Driver's Licence

Demerit Points

The SAAQ uses a demerit point system that takes into account the relative severity of each violation of the Highway Safety Code.

Demerit point brackets
A bracket corresponds to the number of demerit points which, once reached or exceeded due to one or more convictions, results in a penalty to the licence holder. Here are the four possible demerit point brackets:

	Bracket
	4 points*	8 points	12 points	15 points
* The 4 point bracket also applies to an individual who has never held a driver's licence.
Type of licence	Learner's licence or Probationary licence	Driver's licence: holders under age 23	Driver's licence: holders age 23 or 24	Driver's licence: holders age 25 and older

Holders of a learner's licence or probationary licence
For holders of a learner's licence or probationary licence, the number of demerit points entered on their driving record must remain below 4 for the entire validity period of the licence. If the holder accumulates 4 demerit points or more, the SAAQ revokes the licence for a minimum of 3 months. This penalty period is added to the months that remain to complete their learning or probationary period.

This rule also applies to the following individuals:

• persons who have never held a driver's licence;
• licence holders authorizing operation of a moped and motorized scooter (Class 6D) or farm tractor (Class 8) who have held a licence for fewer than 5 years.

Holders of a driver's licence
The number of demerit points entered on a driving record must remain below:

• 8, for holders under age 23;
• 12, for holders age 23 or 24;
• 15, for holders age 25 and older.

Information notice
The SAAQ issues an information notice when a certain number of demerit points have been entered on a driving record.

	Bracket
	4 points*	8 points	12 points	15 points
Information notice issued following...	No information notice issued	Accumulation of 4 points or more	Accumulation of 6 points or more	Accumulation of 7 points or more

The driver's licence is revoked or the right to obtain a licence suspended when the number of demerit points accumulated and entered on the driving record is equal to or greater than the threshold of the bracket that applies to the driver. The SAAQ then issues a written notice. A licence will be revoked even if the driver has not received a notice.

Driving record
Demerit points remain on a driving record for 2 years following the date of conviction or payment of a fine. Payment of a fine is equivalent to a conviction.

Each time the SAAQ revokes a learner's licence, probationary licence, driver's licence or suspends the right to obtain one of these licences, the points that have been used to impose a penalty cannot be used again to impose other penalties. Any remaining demerit points, however, stay on record and can thus serve for another penalty.

Demerit points stay on record when:

• a learner's licence is issued;
• a probationary licence or driver's licence is issued or a driver's licence renewed;
• a new licence is issued at the end of a penalty period.

.

Top of SectionTop of Page