quebec drivers license handbook

LESPUBLICATIONSDUQUÉBEC

LESPUBLICATIONSDUQUÉBEC1000,routedel’Église, bureau500,Québec(Québec)G1V3V9

SALESANDDISTRIBUTIONTelephone : 418643 - 5150,Tollfree, 1800 463 - 2100

Fax : 418643 - 6177,Tollfree,1800561 - 3479Internet: www.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca

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Cataloguing data is available in the catalogue of Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

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Legal deposit – 2009Bibliothèque et Archives natio na les du QuébecNational Library and Archives CanadaISBN 978-2-551-19828-3 (Print)ISBN 978-2-551-19860-3 (PDF)ISSN 1182-8722 (Print)ISSN 1923-9394 (PDF)© Gouvernement du Québec – 2009

All rights reserved for all countries.Reproduction, by any means, and translation, even partial,are prohibited without authorization by the Publications du Québec.

This publication was prepared bythe Société de l’assurance automobiledu Québec in cooperation withthe Service de l’exploitation of Transport Québec.

Updated version researched and written by:Sandra Gauthier

With the cooperation of:

Service des usagers de la route

Direction des communicationsÉric Lambert

English translationElizabeth Doyle

Edition produced by: Les Publications du Québec1000, route de l’Église,bureau 500, Québec, (Québec) G1V 3V9

Project officerPierre Fortier

Art directionLucie Pouliot

Digital publishing adviser Alexandre Poulin

ProductionMarjolaine Rondeau

IllustrationsJean-Michel Girard

Graphic design and layoutDeschamps Design

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INTRODUCTION

This publication, intended for road users, condenses theHighway Safety Code and attendant regulations. It reiteratestheirmajorprovisions,remindsthereaderoftherulesoftheroadandofferspracticaladvice.

Allroadusers,whethertheyarepedestrians,cyclists,motorvehicleoperatorsorpassengers,willfindtheirrightsandobligationssetforthinthisHandbook.

Thiseditionincludestheparticularrequirementsofeachclassoflicence,thetermsforobtainingadisabledparkingpermit,newmeasuresthatconcernthedrivingofamotorvehicleundertheinfluenceofalcohol,includingtheobligation,atthefirstoffence,to submit to a summary evaluation conducted by a specialistfromtheFédérationquébécoisedescentresderéadaptationpourles personnes alcooliques et toxicomanes for individualswithaddictions,andrequiringthemandatoryuse,insomecases,ofanalcoholignitioninterlockdevicebeforealicencecanbereinstated.TheHandbookalsoreviewsstandardsfortheinstallation,replace-ment anddeactivationofairbags.

Thechapteronroadsignsandtrafficsignalsprovidesdescrip-tionsofeachtypeofsignandexplainstheiruse.

Thetrafficruleschapterdetailsthefinepointsofturningrightataredlight.Itpresentsnewstandardsconcerningthemandatoryuseofachildrestraintdeviceadaptedtoachild’ssizeandprovidesa brief explanation of air bags, conditions for use of electricpower-assistedbicyclesonpublicroadsandreinforcedsafetyrulesfortheuseoffootscootersonroadways.Italsolistssafetytipsfordriversapproachingaroadworkarea,rulesfortravelonloggingroads,providesanoverviewofheavyvehicleuseandurgesdriverstotakeotherroadusersintoconsiderationtomakeroadssafer.

Forlegalpurposes,thereaderisurgedtorefertotheofficialtextofthelegislation.

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D R I V E R ’ S H A N D B O O K VII

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAP TER 1 – THE DRI VER 1 ......................................................................1

THE DRIVER’S LICEN CE .....................................................................................................3

• A first licen ce ............................................................................................................4

• Licence clas ses..........................................................................................................9

• Licence upgra de ...................................................................................................10

• Health requi re ments..........................................................................................20

• Responsabilities of a driver ..........................................................................22

• Responsabilities of persons from outside Quebec ........................25

A REVO KED OR SUS PEN DED LICEN CE......................................................................27

• Suspension for an unpaid fine ...................................................................28

• Demerit points......................................................................................................28

• Excessive speeding .............................................................................................29

• Criminal Code offen ces....................................................................................35

• Penalties for alco hol-impai red dri ving ..................................................36

• Vehicle sei zu re .......................................................................................................42

• Fines for dri ving during a penal ty per iod ...........................................43

• Right of chal len ge ..............................................................................................45

FAC TORS THAT INFLUEN CE DRI VING .......................................................................45

• Vision ..........................................................................................................................46

• Physical dis or ders ...............................................................................................48

• Fatigue........................................................................................................................49

• Cell phone ...............................................................................................................49

• Alcohol ......................................................................................................................51

• Drugs and medi ca tion .....................................................................................54

• A driver’s mind-set .............................................................................................55

• Observation ............................................................................................................56

• Exercising judg ment ..........................................................................................56

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D R I V E R ’ S H A N D B O O KVIII

CHAP TER 2 – THE VEHI CLE ......................................................................59

VEHI CLE REGIS TRA TION ...............................................................................................61

• In gene ral .................................................................................................................61

• Vehicles exempt from regis tra tion ............................................................62

• Obtaining a vehicle’s regis tra tion and

the right to ope ra te the vehi cle ..................................................................63

• Conditions rela ting to vehi cle regis tra tion .........................................64

• Change of ownership .......................................................................................67

RULES GOVER NING VEHI CLES AND ACCES SO RIES ...............................................68

• Mandatory iden ti fi ca tion num bers ..........................................................68

• Compulsory equip ment and acces so ries..............................................68

• Lights and signals ...............................................................................................69

• Brakes .........................................................................................................................71

• Alteration of seat belts.....................................................................................71

• Air bags ...................................................................................................................71

• Radar war ning devi ces ....................................................................................72

• Horns..........................................................................................................................72

• Exhaust sys tem .....................................................................................................72

• Windshields and win dows............................................................................73

• Rearview mir rors.................................................................................................73

• Speedometer and odo me ter .........................................................................74

• Bumpers ....................................................................................................................74

• Tires .............................................................................................................................74

• Fenders.......................................................................................................................74

• Natural gas and pro pa ne vehi cles ..........................................................75

• Modifying a vehi cle ...........................................................................................75

MECHA NI CAL INSPEC TION ...........................................................................................75

• Compulsory inspec tion ...................................................................................76

• Inspection out co me ...........................................................................................77

YOUR OWN INSPEC TION ...............................................................................................78

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D R I V E R ’ S H A N D B O O K IX

CHAP TER 3 – ROAD SIGNS AND TRAF FIC SIGNALS........83

SIGNAL LIGHTS.................................................................................................................85

• Traffic lights ............................................................................................................86

• Flashing lights .......................................................................................................88

• Pedestrian lights...................................................................................................88

• Cyclists lights.........................................................................................................89

• Lane use lights ......................................................................................................90

• Railway cros sing signals.................................................................................90

• Regulated par king lights ................................................................................91

•Work site lights ....................................................................................................91

• Bus prio ri ty lights ...............................................................................................93

• Inspection sta tion lights .................................................................................93

PAVE MENT MAR KINGS ...................................................................................................94

• Purpose of pave ment mar kings..................................................................94

• Colour of pave ment mar kings ....................................................................95

• Lines, arrows and sym bols ...........................................................................96

ROAD SIGNS ...................................................................................................................100

• Shapes and colours of the main types of signs..........................101

• Identification and mea ning of road signs and traf fic signals .....106

– Regulatory signs ..................................................................................106

– Warning signs .......................................................................................128

– Road work signs .................................................................................150

– Information signs................................................................................160

• Signs for cyclists ...............................................................................................180

HIGH WAY SAFE TY CODE PRO VI SIONS CONCER NING

ROAD SIGNS AND TRAF FIC SIGNALS......................................................................187

CHAP TER 4 – TRAF FIC RULES ............................................................189

PRO TEC TION ..................................................................................................................191

• Seat belt .................................................................................................................191

• Air bag ..................................................................................................................192

• Headrest.................................................................................................................193

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D R I V E R ’ S H A N D B O O KX

TRAFFICRULES..............................................................................................................194

• Trafficlanedivision ........................................................................................194• Laneuse .................................................................................................................195• Speedlimitsanddistancebetweenvehicles ...................................198• Passing ....................................................................................................................199• Turning ...................................................................................................................203• Indicatingyourintentionsandpresence ..........................................207• Yieldingtherightofway.............................................................................208• Schoolbuses .......................................................................................................212• Levelcrossings ...................................................................................................213• Drivinginreverse ............................................................................................214• Sharingtheroadwithheavyvehicles .................................................214• Heavyvehicleblindspots ..........................................................................215

APPROACHINGAROADWORKAREA ....................................................................216

STOPPINGANDPARKING...........................................................................................218

• Obligations ..........................................................................................................218• Restrictions ..........................................................................................................219• Spacesreservedfordisabledpersonsandparkingpermits .........220

UNLAWFULPRACTICES ...............................................................................................221

• Drivingprohibited–whereandwhen? .......................................... 221• Vehiclerestrictions...........................................................................................222• Restrictionsontheuseofpublicroadways....................................223

SPECIALRULESFORCERTAINUSERS.....................................................................224

• Pedestrians............................................................................................................224• Bicycles ...................................................................................................................226• Footscooter.........................................................................................................229• Motorcycles,mopedsandscooters.......................................................230• Emergencyvehicles .........................................................................................231• Vehiclesusedtocarryschoolchildren ...............................................231• Vehiclestravellingonloggingroads ....................................................232• Loads .......................................................................................................................234• Heavyvehicles ...................................................................................................235• Off-roadvehicles...............................................................................................239

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D R I V E R ’ S H A N D B O O K XI

CHAPTER5-ACCIDENTS ........................................................................245

AUTOMOBILEINSURANCE .........................................................................................247

• InQuébec .............................................................................................................247• OutsideQuébec ................................................................................................248• Non-residents......................................................................................................248• Typesofaccidentexcluded ........................................................................249• Specialcases ........................................................................................................250• Compensation....................................................................................................250• Rightofchallenge ...........................................................................................251

PROPERTYDAMAGE ....................................................................................................252

HIT-AND-RUNANDINSOLVENCY .............................................................................252

• Accidentsinvolvingpropertydamage ................................................252

WHATTODOINTHEEVENTOFANACCIDENT ..................................................253

• Atthesceneofanaccident .......................................................................254• Firstaid ..................................................................................................................255

CHAPTER6–OFFENCESANDFINES ...........................................257

OFFENCESANDFINES .................................................................................................259

• Licencestodrive ...............................................................................................259• Vehicleregistration..........................................................................................260• Vehiclesandaccessories ..............................................................................261• Traffic .......................................................................................................................262• Speeding ................................................................................................................264• Mechanicalinspection ..................................................................................265• Motorcycles,mopedsandscooters.......................................................265• Bicycles ...................................................................................................................266• Footscooters.......................................................................................................267• Pedestrians............................................................................................................267

INDEX...........................................................................................................................269

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D R I V E R ’ S H A N D B O O K 3

CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

TooperateamotorvehicleonapublicroadwayinQuébec,anindividualmustholdalicence

oftheclasscorrespondingtothetypeofvehicle.DependingonwhichprovisionsoftheHighwaySafetyCode applytotheperson’ssituation,theSociétédel’assuranceautomobileduQuébec(SAAQ)istheagencywhichissuesalearner’slicence,aprobationarylicence,aregulardriver’slicenceorarestrictedlicence.

Over4,400,000Quebecersholdadriver’slicence.Havingadriver’slicenceisnotaninherentright.

Gettingandkeepingalicencedependsonmeetingrequirementsandspecificconditions.Alicenceisalsosubject towithdrawalwhenaholder’sbehaviourorstateofhealthrepresentsadangertootherroadusers.

Driversmust take theirstateof health intoconsiderationandbeawareofhowthiscouldinfluencetheirdriving.

THEDRIVER’SLICENCE

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D R I V E R ’ S H A N D B O O K4

CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

AFIRSTLICENCEAfirstdriver’slicenceisissuedfortheoperationofapassenger

vehicle(class5licence).AQuebecermayqualifyforafirstdriver’slicenceafterholdingalearner’slicence,andifage16through24,aprobationarylicence.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Toobtainadriver’slicenceforapassengervehicle,apersonmustbeatleastage16.Thewrittenconsentofaparentalauthority(father,mother,guardian)isrequiredforpersonsunderage18.

Applicantsmustalsopresenttwopiecesofidentification:thefirstmustbeanofficialbirthcertificateissuedbytheDirecteurdel’étatcivilduQuébecoracivilauthorityrecognizedelsewhereinCanada,acertificateofCanadiancitizenship,aPermanentResident Card or a Canadian passport.The second piece ofidentificationmaybeaprovincialhealthinsurancecard.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENT

ProspectivelicenceholdersmustfirstacquireacertainamountoftheoreticalknowledgeabouttheHighwaySafetyCode,roadsigns,trafficsignalsandtechniquesbeforedrivingapassengervehicle.Thistheorycanbelearned:

• bystudyingreferencematerialpreparedbytheSociétédel’assuranceautomobile,includingthisHandbook,whichcontainsinformationforprospectivelicenceholdersondrivingtechniques,andthe manualentitledDrivingaPassengerVehicle.These documents are sold in PublicationsduQuébecoutletsandbookstoresthroughout Québec;

• bytakingadrivingschoolcourse. All

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CHOOSING A DRIVING SCHOOL

Drivingschoolcoursesareoptional.However,ifyoucompleteapracticalcourseatadrivingschoolrecognizedbyCAA-QuébecortheQuébecSafetyLeague,youcancutfourmonthsofftheminimumlengthofthetrainingperiod,whichwillbe8monthsinstead of a year from the date a learner’s licence is issued.Under the Highway Safety Code, a learner who has passed acoursecanthentaketheSociété’sroadtest.

Forinformationonrecognizeddrivingschools,contact:CAA-Québec QuébecSafetyLeague444,rueBouvier AssociationquébécoisedutransportQuébec(Québec)G2J1E3 etdesroutesMontréal:(514)861-7575 533,rueOntarioEst,suite206ElsewhereinQuébec:1800924-0708 Montréal(Québec)H2L1N8

Montréal:(514)523-6444

LEARNER’S LICENCE

Apersonmustholdalearner’slicencebeforelearningtodrive.Alearnermust:

• certify on a medical declaration that he/she is able todrivewithoutrisktopublicsafetyandmustmeetmedicalrequirements;

• passtheSociété’svisiontest;


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CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

• pass a knowledge test,which concerns theHighwaySafetyCode,roadsigns,trafficsignalsandtechniquesofdrivingapassengervehicle.

It ispossible to rewrite the test in the eventof failure.Theapplicantrewritesonlythosepartsofthetesthe/shehasfailed.However,applicantsmustwaitaminimumof7daysbetweentests.

PRACTICE

Alearner’slicenceallowsitsholdertoacquiretheknowledgeandskillsnecessarytodriveapassengervehicleontheroad.

Whenpractisingontheroadway,apersonwhohasheldavaliddriver’slicencetodriveapassengervehicleforatleast2yearsmustaccompanyalearner.Thispersonmustbeseatednexttothelearnerandbeprepared toprovidehim/herwithassistanceandadvice.Apersonwhoholdsaprobationarylicenceisnotqualifiedtoaccompanyalearnerduringpracticedriving.

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CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

Duringthelearningperiod,theholderofalearner’slicenceissubjecttoparticularrules.Themaximumnumberofdemeritpointsis4anditiscompulsorytomaintainazerobloodalcohollevel.Maintainingazerobloodalcohollevelmeansthatalearnerisprohibitedfromdrivingafterhavingconsumedanyalcoholatall.

ROAD TEST

To qualify for a road test, the applicant must have held alearner’s licence for at least 12 months, or 8 months aftercompletingadrivingcourseatarecognizedschool.

AroadtestenablestheSociététoevaluateaprospectivedriver’sknowledgeandskills.Duringaroadtest,theapplicantwillberequired to perform manoeuvres relevant to roadway driving:drivinginastraightline,takingacurve,stoppingorgoingthroughanintersection,turning,changinglanesandbackingup.

Duringaroadtest,anapplicantmust:• obeytrafficrules;• demonstrate an ability to adapt to different driving

situations;• showsafedrivingtechniques;• followtheexaminer’sinstructions.

Ifanapplicantfailsaroadtest,heorshemustwaitaminimumof21daysbetweentests.

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CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

GETTING A LICENCE

Oncearoadtesthasbeenpassed,alicenceapplicantage16through24isissuedaprobationarylicence.Driversage25andoverareissuedadriver’slicence.

At a Société service outlet, a driver is issued a temporarylicencewhichhe/shemustkeepuntilaplastic licencebearinghis/herphotographisreceivedbymail,usuallywithin10days.Uponreceiptofthephotolicence,thedrivermustdestroythetemporarylicence.

•••ProbationaryLicence•••

Aprobationarylicenceisvalidfortwoyearsoruntilage25,whichevercomesfirst.Aprobationarylicenceholderwhoturns25withinthetwo-yearperiodmayobtainadriver’slicenceataSociétéserviceoutlet.

Probationarylicenceholdersaresubjecttothesamerestrictionsthatapplytoalearner(maintainingazerobloodalcohollevelandamaximumof4demeritpoints).Aprobationarylicenceholder is not allowed to serve as the accompanying rider forsomeonewhoholdsalearner’sorprobationarylicence.

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CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

•••Driver’sLicence•••

Toreceiveadriver’slicence,anewdrivermustpaytheamountdeterminedunderregulation.Theseamountsincluderemittancefees to the Ministère des Finances du Québec, administrationfeesandaninsurancepremiumunderthepublicplan.

Driver’slicenceholdersaresubjecttoalegalbloodalcohollimitof .08% (80mgof alcoholper100mlofblood)andamaximumof15demeritpoints.Failuretocomplywillresultinlicencerevocation.

LICENCECLASSESThere are twelve classes of licences in Québec. Each class

authorizestheholdertodriveacategoryofvehicleonaQuébecroad.

Onceapersonhasbeenissuedalicencetodriveaparticularclassofvehicle,otherclassesofvehiclesaregenerallyauthorized,asshowninthefollowingtable.

