2-axle truck with a net weight under |
Seat belts, child seats and occupant protection
5 numbers| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| Under 145 cm tall, or under 9 years old | Child must be in a car seat or booster ifEither condition is enough. The seat must suit the child's weight and height.Our question bank and the official source disagree here. The official value is published. |
| Under 16 | Driver must make sure passengers under this age wear their seat beltFrom 16, the passenger is responsible for their own belt. |
| At least 25 cm | Distance between the centre of the driver's air bag cover and the middle of your chest |
| No more than 7 cm | Distance between the headrest and the back of your headThe middle of the headrest should be level with your eyes or the top of your ears. |
| Under 7 | A child under this age may never be left unattended in a vehicle |
Reporting thresholds
1 number| Value | Rule |
|---|---|
| 30 days | Time to tell the SAAQ about a change of addressYour licence address must be your principal place of residence. |
Other provinces
Cheat sheets for the other graduated licensing streams.
- Alberta Class 7: every number on one page
- British Columbia Class 7L: every number on one page
- Manitoba Class 5L: every number on one page
- New Brunswick Class 7: every number on one page
- Newfoundland and Labrador Class 5: every number on one page
- Nova Scotia Class 7: every number on one page
- Northwest Territories Class 7: every number on one page
- Nunavut Class 7: every number on one page
- Ontario G1: every number on one page
- Prince Edward Island Class 7: every number on one page
- Saskatchewan Class 7: every number on one page
- Yukon Class 7: every number on one page
Ready to start studying?
Work through real Canadian practice questions with instant explanations, and track your readiness before you book.
Start a free Quebec practice testFree practice tests for every province and territory

