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Single licence concept
Application
The Single Licence Concept, which permits a driver to hold only one licence, has been implemented in Quebec to ensure that driving violations are assigned to a single licence and that no opportunity exists to use multiple licences to avoid prosecution and suspension.
Procedure
Upon application, a driver must surrender any out-of-jurisdiction licences to the Société. The licence(s) will be returned to the issuing province or state, and the driver’s record will be updated accordingly. A record exchange system will permit authorities to determine the applicant’s licensing status.
Law
Highway Safety Code, Section 94
Classified licence system
The table below outlines the vehicles which may be driven by a holder in each class.
| LICENCE | PERMITS THE OPERATION OF | MINIMUM AGE |
|---|---|---|
| -A driver’s licence of a class other than class 1 or 3 also allows the holder to drive a road vehicle covered by a licence of that class where that road vehicle hauls a trailer or semitrailer, except where the vehicle is a truck tractor having 2 axles and a mass net of 4,500 kg or more or a truck tractor having 3 axles or more. | ||
| -A class 3 driver’s licence also allows the holder to drive a road vehicle covered by a licence of that class where that road vehicle hauls a trailer or semitrailer having a net mass of less than 2,000 kg, or a net mass of 2,000 kg or more but less than 4,500 kg and used solely for transporting the machinery, implements, or fixtures with which it is permanently equipped. | ||
| -A class 3, 4A, 4B, 4C or 5 driver’s licence also allows the holder to drive a bus designed to transport more than 24 passengers but containing not more than 3 passengers, for the sole purpose of repairing or moving it. | ||
| -A class 4A, 4B, 4C or 5 driver’s licence also allows the holder to drive a road vehicle covered by a class 3, 4A, 4B or 4C driver’s licence, for the sole purpose of repairing or moving it. | ||
| -A class 5 driver’s licence also allows the holder to drive a police vehicle within the scope of a basic training course of the École nationale de police du Québec. | ||
| -A class 1, 2 or 3 driver’s licence also allows the holder to drive a road vehicle authorized by that class, for the sole purposes of learning to drive it or undergoing the proficiency examination of the Société, where that vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission or an air braking system even if the indication or indications to that effect are not entered in the licence holder’s file, provided that the licence holder is accompanied as required. | ||
| Class 1 | Combinations of road vehicles consisting of:
Class 1 authorizes the driving of a combination of road vehicles described above equipped with a manual transmission or an air braking system or the driving of a road train as defined in the Special Road Train Operating Permits Regulation, if the indication(s) to that effect are entered in the licence holder’s file. Vehicles in Classes 2, 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6D & 8 | 20 |
| Class 2 | Buses designed to transport more than 24 passengers at a time. This class authorizes the driving of a road vehicle described above that is equipped with a manual transmission or an air braking system if the indication(s) to that effect are entered in the license holder’s file. Vehicles in Classes 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6D & 8 | 19 |
| Class 3 | Trucks having 2 axles and a net mass of 4,500 kg or more and trucks with 3 axles or more. Vehicles in Classes 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6D & 8 | 19 |
| Class 4A | Emergency vehicles. Vehicles in Classes 4B, 4C, 5, 6D & 8 | 19 |
| Class 4B | Buses designed to transport 24 passengers or less at a time, and minibuses. Vehicles in Classes 4C, 5, 6D & 8 | 18 |
| Class 4C | Taxis Vehicles in Classes 5, 6D & 8 | 18 |
| Class 5 | Motor vehicles having 2 axles and a net mass of less than 4,500 kg, a motor vehicle permanently converted into a dwelling, a special mobile equipment vehicle, and a service vehicle (a motor vehicle equipped to refuel, repair, or tow road vehicles). Vehicles in Classes 6D & 8 | 17 |
| Class 6A | Any motorcycle. Vehicles in Classes 6B, 6C, 6D & 8 | 16 |
| Class 6B | Motorcycles with an engine piston displacement of 400 cc or less. Vehicles in Classes 6C, 6D & 8 | 16 |
| Class 6C | Motorcycles with an engine piston displacement of 125 cc or less. Vehicles in Classes 6D & 8 | 16 |
| Class 6D | Mopeds | 14 |
| Class 8 | Tractors used for agricultural or related purposes. | 16 |
Licence endorsements
The following endorsements are available for Class 1, 2, or 3 licensees:
- The “F” endorsement on the licence holder’s record attests to the ability to drive a heavy vehicle equipped with air brakes.