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CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

LICENCEUPGRADEChangingone’slicenceclasstoanotherisnotdonesimplyon

request.Beforeapplyingforaparticularclass,adrivermustmeetcertainpre-conditions,whichmayrequireadrivingexperienceof1to3yearsorahealthcareprofessional’sreportonfitnesstodrive.

Togetalicence,anapplicantmustgotoaSAAQservicecentreto take theknowledgeand road test, afterpassingan initialvisiontest.

Someclassesalsorequiretheapplicanttoholdalearner’slicenceorprobationarylicenceforacertainperiod.

Theseprincipalrequirementsaredetailedinthefollowingtable.Specificinformationonlicenceclassescanbefoundinbrochures

available fromSociété service centres, through its customerrelationscentre(1800361-7620)or,inFrench,attheWebsite(www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca).

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VehiclesAuthorizedCLASS

Acombinationofvehicles,including:

• a road tractor with 2 axles, whosenetweightis4,500kgorover,thatis pulling one or more trailers orsemi-trailers;

or• a road tractor with three or more

axles that is pulling one or moretrailersorsemi-trailers;

or• aclass3truckthatispullingatrail-

erorsemi-trailerwhosenetweightis4,500 kg or over and that is usedsolely for the purposeof transport-ing equipment, tools and furnish-ingsthatremainpermanentlyinsidethetrailer;

or• a class 3 truck that is pulling any

other type of trailer or semi-trailerthanthatdescribedaboveandwhosenetweightis2,000kgorover.

Note:Aroadtractorisamotorvehiclethatdoesnothavecargospaceandthatis permanently equipped with a fifthwheel.

Classesincluded: 2,3,4A,4B,4C,5,6Dand8

36 months of experience as the holder of a class 5 driver’slicence(passengervehicle)OR24months ofexperienceifheorshehassuccessfullycompletedoneofthefollowingprograms:a) atruckdrivingtrainingprogramauthorizedbytheMinistère

del’Éducation,duLoisiretduSportasarequirementforavocationaldiploma;

b) a program that consists of 300hours of driving a class 1roadvehicleonapublicroad.

The program must include at least 40 hours of driving dis-pensedbyatrainingschoolspecializedindrivingheavingvehi-clesANDpracticalon-the-jobtrainingthatincludesthenumberofhoursnecessarytoaccumulatetherequired300hours.TheprogramacandidatecompletesmustberecognizedbytheSociété, which will request various documents, including thedailylogsofthecandidateandtheaccompanyingrider,inthecaseofa300-hourprogram.TrainingPeriod3 months of experience as the holder of a class 1 learner’slicenceOR1month of experience if the candidatemeetsoneof the fol-lowingrequirements:• isenrolledinatruckdrivingtrainingprogramauthorizedby

theMinistèredel’Éducation,duLoisiretduSportleadingtoa vocational diploma and successful completion of all themandatorypartsoftheprogrampriortodrivingontheroadwithoutanaccompanyingrider;

Requirements

LICENCECLASSESAUTHORIZINGTHEHOLDERTODRIVEHEAVYVEHICLES

1

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3

• astraight-bodytruck:atruckwith2axlesandanetweightof4,500kgorover;

• atruckwith3ormoreaxles;• a roadvehiclepullinga traileror a

semi-trailer:• whosenetweightisunder2,000kg;• whosenetweightis2,000kgand

over,butunder4,500kgandthatis used solely for the purpose oftransportingequipment,toolsandfurnishings that remain perma-nentlyinsidethetrailer.

• any other type of vehicle, exceptclass 1 and 2 road vehicles andmotorcycles.

24months ofexperienceas theholderofa class5driver’slicence(passengervehicle).TrainingPeriod3months of experienceas theholderof a class3 learner’slicenceOR1 month of experience if the candidate meets one of thefollowingrequirements:

• isage25orover;

• has60monthsofexperienceastheholderofaclass5licence.

Requirements

2

A bus with a seating capacity formorethan24passengers.

Classesincluded:

3,4A,4B,4C,5,6Dand8

1• isage25orover ;• has60monthsof experienceas theholderofa class5driver’s

licence;• istheholderofaclass2or3driver’slicence.

24 months of experience as the holder of a class 5 driver’slicence(passengervehicle).TrainingPeriod3months ofexperienceastheholderofaclass2learner’slicenceOR1month ifthecandidatemeetsoneofthefollowingrequirements:• isage25orover;• has 60 months of experience as the holder of a class 5

driver’slicence;• holdsaclass3driver’slicence.

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Endorsementsforclasses1,2or3Holdersofaclass1,2or3driver’slicencemusthaveanendorsementontheirlicence

certifyingauthorizationtodrivecertainheavyvehicles.Theseendorsementsareindicatedonthelicence:

• F atteststhatthepersonisallowedtodriveaheavyvehicleequippedwithairbrakes;• M atteststhatthepersonisallowedtodriveaheavyvehicleequippedwithamanual

transmission;• T atteststhatthepersonisallowedtodriveadoubleroadtrain,requiringaspecialtravel

permit.Thisendorsementonlyappliestoclass1andrequirestheholdertohaveheldthisclassoflicenceforatleast5years.

Alicenceendorsementalsorequiresthattheholderpassaspecifictest.Toobtainaclass1,2or3 1 learner’slicence,anapplicantmust:

• haveadrivingrecordwithfewerthan4demeritpoints;• nothavehadhis/herlicencerevokedorsuspendedfordemeritpointsoradriving-related

CriminalCode offencewithintheprevioustwoyears;• provideamedicalexaminationorhealthassessmentreportshowingfitnesstodrive.

TestsSuccessfullypassavisiontest,knowledgetest,pre-tripinspectiontestandroadtestwiththe

vehicleinquestion.

1.FurtherinformationontheselicenceclassesiscontainedinthebrochureProspectiveHeavyVehicleDriver,availablethroughSAAQservicecentres,theCustomerrelationscentre(1800361-7620)ortheWebsite(www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca).

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4A

Anemergencyvehicle(ex.ambulance,policevehicle,firetruck).

Classesincluded:

4B,4C,5,6Dand8

Minibus: passenger motor vehicle with 2single-wheelaxlesandnomorethan5rowsofseats,or abuswithaseatingcapacityfor24orfewerpassengers.

Classesincluded:

4C,5,6Dand8

• Twoyears’experienceas theholderofaclass5licenceor holdaclass5licenceandhavepassedanemergencyvehicledrivingcoursegivenbytheQuébecpolice traininginstituteoritsequivalent.

• Atthetimeofapplication,submitamedicalexaminationor health assessment reportcompletedbyaphysicianshowingfitnesstodrive.

• Passavisionandknowledgetest.

• Oneyearofexperienceastheholderofaclass5licence.



AMBULANCE

Requirements

4B

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4C

Taxicab

Classesincluded:

5,6Dand8

• Oneyearofexperienceastheholderofaclass5licence.


• No prior conviction within the last 5years for anoffence related tooperationofataxi.

• A person must hold a taxi permit, inaccordance with the Transportation byTaxiAct andRegulation.TransportQuébechaspreparedtheQuébectaxidriver’shand-book, whichprovidesmoreinformation.


Requirements

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5

6A

• Apassengervehicle(automobileormini-van)ortruckwith2axleswhosenetweightislessthan4,500kg;

• Amotorhome;

• Atoolvehicle:motorvehicleinwhichtheworkstationiscontainedwithinthedriver’scompartment.Thevehicleismanufacturedtocarryoutataskanddesignedtotravelatamaximumspeedof70km/h;

• A service vehicle: vehicle equipped tosupply,repairortowmotorvehicles.

Also authorized is any vehicle covered bythisclasshaulingatrailerorinthecaseofamotorhome,anothervehicle.

Classesincluded:

6D,8

Anymotorcycle.

Classesincluded:

6B,6C,6D,8

• Applicants must be age 16 or over.Thewrittenconsentofapersonwithparentalauthority is required if theapplicant isaminor.

• Oneyearofexperienceastheholderofalearner’slicence,or8monthsinthecaseofapersonwhohaspassedadrivingcourseatarecognizedschool.

• Pass a vision test, knowledge exam androadtest.

• Holdaprobationarylicencevalidfor2yearsoruntilage25.

Seebelow.

Requirements

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6B

6C

Amotorcyclewithacylindersizeof400ccorless.

Classesincluded:

6C,6D,8

Amotorcyclewithacylindersizeof125ccorless.

Classesincluded:

6D,8

Requirements

REQUIREMENTSFORAMOTORCYCLE(Classes6A,6B,6C)

Applicantsforalicencetooperateamotorcyclemustgothroughthefollowingstepsandmeetthedemandsofeach.

ToobtainaCLASS 6RLEARNER’S LICENCE foramotorcycle–thislicenceallowsmotor-cycleoperationonlyforpurposesofadrivingcourseoraSociétéroadtest.

Applicantsmust:• Beage16orover.Thewrittenconsentofapersonwithparentalauthorityisrequiredifthe

applicantisaminor.

Seebelow.

Seebelow.

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• PassavisiontestandknowledgeexamontheHighwaySafetyCode,roadsignsandtrafficsignalsandtechniquesforoperatingamotorcycle(anapplicantwhofailsmustwaitaminimumof28daysbetweentests).

ToobtainaCLASS 6ALEARNER’S LICENCE –thislicenceallowsoperationofamotorcyclewithanaccompanyingrideronanothermotorcycle.

Applicantsmust:• HavepassedamotorcycledrivingcoursegivenataschoolrecognizedbyCAA-Québecor

theQuebecSafetyLeague.• Holdaclass6Rlearner’slicenceforatleast1month.• Passatestonaclosedtrack(anapplicantwhofailsmustwaitaminimumof14days

betweentests).

Toobtainaclass6A,6BOR 6CDRIVER’S LICENCE.

• Holdaclass6Alearner’slicenceforatleast7months.• Passaroadtestusingthetypeofmotorcyclethatcorrespondstothelicencesought

(anapplicantwhofailsmustwaitaminimumof56daysbetweentests).• Hold,iftheapplicantdoesnothaveaclass5driver’slicence,aprobationarylicencefor

2yearsoruntilage25(duringthisperiod,theruleofmaintainingazerobloodalcohollevelappliesandnomorethan4demeritpointsareallowed).

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8

Mopedormotorizedscooter

Amopedormotorizedscooterisatwo-orthree-wheel passenger vehicle that cantravel at a maximum speed of 70 km/h,operates using an electric or maximum50ccmotorandisequippedwithanauto-matictransmission.

• Applicants must be at least age 14.Thewrittenconsentofaparentalauthorityisrequirediftheapplicantisaminor.

• Read the guide entitled: Operating aMopedorScooter,availableatPublicationsduQuébecandinbookstores.

• Passavisiontestandknowledgeexam.

Requirements

FarmTractor• Applicants must be at least age 16.

The consent of a parental authority isrequirediftheapplicantisaminor.

• Passavisiontestandknowledgeexam.

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HEALTHREQUIREMENTSDrivingsafelynotonlydemandsknow-howandskills,butalso

astateofhealththatisconsistentwiththeoperationofaparticulartypeofvehicleanditsuse.

Certainillnesses,disabilitiesorsituationscaninterferewithaperson’sabilitytodrivesafely.TheRegulationrespectingaccesstodrivingaroadvehicleinconnectionwiththehealthofdriversdescribes these conditions.The most common include sightdisorders,cardiovasculardiseases,mentalillness,alcoholism,drugdependencyandmedication,epilepsy,diabetes,kidneyandlungdiseases.

Atthetimeofapplyingforalicenceoronrenewal,everyonehasanobligationtoadvisetheSAAQofanyhealthconditionthatmightaffectdriving,andaccordinglymustfilloutandsigntheDeclarationofIllnessorImpairmentform.TheSAAQmustalso be informedof any change in a licence holder's state ofhealthwithin30days.

Aperson’s particular health conditionmay affect eligibilityforclassesof licencesandrestrictdrivingprivileges.Themostcommonsituation isone inwhichtheSociété issuesa licencewithconditions:

• requiringthedrivertoweareyeglasses,contactlensesorahearingaid;

• requiringtheinstallationofequipmentinthevehiclefordriving;

• limitingthetimeofday,periodandareafordriving;• limitingthetypesofvehicles;• requiringthepresenceofanotherlicenceholder;• allowingthepersontodriveonlyavehiclethatisequipped

withanalcoholignitioninterlockdevice.

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Oneormoreof the followingconditionsmay appearonadriver’slicence:

A Mustweareyeglassesorcontactlenseswhiledriving

B Mustdriveonlyduringthedaytime

C Mustwearahearingaidwhendriving

G Mustundergoamedicalexaminationorhealthassessmentonrenewal

H Mustdriveonlyavehiclewithanetweightoflessthan2,500kg

I Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithanalcoholignitioninterlockdevice

J Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithanautomatictransmission

K Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithpowersteering

L Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithpowerbrakes

N Mustwearasafetyharnesswhendriving

P Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithhand-operatedcontrols

Q Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithamanualdimmerswitch

R Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithanacceleratorontheleft

S Issubjecttomedicalrestrictionsasindicated

V Mustdriveonlyavehicleequippedwithcontrolsadaptedtohis/herdisability A

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TheSociétémayrequireadrivertoundergoaproficiencytest,medicalexaminationorhealthassessmentinthefollowingcases:

• thelicenceholderis70yearsofage;• thelicenceauthorizeshim/hertodriveatractorsemi-trailer,

tractor-trailer,straight-bodytruck,roadtrain,busorminibus,emergencyvehicleortaxicab;

• thedriverhasnotundergoneanexaminationwithinthelasttenyears;

• theSociétéhasreasonablegroundstoverifythedriver’shealthordrivingbehaviouronpublicroads.

Proficiencyexams(knowledgeorroadtest)mayberequiredofapersonwhowishestochangealicenceclass.Amedicalexamination or health assessment may be required before aconditiononthelicencecanbechanged.

TheSociétémayalsorequirea licenceholder tosubmitaperiodic medical or optometric report where a disorder orimpairmentrequiresaperiodicfollow-up.

TheSociétémaysuspendthelicenceor licenceclassofanydriverwho:

• makesa falsehealthdeclarationor fails todeclareahealthcondition;

• refuses to undergo a medical examination or healthassessmentorfailstosubmittherelatedreport;

• refusestotakeorfailsaproficiencytest;• isafflictedwithanillnessordisabilitythatcouldjeopardize

roadwaysafety.

RESPONSIBILITIESOFADRIVERAnyoneoperatingamotorvehicleonapublicroadwaymust

carryavalidlicencebearinghis/hersignature.Adrivermustrespecttheconditionsindicatedonhis/herlicence.Alawenforcementofficermay seize thevehicleof adriverwhodoesnotholdalicence for theclassofvehicledrivenandmayimpoundit forthirtydays.

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Adrivermustalsohaveallthedocumentsrelatedtothevehicle,thatis:

• avalidregistrationcertificateforthevehicle;• proofofinsurancecoverageorsolvency;• aleasecontract(originalorcopy)foravehiclerentedfor

lessthana1yearperiod;• writtenproofoftheperiodoftheloanofavehiclebya

cardealer.

Avehicledriverorownerwithoutthird-partyliabilityinsurancewhobecomesinvolvedinanaccidentcausingmorethan$500inpropertydamageissubjecttolicencesuspension(driver’slicence,probationarylicenceorlearner’slicence).Theoperationofanyvehicleregisteredinthatperson’snameisalsoprohibited,untiltheSAAQisprovidedwithapaymentguaranteeorproofofsettlementcoveringthedamage.

Theobligationof carryingdocumentsnotonly applies totravelonapublicroadway;somearerequiredforprivateroadsopentopublictraffic,onloggingroadsandonshoppingcentreparkinglots.

Forholdersoflicenceclasses1,2or3,otherdocumentationmayberequired,suchasthedrivinganddutytimelog,pre-tripinspectionreportorcertaincertificates,dependingonthetypeofloadorservicesprovided.

Alawenforcementofficermayrequireadrivertoproduceanyofthesedocumentsforexamination.

ONLY ONE LICENCE

Itisanoffencetoholdmorethanonevaliddriver’slicence,probationarylicenceorlearner’slicenceissuedbytheSociétéoranotherauthorityinCanadaortheU.S.forthesameclass.Itisalsoanoffencetolendalicenceorknowinglygivefalseormisleadinginformationtoobtainone.

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CORRECT ADDRESS

The address that appearsona licencemustbe theholder’sprincipalplaceofresidence.TheholdermustadvisetheSociétéofachangeofaddress,followingwhichtheSociétéwillsendaconfirmation,whichmustbekeptwiththelicence.

UnderthreatofpenaltiessetforthintheHighwaySafetyCode,alicenceholdermustnotifytheSociétéofachangeofaddresswithin30daysbymail, inpersonataservicecentreorbytelephoneat1800361-7620.

LICENCE REPLACEMENT

Theholderofalicencethathasbeenlost,stolen,destroyed,damagedoronwhichinformationhasbecomeinaccuratemustrequestareplacementfromtheSociété.TheSociétéwillreplacethelicenceonpaymentoftherequiredfeeandpresentationoftwopiecesofidentification.

RENEWING A LICENCE

Althoughaplasticlicencewithaphotoisintendedtolast4years,theholderisrequiredtopayalicencefeeeachyear,evenwherehe/shefailstoreceivenotice.Insurancepremiumsonthelicen-cearesetaccordingtothenumberofdemeritpointsenteredonthe holder’s driving record. In the absence of payment, thelicence holder is not allowed to drive. Driving with an invalidlicenceisanoffencepunishablebyaminimumfineof$300andadditionalpenalties.

Oncealicencehasbeeninvalidforatleast3years,thepersonmustpassaknowledgetestandaroadtesttodriveagain.

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HEALTH DECLARATION

AlicenceholdermustdeclareanydiseasesordisorderswhentheSociétéasksforinformationonhis/herhealth,andmustfilloutandsignthedeclarationformwhenapplyingforalicenceoruponitsrenewal.LicenceholdersmustalsoadvisetheSociétéofanychangeintheirhealth.

RESPONSIBILITIESOFPERSONSFROMOUTSIDEQUEBEC

NEW RESIDENTS

Anewly arrived resident ofQuébecmaydrive a passengervehiclefor90daysprovidedhe/sheholdsavaliddriver’slicence.

