Just moved to Quebec with a driver’s licence issued somewhere else — France, Belgium, the United States, Ontario, or another country entirely? Good news: you can drive right away. The catch, if nobody tells you: after a set deadline, that foreign licence stops being valid on its own. This guide walks through the official rules from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) for exchanging a licence issued outside Quebec — deadlines, which countries have an agreement, required documents, possible tests, and costs.

Do I actually need to exchange my driver’s licence in Quebec?

Yes, if Quebec becomes your principal residence. Per the SAAQ, a new resident may drive a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or moped with a foreign licence for six consecutive months after arrival, provided the licence is valid and authorizes the type of vehicle being used. After that six-month window, you must hold a Quebec licence to keep driving legally.

Important nuance: even during those first six months, a foreign licence never authorizes driving a heavy vehicle combination, an emergency vehicle, a bus, a minibus, or a taxi. For those categories, you need a Quebec licence of the appropriate class from the start.

You can start the exchange process as soon as you arrive — there’s no need to wait until the six months are almost up.

Does my home country have a reciprocity agreement with Quebec?

Quebec has recognition agreements with a number of provinces, states and countries. Three scenarios apply:

• Licence issued in another Canadian province or territory: exchange without proficiency tests if the licence is valid or expired less than three years ago.
• Licence issued in the United States: same treatment — exchange without tests for a passenger vehicle, moped or farm tractor if the licence is valid or expired less than three years ago (motorcycle tests are still required).
• Licence issued in a country with an agreement with Quebec: at the time of writing, this includes Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. The list of covered jurisdictions changes over time — always check the current list on the SAAQ’s official site before starting your application.

If your home country has no agreement with Quebec, exchange is still possible, but you’ll need to pass a knowledge test on the Highway Code and one or more road tests, depending on the licence class you need. For a passenger vehicle, you must also have held a licence for at least one year before settling in Quebec to qualify for the “tests-only” path; with less than one year of experience, a driving course and the graduated licensing process apply instead.

The exchange process, step by step

1. Check your eligibility: confirm your licence is valid (or expired less than three years ago) and that your country or province is covered by an agreement.
2. Gather your documents (see the next section).
3. Book an appointment online through the “Appointment to Have Driving Experience Acquired Outside Québec Recognized” form on SAAQclic. The SAAQ generally contacts applicants by phone or email within about 20 business days of receiving the completed form.
4. Attend your appointment with the required original documents.
5. Pass proficiency tests if your situation requires them (see below).
6. Pay the exchange fees and receive your new Quebec licence on the spot, or by mail depending on the case.

What documents do I need to bring?

Depending on your situation, the SAAQ generally asks for:

• Your original foreign (or out-of-province Canadian) driver’s licence;
• Proof of Canadian citizenship or the right to stay in Canada (for example, your immigration status);
• Proof of residency in Quebec;
• Proof that you resided in the country, state, or province that issued your licence, if you’ve held it for less than three years;
• Your driving record (recommended, though not mandatory — it can let you skip certain steps);
• A certified translation if your licence is in a language other than French or English.

Translations must be done by a translator who is a member of the Ordre des traducteurs, terminologues et interprètes agréés du Québec (OTTIAQ), the Association of Legal Court Interpreters and Translators (ALCIT), or an association belonging to the Canadian Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters Council (CTTIC). One notable exception: holders of a valid Japanese licence don’t need a translation, but must obtain a certificate from the Consulate of Japan.

Will I have to take driving tests?

It depends entirely on your situation:

• No test for a passenger vehicle licence if it comes from another Canadian province, the United States, or a country with an agreement, and it’s valid or expired less than three years ago.
• Test(s) required for motorcycle licences in most cases, even under an agreement.
• Both knowledge and road tests required if your country has no agreement, or if your licence expired three or more years ago.
• Heavy vehicles, buses, emergency vehicles (notably Class 1): separate rules apply, including a mandatory medical exam and, depending on your driving experience and whether you completed a recognized National Safety Code training course, possible proficiency tests.

If you fail the road test, you lose the right to drive with your foreign licence and are issued a learner’s licence instead, with conditions attached (mandatory accompaniment, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., zero-alcohol rule, a low demerit-point threshold). You must wait at least 28 days before retaking the test.

How much does it cost, and how do I pay?

Fees vary by licence class and validity period. For reference, the knowledge test costs $13.50 and the road test for a passenger vehicle (Class 5) costs $33.75; exchange fees themselves vary by class (check the SAAQ’s current fee schedule, since amounts are revised annually). At service outlets, the SAAQ accepts cash, debit card (not available everywhere), pre-authorized debits, or cheque/money order — credit cards are not accepted.

Good to know / what to watch for

• Appointment wait times can stretch several weeks or even a couple of months depending on region and season — don’t wait until your six months are almost up to start.
• The list of countries with an agreement changes periodically — verify it on the SAAQ’s official site before your appointment.
• If you don’t yet have a health insurance card (RAMQ) because you just arrived, you can still book a test appointment by phone.
• New exchange requirements for heavy vehicle (Class 1) licences took effect on December 15, 2025 — check with the SAAQ if this applies to you.
• Keep the original of your foreign licence safe: it will be requested at your appointment, along with your proof of status and residency.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive as soon as I arrive in Quebec with my foreign licence?
Yes, for six consecutive months, as long as the licence is valid and matches the vehicle you’re driving.

What happens if I do nothing after six months?
You will no longer be authorized to drive legally in Quebec until you obtain a Quebec licence.

Can an international driving permit replace the exchange?
Not for a new resident. The international driving permit is reserved for non-resident visitors and tourists; a new Quebec resident must obtain a Quebec licence after six months.

Do I have to retake my full driving test?
Not necessarily. If your country has an agreement with Quebec and your licence is valid or expired less than three years ago, the exchange is generally test-free for a passenger vehicle.

Where can I check whether my country has an agreement?
On the SAAQ’s official page for licences issued outside Quebec, which lists covered jurisdictions and applicable conditions.

For more on settling in, see our newcomer’s guide to Quebec: the 7 essential first steps and our guide to RAMQ health insurance registration for newcomers. Browse more coverage in our Immigration and Quebec sections.

Sources

• Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) — Canadian or Foreign Driver’s Licence
• SAAQ — Appointment form to exchange a driver’s licence