New measures to promote safer driving of heavy vehicles

Following the introduction of mandatory training to obtain a Class 1 licence and the launch of a public inquiry into deaths resulting from collisions involving heavy trucks, the new government is taking further concrete steps to improve road safety for all road users. The Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, Mr. Benoit Charette, has announced two new measures aimed at ensuring the safe operation of heavy vehicles in Quebec.

Ontario Licences

Effective today, the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) will require Ontarians wishing to settle in Quebec and exchange their licence authorizing the driving of heavy vehicles (Class 1) to pass practical exams to prove their competency.

• Application: This requirement applies to all drivers with less than 24 months of driving experience with a Class 1 licence.
• Failures: After two failed attempts at the practical exams, they will be required to take the mandatory training.

Application: This requirement applies to all drivers with less than 24 months of driving experience with a Class 1 licence.

Failures: After two failed attempts at the practical exams, they will be required to take the mandatory training.

This temporary measure follows the audit report published on May 12 by the Auditor General of Ontario on commercial driver's licences. The report highlights the need to strengthen the oversight of training and licensing programs to ensure drivers are properly qualified on the road.

Temporary Foreign Workers and Driving Access

A working group has also been established to develop a coordinated approach to strengthen road safety requirements for temporary foreign workers driving vehicles.

• Primary Objective: Increase the number of workers who develop safe driving practices.
• Regulation: Propose regulatory amendments to better address road safety challenges.

Primary Objective: Increase the number of workers who develop safe driving practices.

Regulation: Propose regulatory amendments to better address road safety challenges.

This working group is composed of representatives from departments, agencies, the industry, and associations that hire or support temporary foreign workers.

"Road safety is paramount, and that is why we are putting these two new measures in place. Our new government is taking action, and we want to ensure that the people driving on our roads are qualified. These measures build upon the mandatory training for driving heavy vehicles implemented by our government in Quebec last December."

— Benoit Charette, Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility

Actions Underway

• October 10, 2025: The Minister of Public Security requested a public inquiry into deaths involving heavy trucks.
• October 22, 2025: The government announced the decision to equip highway patrol officers (contrôleurs routiers) with a service weapon.
• December 15, 2025: To improve road safety, drivers wishing to obtain a Class 1 (heavy vehicle) driver's licence must complete mandatory training.
• February 2026: A gradual redeployment of activities began, notably with the commissioning of a secure inspection station in Sainte-Luce, managed in collaboration with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).
• Border Operations: In parallel with the training, highway patrol officers conducted targeted operations in collaboration with the SQ, particularly near the Ontario border.
• Since last June 15: There is now zero tolerance for alcohol among heavy vehicle drivers in training (probationary and learner's licences), regardless of their age.

October 10, 2025: The Minister of Public Security requested a public inquiry into deaths involving heavy trucks.

October 22, 2025: The government announced the decision to equip highway patrol officers (contrôleurs routiers) with a service weapon.

December 15, 2025: To improve road safety, drivers wishing to obtain a Class 1 (heavy vehicle) driver's licence must complete mandatory training.

February 2026: A gradual redeployment of activities began, notably with the commissioning of a secure inspection station in Sainte-Luce, managed in collaboration with the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).

Border Operations: In parallel with the training, highway patrol officers conducted targeted operations in collaboration with the SQ, particularly near the Ontario border.

Since last June 15: There is now zero tolerance for alcohol among heavy vehicle drivers in training (probationary and learner's licences), regardless of their age.