After 90days, he or shemust apply for aQuebec licence,whichmayormaynotrequireaproficiencyexam:

• Anypersonwhoholdsadriver’slicenceforapassengervehicleissuedbyaCanadianprovinceorterritory,theU.S.,Belgium,SouthKorea,France,Japan,orcertainOECDmember countries may, upon taking up residence inQuébec,exchangethislicenceforaclass5licenceissuedbytheSociété.

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• ForapersonwhotakesupresidenceinQuébecanddoesnotcomefromoneofthejurisdictionsidentifiedabove,theconditionsvaryaccordingtothenumberofyearsthepersonhasheldavaliddriver’slicencecorrespondingtoaclass5:– iftheapplicanthasheldalicenceforatleast1yearat

the time he/she takes up residence in Québec,he/she must pass a knowledge exam and road testbeforetheSociétécanissuealicence;

– iftheapplicanthasheldalicenceforlessthan1year,thelicenceisnotrecognizedbytheSociété;he/sheistherefore subject to the same requirements as appli-cantsfortheirfirstdriver’slicence.

DetailsonlicenceexchangemaybeobtainedbycontactingthenearestSociété service centre, customer information line(514954-7771or1888356-6616)or,inFrench,attheWebsite(www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca).

NON-RESIDENTS

Anon-residentmayoperateamotorvehicleinQuébecforaperiodofnotmorethan6consecutivemonthswithoutobtainingaQuébec licence.Anon-residentmust,however,holda validdriver’s licence issuedbya jurisdictionoutsideQuébecwhichgrantsthesamerighttoQuébecresidents,mustdriveonlythosevehiclescoveredbythelicenceandmustrespectanyattendantconditions.

A student, co-operantor traineewho is anon-resident andstudyingataneducationalinstitutioninQuébec,isexemptfromhavingtoobtainaQuébeclicencetodriveapassengervehiclefortheperiodofstudiesortraining,providingtheissuingjurisdictiongrantsthesamerighttoQuébecresidents.

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Anon-residentwhoholdsavalidinternationaldriver’slicenceissued by his/her country of origin may for the period of itsvaliditydrivethemotorvehiclesauthorizedbytheholder’sregularlicence,whichmustbevalidandkeptwiththeinternationaldriver’slicenceforpresentation.

AREVOKEDORSUSPENDEDLICENCE

Torevokealicencemeanstowithdrawthedrivingprivilege.ApersonwhoselicencehasbeenrevokedisnotallowedtooperateamotorvehicleandmustcomplywithconditionsprescribedbytheHighwaySafetyCode beforebeingissuedalicenceagain.

Alicencesuspensionisbynaturetemporary.ApersonwhoserighttoobtainalicencehasbeensuspendedcannotobtainanylicencefromtheSociétéforafixedperiodoftime.

Revocationofalicence,itssuspensionorsuspensionoftherighttoobtainalicencecanoccur:

• as a result of an unpaid fine for an offence under theHighway SafetyCode or amunicipal traffic or parkingbylaw;

• foranaccumulationofdemerit pointsdueto HighwaySafetyCode offences;

• followingaconvictionofadriving-relatedoffenceundertheCriminalCode ;

• as a result of being pulled over by a peace officer forexcessivespeeding.

TheSociétéisnotifiedoftrafficoffencesthatarecommittedby drivers in another Canadian province or a U.S. state withwhichQuébechasareciprocityagreementanddemeritpointsare entered on the driver’s record as if the offence had takenplaceinQuébec.

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SUSPENSIONFORANUNPAIDFINEDriverswhodonotpayfinesforoffencesundertheHighway

SafetyCode oramunicipaltrafficbylawwillhavetheirlicencesuspended,ortheirrighttoobtainalicencesuspendediftheydonotholdalicence.

This suspension is applied in accordance with the Code ofPenalProcedure andremainsineffectuntiltheSociétéhasbeennotifiedthatthefinehasbeenpaid.Theoffenderisprohibitedfromoperatinganyvehicleforthedurationofthesuspension.Failuretorespectthisrestrictioncouldresultinvehicleseizureandimpoundmentfor30days.

DEMERITPOINTSTheSociétéentersdemeritpointsontherecordofdriversfor

certainoffencesundertheHighwaySafetyCode,atraffic-relatedstatute or bylaw.The following table lists offences and thecorrespondingnumberofdemeritpoints.

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Speed-relatedoffencesthatresultindemeritpoints

ExcessiveSpeeding DemeritPoints

Exceedingthelegalorpostedspeedlimitby:

Zoneof60km/horless

60km/hto90km/hzone

100km/hzone

11to20km/h 1 1 1

21to30km/h 2 2 2

31to45km/h

31to39km/h 3 3 3

40to45km/h 6 3 3

46to60km/h

46to49km/h 10 5 5

50to59km/h 10 10 5

60km/h 10 10 10

61to80km/h 14 14 14

81to100km/hh 18 18 18

101to120km/h 24 24 24

121km/horover 30ormore 30ormore 30ormore

Excessivespeeding

WHATISEXCESSIVESPEEDING?Youcommitanexcessivespeedingoffencewhenyouexceedthespeedlimitby:• 40km/horoverina zoneof60km/horless;• 50km/horoverina 60km/hto90km/hzone;• 60km/horoverina 100km/hzone.

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Otheroffencesthatresultindemeritpoints

OffencesDemeritpoints

Drivingataspeedtoogreatforweatherorroadconditions 2

Tailgating 2

Acceleratingwhenbeingpassed 2

Passingabicycletoocloselyinatravellane 2

Failuretoyieldtopedestriansandcyclistsatanintersection

2

Failuretoyieldtooncomingtraffic 2

Suddenbrakingwithoutcause 2

Failuretostopbeforeturningrightataredtrafficlight(wherepermitted)

3

Failuretowearaseatbelt 3

Failuretowearahelmet(motorcycles,mopeds&motorizedscooters)

3

Prohibitedpassingontheright 3

Prohibitedpassingontheleft 3

Prohibiteddrivinginreverse 3

Failuretoobeytheorderorsignalofapeaceofficer,schoolcrossingguardorflagperson

3

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Otheroffencesthatresultindemeritpoints

OffencesDemeritpoints

Failuretoobeyaredtrafficlightorstopsign 3

Failuretocometoamandatorystopatalevelcrossing 3

Prohibitedcrossingofalinemarkingofflanes 3

Drivingwhileusingahand-helddevicethatincludesatelephonefunction

3

Zigzaggingtopass 4

Prohibitedpassinginalanereservedforoncomingtraffic

4

Speedingorrecklessdriving 4

Drivingforawagerorstakeorinarace 6

Failuretostopwhenapproachingaschoolbusorminibuswithitsflashinglightsinoperation,orprohibitedpassingormeetingofsuchavehicle

9

Prohibiteduseofatunnelbyavehiclecarryingdangeroussubstances

9

Failureofadriverinvolvedinanaccidenttodohisorherduty

9

Failuretostopatalevelcrossingwhendrivingabus,aminibusoraroadvehiclecarryingcertaindangeroussubstances

9

Forholdersof a learner's licence, aprobationary licenceoradriver'slicence with an alcohol ignition interlock requirement. Also, foranypersonunderage25whohasheldalicence,forlessthan5years,todriveamoped,motorizedscooterorfarmtractoronly.

Drivingwithoutanaccompanyingrider(learner'slicenceholder)

4

Drivingwiththepresenceofalcoholinthebody 4

Failuretoprovideabreathsample 4

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ACCUMULATION OF DEMERIT POINTS

A learner’s licence or probationary licence holder who hasaccumulated4ormoredemeritpointsreceivesanoticefromtheSociétéinformingthedriveroflicencesuspension.

Adriver’slicenceholderwhohasaccumulated7ormoredemeritpointsreceivesanoticefromtheSociétéurgingimproveddrivinghabits.Anadditionalnoticeissenteachtimenewdemeritpointsareaddedtothatdriver’srecord.Whenthenumberofpointsreaches15,thelicenceisrevokedortherighttoalicencesuspended,whetherornottheholderreceivesnotice.

Apersonwhosedriver’slicencehasbeenrevokedmustsurrenderthe licenceat the requestof theSociété within10daysof thedatetherevocationtakeseffect,failingwhichheorshebecomesliabletoafineof$300to$600.

Heavy vehicle drivers covered by the Act respecting owners,operatorsanddriversofheavyvehicles,anddriversofataxioremergencyvehiclearerequiredtoinformthepersonresponsibleforthevehicle, ortheownerofthetaxioremergencyvehicle,whentheir driver’s licence (or class of licence) has been modified, sus-pendedorrevoked.

LENGTH OF PENALTY

Apersonwhosedriver’slicencehasbeenrevokedortherightto obtain one suspended due to an accumulation of demeritpointscanobtainanewdriver’slicenceonlyafteraperiodoftimesetbytheHighwaySafetyCode.Timeperiodsvaryaccordingtotypeoflicenceandpointlimits.

4DEMERIT POINTS

Fornewdrivers:• apersonwhoholdsaclass5or6Alearner’slicenceand

whodoesnotyetholdadriver’slicence;

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• apersonwhoholdsaprobationarylicence;• apersonwhoholdsaclass6Dlicence(mopedorscooter)

oraclass8licence(farmtractor),underage25andwhohasheldthelicenceforlessthan5years.

TheCodeprescribesa3month licencesuspensionwherethedriveraccumulates4pointsormoreinhisfile.Sinceprobationarylicenceholdersunder age25musthave2 years’ experiencedrivingwithavalidlicence,thelengthoftheirprobationperiodwillbeextendedanadditionalperiodequivalenttothesuspensionperiod.Whentheyareagaineligibleforalicence,theymustgotoaSociétéservicecentretoreinstatetheirlicenceanddrivingprivilege.

15DEMERIT POINTS

Alicenceisrevokedortherighttoobtainalicencesuspendedforaperiodof3,6or12months,dependingonwhetherthedriverhasaccumulated15demeritpointsforthefirst,secondorthirdtimeintheprevious2years.

Toobtainanewdriver’slicence,thepersonmustscheduleanappointmenttotakeaknowledgetestwhenhe/sheisagaineligible to hold a licence and pay applicable test and licencefees.Itshouldbenotedthatthecostofanewlicencewillbeincreasedbyahigherinsurancepremiumunderthepublicplan,whichisestablishedonthebasisofadriver’sdemeritpoints.

POINTS WRITTEN OFF

Demeritpointsremainonadriver’srecordfor2yearsaftertheconviction that broughtabout theirentryon thedrivingrecord,orpaymentofthefine(paymentofafineisequivalenttoaconviction).

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When a licence has become subject to a penalty resultingfrom the accumulation of demerit points, 4 or 15 points arewrittenofftheoffendingdriver’srecord,dependingonthetypeoflicence.However,anydemeritpointsthatexceedthesenumberswillremainontherecordfor2years.

Forexample, fora licenceholderwhohasaccumulated14demeritpoints,asubsequentoffencewillbringthatnumberto16.Sincethe15pointlevelhasbeenreached,thedriver’s licenceisrevoked and 15 points are erased. The remaining demeritpoint stayson thedriver’s record for2years following thelatestconviction.

Nopointsarewrittenoffuponrenewalofadriver’sorlearner’slicence,norupontheissueofafirstlicence,orofanewlicencefollowingrevocation.

DEMERIT POINTS AND A RESTRICTED LICENCE

Adriverwhoselicencehasbeensuspendedorrevokedasaresultofafirst-timeaccumulationofdemeritpointsin2years(4 points forprobationary licence,or15demerit points foradriver’s licence) may obtain a restricted licence where his/herlivelihoodrequirestheoperationofamotor vehicle.Toobtainarestrictedlicence,thepersonmustapplytoaCourtofQuébecjudgeforarestrictedlicenceandnotifytheSociétéoftheapplica-tion.The applicant has to prove that driving is an essentialaspectofhis/herworkandpetitionthejudgetoobtaintheorderauthorizinghim/hertoholdarestrictedlicence.

Uponpresentationof this order, the Sociétéwill issue arestrictedlicence.

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CRIMINALCODE OFFENCESA person convicted of any of the following Criminal Code

offenceswillseehis/herlicencerevokedortherighttoobtainalicencesuspended:

• criminalnegligenceofamotorvehiclecausingdeathorbodilyharm;

• manslaughter ;• dangerousdriving (in lightofweather, roadand traffic

conditions at the time or reasonably expected use ofvehicle) ;

• dangerousdrivingcausingdeathorbodilyharm;• refusaltostopduringapolicepursuit ;• leavingthesceneofanaccident ;• hit-and-runcausingdeathorbodilyharm;• refusal tosubmit toabreathalyzer testor toprovidea

bloodsample ;• refusaltoobeytheordersofalawenforcementofficerto

provide a breath or blood sample or to submit toa physical coordination test following an accidentresultinginthedeathofanotherperson ;

• driving or having care of a vehicle while impaired byalcoholordrugs ;

• driving or having care of a vehicle while impaired byalcoholordrugsandcausingdeathorbodilyharm;

• drivingorhavingcareofavehiclewhileone’sbloodalcohollevelisover.08%(80mgofalcoholper100mlofblood).

Wheretheseoffencesarecommittedsimultaneously,theywillleadtoasinglepenalty.

TheSociétéisnotifiedofdriving-relatedcriminaloffencescommittedinanotherCanadianprovinceorequivalentoffencesinaU.S.statewithwhichQuébechasareciprocalagreement.Suchoffencesareenteredonthedriver’srecordandresultinthesamepenaltyasiftheoffencetookplaceinQuébec.

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PENALTIESFORALCOHOL-IMPAIREDDRIVING

Measuresadoptedtocounteralcohol-impaireddrivingarebasedonprevention,thatis,theidentificationandmonitoringofpersonswhohavedifficultydisassociatingalcoholconsumptionwithdrivingavehicle.Measuresaremoresevereforrepeatoffendersinanefforttopersuadethemtochangetheirbehaviourregardingalcoholconsumption.

ZERO ALCOHOL RULE

UndertheHighwaySafetyCode,thefollowingpersonscannotdrive,orhavethecareorcontrolofamotorvehicleifthereisthepresenceofalcoholintheirbody:

• apersonwhodoesnotholdalicenceandwhohasneverheldadriver’slicenceotherthanthatwhichauthorizesdrivingonlyamoped,scooter(class6D)orfarmtractor(class8);

• apersonwhoholdsalearner’slicencewhichauthorizesdrivingapassengervehicle(class5)ormotorcycle(class6A),unlesshe/shehaspreviouslyheldadriver’slicenceforaclassofvehicleotherthan6Dor8;

• apersonwhoholdsaprobationarylicence;

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• apersonwhoholdsadriver’s licenceauthorizingonlythedrivingofamoped,scooter(class6D)orfarmtractor(class8),underage25andwhohasheldalicenceforlessthan5years;

• apersonwhoholdsarestrictedlicenceissuedfollowingthesuspensionofaprobationarylicence;

• apersonwhoholdsalicenceauthorizingonlythedrivingofavehicleequippedwithanalcoholignitioninterlockdevice;

• apersonwhoholdsalicencerequiringthathe/shemustmaintainazerobloodalcoholleveltodrive,orhavethecareorcontrolofamotorvehicle.

IMMEDIATE LICENCE SUSPENSION

Alawenforcementofficer immediatelysuspendsthelicenceorrighttoobtainalicencefora90-dayperiod:

1. ofanypersonsubjecttothezeroalcoholrulewhodrives,orhasthecareorcontrolofamotorvehicleandhasthepresenceofalcoholinhis/herbody;

2. ofanypersonwhodrives,orhasthecareorcontrolofamotorvehiclewhenhis/herbloodalcohollevelisover.08;

3. ofanypersonwhorefusestoprovideabreathorbloodsample.

LENGTH OF DRIVING PROHIBITION

WhenadriverisconvictedofanoffenceundertheCriminalCode,ajudgecanimposeadrivingprohibitionperiod.Theperiodvariesaccordingtotheoffender’sdrivingrecordandthetypeofoffence.

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Aminimumfineof$1,000mayaccompanyadrivingprohibi-tion periodinthecaseofafirstoffence;finesforsubsequentoffencesareat thediscretionof the judge.Theoffendermayalsobesubjecttoaprisonterm.

TheHighwaySafetyCode providesforrevocationofalearner’slicence,probationarylicenceordriver’slicenceaswellassuspensionoftherighttoobtainoneoftheselicences.Theminimumperiodoflicencerevocationorsuspensionoftherighttoobtainalicenceis1,3or5years,dependingonthenumberoftimestheoffender’slicencehasbeenrevokedorsuspendedintheprevious10yearsforanalcohol-relateddrivingconviction.

Ifacourt imposesadrivingprohibitionperiod longer thantherevocationperiodprovidedintheHighwaySafetyCode,thejudge’s decision prevails and the driving prohibition periodshallapply.

CONDITIONS FOR REINSTATING A LICENCE

Apersonwhoselicencehasbeenrevokedfollowingacriminalconviction for impaired driving is required to meet particularconditionsbeforealicencecanbereinstated.TheHighwaySafetyCode providesthat:

• forafirstoffence withinthelast10years:– theoffendermustsuccessfullycompletetheAlcofrein

drivereducationprogramrecognizedbythetheMinisterofTransport that is intended to raise awareness aboutdrinking and driving problems and prevent a repeatoffence ;

– theoffendermustundergoasummaryassessmentconductedbyadulyauthorizedpersonwhoworksinanaddictionrehabilitationcentre.Thefinalassessmentreport must show that the offender’s behaviour isconsistentwiththesafeoperationofavehicle.

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Iftheresultsoftheassessmentarefavourable,theoffendermayobtainalicenceattheendoftherevocationperiod.

