Quebec Learner's Permit Practice Hours: 15 Mandatory + 35 Recommended Before Road Test (2026)

The Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec (SAAQ) requires all new drivers to complete the Road Safety Education Program. This includes 24 hours of theory and 15 hours of in-car instruction with a certified school. The SAAQ recommends 50 hours of supervised driving practice beyond the mandatory 15 in-car hours - so 65 hours total before your road test.

For Quebec Class 5 learner permit rules and practice tests, see Shoro.ai Quebec Learner Permits.

How Many Practice Hours Does Quebec's SAAQ Recommend Before the Class 5 Road Test?

The Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec (SAAQ) requires all new drivers to complete the Road Safety Education Program. This includes 24 hours of theory and 15 hours of in-car instruction with a certified school. The SAAQ recommends 50 hours of supervised driving practice beyond the mandatory 15 in-car hours - so 65 hours total before your road test.

Mandatory vs. Recommended Practice Time

The 15 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with your driving school are a legal requirement. The additional ~35 hours of supervised driving practice are strongly recommended to build the skills needed to pass the road test. These supervised driving hours needed should include diverse conditions.

• ✓ What counts: All 15 hours of professional driver's ed behind-the-wheel instruction count toward your total recommended 50 hours. Practice with a supervising driver who has held a valid Class 5 licence for at least two years also counts.
• ✗ Day vs. Night: The SAAQ does not specify a breakdown. However, your road test can occur during daylight or dusk. Practice in both conditions, including night driving in cities like Montreal, to handle reduced visibility.
• What doesn't count: Driving without a qualified supervisor present. Time spent driving outside Quebec without following local learner permit rules may not contribute to your readiness for Quebec-specific road tests.

Does the SAAQ Actually Check Your Quebec Learner's Permit Driving Hours Log?

Yes, but the logging system is specific. Your 15 mandatory in-car hours are tracked and certified by your driving school in an official Road Access Binder. The SAAQ requires the school's attestation of completion before you can book a road test. Logging the recommended ~35 hours of private practice is not submitted to the SAAQ but is crucial for skill development.

Verification and Common Logging Issues

Do they actually check your log book? The SAAQ does not check a personal logbook. They verify that your driving school has certified your completion of the 15-hour program. The school's internal records are subject to audit. When you book your test at a SAAQ centre in Laval or Quebec City, the agent will check the system for your school's attestation. If it's missing, your test is cancelled.

Can you estimate hours retroactively? For the mandatory school hours, no. Your instructor signs off on each session upon completion. For personal practice hours, you can estimate, but accuracy is key for your own preparedness. A student in Sherbrooke estimated 50 hours but failed their test for lack of highway merging experience, revealing their log was inaccurate.

• A learner in Gatineau completed all school hours but their driving school delayed uploading the attestation. They arrived for their 8:15 AM test at the boulevard de la Cite office and were turned away, resulting in a 2-month rescheduling wait.
• An instructor forgot to log the final in-car session in a student's binder. The school could not issue the attestation, delaying the road test eligibility by three weeks until the session was properly documented and certified.
• ✗ A parent in Montreal signed off on 40 practice hours in a personal app, but the student had only practiced on quiet suburban streets. The road test on busy Decarie Boulevard failed in minutes due to inadequate experience with complex traffic, showing the personal log was not reflective of varied practice.

Confirm your school's attestation is in the SAAQ system one week before your test date by calling the SAAQ information line to avoid an automatic rejection at the service centre.

How to Log Your Hours Correctly

You manage two separate logs: the official school record and a personal practice record.

Use your personal log to guide practice sessions. If your log shows no night or highway driving, schedule those specifically before your test to avoid failing for lack of experience in those required practice time with permit scenarios.

Rules for Supervising Drivers and Practice

• ✓ The supervising driver must have held a valid Quebec Class 5 driver's licence for at least two years.
• ✓ Practice must occur under the conditions of your learner's permit (e.g., zero alcohol tolerance, limited passengers).
• ✓ Winter driving practice with winter tires (December 1 to March 15) is essential for passing a test in Quebec.

Have your supervising driver practice the exact SAAQ test route in your area. Familiarity with specific intersections, like the tricky merge near the Marche Central in Montreal, can prevent hesitation that leads to automatic failure during the exam.