Demerit Points in Quebec: How Many You Have and How Long They Last

A traffic ticket in Quebec can cost you more than the fine. Most driving offences also add demerit points to your record with the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), and too many points can cost you your licence. Here is how the points system works, how long points stay on your record, and how to contest a ticket you think is wrong.

How demerit points work in Quebec

Demerit points are entered on your SAAQ driving record when you are convicted of an offence, either when you pay the fine or when a judge finds you guilty. Each offence carries its own number of points, and more serious offences carry more.

How many points you can carry before losing your licence depends on your licence and your age. According to the SAAQ, the thresholds are:

• 4 points: learner's and probationary licence holders, and people without a licence
• 8 points: licence holders under 23
• 12 points: drivers aged 23 or 24
• 15 points: drivers aged 25 and older

The SAAQ's demerit points page is the official source for these thresholds and for the points each offence carries.

How long do demerit points stay on your record?

According to the SAAQ, demerit points stay on your record for two years from the date of the conviction. After that, they no longer count toward your threshold. Points are also used to set the cost of your driver's licence, so a ticket can make your licence more expensive.

How to check your demerit points

You can see your points on your driving record through the SAAQ's online services (SAAQclic) or by contacting the SAAQ. Checking before you decide what to do with a new ticket tells you how close you are to your threshold.

What happens if you reach your threshold

If you reach or go over your threshold, the SAAQ revokes your licence, or your right to get one. The first time, it lasts at least three months. It can be six months or a year if you have lost your licence for points before. When the revocation ends, you have to take steps with the SAAQ to get your licence back.

Tickets from Ontario, New York or Maine

Quebec has agreements with Ontario, New York and Maine. If you get a ticket there that carries demerit points, the SAAQ is notified and the points are entered on your Quebec record as if the offence had happened in Quebec.

Your options when you get a ticket

A ticket, or statement of offence (constat d'infraction), gives you a choice. Respond before the deadline written on it.

1. Plead guilty and pay. Paying the fine is the same as pleading guilty, so the points go on your record.
2. Plead not guilty. Check the not-guilty box on the response form and ask for the evidence against you (disclosure). You'll then receive a notice with the date of your hearing. Many courts let you plead not guilty online.
3. Do nothing. You can be convicted without being there, and the points go on your record.

Éducaloi's guide to contesting a ticket explains each option in plain language.

Is it worth contesting? Valid reasons

Contesting makes sense when you have a real defence, or when the points matter more than the fine. Common reasons include:

• errors on the ticket, such as the wrong place, date or vehicle
• doubts about how your speed was measured
• circumstances that explain what happened, such as an emergency
• evidence that doesn't support the charge once you see it

If you're close to your threshold, a ticket you would normally just pay deserves a second look.

What happens at trial

Your case is heard by the court named on your ticket, often a municipal court. The prosecutor presents the evidence first. You can then question the witnesses, present your own evidence and explain your side. The judge decides whether you are guilty.

When to talk to a traffic ticket lawyer

You can contest a ticket on your own, but a lawyer is worth calling when:

• you're close to your threshold, or you have a probationary licence
• you need your licence for work
• you're facing a licence revocation or suspension
• the ticket is for a serious offence, such as excessive speeding

Impaired driving is different: it's a criminal offence, not just a ticket. Our guide to impaired driving in Quebec explains the penalties.

You can compare traffic ticket lawyers on JustiConnect and book a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

How long do demerit points last in Quebec?

Two years from the date of the conviction, according to the SAAQ. After that, they no longer count toward your threshold.

Does paying a ticket mean pleading guilty?

Yes. Paying the fine is the same as pleading guilty, and any demerit points go on your record.

Is it worth contesting a ticket?

It can be, if you have a real defence or if the points would bring you close to your threshold. Weigh the points, not just the fine.

Do Ontario demerit points count in Quebec?

Yes. Points from Ontario, New York and Maine are entered on your Quebec record as if the offence had happened in Quebec.