If,however,theresultsoftheassessmentareunfavourable,theoffendermustundergoacomprehensiveassessment(the same procedure applies to a repeat offender).Furthermore,oncethisprocesshasbeencompletedandthe offender would like to obtain a new licence, for aperiodof1year he/shewillonlybeallowedtodriveavehicleequippedwithanalcoholignitioninterlock;

• forarepeatoffence within10years:– theoffendermustundergoacomprehensiveassessment

overaperiodof7to9months,thepurposeofwhichistorenderhis/herrelationshiptoalcoholconsistentwiththesafeoperationofavehicle.Beforeanewlicencecanbeissued,thisassessmentshouldclearlydemonstrate,to the satisfaction of the Société, that his/her alcoholconsumptionhabitsdonotcompromisethesafeoperationofamotorvehicle.Theassessmentmustbeconducted bya duly authorized person who works in an addictionrehabilitationcentreorservice;

– themandatoryinstallationofanalcoholignitioninterlockdevice isrequired foraperiodof2years fora secondconvictionor3yearsforathirdconvictionormore.

FeestoregisterintheAlcofreinprogramandthecostsofsummaryandcomprehensiveassessmentsmustbeassumedbyparticipants.

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LICENCE REQUIRING USE OF AN ALCOHOL IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE

1. After the driving prohibition period handed down by thecourt,thedrivermay applytotheSociétéforarestrictedlicence,whichwillbevaliduntiltheendofthedriver’slicencerevocationperiodimposedundertheHighwaySafetyCode.Anoffendermayalsoapplyforarestrictedlicenceduringthedrivingprohibitionperiod.Arestricted licenceauthorizestheoffendertodriveavehicle on the condition that it is equipped with an alcoholignitioninterlockdevice.Thisdevicepreventsengineoperationifitdetectsthepresenceofalcoholinthedriver’sbody.2. Attheendofthelicencerevocationperiod,useofanalcoholignitioninterlockdeviceismandatory inordertoobtainanewlicenceinthefollowingcases:

• ifthedriverisarepeatoffender(2or3-yearmandatoryuse);• ifthesummaryassessmentisunfavourableforafirst-time

offendingdriver(mandatoryusefor1year).

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3. Iftheoffendingdriverwishestodriveattheendofthepenaltyperiodandifhe/shehasnotreceivedasatisfactoryassessmentreport,theapplicantmay obtain,onavoluntary basis,alicenceauthorizinghim/her todriveonlyavehicle equippedwithanalcoholignitioninterlock.However,theperiodduringwhichhe/shedrives usingthedevicewillnotreducetheperiodofmandatoryuseimposed.

Toobtainalicenceauthorizingdrivingwithanalcoholigni-tioninterlock,thedrivermustalsomeetthefollowing conditions:

• havenootherpenaltyonhis/herrecord;• submitproofofanagreementtoinstallanignitioninter-

lockdevicebyaSociété-approvedshop;• observethetermsofusefortheinterlockdevice;• assumecostsrelatingtouseofthedevice.

Alicencerequiringuseofanignitioninterlockdevicecannotbeissuedformotorcycleclassesorforalearner.

Thelicenceclassesauthorizedarethoseheldbythedriveratthetimethepenaltywasimposed.

IfthesupplierofanignitioninterlockdeviceinformstheSociététhat a driver is not complying with operating conditions, theSociétémayrevokeorsuspendthelicence.

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VEHICLESEIZURE

Avehiclecanbeseized,towedimmediatelyandimpoundedfor30days,whetherornottheoffendingdriveristhevehicleownerif:

• thedriver’s licencehasbeenrevokedorsuspendedduetoaCriminalCode offence,anaccumulationofdemeritpoints,anunpaidfineorformedicalreasons;

• amotorvehicleisnotequippedwithanignitioninterlockdevice,despitethefactthatthedriver’slicenceauthorizeshim/hertodriveonlyavehiclefittedwiththisdevice;

• thedriverfailstorespectignitioninterlockconditionsordriveswiththepresenceofalcoholinthebody;

• thedriverfailstorespectthetermsofarestrictedlicenceissuedbecauseofdemeritpoints;

• thedriverdoesnotholdavaliddriver’slicence,ofaclassappropriateforthetypeofvehicleusedandcarryingthemandatoryendorsements(inthecaseofheavyvehicles);

• theholderofalearner'slicenceforamotorcycle(6R)isoperatingthevehicleoutsideofadrivingschool'scourseoraroadtestfortheSAAQ;

• thedriverofaroadvehiclecommitsanexcessivespeed-ingoffence;

• thedriver(orindividualwhohascareofthevehicle)hasabloodalcohollevelabove0.16%(160mgofalcoholper100mlofblood);

• thedriverrefusestoprovideabreathorbloodsample.

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If thedriver isnot theownerof themotorvehicle,he/she isrequired toimmediatelynotifythevehicleownerofitsseizure.Thedriverisalsoresponsibleforsubmittingtothevehicleowneracopyoftheseizurereport.

Inordertorecoverthevehicle,theownermustpayalltowingand storage charges, and then take the appropriate steps forreimbursementbytheoffender.

FINESFORDRIVINGDURINGAPENALTYPERIODApersonwhodrivesavehiclewhilehis/herlicenceissubject

toapenaltymust, inadditiontodealingwithanimmediateseizure,payafinegenerallybetween$300and$600.Ifapenaltyperiodhadbeenimposedforimpaireddriving,thefinewillbe$1,500to$3,000.

An owner who allows use of a vehicle by someone whoselicencehasbeensuspendedorrevokedisliabletoafineof$300to$600;iftheperson’slicencehadbeenrevokedforimpaireddriving,theowner’sfinewillbe$1,500to$3,000.

Beforelendingorrentingoutavehicle,theownercancheckthevalidityofthedriver’slicencewiththeSociétébycalling1 900565-1212.There is a charge of $1.50per call for theautomatedservice.

The table below lists the statutes and penalties imposedundertheCriminalCode andHighwaySafetyCode followingaconvictionforimpaireddriving:

Inadditiontothecostofafine,offendersarerequiredtopayregistrationfeesandamandatorycontributiontothecrimevic-tims’ assistance program (Indemnisation des victimes d’actescriminels).Additionalfeesmayalsoapply. A

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CriminalCode HighwaySafetyCode

Firstpenalty

Drivingprohibitionof1yrPossibleignitioninterlockuseafteraminimumdrivingprohibitionof3monthsFineofatleast$1000

Immediatelicencesuspensionfor90daysImmediatevehicleimpoundmentfor30daysifthebloodalcohollevelisinexcessof160mg/100mlorforrefusingtoprovideabreathsampleLicencerevocationforaperiodof1yr1

MandatoryAlcofrein2 sessionSummaryassessmentofadriver'salcoholordrughabitstodeterminewhethertheycompromisethesafeoperationofamotorvehicle.Ifsummaryassessmentisunfavourable:• comprehensiveassessment4

•mandatoryignitioninterlockusefor1yrafterlicencerevocationonceanassessmentissatisfactoryfortheSociété

Secondpenalty

Drivingprohibitionof2yrsPossibleignitioninterlockuseafteraminimumdrivingprohibitionof6monthsImprisonmentforatleast30days

Immediatelicencesuspensionfor90daysImmediatevehicleimpoundmentfor30daysifthebloodalcohollevelisinexcessof160mg/100mlorforrefusingtoprovideabreathsampleLicencerevocationforaperiodof3yrsComprehensiveassessment4

Mandatoryignitioninterlockusefor2yrsafterlicencerevocationonceanassessmentissatisfactoryfortheSociété

Thirdorsubsequentpenalty

Drivingprohibitionof3yrsPossibleignitioninterlockuseafteraminimumdrivingprohibitionof12monthsImprisonmentforatleast120days

Immediatelicencesuspensionfor90daysImmediatevehicleimpoundmentfor30daysifthebloodalcohollevelisinexcessof160mg/100mlorforrefusingtoprovideabreathsampleLicencerevocationforaperiodof5yrs1

Comprehensiveassessment4

Mandatoryignitioninterlockusefor3yrsafterlicencerevocationonceanassessmentissatisfactoryfortheSociété

Accident*causingbodilyharm

Imprisonmentforupto10yrs

Accident*causingdeath

Maximumlifesentence

Referenceperiodforcalculatingarepeatoffence

10yrs

Otherprovisions

Drivingwhileprohibited:vehicleimpoundmentfor30daysandfineof$1885to$3760**Zeroalcoholforholdersofalearner’slicenceoraprobationarylicence.

* whileimpaired,withabloodalcohollevelinexcessof80mg/100mlorforrefusingtoprovideabreathsample.

** TheseamountsaresubjecttochangeandincludefinesprovidedundertheHighwaySafetyCode,registryfeesandacontributiontoIVAC(Indemnisationdesvictimesd’actescriminels).

Pleasenotethatadditionalfeesmayapply.

1See the SAAQ folder,“Criminal Code offences. Drivers’ licences”. 2Alcofrein program : driver education program recognized by theMinisterofTransport.Theaimof theprogramis toraiseawarenessabout theproblemsassociatedwithalcoholanddrugconsumption(session feepayablebyoffender). 3Summaryassessment : aims todetermine the likelihoodof an individual’s repeat impaired-drivingoffence(feepayablebyoffender).4Comprehensiveassessment : aimstoidentifythebehaviouralproblems,establishasupervisionandfollowupplanaccordingtotheseverityofacaseandtheindividual’smotivation(severalmeetingsoveraperiodofsixtoninemonths,feepayablebyoffender).N.B. : assessmentsareconductedbyrecognizedaddictionrehabilitationcentreprofessionalsworkinginthehealthandsocialservicesnetwork.

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RIGHTOFCHALLENGEAnindividualwhoselicenceorrighttoobtainonehasbeen

suspendedfor30,60or90daysafterbeingstoppedforexcessivespeedingorfollowingarepeatimpaireddrivingoffence may fileanapplicationwiththeSociétéforareviewofthesuspensionbuthe/shemustassumetherelatedcosts.Ifasuspensionislifted,theSociétéreimbursescostsincurredbytheapplicant. Ifthesus-pension is maintained following a review, the applicant may,within 10 days, contest the decision before the AdministrativeTribunalofQuébec.

TheHighwaySafetyCode makesprovisionsforothercircum-stanceswhichgiveanindividualtherighttocontestcertaindecisions of the Société before theAdministrativeTribunal ofQuébec,within60daysofthedecision.ApersonmayappealtotheTribunalwhentheSociétéhasrefusedtoissueorrenewhis/her driver’slicence,probationarylicenceorlearner’slicence,orsuspendeditonmedicalgroundsorforfailuretosubmittherequiredmedicalexaminationorhealthassessmentreport.

AvehicleownermaypetitiontheCourtofQuébecorapplytotheSociétéfortheliftingofavehicleseizure.

TheSociétémayreviewadecisionatanytimeunlessithasbeenchallengedbeforetheTribunaloracourt.

FACTORSTHATINFLUENCEDRIVING

Atfirstglance,adriver’staskappearsratherstraightforward.Driving,however,requiresmorethansimplystartingtheengine,steeringandbringingthevehicletoastop.Adriverhastomasterdriving techniques and traffic rules andunderstand that thedecisionshe/shemakesmusttakeintoaccountotherdriversaswellasroadandtrafficconditions.

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Statisticsonaccidentsandtrafficoffences,nottomentionthenumberofvictim’sinjuredorkilledeachyearontheroad,bearwitnesstothecomplexityofthetask.

Drivingavehiclecallsonadriver’sknowledgeandtheinfor-mationhe/shepicksupwhiledriving.Adrivermust thereforeknowhowtointerprethis/hersurroundings,andbepreparedtoreact andanticipate the reactionsof othersandbefore makingadecision. A driver’s decisions reflect his/her assessment of asituation.Onapproachinganintersection,forexample,thereismore involved than simply recognizing a stop sign and stop-ping.Thedriverhastoassessthedistancebetweenthevehicleandthestopsignbasedonhis/herspeed,theroadconditionsandthepresenceofothersontheroadtodeterminetherateatwhichthevehiclemustslowandwhereitwillcometoastop.

Newandexperienceddriverswill acknowledge that health,personalityandsurroundingsareoftenfactorsthatplayaroleintheirdriving.Adriver’sdecisionsareinfluencedbydominantcharactertraits,moodandgeneralwell-being.

Amotorvehicleoperator’sphysicalandpsychologicalstatearecrucialtosafeuseoftheroadway.

VISIONSafeoperationofavehicledependsoneyesight.Studieshave

shownthat90%ofadriver’sdecisionsarebasedoninformationgatheredthroughtheeye.Lossofvisualacuityorfieldofvisionhasanimmediateaffectonperformance,primarilyatthetimeadecisionmustbemadeontheroadway.Thereinliestheriskofanaccident,bothfortheoperatorandotherroadusers.

Anumberofelementscomeintoplayingivingthedriveranaccurate picture of his/her surroundings. Impairment of oneaspect,especiallyifthedriverisunawareoftheweakness,canbedangerousandmayevenrenderthepersonunfittodrive.

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VISUAL ACUITY

Visualacuityistheabilitytoclearlydistinguishobjectsfroma distance.Acuity varies from one individual to another andthosewithabelow-averageabilitytoseethingssharplymaynotbeawareofmanydetailstheyaremissing;theythinktheycanseeaswellasothers.Alossofvisualacuityisgenerallyassociatedwithagingandaperson’shealth.Onlyperiodiceyeexaminationswillrevealaprogressivedeteriorationofvisualacuity.

FIELD OF VISION

Thevisualfieldistheexpanseofspaceinwhichobjectsareperceivedwhiletheeyesfocusononeparticularpoint.Theareaofadriver’svisualfieldmustbelargeenoughtoviewataglanceany obstacle in front or on either side of the vehicle. It is asimportantasgood visualacuitysincean impaired visual fieldincreasestheriskofaccidents.

Adriver’s fieldof visionnarrows as the speedof a vehicleincreases. It is the samewhen the eye focuses onone object.Drugs,alcoholandfatigueoftenproducethesameeffect.Aneyeconditionandneurologicaldisordermayalsoseriouslyimpairthefieldofvision.Evenwideeyeglassrimscanaffectthefieldofvision.

STEREOSCOPIC VISION

Stereoscopicvision,ordepthperception,isaperson’sabilitytoaccuratelysituateobjectsinthree-dimensionalspace.Itenablesa driver to estimate the distance between his/her vehicle andotherobjectsaroundevenwhenthoseobjectsareinmotion.

CORRECTIVE LENSES

Contact lenses and eyeglasses should be worn if required.Someone with a driver’s licence that bears the “A” conditionmustwearlensesorglassesfordriving.Failuretocomplyisanoffencepunishablebyafine.

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AT NIGHT

It is alwaysmorehazardous todriveatnight than duringtheday,regardlessofadriver’svisualacuity.Adaptingtonightdrivingmeans reducingspeed,given the limitedscopeofavehicle’sheadlights.

Roadsignsarecoveredwithamaterialthatreflectsavehicle’sheadlight,allowingadrivertoseethemfromfartherawaythanothernon-reflectiveobjects.Adriverthereforeshouldnotjudgethereachofavehicle’slightsbythereflectionfromasign.

Twofactorsarecrucialtonightdriving:• thedriver’sabilitytoseeunderlittlelight;• resistancetoglare.

Asapersonages,his/herabilitytoadjusttoglareisreduced.Ifnightdrivingisparticularlydifficult,greatercautionisnecessary.

Wearingtintedglassesisstronglydiscouragedatnight;theyinevitablyreduceadriver’svisualacuity.

PHYSICALDISORDERSSomephysicalailmentsmaybethedirectcauseofanaccident.

Healthcareprofessionalscan report thenameand addressofanypatientage14orolderwhomtheydeemunfittodriveonthebasisofhealthorvision.Aprofessionalwhomakessuchareportcannotbesuedfordamages.

Byreasonofaperson’sstateofhealth,theSociétémaysuspendorrefusetoissuealicence,orchangetheconditionsonalicence.Itmayalsorequiretheindividualinvolvedtosubmittofurtherexaminationorassessmentbyahealthcareprofessional.Obviously,aresponsibledriverwillcomplywiththerecommendationsofhis/herphysician.

Temporaryconditionssuchasheadachesandfevermakedrivingmoredifficult.Apersonshouldobviouslynotgetbehindthewheelif this isthecase.Adriverwhofeels illwhiletravelingshouldfindasafespotofftheroadtostopthevehicle.

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FATIGUEWhenwe’retired,ourabilitytodriveisdiminishedandthe

consequencescouldbedisastrous.Drowsiness has many causes. In some cases, it follows a

heavy meal. Most often it is the result of a lack of sleep, themonotonyoftheroad,lackofpracticefornightdrivingorthetemperatureinsideavehicle.

Drowsinesscanaffectalertness.Adrivermustconsiderthefirstsignsofdrowsinessaclearwarningoftheriskofanaccident.

Becausefatigueslowsmusclecoordination,adriverwhofeelstired,whoyawns,whoseeyesareirritatedorwhohasshorthallucinationsmuststopforawhile.Stretchingthelegsmaybeallthatisneeded.Sometimesashortnapmayleaveadriverfeelingrefreshed.

Aperson’smentalorpsychologicalstateisalsoanimportantfactor in the safeoperationof amotor vehicle.An individualwhoisexperiencinganextremeemotionsuchasangerorgriefshouldthereforerefrainfromdriving.

CELLPHONESinceApril1,2008,useofanytypeofhand-helddevicewitha

telephone function has been prohibited while driving.The lawbansuseofanytypeofdevicewithatelephonefunctionthatcanconnecttoatelephonenetwork,whetherornotithasbeenacti-vated.Theseinclude:

• conventionalcellphones;• wirelessinformationdevices(BlackBerry);• cell phones with a transmitter-receiver function (walkie-

talkie), such as theTELUS Mike or cell phones that arelinkedtothe10-4serviceprovidedbyBELL.Thistypeofdevice is prohibited, even if the cell phone function hasbeendeactivated;

• devicesthatdisplayemailsorthatenableausertobrowsetheInternet.

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Simplyholdingthistypeofdeviceinyourhandwhiledriving,regardlessofuse, isanoffence.A“hand-helddevice”meansonewheretheentiredeviceisheldinthehandtomakeacall.

TheMeaningoftheExpression“WhileDriving”Adriverwhobringshisorhervehicletoastopincompliance

withroadsignsandtrafficsignalsorduetoobstructionoftrafficcontinuestodrivethevehicle.Theindividualisconsideredtobecontrollingavehiclesoastocomplywithroadsignsandtrafficsig-nalsortoavoidtrafficobstructions.Therefore,adriverwhoiswait-ingataredlightorinatrafficjamisconsideredtobedrivingavehicleandthereforecannotuseahand-heldcellphone.

