- Go to content [1]
- Go to surfing menu [2]
- Accessibility Policy [3]
- Driver's Licence
- Vehicle Registration
- SAAQclic Online Services
Citizens- Businesses (French only)
- Road Safety
- Behaviour and Road Users
- Vehicles and Technology
- Rates
- Heavy Vehicles
- Accident Victim
- Educational Material
- To Reach Us
- Documents and Publications
- E-forms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About Us
- Laws and Regulations
- Useful Links
Heavy Vehicles
Important Information if You're Moving
If you have rented a truck to take care of your move yourself, you need to respect certain obligations.
Having the right class of driver’s licence
To drive a two-axle truck with a net weight of 4,500 kg or more, you must hold a Class 3 driver's licence.
This class of licence is also necessary to drive a truck with 3 or more axles, regardless of the net weight. Remember that under section 209.1 of the Highway Safety Code
(French only), persons who drive a vehicle without holding the appropriate class of licence may have their vehicle seized as well as receive a minimum fine of $300*.
Mandatory stop at any SAAQ inspection stations that are open
When moving, if you use a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,500 kg or more, designed and equipped mainly for transporting goods, and you see a an open highway inspection station, you are required to stop there. If you don’t, you are liable to a minimum fine of $350*. You are also required to do so if you are using a combination of road vehicles (for example, a truck hauling a trailer) where at least one of the vehicles has a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,500 kg or more.
Certain exceptions apply, such as vehicles with a net weight of 4,000 kg and less registered as passenger vehicles within the meaning of the vehicle registration regulation, or road vehicles used for recreational purposes.
Loads must be properly secured
A load must be securely restrained or covered so that no parts of it can move or come loose from the vehicle.
Make sure that the way the load is placed, restrained or covered does not reduce the driver's field of vision, make the vehicle unstable, make driving difficult or cover the headlights or taillights. If you don’t, you are liable to a fine of between $90 to $350*, as applicable.
Buckle up, everyone!
Everyone must properly wear the seat belt in the seat that they use when the vehicle is moving. Children whose seated height is less than 63 cm (measured from the seat to the crown of the head) must use a booster seat or child seat that complies with the regulations in effect. In addition, drivers may only carry as many passengers as there are seats available. Lastly, riding in a moving trailer is prohibited.
Consult the Registre des propriétaires et des exploitants de véhicules lourds (Register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles)
Before choosing a mover, find a well-established business that has insurance.
Make sure that the company is registered with the Registre des propriétaires et des exploitants de véhicules lourds and that the company's conduct has received a satisfactory rating. You can consult the register on the Web site of the Commission des transports du Québec.
Severe fines
During the moving period in Québec, that is, from the beginning of June until the end of July, the carrier enforcement officers of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec will be particularly vigilant. Offendors risk fines of between $90 to $600*, as applicable.
Safety rules concerning vehicles used for moving house were put in place to protect road users.
* Other fees may be added to the fine provided under the Highway Safety Code (contribution to the IVAC crime victims compensation program, registry fees, etc.).
.
