Here’s a lexicon to help you make your way around the terms most often used by the SAAQ.
Most people can quickly get confused by the terminology adopted by the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec. And yet, each term has a very specific meaning that is worth understanding. Here are some of the most current terms you may come across:
- Learner’s licence: This licence allows a new driver to get behind the wheel, as long as he’s accompanied by a driver who’s had a licence for at least 2 years. This is a mandatory phase for numerous licence categories (vehicle, motorcycle, truck).
- Probationary license: This is essentially a bridge between having a learner’s driver’s licence and a full-fledged driver’s licence. The conditions associated with a learner’s licence are more rigid, particularly as regards demerit points and passengers. Also, those with a learner’s licence are subject to a zero tolerance rule with regard to alcohol consumption .
- Driver’s licence : This is THE driver’s licence, but beware! This driver’s licence doesn’t allow a driver to get behind the wheel of any type of vehicle, and can be granted for one of more licence categories . As is the case with a learner’s licence, the holders of a driver’s licence must adhere to certain regulations if they wish to drive on Québec’s roads and highways.
- Demerit points: This is one of the very areas where people WANT to get a low score! A driver with a learner’s licence will have his licence revoked if he is given 4 or more demerit points! In the case of a regular driver’s licence, this number is 15 points. A driver with a revoked licence will need to successfully pass one or more exams, as the case may be, to renew his driver’s licence.
- Renewal or replacement? A driver’s licence must be renewed every 4 or 8 years; you will receive a letter from the SAAQ a few months before your licence expires. This letter will indicate the steps you must follow to renew your licence. But... don’t forget! You must pay your annual fees to uphold your right to drive .​If your driver’s licence is lost, stolen or damaged, you must replace it .
And, while this blog doesn’t cover all of the legal aspects associated with driver’s licences, it does offer certain information to help you better understand the terms used by the SAAQ. For more information, please go to the SAAQ Web site at saaq.gouv.qc.ca.
