The Ultimate Quebec Driving Test Cheat Sheet: Pass the SAAQ Test

Your Quebec road test is the final step to getting your licence. For that crucial last-minute review, this "cheat sheet" boils down the most important rules, maneuvers, and numbers into an easy-to-scan guide. Use this to walk into your SAAQ test feeling prepared and confident.

Quebec by the Numbers: Critical Data to Remember

Your examiner will expect you to know these numbers from the Quebec Driver's Handbook.

50 km/h: The maximum speed limit in a city or town unless otherwise posted.
90 km/h: The standard speed limit on highways outside of cities and towns unless otherwise posted.
100 km/h: The maximum speed limit on major highways (autoroutes).
30 km/h: The speed limit in a school zone when children are present or when the lights are flashing.
3 seconds: The recommended following distance in good weather.
3 metres: You may not park within 3 metres of a fire hydrant.
5 metres: You may not park within 5 metres of a stop sign or pedestrian crosswalk.
150 metres: The distance at which you must dim your high beams when approaching an oncoming vehicle.
60 metres: The distance at which you must dim your high beams when following another vehicle.

Key Maneuvers: What Your Examiner Expects

Your road test is a demonstration of your vehicle control. Practice these core skills until they feel automatic.

Parallel Parking

This is a required and heavily scrutinized part of the test.

Position: Pull up next to the front car/marker, about 1 metre away.
Reverse: Look over your shoulder. Back up slowly. When your rear wheels are even with the rear of the other car, turn your wheel fully to the right.
Straighten: When your car is at a 45-degree angle to the curb, straighten the wheel and continue backing in.
Final Turn: When your front bumper clears the rear of the other car, turn the wheel fully to the left.
Center: Straighten out. You must be within a reasonable distance of the curb. Do not hit the curb.

Three-Point Turn

This tests your ability to turn the vehicle around in a narrow space.

Signal right, pull over, and stop.
Signal left, check traffic in both directions (mirrors and shoulder check), and turn the wheel fully left. Move forward until you are near the opposite curb.
Shift to reverse. Turn the wheel fully right. Look behind you (360-degree check) and back up slowly.
Shift to drive. Check traffic again, and accelerate smoothly into your lane.

Hill Parking

Uphill with a curb: Turn your front wheels AWAY from the curb (left).
Downhill with a curb: Turn your front wheels TOWARD the curb (right).
No curb (uphill or downhill): Turn your front wheels TOWARD the edge of the road (right).
Always set your parking brake firmly.

Lane Changes

Follow the routine every single time.

Signal: Signal your intention.
Mirrors: Check your rearview and side mirror.
Shoulder Check: Perform a physical head check into your blind spot. This is mandatory and a common failure point.
Move: When safe, move smoothly into the next lane.

Automatic Fails & Critical Errors

These are actions that will likely result in an immediate failure of your road test.

Any Dangerous Action: Causing another driver or pedestrian to take evasive action.
Examiner Intervention: If the examiner has to physically grab the wheel or give you a strong verbal warning.
Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit by a significant margin.
Failing to Stop: Rolling through a stop sign or not stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights.
Lack of Observation: Repeatedly failing to perform shoulder checks or scan intersections properly.
Losing Control of the Vehicle: This includes mounting or bumping the curb hard during a parking maneuver.

This cheat sheet is your guide to the key testing points. The best preparation is to combine this knowledge with hours of real-world practice. Stay calm, drive safely, and you'll be well on your way to earning that Quebec Class 5 licence. Bonne chance!