Newcomers from certain countries will no longer be able to drive on Quebec roads after failing their practical test. They are responsible for a greater number of accidents than the rest of the population, notes the government, which will tighten the screw.
Until now, an immigrant from a country whose driving license is not recognized in Quebec benefited from a tolerance of six months to travel on the roads, while waiting to pass their driving tests.
If he failed, however, he could continue driving until the end of this period.
But a proposed regulatory amendment will put an end to this tolerance from the first failure in a practical exam.
From now on, you will need to obtain a learner’s permit, which requires being accompanied by a driving school instructor or a driver who has already held a valid class 5 license for at least two years.
The measure will come into force in early 2025 following the 45-day regulatory consultation period.
“We had to ensure that a person who has demonstrated their unfitness to drive cannot get behind the wheel on the roads of Quebec and that is why we acted quickly,” we explain to the office of the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault.
Asylum seekers
This is because the influx of new arrivals, particularly asylum seekers, has increased the number of requests for recognition of experience for foreign driving licenses.
They went from 49,919 in 2022 to 85,320 last year, according to data from Ms.me Guilbault. For the current year, some 120,000 applications are expected.
But above all, the SAAQ notes that people who come from countries with which Quebec does not have a reciprocal agreement have an accident frequency of 7.5 per 1000 driving license holders, compared to 2.79 for holders of a Quebec license.
According to the office of Mme Guilbault, SAAQ evaluators report that 49% of beneficiaries of a tolerance do not make their blind spots during their practical exam.
-Drivers without experience
Owner of the Quebec Driving School, André Koné also observes the issues experienced by certain newcomers. In several countries, “the car remains a luxury”, so much so that license holders do not have the opportunity to practice.
“As a result, they find themselves here on the road network with knowledge that is far from up to date,” underlines the instructor-instructor, himself from the Ivory Coast.
“So, that’s why we find them driving at abnormally low speeds, since they don’t feel confident,” he emphasizes.
Added to this are winter conditions, which are very different from reality in tropical countries.
Other measures to come
In the longer term, the Legault government is considering other measures to better supervise these new drivers. The six-month period could be reduced and consideration is being given to requiring a driving course in a Quebec school.
At the SAAQ, we add that an information campaign is being developed to inform newcomers about “road safety” and the knowledge necessary to prepare for skills exams.
Asylum seekers arriving in Quebec annually
- 2023 : 65 250
- 2022 : 58 780
- 2021 : 10 075
- 2020 : 9790
- 2019 : 31 360
- 2018 : 29 135
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Do you have any information to share with us about this story?
Write to us at or call us directly at 1 800-63SCOOP.
