Failed the Quebec SAAQ Permit Test: 28-Day Wait, $13.50 Retake Fee, Partial Retake Rules (2026)

Failing the SAAQ knowledge test for your Class 5 learner's licence is not the end of the road, but Quebec's retake rules are strict. You face a mandatory 28-day waiting period and must pay a fee for every attempt.

For Quebec Class 5 learner permit rules and practice tests, see Shoro.ai Quebec Learner Permits.

How Long Is the Wait to Retake the Quebec SAAQ Knowledge Test After Failing?

The computer screen at the service outlet shows your result immediately. You cannot retake the test the same day. Quebec enforces a mandatory 28-day waiting period to ensure you study the material.

• ✓ Waiting Period: You must wait 28 days before you can retake the knowledge test. The SAAQclic system will not show you appointment slots until this period passes.
• ✓ Number of Attempts: There is no limit on how many times you can retake the Class 5 learner's licence knowledge test.
• Retake Fees: You must pay the $13.50 test fee for every single attempt.
• Partial Retake: If you fail only one section (e.g., Road Signs), you only retake that section. Your passing grades for other sections are saved.

Before leaving the SAAQ office, ask the clerk to confirm which specific section(s) you failed. This targets your study for the next 28 days and avoids wasting time on material you already know.

What Is the Best Study Strategy for Passing the Quebec Permit Test After a Failure?

Use the 28-day wait to retake only failed sections. Spend 2 to 3 hours daily on the specific failed topic using SAAQ's practice tool. Pay the $13.50 fee again. Full pass required on all three sections.

• ✗ Analyze Your Failure: The test has three sections: Highway Safety Code (16 questions), Road Signs and Signals (16 questions), and Driving Behaviours (32 questions). You need 75% in each. Identify your weak section.
• Study Resources: Review the official SAAQ Driver's Handbook. Use Quebec-specific practice tests that mimic the actual exam format to drill your weak areas.
• Booking the Retest: Schedule your new appointment via the SAAQclic online portal after your 28-day wait. You cannot walk in.

A 19-year-old applicant at the Henri-Bourassa service centre failed on November 15th. After the 28-day wait, the earliest appointments were after Christmas due to holiday closures. She didn't retest until January 8th, pushing her eventual road test into difficult winter conditions.

Check the SAAQclic booking portal early in the morning (around 7:00 AM) to find newly released or cancelled appointments, potentially getting a slot exactly on your 29th day.

Can You Appeal a Failed Quebec SAAQ Knowledge Test or Get an Exemption?

If you fail the knowledge test multiple times, you need to change your approach. There is no formal appeal process for a failed test based on content.

• ✗ After Multiple Failures: Consider enrolling in a SAAQ-approved driving course (Phase 1) for structured learning, even if you are an adult 18 or older. While not mandatory by rule, it provides essential instruction.
• ✗ Driver's Education Course: The SAAQ does not require a driver's education course for adults 18+ after 3+ failures. However, it is a highly recommended step to address knowledge gaps.
• ✗ Driving Record: Multiple failures on the knowledge test do not appear on your permanent driving record. The record typically begins with the issuance of your learner's licence.
• Appealing a Failed Test: You cannot appeal the result based on thinking an answer was correct or due to test stress. The only potential exception is for a verified technical failure (e.g., computer crash) at the test centre.

An applicant in Gatineau failed the 'Driving Behaviours' section twice. He realized he was only re-reading the handbook. For his third attempt, he focused exclusively on scenario-based practice questions for 28 days and passed the section.

If you hold a foreign driver's licence and fail the knowledge test, you immediately lose the privilege to drive on your foreign licence in Quebec. You must wait the 28 days to retest and cannot drive alone during this period.

What Are the Cheating Penalties for the Quebec Class 5 SAAQ Knowledge Test?

Cheating during the SAAQ knowledge test results in automatic failure and a prolonged waiting-period ban. Using a phone, notes, or device means immediate disqualification. Exact ban duration is set by SAAQ policy.

• ✗ Cheating Penalties: If caught using a phone, notes, or any smart device, you automatically fail and face a longer waiting-period ban determined by SAAQ policy. Exact durations are not published on the official SAAQ site.
• Minors (Under 18): The 28-day wait also applies. After multiple failures, ensure your Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority form is still valid for the retest appointment.
• ✓ Testing Accommodations: If you have a reading difficulty or learning disability, you can request an audio test with headphones. Mention this when booking your appointment.

A dyslexic applicant at a Quebec City service centre failed the test twice under standard conditions. On her third booking, she requested and received an audio test in English through headphones, which allowed her to pass.

If you require an audio test or other accommodation, state this clearly when using SAAQclic to book your appointment. Calling ahead to confirm the specific service centre (e.g., in Laval or Longueuil) can offer the accommodation avoids being turned away.