However,adriverwhobringsavehicletoasafeandlegalstopatthesideofaroadtouseacellphoneisnolongerconsideredtobedriving,evenifthevehicle’sengineisstillrunning.

CBsAreAuthorizedUseofdevicesthathavebeeninstalledinthevehicledashboard

oraremountedon thedashboardandonly themicrophoneorreceiverisheldinthehand,arenotprohibited.

This applies to high frequency radio communication equip-ment,suchascentralbatterytelephonesystemsorportabletrans-mitters-receivers, more commonly known as CBs and walkie-talkies.

SafetyTipsAsamotorist,youareresponsiblefordrivingsafely.Youshould

thereforekeepthefollowingsafetyrulesinmind:• Turnoffyourphonebeforeyougetbehindthewheeland

letyourvoicemailtakeyourcalls.• Ifyouabsolutelyhavetouseyourphone,pulloverfirstto

alocationwhereyouareallowedtodoso,foryourownsafetyandthatofothers.Forexample:• on the side of the road where the maximum speed

limitislessthan70km/h;

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• inaparkinglot;• inaservicearea.

• Rememberthat,exceptinanemergency,nooneisallowedtobringtheirvehicletoastopontheshoulderofahigh-wayoronahighwayentranceorexitramp.

• You can also askpassengers in the vehicle to answerormakeacallforyou.

ALCOHOLImpaireddrivingisaserioussocialconcern!InQuébec,alcohol

useisafactorinabout32%offatalaccidents,16%ofaccidentscausingseriousinjuryand5%ofaccidentscausingminorinjury.On average, between 2002 and 2006, alcohol accounted for200deathsand2,900injured.

Alcoholcompelsadrivertotakerisks.Today,it iscommonknowledgethatalcoholimpairsaperson’sabilitytodrive.Themoreapersondrinks, thepoorerhis/herabilitytoexercisesafejudgment.

Drivingundertheinfluenceofalcoholsignificantlyincreasesthe risk of a serious accident,with its dire consequences andincreasinglyharsherpenalties.

Justoneglassofwinemayproducetheeffectsdescribedabove.Evenifaperson’sbloodalcohollevelisbelow.08%theseeffectsmayappear,sinceat.05%thefacultiesofanaverageadultaresignificantlyaffected.Itisimportanttonotethatyoungdriversaremoreeasilyaffected,andbysmalleramountsofalcohol.Adriveraged16to19withabloodalcohollevelof.03is three times more at risk of becoming involved in afatalaccident.

Theeffectsofalcoholsurfacerelativelyquicklyifapersonistiredordrinksonanemptystomach.Themorealcoholingested,themoreserioustheimpairment.Nopersonshoulddriveafterdrinking.

Sincealcoholisconsumedonanumberofdifferentoccasions,itisimportanttoreducetheimpactofalcoholbyexercisingmodera-tion andremindingguestsatareceptionoftheirresponsibility.

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Somerecommendations :• drinkverylittleandslowly ;• havesomethingtoeatwhendrinking ;• servenon-alcoholicbeverages(includingwater) ;• spaceyourdrinks ;• stopservingalcoholat leastanhourbefore theendof

thereception ;• takestepstoensurethatyoudonotoperateavehicleifyou

havehadadrink–haveanotherpersondriveor takeataxiorbus;

• allowaguestwhohashadtoomuchtodrinktostayover;• planahead.

Manypeoplebelieve thatapersonwhoisusedtodrinkingwillbebetterableto“handle”alcoholandavoidbeingimpaired.Whileitistruethatthehabitualdrinker’sbodyadjusts,theimpressionofsobrietyisillusory,leadingthepersontooverestimate his/herabilitytodrive.

Popularremediesforreducingtheeffectsofalcoholrarelywork.Somepeoplebelievethateatingwhiledrinkinghelpstheeliminationprocess.Thepresenceoffoodinthestomach,however,merelyslowsdowntheabsorptionofalcoholintotheblood;itdoesnotpreventthepersonfromreachingahigherbloodalcoholconcentration.

Thefactremainsthattheliverbreaksdown90%ofalcoholconsumedbyanindividual.Ahealthyindividual’sliverworksatasteadyrate,processingagivennumberofmginanhour,regardlessoftheamountconsumed.Ittakesatleast5hoursforthebodytoeliminatetheamountofalcoholconsumedbysomeonewitha.08%bloodalcoholconcentration.

Takingawalkorshowerwillnotspeedupthealcoholelimina-tion process.There is no miraculous method for increasing thebody’s abilitytometabolizealcohol.Timeistheonlyremedy.

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MAINEFFECTSOFALCOHOLONAVEHICLEOPERATOR

Onobservation• Rather than scanning the road ahead, to the sides and

occasionallybehind,adriverundertheinfluenceofalcoholtendstofocusononespotorobjectahead:he/shepayslessattentiontovehicles,personsandobjectsonorneartheroad.

• Thedriverislessabletoestimatedistancesbetweenobjects.• Thedriverislessabletoadapttodarkness.• Atnight,adriverhasdifficultyfocusingafterencountering

theglareofanoncomingvehicleandthetimeittakestoadjustafterthevehiclehaspassedislongerthannormal.

• Thereisadecreasedsenseofdangerandthedriverthereforetakesmorerisks.

Ondecision-making• Brainactivityisslowed.• Thedriverislessabletorecognizeaproblemsituation.• Makingaquickdecisionisdifficult.

Onexecution• Thestimulationprovokedbyalcoholresultsinoverconfi-

denceofone’sabilities.• Slowerbrainactivityresultsinalossofmuscularcoordina-

tion. Sinceadriverisslowtorealizethathe/shemustact,limbmovementsareoftenabruptandimprecise.He/shefindsitdifficulttostayinthelane,gothroughanintersection,change lanes,makea turn, control thevehicleandevencometoastop.Alcoholwillalsoaffectthesenseofbalanceofamotorcyclerider.

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DRUGSANDMEDICATIONIt is commonknowledge thatdrugsand somemedications

have an impact on an individual’s ability to operate a motorvehicle.Theuseofdrugs(marijuana,cocaine,amphetamines,etc.)ormood-alteringmedications(minortranquilizers,anti-depressants,sedatives,etc.)increasetheriskofaccident.Incombinationwithalcoholtheriskclimbssignificantly.

PRECAUTIONS

Adrivertakingmedicationmustmakeareasonableassessmentofwhetheritsuseisconsistentwiththesafeoperationofavehicle.

Takenalone,somemedicationshaveeffectssimilartothoseproducedbyalcohol.Thisisparticularlytrueforminortranquilizersorsleepingpills.

Antihistamines(intheformofsyruporpills)torelieveallergyorcoldsymptomscancausedrowsiness.Apersonusingsuchmedicationshouldreadthelabelcarefullyandaskaphysicianorpharmacistaboutsideeffectsandthelikelyimpactontheabilitytodrive.

Adriverundermedicationshouldneverdrinkalcohol.Suchacombinationisdangerousbecausethesideeffectsofthemedica-tion aremultipliedbythoseofthealcohol.Thecombinedeffectssignificantlyimpairaperson’sabilitytoreactandmayleavehim/hercompletelyunabletodrive.

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ADRIVER’SMIND-SETAlthoughadriver’sphysicalhealthisimportant,his/hermental

health requires serious consideration. Personality traits oftenshowupinbehaviouratthecontrolsofamotorvehicle,whichprovidesanindividualwithafeelingofindependenceandservesasanoutletforemotions.

Somedriversshowself-respectandconsideration.Inadifficultdrivingsituation,theirdecisionsarebasedontolerance,patienceand foresight. Fully aware of the inherent danger involved inoperatingamotorvehicle,theirskillsanddrivinghabitsimprovewithexperience.

However,somesituationsaremorelikelytoleadtoconflictsbetweendrivers,forexample,cityrushhoursorgettingonandoffhighways.Peoplereactinawidevarietyofwaystotrafficjams.Toavoid making a bad situation worse, a driver must moderatehis/herbehaviourandanticipatepossible danger.

Regardlessofthecauseofatrafficproblem,itissometimesbestjusttoslowdownand,ifnecessary,pullofftothesideoftheroad.Thisdoesnotmeanbeingpassive;itmeansbeingalert.

Agooddrivershouldplanahead,choosingtraveltimesandroutesthatmakeitpossibletoavoidtrafficcongestionandthelikelihood of an accident.These are preferable alternatives tousing theshoulderof the roadorstop-and-go tactics tomoveforwardfasterthanthepersonahead.

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CHAPTER1THEDRIVER

OBSERVATIONObserving the immediatesurroundingsandcheckingonall

sidesofthevehiclearekeytodeterminingifonecansafelyovertakeavehicle,changelanes,proceedthroughanintersectionormergewithtraffic.Adrivermustbasethedecisiontoproceedoryieldthewaytootherroadusersoninformationheorshereceivesthroughdirectobservation.Adrivermustalsoadjusthis/herspeedtotrafficconditions.

Wemustthinkaboutwhathappenswhenadrivergoesthroughanintersectionwithoutstoppingandmakingthenecessaryverifi-cations, oradriverwhoovertakesavehiclewithoutcheckingforoncoming traffic. Serious accidents and victims who had themisfortuneofbeing inthewrongplaceat thewrongtimearecommonplace.Negligenceincreasestheriskofaccident.

EXERCISINGJUDGMENTAgreaternumberofaccidentsoccuratnightandonweekends;

vigilanceisespeciallycalledforduringthesetimes.Thepossibilityofhumanerrorisallaround,inthevehicleaheadorbehind,intheoncomingvehicleortheoneovertakingyou.Yourjudgmentmaybecalleduponatanymoment.

Unexpectedsituationsmaycallforreducedspeed.Roadbuildingorrepairwork,amishap,fog,etc.,maytestone’spatienceandleavelittletimeforproperresponse.

All drivers will encounter situations that are beyond theircontrol,forexampleatrafficlightmaybedefective,thedriverinfrontmayappear lostor isdrivingtooslowlyoranyotherunexpectedsituationmaycauseadrivertolengthenorchangehis/herroute. A

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Thisiswhenadrivermustexercisejudgment.Obviously,noonetakespleasureinyieldingtoorbeingintimidatedbyotherdriversorbackingdownfromariskyventure.Ahurriedaction,however,canleadtoadramaticsituation.Inconvenienceordelayisthesmallpriceasmartdriveriswillingtopayforsaferroads.

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A llroadvehiclesmustberegisteredtobeusedonapublicroadwayinQuébec.Ownersare

responsibleforhavingtheirvehicleregisteredata Société de l’assurance automobile du Québecservicecentre.

Ownersmustpaytheirregistrationfeeseveryyearsotheycancontinuetodrivetheirvehicle.

TheHighwaySafetyCode anditsregulationsalsorequirevehicle owners tomaintain theirvehiclesproperlyandtoensurethattheyhavethefeaturesandaccessoriesrequiredbylaw.

VEHICLEREGISTRATION

INGENERALEveryroadvehiclemustberegisteredunlessexemptedunder

theHighwaySafetyCode.TheownerisresponsibleforapplyingtotheSociétédel’assuranceautomobileduQuébecontakingpossessionofavehicleorbeforeexpiryoftemporaryregistrationfromavehicledealer.AvehicleownerwhotakesupresidenceinQuébecmustapplyforregistrationwithin90days.

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Theregistrationremainsvalidforaslongasthevehicleandtheownerremainthesame.

When the vehicle is registered, the Société issues a licenceplateandregistrationcertificatethatcorrespondstotheownercategoryandvehicletype,useandplaceofoperation.

VEHICLESEXEMPTFROMREGISTRATIONRegistrationisnotrequiredfor the followingroadvehicles,

whicharenotusedonpublicroads:• snowblowerswithanetweightof900kgorless;• farmtractorsthatarenotusedonpublicroads;• snowmobileswithanet weightof55kgor lessanda

maximumspeedunder15km/h;• snowmobiles,withanetweightof450kgorlessthat

areownedbyapersonwhodoesnotresideinQuébecprovidedthatthesnowmobileisregisteredincompliancewiththelawsoftheowner’splaceofresidenceorheadoffice;

• motorizedtoyvehiclesthatcancarryoneperson;• golfcarts;• garden tractors,not including farmtractors,and riding

mowersthatcarryoneperson;• roadvehiclesusedexclusivelyinsideabuilding;• farmmachineryownedbyafarmer.

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OBTAININGAVEHICLE’SREGISTRATIONANDTHERIGHTTOOPERATETHEVEHICLE

REQUIREMENTS

Toregisteravehicleandobtaintherighttooperateitontheroad,ownersmust:

•meetthetermsandconditionssetoutbyregulation;•paythefeessetbyregulation;• following the purchase of a used vehicle, submit the

odometerreadingatthetimeofregistration.

Aswell,theirdriver'slicencemustnotbecurrentlysuspend-edforunpaidfines.

Ownersofheavyvehicles(trucksorbuseswithanetweightofmorethan3,000kg)andownersoftowtrucksorroadvehiclesusedtotransporthazardousmaterialmustentertheirvehiclesintheregisterofownersandoperatorsofheavyvehicleskeptbytheCommissiondesTransportsduQuébec.

COST OF REGISTRATION

Thecostofregistrationvariesaccordingtovehicletype,useandplaceofoperation.Itincludes:

• theregistrationfee;• theQuébecautomobileinsuranceplanpremium;• administrativecharges;• acontributionofmotoriststopublictransit,ifapplicable;• salestax.

Additionalchargesareaddedforpassengervehiclesthatarenomorethansevenyearsoldandvaluedatover$40,000.

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MANDATORY LIABILITY INSURANCE

TheAutomobileInsuranceActrequireseveryvehicleownertohavethird-partyliabilityinsurancecoverageintheamountofatleast$50,000.ThisisalegalobligationforanyonewhoplanstodriveonpublicroadsinQuébec.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR MINORS

MinorswhowishtoregisteravehiclemustprovidetheSociétéwithwrittenconsentfromtheirparentorlegalguardian.

CASES IN WHICH VEHICLE REGISTRATION MAY BE DENIED

TheSociétéwillnotregisteravehicleiftheapplicantcannotprovesoleorjointownership,orprovethatthevehicleisownedbyabusinessinwhichhe/shehasaninterest.

CONDITIONSRELATINGTOVEHICLEREGISTRATION

SIGNATURE

Thepersoninwhosenamearegistrationcertificateisissuedmustsignitassoonashe/shereceivesit.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS

ThepersonwhosenameappearsontheregistrationcertificatemustinformtheSociétéofanychangeofaddresswithin30days.

MOTOR VEHICLE LIABILITY INSURANCE CARD

Apersonwhodrives,haschargeoforexercisescontroloveramotorvehiclemustcarry thevehicle’s registrationcertificateandvehicle liability insurancecardandmustbeable toshowthemuponrequestbyalawenforcementofficer.

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LICENCE PLATE INSTALLATION

Vehicleownersmustsecurelyattachtheirlicenceplatestotherearoftheirvehiclesorelsewhereasdeterminedbyregulation.

However,ownersofcombinationvehiclesdesignedtopullatrailermustattachthelicenceplatetothefrontofthevehicle.

LEGIBLE AND CLEAN LICENCE PLATES

Only the inscriptiondeterminedby theSociétémay appearonalicenceplate.

Thelicenceplatemustbekeptfreeofanymatterthatmightpreventitfrombeingclearlylegible.Theremustalsobesufficientlightingatthereartomakeitvisibleatnight.

A lawenforcementofficermay require that theoperatorofamotorvehicle cleanthelicenceplateifitissodirtythatitishardtoread.

NO OTHER PLATES ALLOWED

No plate that might be confused with one issued by theSociétéoranequivalentauthorityinanotherjurisdictionmaybeaffixedtoavehicle,unlessanotherQuébecstatutesorequires.

CERTIFICATE AND PLATE REPLACEMENT

Theholderofaregistrationcertificatethatisdamaged,illegibleorlostmustapplytotheSociétéforareplacement.Afeewillbechargedforthenewcertificate.

Anyonewhooperatesavehiclewithalicenceplatethatissodamagedthatitisillegibleissubjecttoafine.

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ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEES

Toretaintherighttodrivetheirvehicles,ownershavetopayregistrationfeeseveryyearnolaterthantheduedatesetbyregulation.

Nograceperiodisallowedforlatepayment.Thefullamountindicatedonthenoticemustbepaidunlessthevehicleowneristakingthevehicleofftheroadbeforethebeginningofthenewregistrationperiod.Additionalchargesareappliedwhenregistrationfeesarenotpaidbeforeorbythedeadline.

OwnerswhoowetheSociétéanamountthathasnotbeenpaidarenotallowedtodrivetheirvehicle.

DISCARDING A VEHICLE

OwnerswhodiscardavehiclebecauseitcannolongerbeusedmustinformtheSociétéanddeclarethattheywillnotbe drivingthevehicleanymore.Theserequestsmaybemadebyphone.

Beforeadiscardedvehicleisauthorizedtobeusedoncemoreonapublicroadway,theownermusthavethevehiclemechanicallyinspected,assumingallcostsrelatingtosuch,andensurethatallrepairsrequiredtoallowthevehicletomeetregulatorystandardsaremet.

VEHICLE STORAGE

VehicleownerswhowishtostoretheirvehiclesforanindefiniteamountoftimemustinformtheSociété.Duringthistime,theycannotdrivetheirvehiclebutthelicenceplatemustremainonit.TheSociétégivesthevehicleownerareceipttoconfirmthatthevehicleisinstorage.Ifthestorageapplicationismadebytelephone,theownerissentalettertoconfirmthevehicle’schangeofstatus.

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REIMBURSEMENT

Ifthevehicleisdiscarded,placedinstorage,sold,damagedbeyong repair, stolenor registered in another jurisdiction, theownerisentitledtobereimbursedforpartoftheamountpaidtocoverregistrationfeesandtheQuébecautomobile insu-ranceplanpremium.

CHANGEOFOWNERSHIPWhen theownershipof avehicle is transferred, supporting

documentsarerequired,forexampleapieceofidentity,powerofattorneywhereanotherpersonisbeingrepresented,oradocumentgivingtheparent’sconsentinthecaseofaminor.Aswell,noonewhosedriver's licenceissuspendedforunpaidfinesmaycedeownershipofavehicle.

