Driving Without Your Quebec Learner's Licence on You: Fine and Valid Proof (2026)

Forgetting your physical Class 5 learner's licence while driving in Quebec is a specific offence.

Forgetting your physical Class 5 learner's licence while driving in Quebec is a specific offence. Police will issue a ticket for failing to have the document in your possession, even if they can verify your status electronically in their system. Warnings are rare.

What Fine Do You Get for Driving Without Your Quebec Learner's Permit on You?

If you hold a valid licence but fail to carry the required licence document while driving, section 97 of Quebec's Highway Safety Code applies. The statutory fine is $30-$60, before any applicable costs or contributions.

Can Police Check Your Quebec Licence Electronically Instead of Fining You for Not Carrying It?

Police may be able to verify licence information, but that does not remove the driver's legal duty to carry the required licence document while driving. Electronic verification is not a substitute for complying with the carry requirement.

Can a Quebec Police Officer Accept a Digital Photo of Your Learner's Permit?

No. A phone photo, screenshot, or unsigned PDF is not a legal substitute for the required licence document.

• Plastic licence: carry the valid physical licence when that is the licence issued to you.
• SAAQ provisional licence: if SAAQclic has issued an official provisional licence for an eligible transaction, print it, sign it, and carry that paper copy while driving until the official licence arrives.
• Phone image: a digital photo or screenshot does not replace either of those documents.

For the full digital/provisional-document rules, see the Digital Permit guide.

Can you show a passport or Quebec health card instead of your learner's licence during a traffic stop? No. Another identity document may help confirm who you are, but it does not replace the legal requirement to carry the driver's licence or an authorized provisional licence while driving.

Can You Contest a Ticket for Not Carrying Your Quebec Learner's Licence?

Appear in municipal court on the date stamped on the ticket. Bring your physical permit proving you held it on the day of the stop. The judge typically dismisses the charge if you produce the valid document.

See the Quebec learner's permit guide for complete requirements.

1. Plead Not Guilty: Fill out the 'Not Guilty' plea on the ticket and mail it to the municipal court (e.g., Montreal Municipal Court) within 30 days.
2. ? Attach Proof: Include a clear photocopy of your valid learner's licence, showing it was active on the offence date.
3. Prosecutor Review: Many prosecutors will withdraw the charge upon receiving this proof to avoid a court hearing.

Check the back of your ticket for a prosecutor's email address. Emailing your licence copy immediately can lead to a faster withdrawal, avoiding a mailed plea and potential processing delays at the Longueuil courthouse.

Examples of Forgotten-Licence Traffic Stops

Example: You Leave Your Licence at Home

A student in Ahuntsic, Montreal, rushes to a morning driving lesson and leaves the required licence document at home. The officer verifies the licence status but can still issue the section 97 carry-document ticket. The statutory fine is $30-$60 before applicable costs or contributions.

Example: You Only Have a Phone Photo

A new driver in Sainte-Foy goes out for supervised practice on a Saturday afternoon, taking only their phone. When stopped, they show a digital photo of their permit. The officer in Quebec City does not accept it and issues a citation. The driver later contests it successfully by mailing a copy of their physical permit to the municipal court.

Example: You Switch Cars and Forget the Licence

A learner in Chomedey uses their parent's second car and leaves their permit in their own jacket. Stopped near Carrefour Laval, they provide their details. The Laval police officer confirms a valid licence exists but writes a ticket. The accompanying parent avoids a fine because they presented their own valid driver's licence.

How Can You Avoid a Carry-Document Ticket?

• Store your permit in your vehicle's glove compartment to avoid forgetting it when switching wallets or jackets, a common cause of receiving a citation for no permit.
• Verify all accompanying rider forms are filed with the SAAQ before driving to prevent being misclassified as an unlicensed driver, which carries severe penalties. An unfiled 'Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority' form can lead to this major charge.
• Send your plea and proof via registered mail when contesting a ticket to have a delivery receipt, preventing lost paperwork and missed deadlines that result in a default conviction.