If you’re preparing for your Québec Class 5 licence, understanding the 3 parts of the SAAQ knowledge test can make studying much easier.
The SAAQ divides the knowledge test into three sections:
- Highway Safety Code
- Road signs, pavement markings and traffic signals
- Behaviours and techniques for driving a passenger vehicle
You need to achieve at least 75% in each section.
Let’s look at each part separately.
Part 1: Highway Safety Code
The first section measures your knowledge of Québec’s traffic rules.
Instead of memorizing isolated facts, concentrate on understanding how the rules apply when you are actually driving.
Important areas include:
- right-of-way
- intersections
- traffic lights
- lane use
- passing
- speed
- stopping
- responsibilities toward pedestrians and cyclists
- safe road behaviour
How to Prepare
When studying a rule, create a real-life example.
For instance, instead of only memorizing the rule for a red light, think about what you would do if pedestrians were crossing, another vehicle were approaching or you wanted to turn.
That makes the information easier to remember and apply.
Part 2: Road Signs, Pavement Markings and Traffic Signals
The second part tests whether you understand the visual information used on Québec roads.
This includes more than simply recognizing a STOP sign.
You should understand:
- regulatory signs
- warning signs
- information signs
- construction signs
- traffic lights
- arrows
- lane markings
- solid and broken lines
- intersection markings
How to Prepare
Group signs into categories instead of studying hundreds of signs randomly.
Ask yourself three questions whenever you see a sign:
What does it mean?
What should I do?
What danger or rule is it warning me about?
This helps build understanding instead of short-term memorization.
Part 3: Driving Behaviours and Techniques
The third area deals with applying your knowledge while driving a passenger vehicle.
This is especially important because knowing the rule is not enough—you must recognize when and how to use it.
Topics can include:
- observation
- anticipating hazards
- safe following
- blind spots
- sharing the road
- pedestrians
- cyclists
- heavy vehicles
- weather
- vehicle positioning
- safe manoeuvres
- decision-making
The SAAQ may use illustrated situations requiring you to examine what several road users are doing.
How to Prepare
When looking at an illustrated driving situation:
- Identify traffic lights and signs.
- Look at pavement markings.
- Locate pedestrians and cyclists.
- Identify where each vehicle is travelling.
- Look for a potential conflict or hazard.
- Only then read the possible answers.
Do not focus only on the vehicle directly in front of you.
Do You Need 75% Overall?
The important point is that the passing requirement applies to each section.
You cannot rely on a high score in one section to compensate for a weak result in another.
That is why your study plan should cover all three parts.
What Happens If You Fail One Part?
According to the SAAQ, if you fail the knowledge test, you normally only need to retake the section or sections you failed.
You must wait at least 28 days before retaking the test, and applicable fees must be paid again.
Best Way to Study the Three Sections
Use this simple approach:
First: Learn
Read the official material and review what you learned during your driving course.
Second: Practice
Answer questions specifically related to that section.
Third: Review Your Mistakes
Don’t simply check your score.
Write down the topics you repeatedly get wrong.
Fourth: Mix the Sections
Once you are comfortable with each subject individually, complete mixed practice questions.
This helps you switch between rules, signs and driving situations as you would during the examination.
Free SAAQ Practice Questions
Want to test yourself?
Visit Unity Driving School’s free SAAQ knowledge test questions and answers page for practice covering all three sections.
You can also read our complete SAAQ Class 5 knowledge test guide for information about eligibility, preparation and what happens after the test.
Need Help Preparing for Your Class 5 Licence?
Unity Driving School provides Class 5 driver education to students across Montréal’s West Island, including DDO, Pierrefonds, Roxboro, Kirkland, Pointe-Claire, Dorval and surrounding areas.
Our goal is not simply to help students pass an exam. We teach students to understand the rules and apply them safely on the road.
Contact Unity Driving School to learn more about upcoming Class 5 courses.