VEHICLE PURCHASED FROM AN INDIVIDUAL

Beforebuyinganindividual'svehicle,theprospectivepurchasershouldcheckwiththeSAAQthatanunpaidfinedoesnotpreventachangeofownership.

Whenavehicleispurchasedfromanindividual,boththebuyerandsellermustgototheSociétéservicecentre.Thepersonsellingthevehiclemusthandintheregistrationcertificate.Thevehicleis then issued a new registration confirming that the personacquiringthevehicleisthenewowner.

EXCHANGE OF VEHICLES

Whentwopeopleexchangeroadvehicles,eachvehicleownermustapplyfornewregistrationandpayapplicablefees.

TRANSACTION THROUGH A DEALER

Apersonwhosellsaroadvehicletoadealermustgivethedealertheregistrationcertificate,afterhavingendorsedit.

Ifthepersondoesnotpurchaseanewvehicle,canhe/shemustturninthelicenceplatetotheSociété.

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If they do purchase a new vehicle, they must apply to theSociétéforitsregistration.Thesamelicenceplatecanbeused,ifsodesired.

RULESGOVERNINGVEHICLESANDACCESSORIES2

MANDATORYIDENTIFICATIONNUMBERSRoadvehiclesmustbearmanufacturers’serialnumbers.The

numbersmanufacturers assign are recordedby the Société del’assuranceautomobileduQuébec.TheSociétémayalso assignandaffixanidentificationnumber.

VehicleownerswhofindthattheirvehicledoesnotshowaserialnumbermustapplytotheSociététohaveone.

Changing,makingillegible,defacing,removingandreplacinga vehicle’s serial number is prohibited without prior consentfromtheSociété.

COMPULSORYEQUIPMENTANDACCESSORIESAll road vehicles must include the features and accessories

thatthemanufacturerisrequiredtoincludeunderQuébecstatutesandregulations.

2.Farm-usevehiclesaresubjecttospecifictrafficrulesandsafetystandards.

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Busesandminibusesusedtocarryschoolchildrenmustbeequippedwithsignsatthefrontandrearthatread“ÉCOLIERS”(schoolchildren).

Ifschoolchildrenarecarriedinapassengervehicle,theownermustinstalloneofthesesignsonthevehicleroof,facingthefrontandbackofthevehicle.Thesesignsmustberemovedorcoveredupwhenthevehicleisnotbeingusedtocarryschoolchildren.

LIGHTSANDSIGNALSDriversmustmakesure that the lightsandsignalsrequired

fortheirtypeofvehicleareingoodworkingorderandthattheyhavenotbeen soiledorobstructed in suchawayas tomakethemlesseffective.

ROAD VEHICLES

Allvehiclesotherthanamotorcycle,mopedorscootertravellingonpublicroadwaysmustbeequippedatthefrontwithatleasttwosingleortwinwhiteheadlights,twowhiteoramberparkinglights,andtwowhiteoramberturn-signallights.

Attherear,allvehicles,otherthanamotorcycle,mopedorscooter, includingtrailersandsemi-trailers,musthavetworedparkinglights,tworedreflectors(whichmaybepartofthelens),tworedbrakelights,tworedoramberturn-signallights,awhitebackuplight,andawhitelicenceplatelight.Theymustalsohavearedparkinglightandside-markerlightattherearandanamberparkinglightandside-markerlightatthefrontoneitherside.

Inaddition,allvehiclesthatare9.1meterslongormoremustbeequippedwithanamberparkinglightandside-markerlightoneitherside,halfwaybetweenthefrontandrearside-markerlights. A

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SPECIAL RULES FOR VEHICLES OVER 2.03METRES WIDE

In addition to the lights required above, road vehicles andcombinationroadvehiclesthatareover2.03metreswidemusthaveanamberclearancelightoneachsideandthreeamberparking lights in front,anda redclearance lightoneachsideandthreeredparkinglightsattherear.

MOTORCYCLES,MOPEDS AND SCOOTERS

Motorcycles,mopedsandscootersmustbeequippedwithatleastonewhiteheadlight,oneredlightattherear,twowhiteoryellow turn-signal lights at the front, two red or yellow turn-signallightsattherearandoneredbrakelightattherear.

BUSES

Busesandminibusesusedtocarryschoolchildrenmustbeequippedwithflashingredlightsatthefrontandrear,aswellasamandatorystopsignalconsistingofaretractablestopsignorretractablearmwithastopsign(ARRÊT).Thissignalmustbeinstalledontheoutsidenearthedriver’sseat.Thesesignalsandlightsmustbeusedwhilechildrenareboardingorleavingthebus.

FLASHING AND ROTATING LIGHTS

Rotatingandflashinglightsarereservedforcertaintypesofvehicles.Red flashingor rotating lightsare reserved foremer-gencyvehicles,blueonesforpolicevehicles,andamberonesforservice,equipment, escort, snowremovaland roadmaintenancevehicles.Greenflashingandrotatinglightsarereservedforemer-gencyvehiclesatdisastersitesorforindicatingacommandpost. A

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FOG LIGHTS

Optional fog lightsmustmeetprescribed standardsandbeplacedatthefrontofthevehicleatthesamelevel–neverhigher–thanheadlights.

BRAKESRoadvehiclesandcombinationroadvehiclesmustbeequipped

withatleastoneservicebrakesystemthatisingoodworkingorderandcapableofapplyingsufficientbrakingpowertoeachload-bearingwheeltostopthevehiclequicklyincaseofemergency,aswellasparkingbrakesthatkeepitatafullstop.

Itisanoffencetodriveavehicleonwhichthebrakesystemhasbeenmodifiedoralteredinsuchawayastoreduceitseffectiveness.

A law enforcement officer who has reasonable grounds tobelievethatthebrakesystemofaroadvehicleisdefectiveoroutofordermayhavethevehicleimpoundedortowedtothenearestsuitableplaceforstorageattheowner’sexpenseuntilthesituationhasbeenrectified.

ALTERATIONOFSEATBELTSRemovaloralterationofavehicle’sseatbeltsisprohibited,

as is having them renderedunusable.A fineof$200maybeimposedforsuchoffences.

AIRBAGDeactivationofanairbaginstalledinamotorvehicleis

prohibited, exceptbymeansof aunit installedby thevehiclemanufacturerpriortosaletotheinitialowner.Whereanairbagrequiresreplacement(duetodeploymentordamage)onlyneworiginalmanufacturerpartsmaybeused.Failingthis,afineof$300to$600maybeimposed.

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RADARWARNINGDEVICESTheinstallationorsaleofaradarwarningdeviceforavehicle

isprohibited.Drivingavehicleequippedwithsuchadeviceisforbidden.Alaw

enforcementofficerwhohasreasonablegroundstobelievethatavehicleisequippedwitharadarwarningdevicemaystopthevehicleforaninspection.Ifadeviceisfound,theofficerisauthorizedtoconfiscateitattheowner’sexpense,givingthedriverareceipt.ThedeviceisthenturnedovertotheSociétédel’assuranceautomobileduQuébec,whichmaydisposeofitafter90days.

HORNSAllvehiclesmustbeequippedwithahorn,whichshouldonly

beusedwhennecessary.Onlyemergencyvehiclesmaybeequippedwithsirensor

devicesthatproduceasimilarwarningsoundorwithmechanismsforchangingtrafficlights.

UndertheHighwaySafetyCode,lawenforcementofficersmayhaveanunauthorizedsirenorsimilarwarningdeviceremovedfromavehicleattheowner’sexpense.TheofficergivesthedriverareceiptbeforehandingthesirenordeviceovertotheSociété.

This rule does not apply to anti-theft devices installed onvehicles.

EXHAUSTSYSTEMAvehicle’sexhaustsystemmustincludeallitscomponents,

such as the manifold, pipes, muffler, supports and fasteners.These parts must all be securely fastened and none of themshouldhaveanygasleaks.

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Thesaleofavehiclewithasub-standardexhaustsystemforuseonapublicroadwayisprohibited.

Modifyinganexhaustsysteminsuchawayastomakeitnoisier,suppressitorreduceitseffectivenessisalsoprohibited.

WINDSHIELDSANDWINDOWSVehiclewindshieldsandwindowsmustbemadeoftransparent

glassandmanufacturedortreatedinsuchawayastosignificantlyreducetheirriskofshatteringorbeingbroken.Theymustbekeptfreeofforeignmatterthatmighthamperthedriver’sview.

Nosubstancethathindersvisibilityordarkenstheglassmaybe applied to or sprayedon thewindshield.A strip nomorethan15cmwidemay,however,beplacedalongtheupperedgeofthewindshield.Sidewindowsoneithersideofthedrivermustletinatleast70%ofthelightwhenmeasuredwithaphotometer.

A law enforcementofficermay require a driver to cleanorclearthewindshieldorwindowsofanyforeignmatter.

REARVIEWMIRRORSAllmotorvehicles,exceptformotorcycles,mopedsandscooters,

musthaveatleasttwosecurelyattachedrearviewmirrors:oneinside,inthecentreoftheupperpartofthewindshield,andoneoutsidethedriver’sside.

Whenuseoftheinsidemirrorisimpossible,anoutsidemirrorsimilartothatonthedriver’ssidemustbeattachedtotherightsideofthevehicle.

Motorcycles,mopedsandmotorizedscootersmustbeequippedwithasecurelyattachedrearviewmirroroneachside.

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SPEEDOMETERANDODOMETERAllmotorvehicles(exceptmopeds,scootersandmotorcycles

withanenginesizeupto125cc)mustbeequippedwithaspeedometerandodometeringoodworkingorder.

BUMPERSMotorvehiclebumpersmustbesecurelyfixedintheirintended

location.

TIRESOwners must ensure that their vehicles are equipped with

tiresthatmeetestablishedstandardsforuseonpublicroadwaysandthattheyareingoodcondition.

StuddedtiresmaybeusedbetweenOctober15andMay1onpassengervehiclesandcommercialvehicleswithagrossvehicleweightof3,000kgorless.

TiresforWinterDriving

Under the Highway Safety Code, from December 15 toMarch15,alltaxisandpassengervehiclesregisteredinQuébecmust be equipped with winter tires. This requirement alsoappliestorentalpassengervehiclesinQuébec.

Wintertireexemptioncertificate

The regulation, which comes under the responsibility ofTransports Québec, makes provisions for certain exemptionsandcasesforwhichacertificateauthorizingapassengervehicleortaxitooperatewithoutwintertiresmaybeissued.

Forinformationaboutexemptionsandcaseswhereacertifi-catecanbeissued,consulttheTransportsQuébecWebsite.

FENDERSMotorvehiclesorcombinationvehiclesthatarenotequipped

withpermanentfendersmustbefittedwithmobilemudguardsmadeofresistantmaterial,andbenonarrowerthanthetiretread.Farmtractorsandmachineryareexemptfromthisrequirement.

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NATURALGASANDPROPANEVEHICLESNaturalgasorpropanevehiclesmustcarryacompliancesticker

certifyingthatthevehicle’sfuelsystemmeetstherequirementsof theRegulation respecting safety standards for road vehicles,failingwhichthevehicleownerisliabletoa$300to$600fine.

MODIFYINGAVEHICLEExceptwithpriorauthorizationbytheSociétédel’assurance

automobile duQuébec, noonemay alter the frame, bodyormechanismsofavehicleintendedforuseonapublicroadwayif thealterationmightdecreasevehicle stabilityorbrakingeffectiveness.

The Société’s approval is also requiredbefore making analterationthatwouldchangethevehicletype.

MECHANICALINSPECTION

TheSociétédel’assuranceautomobileduQuébechasexclusiveauthorityovermechanical inspectionof roadvehiclesand theissueofinspectioncertificatesandcompliancestickers.

Everyyear,theSociétéinspectsthousandsofvehiclesstoppedbylawenforcementofficers.

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Accredited agents located throughout Québec carry outmechanicalinspections.AgentsarebusinessesaccreditedbytheSociététocarryoutinspectionsoflightvehicles(3,000kgandless)orheavyvehicles(morethan3,000kg),forafee.

Alawenforcementofficermayrequireamechanicalinspectioniftherearereasonablegroundstobelievethatavehiclehasbeenmodifiedorconstitutesapublicdanger.He/shemayalsoimpoundavehicle at theowner’sexpense,so thatan inspectioncanbecarriedout.

COMPULSORYINSPECTION

Thefollowingvehiclesmustbeinspected:

• vehiclesusedbyadrivingschoolforteachingpurposes;

• emergencyvehicles;

• towtrucksthathaveanetweightof3,000kgorless;

• taxicabs, buses, minibuses and other vehicles used tocarryschoolchildren;

• vehiclesalteredtouse fuelother thanthat intendedbythemanufacturer;

• vehicleswithanetweightover3,000kg,withtheexcep-tionofmotorhomes,campers,toolvehicles,farmtractors,farmmachinery,constructionsitetrailersandfarmtrailers;

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• modified,home-madeorrecycledvehicles,aswellasanyothervehiclethatalawenforcementofficerconsidersapublicdanger;

• vehiclesinvolvedinanaccident;

• usedvehiclesoriginatingoutsideQuébec;

• vehiclesthathavebeendiscarded.

A law enforcement officer may also order a mechanicalinspectionandsetthedeadlinefortheinspectionifhe/shehasreasonable grounds to believe that a vehicle has undergonechangesorisinaconditionthatconstitutesadanger.

INSPECTIONOUTCOME

Ifthevehiclemeetsregulatorystandards,theSociétéoritsagentissuesacertificateofmechanicalinspectionandacompliancesticker.

Whereminorrepairsareneeded,theownerordriverisgiven48hourstocorrectthesituation,failingwhichthenoticebecomesaticketandthevehicleisorderedofftheroad.

Avehiclethatrequiresmajorrepairscannotbeusedontheroaduntilitisshowntomeetregulatorystandards.

Furthermore,anownerwhorefusesorfailstosubmitavehicleformechanicalinspectionorwhorefusestoproduceacertificateofmechanicalinspectionwillnotbeallowedtodrivethevehicle.

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YOUROWNINSPECTION

Thevehicleequipmentandfeaturesrequiredforsafedrivingmustbeconstantlykeptingoodworkingorder.

Takingnoteofanyoddsoundsorotherproblemswithyourvehicleisasimplewayofsavingtimeandmoneyandavoidingmajorheadacheslater.Whencarryingoutyourregularinspections,payspecialattentiontothefollowingitems:

BRAKES

Do your brakes squeak? Does your brake pedal respondimmediatelytopressure?Canyouhearmetalsurfacesrubbingtogether?Doesyourvehiclepulltotheleftorrightwhenyoubrake,orstopslowlyevenwhenyoupressdownhardon thebrakepedal?

HANDBRAKE

Doesitholdyourvehiclestationarywhenyouarestartingtheengineoronagrade?

REARVIEW MIRRORS

Arebothoftherearviewmirrorssecurelyattached?Aretheycracked, chippedor tarnished so that they adversely affectvisibility?

Areyourmirrorsadjustedproperly,sothatyoucanseewell?

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STEERING

Is there uneven wear on the tires? Have you noticed toomuchplayinthesteering–adefinitetendencyforthevehicletopulltotherightorleft?Haveyouhadanytroublecontrollingthevehicle?Allthesethingsaresignsthatyoursteeringsystemshouldbecheckedandcarefullyadjusted.Haveyourwheelalignmentcheckedatleastonceayear,andanytimeyouthinkitmighthavebeenjoltedoutofline.

WINDSHIELD

Whatistheconditionofyourwindshieldwipersandyourwasherfluiddistributor? Dotheyguaranteeclearvisibilityatalltimes?Did you know that defective windshield wipers can damageyourwindshield?

TIRES

Checkyourtiresregularly. Is thereunevenorabnormal tirewear?Couldthisbecausedbyimproperairpressure,infrequenttirerotation,pooralignmentorwheelbalance,orsimplypoordrivinghabits?

EXHAUST SYSTEM

Haveyounoticedanyleaksinyourmufflerorexhaustsystem?Youcanusuallyhearthem:louder-than-usualenginenoiseoftenindicatesaproblemwiththeexhaustsystem.

LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS

Arealllightsingoodconditionandfreeofforeignmatter?

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SEAT BELT

Haveyouexaminedyourseatbeltforanycutsortearsinthefabric?Are thebeltbuckleand lockingandunlockingmecha-nismpresentandingoodworkingorder?

HEADREST

Ifyourvehicleisequippedwithaheadrestbythemanufacturer,istheheadreststillinstalledandingoodcondition? Isthemiddleoftheheadrestateyelevelorlevelwiththetopofyourears?Isitnearyourhead,i.e.nofurtherawaythan10cm?

DRIVE BELTS

Didyouknowthattheconditionofyourdrivebeltscanbeimportant to your safety? If the belt givesway suddenly in avehiclewithpowersteering,itwillbedifficultandevendangeroustodrive.

Is the tension right?Check tomakesure thatbeltsarenotcrackedandthatthefabricisnotfrayedortorn.

SHOCK ABSORBERS

Doesyourvehicle rockaftergoingoverabumpor comingout of a pothole? Is it sensitive to side-winds? Maybe yourshockabsorbersarenotuptopar.

Tocheckthem,pushdownhardononecornerofyourvehicleandrelease.Ifthecornerbouncesmorethanoncebeforeresumingitsinitialposition,theshockisprobablyfaulty.Repeatforeachcornerofthevehicle. A

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CHAPTER2THEVEHICLE

BODY CONDITION

Are all the parts securely attached and in good workingorder?Payspecialattentiontoholesinthefloor,especiallyinthetrunk,wherehighlytoxicexhaustfumesmightseepin.

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CHAPTER3ROADSIGNSANDTRAFFICSIGNALS

UndertheHighwaySafetyCode,roadsignsandtrafficsignalsmustmeetthestandards

setbyTransportQuébec.Thesesignsandsignalsaredesignedtoensureroadusers’safetyandfacilitatetheflowoftraffic.

Whileusefulasguides,signsandtrafficsignalscannotbeconstruedasguaranteesagainsttherisksinherentinroaduse.Roadways,vehiclesandrulesaremainlydevelopedunderidealtrafficconditions.Becauseaccidentrisks,whenintraffic,arenumerous,driversmustcontinuallyadjusttheirconduct.

