🪪 SAAQ License + Vehicle Registration Cost (2026)
Estimate your annual SAAQ costs for driver’s license + vehicle registration in Montreal/Quebec.
Estimated annual cost
Excludes mandatory liability insurance ($35–$200/year via SAAQ), private car insurance, gas, parking permits. 2026 rates per SAAQ.
SAAQ costs in Quebec — what you actually pay each year
Quick answer: A typical Montreal driver with a clean record pays about $542/year to SAAQ: $92 driver's license + $361 vehicle registration + $89 Montreal regional contribution. EVs save ~$170/year. Demerit points add $160–$570 in surcharges. None of this includes private car insurance ($800–$2,500/year separately).
The 4 components of your annual SAAQ bill
| Component | Approx 2026 cost |
|---|---|
| Driver's license renewal (every 2 years, prorated) | $92/year |
| Vehicle registration (passenger car, gas) | $361/year |
| Vehicle registration (full EV) | $192/year |
| Vehicle registration (hybrid) | $271/year |
| Vehicle registration (motorcycle 400cc+) | $336/year |
| Montreal/CMM regional contribution (transit funding) | +$89/year |
| Demerit points surcharge (4–6 pts) | +$160/year |
| Demerit points surcharge (10+ pts) | +$570/year |
Demerit points: when do they hit your wallet?
Quebec's demerit point surcharge kicks in at 4 points within 2 years and escalates sharply. A regular driver with 15+ points faces an automatic 3-month license suspension. Speeding 11–20 km/h over = 1 point. 21–30 km/h = 2 points. 31–45 km/h = 3 points. 46+ km/h = automatic excessive speeding, 14 days roadside suspension.
EV + hybrid discount
Quebec aggressively discounts EV registration: $192 for full EV vs $361 for gas (savings of $169/year). Hybrids get a smaller cut to $271. The "écofrais" eco-tax on gas vehicles ($30–$150 based on engine size) is also waived for EVs.
The Montreal regional contribution surprise
If your vehicle is registered to a Montreal Island address, SAAQ adds an extra $89/year contribution that funds the STM and regional transit. Vehicles registered off-island (Laval, South Shore) don't pay this. Some Montreal residents register cars at family addresses outside the island to avoid it — risky if you get audited.
SAAQ FAQ
How much is a Quebec driver's license in 2026?
The Quebec driver's license costs $92/year in renewal fees (charged every 2 years as $184 prorated). New license applicants pay an additional ~$95 for the road test and ~$15 for the theory test, plus driver's ed if under 25.
How much is car registration in Quebec?
Standard passenger car registration is $361/year. EVs pay $192, hybrids $271, motorcycles $336. Montreal Island residents pay an extra $89/year for regional transit funding. SAAQ sends the renewal notice 60 days before your registration anniversary.
Do demerit points expire?
Yes. Quebec demerit points expire 2 years from the date the offense was committed, not the date you were ticketed. Points stay on your record visible to insurers for several years even after they expire from SAAQ purposes.
How many demerit points until my license is suspended in Quebec?
Regular drivers (over 24, no probationary status): suspension at 15 points. Probationary or learner drivers: 8 points. New drivers under 25: 8 points. All suspensions are 3 months minimum.
Is car insurance included in SAAQ registration?
Partially. SAAQ provides mandatory bodily injury coverage for all Quebec drivers, regardless of fault — this is built into the registration fee. However, you still need private insurance for damage to vehicles and property (collision, theft, liability for property damage). Average annual private insurance in Montreal: $800–$2,500.
Can I renew my SAAQ license online?
Yes, since 2023. Use the SAAQClic portal (saaq.gouv.qc.ca) to renew driver's license and vehicle registration online. You'll need a clicSÉQUR account. Payment by credit card or pre-authorized debit. Renewals take ~5 minutes.
What's the cost to import a foreign vehicle to Quebec?
RIV inspection: $213. SAAQ initial registration: $361 + $30 admin. GST/QST on vehicle value at import. Possible federal duties if not from a US-built model. Modifications to meet Quebec safety standards add $500–$3,000.
Related Montreal tools
Sources: SAAQ 2026 fee schedule. Estimates exclude private insurance, fuel and parking. Verify on saaq.gouv.qc.ca.