Driving in Québec on a foreign licence: visitors and new residents (2026)
According to Québec’s Highway Safety Code, as published on LegisQuébec, checked on 31 October 2026, a non-resident may drive for a period of not over six consecutive months with a valid licence that meets the Code’s conditions, and a person who settles in Québec may drive a passenger vehicle during the six months after settling.
The SAAQ pages (saaq.gouv.qc.ca) did not open for our check: the site answered with an anti-robot page. We quote the law itself instead; the SAAQ applies it and may add practical conditions.
These rules differ from place to place, and they change. We quote the official pages word for word, with the date we checked them; this is information, not legal advice. Car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law, for example an international driving permit or a translation: ask them before you book.
At a glance
| Visitors | Up to six consecutive months (with conditions) |
|---|---|
| New residents | Six months after settling in Québec |
| IDP and translation | An IDP holder may drive while the IDP is valid (section 88); the SAAQ page on translations did not open |
| UK licence, exchange without tests | Not listed in the law we read (exchange depends on an agreement or on checking the licence) |
| US licence, exchange without tests | Not listed in the law we read |
| Checked | 31 October 2026 |
What the official sources say
Visitors and tourists
85. A non-resident may drive a road vehicle for a period of not over six consecutive months without holding a licence issued by the Société if he meets the following requirements: (1) he holds a valid driver’s licence issued by another administrative authority which grants the same right to residents of Québec; (2) the driver’s licence issued by that other administrative authority authorizes him to drive a vehicle of the class of vehicles he drives in Québec; (3) he respects the conditions attached to the driver’s licence he holds; (4) his right to obtain a licence or a class of licence issued by the Société has not been suspended.
Source: LegisQuébec: Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2), sections 85 to 91 (Government of Québec (LegisQuébec)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
If you move there
89. A person holding a valid driver’s licence issued by another administrative authority may, during the six months after settling in Québec, drive a passenger vehicle in Québec without obtaining a licence from the Société.
Source: LegisQuébec: Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2), sections 85 to 91 (Government of Québec (LegisQuébec)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
International driving permit and translation
88. Notwithstanding sections 85 and 86, a non-resident holding an International Driver’s Permit may, while it is valid, drive the road vehicles he is authorized to drive by the licence on the basis of which the International Driver’s Permit was issued to him.
Source: LegisQuébec: Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2), sections 85 to 91 (Government of Québec (LegisQuébec)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
Exchanging your licence
Any person holding a valid driver’s licence for the operation of a passenger vehicle issued outside Canada who settles in Québec may on request, if the administrative authority concerned has entered into a licence exchange agreement pursuant to section 629, exchange that licence, without undergoing a proficiency examination, for an equivalent driver’s licence issued by the Société.
Source: LegisQuébec: Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2), sections 85 to 91 (Government of Québec (LegisQuébec)), checked on 31 October 2026. Quoted word for word.
The official page (SAAQ) did not open for our check on 31 October 2026 (it answered with a page that checks for robots), so this page quotes only the official sources above.
Hire a car in Québec
Hiring a car in Québec? Compare rental companies and prices on DiscoverCars. Check the licence rules above before you book: the rental company can ask for more than the law, such as an IDP or a translation.
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Visiting Canada?
Driving in Canada, do you need an international driving permit? UK licence · Australian licence
Other provinces and territories in Canada
Canada, Australia and New Zealand: every province, state and territory in one table
Questions
Can I drive in Québec with an international licence?
Section 88 of the Highway Safety Code covers holders of an International Driver’s Permit: “88. Notwithstanding sections 85 and 86, a non-resident holding an International Driver’s Permit may, while it is valid, drive the road vehicles he is authorized to drive by the licence on the basis of which the International Driver’s Permit was issued to him.”
Can I drive in Québec with a US licence?
As a visitor, the Highway Safety Code allows it under conditions: “85. A non-resident may drive a road vehicle for a period of not over six consecutive months without holding a licence issued by the Société if he meets the following requirements: (1) he holds a valid driver’s licence issued by another administrative authority which grants the same right to residents of Québec; (2) the driver’s licence issued by that other administrative authority authorizes him to drive a vehicle of the class of vehicles he drives in Québec; (3) he respects the conditions attached to the driver’s licence he holds; (4) his right to obtain a licence or a class of licence issued by the Société has not been suspended.”
Is this legal advice for driving in Québec?
No. We quote Québec’s Highway Safety Code, as published on LegisQuébec word for word, as read on 31 October 2026. Rules change, and car rental companies and insurers can ask for more than the law: check with them and with the official page before you drive.
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