Québecroadsignsandtrafficsignalsincluderoadsigns,trafficlightsandroadmarkings.Thesignsformavisuallanguagethatvehicleoperatorsmustknowandunderstandfortheirownsafetyandforthesafetyofotherroadusers.

SIGNALLIGHTS

Signal lights include all the lights that guide drivers andpedestrians on the roads. Apart from standard traffic lights,thereareflashinglights,pedestrianlights, lightsforcyclists, laneuse lights, railway crossing lights, parking regulation lights,worksite lights,priority lights forbuses,aswellas inspectionstationlights.

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TRAFFICLIGHTSTrafficlightsaregenerallylocated

atintersections;theirpurposeistocontroltherightofwayofvehiclesandpedestriansbasedon the flowoftraffic.Whenlightsarenotworkingproperlyoratall,driversmustcon-ductthemselvesasiftheintersectionwas controlled by mandatory stopsignsforalldirections,unlessinstructedotherwisebyaroadsign.

RED LIGHT

Aredlightmeansyoumuststop.Motorvehicleoperatorsandcyclistsmustbringtheirvehicletoafullstopattheintersection,beforecomingtoanymarkedpedestriancrosswalkorstopline.If there isno line,operatorsmuststopbefore theedgeof theroadwaytheyarepreparingtocross.Themotoristorcyclistmayonlyproceedontheauthorizationofatrafficsignal.Iftherearenopedestrianlights,pedestriansmustalsostop.

YELLOW (AMBER)LIGHT

Ayellowlightindicatestomotorvehicleoperatorsandcycliststhat theymust stopbefore thepedestrian crosswalkor stopline. If there isno line, theymuststopbefore theedgeof theroadwaytheyarepreparingtocross,unlesstheyarealreadyintheintersectionoraresoclosetoitthatthevehiclecannotbestoppedsafely.Themotoristorcyclistmayonlyproceedontheauthorizationofatrafficsignal.Iftherearenopedestrianlights,pedestriansmustfollowthesamerules. A

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GREEN LIGHT

Motorvehicleoperatorsandcyclistsfacingasolidorflashinggreenlightmaycontinueontheirwayafteryieldingtherightofwaytovehicles,cyclistsorpedestriansalreadyintheintersection.Pedestriansfacingagreentrafficlightmaycrosstheroadwayiftherearenopedestrianlights.

Aflashinggreenlightmeansthatvehiclesaregivenpriorityforaleftturnbyadvancingthegreenwhileoncomingvehiclesstillfacered.

RED ARROW

A red arrow prohibits drivers from going in thedirectiontowhichitpoints.

YELLOW ARROW

Ayellowarrowhasthesamefunctionastheamberlight,butshowsthedirectionoftraffic.

GREEN ARROWS

Agreenarrow,whetherflashingornot,indicatestomotorvehicleoperatorsorcycliststhattheymustproceedinthedirectionindicated,followingthesamerulesfortherightofwayasthoseforagreenlight.

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FLASHINGLIGHTSFlashingyelloworredlightsareusedasadditionalsignalsto

indicateaparticularlydangerousintersection.

FLASHING RED LIGHT

Motorvehicleoperatorsandcyclistsapproachingaflashingredlightmustcometoastop,yieldtherightofwaytoanyvehicleontheintersectingroadwayalreadyintheintersectionornearenoughtoitthattoproceedmightcauseanaccident.Aflashingredlighthasthesamefunctionasthestopsign.

FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT

A flashing yellow lightmeans thatmotor vehicleoperatorsand cyclists must slow down and proceed with caution afteryieldingtherightofwaytoothervehiclesandpedestriansalrea-dyintheintersection.

Aflashingyellowlightaccompanyingprescriptiveorwarningsignsisusedtodirectattentiontodangerorobligation.

PEDESTRIANLIGHTSPedestrianlightsregulatepedestrianmovementandhelpthem

avoidconflictswithroadvehicles.Standardlightsshowtheoutlineofawalkingpersonoran

orange hand, while some lights show how much time is leftbeforethehandappears.

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PEDESTRIAN SILHOUETTE

Pedestrians facing this signal may proceedacross the roadway in the area reserved forcrossing.Atcertainintersections,anaudiosignalforthevisuallyimpairedwillsoundcontinuouslywhilethesilhouetteislit.Whenthesymbolstartsflashing,pedestriansalreadyintheintersectionmusthurrytoreachthesidewalkormedian.

ORANGE HAND SILHOUETTE

Pedestriansfacingthissignalshouldnotentertheintersection.Whenthesignalbeginstoflash,pedestriansalreadyintheintersectionmustbequicktoreachthesidewalkormedian.

TIME COUNTER

Somepedestrianlightscountdownthetimeremainingtocrossinseconds.

CYCLISTLIGHTSCyclistlights,usedtoregulatebicycletraffic,

aremadeupofthreeverticallightsintheformof red, yellowandgreenbicycles.The colourshavethesamemeaningastrafficlights.



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LANEUSELIGHTSLane use lights consist of red lights in the shape of an X,

greenlightsintheshapeofanarrowpointeddownandyellowflashinglightsintheshapeofahorizontalarrow.Theselightsaremountedoveroneorseverallanestoindicatewhethervehicletraffic ispermittedorprohibited in the lanes.Themeaningofthesymbolsisasfollows:

RED X

Operatorsmaynotdriveorstopinthelaneunderthissignal.

GREEN ARROW POINTING DOWN

Operatorsmayusethelaneunderthissignal.

YELLOW HORIZONTAL ARROW

UsuallyappearsincombinationwiththeredX;it indicatesthatoperatorsmust,withcaution,changelaneseithertotheleftorrightbecauseoflaneclosureahead.

RAILWAYCROSSINGSIGNALSThesewarningdevices,consistingof flashingredlights,are

placedatroadway-railwayintersections.Theyindicatetodriversandpedestriansthatatrainiscomingandthattheymuststopbeforethelevelcrossing.

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REGULATEDPARKINGLIGHTSRegulatedparkinglightsaremadeupoforange

lights accompanied by a regulatory sign. Thesesigns prohibitparkingontheroadatcertaintimestofacilitateroadmaintenance.Theprohibitiononthesignisineffectonlywhenthelightsareon.

WORKSITELIGHTSWorksitelightswarnroadusersofareaswhereroadmainte-

nanceor repairsarebeingcarriedout.Roadusersmust slowdownandbecautiouswhennearingtheworkarea.

SIGNAL BEACON

Aflashingorrotatingyellowlightonavehicleindicatesoneofthefollowingtoroadusers:

• thevehiclecouldhindertraffic;• thevehiclemighttravelmuchslowerthan

themaximumspeed limitorslower thantheminimumspeedlimit;

• thevehiclecouldbeaccompanyinganothervehiclewhichmighthindertraffic.



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SIGNAL ARROWS

Anarrowaffixedtoavehicleortrailerindicatestoroadusersthatonelaneoftrafficisobstructedandthat theymust take the lanewhich remainsopen.Thedirectionofthearrowindicatesthelanetouse.Adoublearrowindicates that trafficcangotothe leftorrightof theobstructed lane.Toindicatethepresenceofaworksitealongaroadwithonelaneoftrafficineachdirection,onlythecentrebarofthesignalarrowislit.

MOUNTED SIGNS WITH FLASHING LIGHTS FOR MOBILE ROAD WORK

Mountedsignswithflashinglightsareplacedonthebackofvehicles trailingmobile roadworks.Theyaremadeupofaworksitesignmountedonablackbackgroundwithflashingyellowlightsineachcorner.

TEMPORARY LIGHTS FOR ROAD WORK

Temporarylightsaresometimesplacednearaworkareatocontroltraffic,whichmustuseonelanealternatelyfortravelinoppositedirections.



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BUSPRIORITYLIGHTSThisadditional traffic lighthasawhiteverticalbar shining

throughablacklens,indicatingprotectedmovementforbusessotheycanmoreeasilymergewiththeflowoftraffic.

INSPECTIONSTATIONLIGHTSThese lights are placed in an inspection area for transport

vehicles.Thecolourandsymbolonthesignallightindicatetoheavyvehicledriverswhatactionisnecessary.

• Redlight:stopforweighing.

• Yellowlightpointingup:advanceslowly.

• Yellowlightpointingright:entertheweighingstation.

• Yellowarrowpointingdown:backupslowly.

• Greenlight:weighingcomplete,departurepermitted.



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PAVEMENTMARKINGS

Pavementmarkingsareusedtoshowtheseparationoftrafficlanes,indicatethelanestobeusedbycertainclassesofvehiclesandthemovementsthatareauthorized.Theysupplementroadsignsandtrafficsignals.

PURPOSEOFPAVEMENTMARKINGSPavementmarkingsindicate:

• thedirectionoftraffic;• trafficlanes;• zoneswherepassingisprohibited;• theedgeoftheroadwayanddangerouscurbs;• variationsinroadwaywidth;• zonesreservedforbusesandheavyvehicles;• edgesofintersections;• stoplines;• pedestrian,schoolandplaygroundcrosswalks;• parkingareas;• commercialserviceareas;• specialmanoeuvresasindicatedbyarrows;• obstructionsonornexttotheroadahead;• alternatingtrafficlanes;• cyclelanes;• reservedlanes;• left-turnlanes;• runawaylanes.

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COLOUROFPAVEMENTMARKINGSTwocoloursareusedtodifferentiatethefunctionofeach.

Theyareyellowandwhite.Yellowmarkings

• separatetrafficlanesinoppositedirections;• indicate the left sideof the roadondivided roadways,

freeways(autoroutes)andone-wayroadways;• indicatetheleftedgeofaramponfreeways;• indicateareaswhereparkingisprohibited;• indicateareaswherechildren,pedestriansandstudents

mustcrossbetweenintersectionsorintersectionsforwhichthereisnotrafficlightorstopsign;

• indicatetheedgesoftheroadwayforbettervisibility;• separatealternatetrafficlanes;• indicatetwo-wayleft-turnlanes;• indicatelanesreservedforoncomingoralternatetraffic.

Whitemarkings• separatetrafficlanesonaone-wayroadway;• indicatetherightsideofdividedroadways;• indicateparkingareas;• indicateareaswherepedestrians,childrenandstudents

mustcrossat intersections forwhich there isno trafficlightorstopsign;

• specifywherevehiclesmuststop;• indicatelanesreservedfortrafficinthesamedirection.

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LINES,ARROWSANDSYMBOLS

Whiteoryellowlines,aswellasarrowsandothersymbols,arepaintedonQuébecroadwaystoremindvehicleoperatorsofcertainrights,obligationsandrestrictions.Eachtypeandcolouroflinehasaparticularsignificance.

SOLID AND BROKEN SINGLE LINES

Solidandbrokensinglelinesdividetrafficlanes.Thelinesarewhitewhen separatingone-way traffic lanes andyellowwhenseparatingtwo-waytrafficlanes.

Motoristsmaycrossabrokenlineundercertaincircumstancesbutmaynevercrossasolidline.

COMBINED LINES

Twosolidyellowlinesnexttooneanotherseparatetwo-waytrafficlanes.Theymaynotbecrossed.Asolidyellowlinealongsideabrokenyellowlinealsoseparatestwo-waytraffic.Driversmaycrosstheselinesundercertaincircumstances,ifthebrokenlineisontheirside. A

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LANE LINES

Linesthatseparate lanesoftraffic inthesamedirectionaregenerallywhiteandbroken;however,inordertolimitorprohibitlanechanges,thelinesmaybesolid,singleordouble,suchasattheapproachofanotherroadwayorinatunnel.

ALTERNATING TRAFFIC LANE USES

Parallel yellow broken lines mark a lane on either side inurbanareaswherethedirectionoftrafficalternates.

TWO-WAY LEFT-TURN LANE

Parallelyellowlines,onesolidandonebroken,markalaneoneithersideinthemiddleoftheroadwaywhichmustbeusedforleftturnsbytrafficinoppositedirections.Yellowlaneselectionarrowsalsomark thepavement toclearly indicate thatonlyaleftturnisallowedfromthelane.

RESERVED LANE

Pavementmarkingsforareservedlaneatalltimesaredoublesolidlines,whilethosemarkingareservedlaneforcertainhoursaredoublebrokenlines.Wedgesonthepavementinthereservedlanetellmotoristsintheadjacentlanethatshareduseofthelaneisallowedonconditiontheyturnatthenearbyintersection.

SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE LANE

Alaneissetasideatplaceswherethegradeofaslopeoritslengthcausessomeheavyvehiclestoslowconsiderably,allowingthefreermovementofthebulkoftraffic.

STOP LINE

Thewhitestoplineispaintedacrosstheroadway,perpendiculartoanintersectionwithtrafficlightsorastopsign.Itindicatesthepointatwhichavehiclemuststop.

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PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALKS

Atintersectionswithtrafficlightsorstopsigns,twoparallelsolidwhitelinesontheroadwayindicatetheareareservedforpedestrianstocross.Elsewhere,yellowpavementmarkingsindicatepedestriancrosswalks.

PARKING AREAS

Whitelinesonthepavementidentifyareaswhereparkingisallowed;yellowlinesindicatethatparkingisprohibited.

WHEELCHAIR

Awhitewheelchairsymbolindicatesparkingspacesoraccessrampsforpersonswithphysicaldisabilities.Itisaccompaniedbyaregulatoryparkingsignonparkingspaces,indicatingthattheseparking spaces are reserved exclusively for physically disabledindividuals.

BUS STOP ZONE

Stopzones for citybusesaremarkedbyayellowrectanglewithazigzagpattern.The left sideof the rectangle ismarkedwithawhitebrokenline.

VEHICLE SENSOR

Thissymbolonthepavementindicatesamechanismconnectedtotrafficlightstosensethepre-senceofvehicles.Thesymbolisplacedonthecentreofthesensorandisdesignedtoreducewaitingtimeatintersections.

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AIRCRAFT PATROLLED

Yellowequilateraltrianglesonthepavementorshoulderdenoteareaswhere traffic issubject tosurveillancefromaircraft.

ARROWS AND SYMBOLS

Arrows,usuallywhitearepaintedontheroadway.Theyindicatelanedirection.

Anelongatedwhitediamondon pavement indicates a lanereserved for certain classes ofvehicles.

Abicyclesymbolpaintedontheroadwayindicatesacyclinglane.



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Roadsignsuseavisuallanguage(pictogramsandinscriptions)toensureroadusers’safetyandfacilitatetheflowoftraffic.

In many instances, the tab attached to a sign specifies themessageconveyedbytheroadsign.

Therearefourtypesofroadsigns:

RegulatorysignsRegulatory signs indicate roadusers’ obligations and the

restrictionsplaceduponthemundertheHighwaySafetyCode.

WarningsignsWarningsignsaremeanttodrawattentiontoroadsections

wheredriversmustbeparticularlycautiousduetoobstaclesorhazardsonoralongsidetheroadway.Thesignswarnmotoriststoslowdown,stoporchangedirections.

InformationsignsInformationsignsprovidesimpledirectionsaboutdestinations:

distance,streetname,pointofinterest,serviceorinformation.

RoadworksignsWorksitesignsdrawattentiontoconstructionormaintenance

beingcarriedoutonoralongsidearoadwayandprovideusefulindicationsonhowtogetthroughtheworkareasafely.Thesesignsencompassthepurposeofthethreepriorcategories.

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SHAPESANDCOLOURSOFTHEMAINTYPESOFSIGNSThemessageconveyedbyaroadsigndependsontheshape,

colourorsymbolused.ThechoiceofcolourtakesNorthAmericanconventionsinto

account.Ingeneral,thecoloursthatfollowallowonetodistinguishbetweenthedifferent categoriesofsigns:

Blackandwhite:RegulatorysignsYellow:DangerOrange:RoadworksignGreen,brownorblue:Informationsign

Sometimestheshapeofasignidentifiesitscategory.Forexample,dangerandworksitesignsarediamondshaped.Inaddition,someshapesarereservedforparticularsigns.Forexample,anoctagonisreservedforstopsignsandapentagonisreservedsolelytoidentifyschoolzones.

Regulatory,warningandroadworksignstransmittheirmessagesusingarrowsandsymbols,whereasinformationsignsbearwritteninformation.

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This table specifies theshapesand coloursof the four signcategories.

R e g u l a t o r yCategory Shape Colour Comments

Red Reservedforstopsigns

Red Reservedforandwhite yieldsigns

Black

White

Black Reservedforone-waysigns

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Category Shapes Colour Comments

Fluorescent Reservedforyellow-green schoolzonesigns

Fluorescent Reservedforyellow-green advanceschool

zoneor schoolcrossingsigns

Yellow Reservedfordangerwarning

Orange Reservedforworksites

Yellow Dangerwarning

Orange Worksites

Yellow Dangerwarning

Orange Worksites

Red Reservedforandwhite warning chevrons

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Blue Reservedforfreeways

Green Reservedforhighways

Blue Touristinformation

Brown Publictouristattractions

Red Emergencyfacilities

Green Freeways,highwaysandbikeways

Green Freeways,highwaysandbikeways

Blue Privatefacilitiesandservicesofffreeways

Brown Touristattractionsandpointsofinterest

Yellow Reservedforfreewayexits

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PICTOGRAPHSSymbolssuchaspictographs,arrowsandsilhouettesareused

toreplacewordsinordertomakeroadsignseasiertounderstand.

•ArrowsArrowsareusedtoindicateareascontrolledbyregulation,to

announceupcomingsigns,andtoindicateclearances,lanestofolloworuse,detours,manoeuvresanddestinations.

•OutlinesSilhouettes indicate the people and things affected by the

sign.Theyindicatespecificconfigurations,encourageroaduserstobeparticularlycareful,andconveyinformation.

•InterdictorysymbolThissymbol,aredcirclewithareddiagonalbarthroughit, indicatesthatanythingwithinthecircleisprohibited.

•MandatorysymbolThissymbol,agreencircle,indicatesthatany-thingwithinthecircleiscompulsory.



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IDENTIFICATION AND MEA NING OF ROAD SIGNS AND TRAF FIC SIGNALS

Regulatory signs

Stop

Indicates that dri vers must come toa full stop at an inter sec tion.