- The “M” endorsement on the licence holder’s record attests to the ability to drive a heavy vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.
A “T” endorsement is available for Class 1 licenses. The endorsement attests to the holder’s ability to drive a road train (a vehicle combination over 25 metres long comprised of a tractor and two semitrailers, whose use requires a special road train operating permit issued by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec). To obtain a “T” endorsement, driver must have held a Class 1 licence for at least five years.
Québec driver’s licence “plus”
Québec offers a driver’s licence “plus.” The driver’s licence plus serves as a driver’s licence and a travel document that allows drivers to cross the border into the United States without a passport. The driver’s licence plus is valid for land and sea travel only and is not valid for air travel. Information on obtaining the driver’s licence plus can be found in the Driver’s Licence Plus Applicant’s Guide available at www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/publications/permis/licenceplus_guide.pdf.
Knowledge & performance tests
Application
An applicant must pass the proficiency examinations established by the Societe for the licence class for which he has applied. Knowledge examinations test the applicant’s understanding of the Highway Safety Code, the road signs and traffic signals, and the techniques involved in driving a motor vehicle. Road tests are used to evaluate the applicant’s ability to properly handle his motor vehicle on the highway. Additional knowledge test and road test are used to obtain any additional class or an endorsement.
Law
Highway Safety Code, Section 67
Heavy Vehicle Driver Programs
Heavy vehicle driver conduct review
Effective January 1, 2011, heavy vehicle drivers licenced in Québec will be subject to conduct reviews based on their driving record. The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) will keep track of certain events, such as offences, out-of-service orders, and accidents when a driver is operating a heavy vehicle. SAAQ will then assess the driver’s conduct by assigning points for such events. When a driver’s points exceeds the thresholds set by SAAQ, SAAQ will take several steps to notify drivers that their driving record is deteriorating, give drivers opportunity to redeem their driving record, and inform drivers that they may be referred to the Commission des transports du Québec (Commission) for potential licence cancellation.
When SAAQ needs to notify drivers of their driving record, the first two interventions are warning letters. However, if the events are “serious offences,” the SAAQ will immediately send the driver a letter warning him/her that his/her behavior is considered high-risk. A similar letter is also sent to the driver’s operator. SAAQ will also send the driver a letter for any “critical” events, such as excessive speeding (41 km/hour over the speed limit), exceeding maximum sizes and weights, or operating without an oversize permit. Again, the driver’s operator also receives a similar letter.
The final intervention involves the SAAQ notifying the driver that he/she is being referred to the Commission. Upon receiving the notification, the driver has 15 days to prove that the events are incorrect. At this point, it is up to the Commission as to whether the driver will still be allowed to operate a heavy vehicle.
Heavy vehicle driver excellence program
SAAQ has developed the Excellence Program for Heavy Vehicle Drivers. The program recognizes heavy vehicle drivers that have demonstrated exceptional safe driving conduct. For a driver to be recognized, he/she must first meet certain eligibility requirements and apply for the program. The program is divided into four levels: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level carries a minimum number of years of experience:
- Bronze, six months (new drivers);
- Silver, two years;
- Gold, five years; and
- Platinum, 10 years.
A driver must accumulate at least 10,000 kilometres driving for each year.
Eligible drivers must not have committed any offences while driving heavy vehicles, must not been responsible for an accident while driving a heavy vehicle, must not have accumulated more than three demerit points over a 24-month period, and must not have criminal charges related to driving.
As drivers gain more experience, they can move up to the next level in the program. Experience prior to January 1, 2006, is not counted.
SAAQ will publish a list of drivers, along with their levels, recognized under the Excellence Program for Heavy Vehicle Drivers. If a driver no longer meets the criteria, he/she will be removed from the list.
For information on the Excellence Program for Heavy Vehicle Drivers, visit www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/heavy/excellence_program/index.php.