4-way stop: indi ca tes that the requi re -ment to stop applies to traf fic fromall direc tions. The shape on the signiden ti fies the layout of the inter sec tion(+, T, Y).

Do not enter

Indicates that access to a roadway or traf fic lane ispro hi bi ted for all vehi cles becau se entry could resultin a head-on col li sion.

Accompanied by an “ ENTREE INTER DI TE” (donot enter) sign.

Yield

Indicates that dri vers must yield the right of wayto vehi cles tra vel ling on the road they are about toenter.


CHAPTER 3

ROAD SIGNS AND TRAFFIC SIGNALSR

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Traffic circleyield: Indicates thatdriversmustyieldtherightofwaytovehiclesthataretravellinginthetrafficcircletheyareabouttoenter.Whenencounteringthesesigns,somedriversbelievetheycancontinuedrivingnormally.Bywayofcontrast,other drivers systematically come to a full stop.Bothunwittinglydisrupt the flowor traffic.Theobjective here is to merge with traffic withoutstopping,andwithouthamperingtheprogressofthosewhoarealreadyinplace.Motoristsshouldonlystopwhenitisimpossibletodootherwise.

Indicates that drivers must yield the right ofwaytooncomingvehicles.Thissign isusedatworksiteswherenoflagpersonisavailable,andonsomenarrowbridges.

Stopline

Indicatesthelineontheroadwayatwhichvehiclesmuststop.



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Speedlimit

Indicates themaximumandmini-mum speedslegallypermitted.Thelastdigitisalwayszero.

Indicatesthespeedthatapplies,undertheHighwaySafetyCode ormunicipalbylaw,toaschoolzoneandthehours,dayandmonthsduringwhichthespeedlimitisineffect.

One-waytraffic

Traffic is allowed only in the directionindicated.

Beginningofone-waytraffic

Indicates that two-way traffic ends andone-waytrafficbegins.



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Two-waytraffic

Indicates that one-way traffic ends and two-waytrafficbegins.

Obstruction

Indicatesthatadrivermustgototherighttopassanobstacle.

Indicatesthatadrivermustgotothelefttopassanobstacle.

Indicatesanobstaclewhichmustbepassedeithertotherightorleft.

Lanedirectionsigns

Whetherplacedoverheadoralongtheroadway,thefollowingsignsindicatethedirectionoftravelallowed,dependingonthelaneoccupiedbythemotorist.



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Thesesignsindicatethatthevehicleinthelanemust:

Proceedstraightaheadorturnright.

Proceedstraightaheadorturnleft.

Turnrightorleft.

Thecentrelaneisreservedforleftturnsfromeitherdirection.

Vehiclesinrightlanemustproceedstraightahead;vehiclesinleftlanemustturnleft.

Vehiclesinrightlanemustturnright;vehiclesinleftlanemustproceedstraightahead.



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Proceedstraightahead

Turnright Turnleft

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Vehicles in the right lane must proceed straightahead;vehiclesinleftlanemustproceedstraightaheadorturnleft.

Vehicles in the right lane may proceed straightaheadorturnright;vehiclesintheleftlanemustproceedstraightahead.

Vehicles intheright lanemayproceedstraightaheador turnright;vehicles in left lanemustturnleft.

Vehiclesintherightlanemustturnright;vehiclesin the left lanemayproceed straight aheadorturnleft.

Vehicles in the right lane may proceed straightaheador turn left;vehicles in the left lanemustturnleft.

Vehiclesintherightlanemustturnright;vehiclesin the left lanemayproceed straight aheadorturnright.

Vehiclesintherightandcentrelanesmustproceedstraightahead;vehiclesintheleftlanemustturnleft.



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Vehiclesintherightlanemustturnright;vehiclesintheleftandcentrelanesmustproceedstraightahead.

Vehiclesinthetworight-handlanesmustturnright.

Vehiclesinthetwoleft-handlanesmustturnleft.

Vehiclesintheleftlanemustturnleft;vehiclesinthe right lane may turn right, proceed straightaheadorturnleft.

Vehicles in the left lanemayturnright,proceedstraight ahead or turn left; vehicles in the rightlanemustturnright.



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Alternatingtrafficlane

Analternatingtrafficlaneisonewherethedirectionallowedwillvarywithtrafficconditionsorthetimeofday.Intheillustration,itisthecentrelane.Thesignsinstalledabovetheroadwayshowavailablelanes.Adrivermayusethelaneunderneathagreenarrow.AredXovera lane indicates that it is reserved foroncomingtraffic.

Mandatoryorprohibitedmovementatcertainintersections

Thegreencirclesmeanthatvehicleoperatorsmustcomplywiththemanoeuvreshownonthecircle.

A. Thesesignsindicatethattheoperatormust:



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Turnleft Turnright

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B. Thesesignsindicatethatthedrivermaynot:

MakeaU-turnatanintersectionormedian.

Turn right when the light is red. If theprohibitionislimitedtospecifictimeperiods,theywillbeindicated.



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Proceedstraightaheadorturnright


orturnleft

Turnrightorleft


Turnleft Turnright

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Indicate that the prohibited orrequiredmanoeuvreistemporaryordoesnotapplytocertainclassesofvehicles.TheexceptiontotheU-turnprohibition means that emergencyvehicles,publicsecurityvehiclesandroadconstructionormaintenancevehiclesareallowedtousetheturn-aroundarea.

Nopassing

Indicatesthebeginningofano-passingzone.

Thistab,locatedbeneathano-passingsign,indicatestheendofano-passingzone.

Controlledparking

Indicateareaswhereparkingisprohi-bited orpermitted.Wherespecified,differentsymbolsorindicationsiden-tifytheclassesofvehicles,minutes,hours,days,monthsorextentofthezonetowhichthesignapplies(identifiedbyanarrow).



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Indicatesareaswhereparkingisallowedonlyforthephysicallydisabled.

Thistab,locatedbeneathregulatedparkingsigns,indicatesthatvehiclesinviolationcouldbetowedaway.

Thissigns,usedinsomemunicipalities,prohibitsparkingduringthewinter.

Thissignisusedinconjunctionwithorange lights toprohibitparkingwhensnowclearingisunderway.

Thissignindicatesauthorizedpayparking.



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Thistabindicatesthelocationofaterminalandparkingstubmachineforpayparking.

Nostopping

Stopping in the area indicated bythesignisprohibited.Mayincludethesametypeofarrowsandindica-tions asregulatedparkingsigns.

Crossingsigns

Indicateacrossingforpeopleonapublicroadway,urgingcautiononthepartofmotoristsandcyclists.Driversandbicycleridersmustbepreparedtostopandyieldthewaytoanyoneinacrosswalk.



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Pedestriancrosswalk

Schoolcrosswalk

Playgroundcrosswalk

Crosswalkforphysically

disabledpersons

Crosswalkforvisually

impairedpersons

Pedestrianandcyclistcrosswalk

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Other

Nolittering.Indicatesthatthrowinganythingontheroadwayisprohibited.

Showsthefineforlittering.

Indicatesthatvehiclesareprohibitedfromhavingradarwarningdevicesonboard.

Indicatetheobligationofhavingpropanetanksclosedandsealedinordertoboardaferry.

Seatbelt

Areminderthatwearingaproperlyfastenedseatbeltismandatory.



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Mandatoryrouteforcertainclassesofvehicles

Showsoperatorsof theclassofvehicle illustrated theroutetheymustfollow.

Anarrowshowsthedirectionofcompulsorytravel.

Mandatoryroutefortrucksintransit

Anarrowshowsthedirectionofcompulsorytravelfortrucksintransit;atruckisconsideredtobeintransitoveranareawherenolocaldeliveriesarescheduled.Toolvehiclesandequipmenttransportvehiclesarealsocoveredbytheobligation.Farmvehiclesandmachineryareallowedtousetheroute,asisanyoversizedvehiclewithaspecialtravelpermit.

NB Thesametypeofsignisusedtoindicateotherdirections.



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Heavytrucks Motorcycles Cars

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Allows trucks to use a road way to make localdeli ve ries that is nor mal ly pro hi bi ted to vehi clesin trans it.

This sign over a lane tells dri versof heavy trucks, tool vehi cles andequip ment trans port vehi cles that

they must use the lane. Where this lane conti nuesfor more than 2 km, a tab indi ca tes the totaldis tan ce.

Access pro hi bi ted

Indicate that roads or lanes are clo sed to cer tain road usersor ope ra tors of cer tain clas ses of vehi cles.


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Cars Motorcycles Bicycles

Cars andmotor cy cles

Cars and bicy cles

All-ter rain vehi cles(also cal led

Quads)

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Pedestrians Pedestriansandmotorcycles

Pedestriansandbicycles

Horsebackriders

Snowmobiles Transitbus

Intercitybus Minibus Schoolbus

In-lineskaters Recreationalvehicles

Vehiclespullingatrailer

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Trucks,toolvehiclesandequipmenttransportvehiclesprohibited

These signs indicate that use of the roadway is restrictedaccordingtothevehicle’s load,sizeornumberofaxlesandpertainstotrucks,toolvehiclesandequipmenttransportvehicles.Wherespecified,thisprohibitiondoesnotapplytotrucksmakingalocaldelivery.

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Thissignallowstruckstouseanormallyprohibitedroadwayandsidestreetstomakelocaldeliveries.

Notrucksallowedinthislane.

Transportofhazardousmaterial

Thesesignsindicatethatvehicleshaulinghazardousmaterialsmustusetherouteindicatedorthattheyareprohibitedfromusingaroadway.Mainlyintendedforindustrialandcommercialcarriers,whoshouldbeawareoftheirobligations.Thesignsmayconcernindividualmotoristsiftheyarecarryinganunusualamountoffuel,explosives andchemicals.

Vehiclescarryinghazardousmaterialsmustusethisroute,whichisidentifiedbyatabwithanarrow.

Vehiclescarryinghazardousmaterialsareprohibitedfromusingthisroadway.



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Thissignindicatesthatvehiclescarryinghazardousmaterialsmustusethislane.

Vehiclescarryinghazardousmaterialsmustnotusethislane.

Stopexemptionatalevelcrossing

Indicate thatvehiclesnormally required tostopata levelcrossing,suchasbusesandvehiclescarryinghazardousmaterials,arenotrequiredtodoso.Thesignsareusednearabandonedtracksoronesonwhichrailtrafficisinfrequentandspecialmeasures have been put into place to ensure safety whenthereistrainmovement.



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Weightrestriction

Indicates that road vehicles whosegross weightexceedsthemaximumweightindicatedonthesignmaynotusecertainbridgesoroverpasses.

Thistab,locatedundertheweightrestrictionsign,indicatesthedistancetothebridgeoroverpasstowhichtherestrictionapplies.

Thistab,locatedundertheweightrestrictionsign,indicates that the bridge or overpass can onlysupportonesuchvehicleatatime.

Indicatesthattruckswhosegrossweightexceedsthelegal limitmaynotusecertainbridgesoroverpassesunlessexpresslyauthorizedbyaspecialtravelpermit.

Thaw

Indicates thatdriversmust respect the weightrestrictionsineffectduringperiodsofthaw.



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Slowtrafficlane

Indicatesthatoperatorsofslow-movingvehicles,whether trucks or other vehicles, must use theright-handlane.

Brakecheck

Indicatesthatdriversofroadvehiclesorcombina-tionvehiclesweighing3,000kgormoremustchecktheirbrakesbystoppingintheareaindicatedbyastopsign.Atabmayindicatethedistanceordirectiontothebrakecheckarea.

Thissign,installedinabrakecheckarea,indicatesthatthereisastopsignwithin30metres.

Inspectionstation

Indicates thepresenceofan inspectionstationforheavytrucks,towtrucks,equipmenttransportvehicles, toolvehiclesandvehicleswitha trailerorsemi-trailermorethan10minlength.



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Thesetabsindicatethedistanceanddirectiontotheweighingcheckpointataninspectionstation.

Indicatesthat thedriverofastraight-bodytruckorroadtractorwhosenetweightisover3,000kgmuststopattheinspectionstationwhenthelightsareflashing.

Indicatesthedirectiontobetakenbyvehiclesatan inspectionstationaccording towhether theyareloadedornot.

Reservedlanes

Anelongatedwhitediamondonaredorblackbackgroundintheupperleft-handcornerofthesignindicatesareservedlane.

BlackbackgroundIndicatesthatvehiclesinthereservedlanemoveinthedirectionoftraffic.RedbackgroundIndicatesthatthelaneisreservedforoncomingtrafficorforalternatingtrafficineitherdirection.

Indicatesthatalaneisreservedfortheclassesofusersindicatedand,ifapplicable,theperiodthereservedlaneisineffect.Thearrowindicateswhichlaneisreserved.



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Markstheendofreservedlanes.

The car-pool symbol shows a number on thesilhouette of a vehicle, indicating the minimumnumberofoccupantsavehiclemusthaveforittobealloweduseofthereservedlane.

WarningsignsWarningsignsdonotalldemandthesameresponsefromdri-

vers.Dependingonthecircumstances,vehicleoperatorsmust:• changelane;• stop;• reducespeed;• remainalertandvigilant.

Advancestopsign

Warnsofastopsignahead.

Advanceyieldsign

Warnsofayieldsignahead.



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Warnsofayieldtooncomingtrafficsignahead.

Changetoexistingsignsandnewsigns

Thistypeofsignwarnsdriversofachangetoexistingsignsorofnewtrafficcontroldevicesatanintersection.

Indicatesthedateonwhichastopsignwillberemoved.

Indicatesthedateonwhichastopsignwillcomeintoeffect.

Showthepositionofnewstopsignsatanintersection.Theseareaccompaniedbytabareading“NOUVELLESIGNALISATION ”(newsign).

NB ThewordSTOPmayreplaceARRÊTintheabovesigns.



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Indicates thedateonwhichtraffic lightswillberemoved.

Indicatesthedateonwhichtrafficlightswillbeinservice.

Indicatesthedateonwhichanewlowerspeedlimitwillcomeintoeffect.

Indicatesnewtrafficlightsorsign.

Indicateschangeofspeedlimit,placedunderthesignshowingthelimit.

Advancewarningoftrafficlights

Trafficlightsahead.



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Preparetostop

Traffic lights ahead at an intersection or levelcrossingonaroadwaywhereonemightnotexpectto see them.The flashing yellow lights indicatethatthelightattheintersectionorlevelcrossingwillberedbythetimethedriverreachesit.Itisimportanttobepreparedtostop.

Advancespeedlimitsign

Indicatesazoneaheadwherethespeedlimithasbeenloweredbyatleast30km/h.

Whenanadvancesign isusedbeforetheapproachofaschoolzonewhereaspeedlimitisineffectduringspecificperiods,thistabspecifiesthetime,daysandmonthsthespeedlimitisineffect.

Two-waytraffic

Indicatestwo-waytrafficahead.



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Dividedroadway

Warnsthedriverofadividedroadwayaheadandtopasstotheright.

Indicatesthatthedrivermaypassoneithersideofanobstacleintheroadway.

Indicatestheendofadividedroadway.

Advancelanedirectionsigns

Thesesignsindicatewhichlanethedrivermusttakeinordertoproceedstraightaheadorturn.

NB Thesametypeofsignisusedforleft-handedturns.



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Curves

Warnsofleftcurveahead.

Warnsofsharpleftcurveahead.

Warnsofreversecurveahead.

Warnsofsharpreversecurveahead.

Winding road ahead; three or more successivecurveswithin150mofoneanother.

Indicatesthedistanceoverwhichtherearecurves,ifitexceeds1km.

Warnsofcurveofmorethan90° ahead.



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Recommendedspeed

Tab showing recommended speedwhendrivingaroundanobstacleortakingacurveonapublicroad.

NB Thesametypeofsignisusedforright-handedturnsorsuccessivecurvesthatbeginontheright.

Maximum recommended speed on freeway exitramps,whichallowsforenoughofasafetymargintomakeanemergencystoponwetpavement.

Mergingtrafficsign

Warnsofmergingtrafficlanesahead.

Warnsofatrafficlanereservedforbusesmergingahead.



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Parallellanes

Indicatestodrivers that thereareoneormoredistinctadjacenttrafficlanes,sothereisnoneedtochangelanesforatleast1km.

NB Merginglanesorparallellanesmaybeontheleftorright.

Signsatintersections

Thesignindicatesthelayoutoftheintersection.

Crossroadahead.

T-intersectionahead.



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Thefollowingsignsindicatetheapproachofthelocationwherethepublicroadintersectswithanotherasseenfromtheangleofthedriver.

Y-intersectionahead.

T-intersectioninacurveahead.

Intersectionofaroaddividedbyamedianahead.

Roundaboutahead, showingdirectionof vehiclesaroundatrafficcircle.



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Narrowpassage

Warns that abridgeor tunnel is narrower thantheapproach.

Warns thatonlyone lane isopen to traffic andthattheroadwayisnomorethan6metreswide.

Overheadclearancesign

Indicatetheoverheadclearanceofbridges,overpassesandtunnels.Thediamond-shapesignisanadvancewarning.Thesquaresignisplacedonthebridge,overpassortunnel.

Advancelevelcrossingsign

Level crossings less than50 metres froman intersection inurbanareasandlessthan125metresinruralareas.



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Thesignsbelowwarnofalevelcrossingaheadandshowtheangleatwhichtherailwaytrackscrosstheroad.

This sign is installed towarn truckersofa levelcrossingaheadandrequiresthemtosignificantlyreducetheirspeedbecauseofthecrossingdesign.

Restrictedvisibility

Indicatethatsightdistanceislimitedornon-existentduetoanabruptslopeintheroad.

Roadwaynarrows

Indicatethattheroadwaynarrowswithoutareductioninthenumberof lanes.Calls foraddedattentionon thepartofdri-vers.Nottobeconfusedwithlaneendingsigns.



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Warnsthatroadwaynarrows

onbothsides


ontheright


ontheleft

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Laneendsahead

Indicate that thenumberof lanesof traffic in the same direction isreduced.Callsondriversinthelaneabouttoendtochangelanesafteryieldingtherightofwaytovehiclesinthethroughlane.Nottobeconfusedwithroadwaynarrowssigns.

NB Signsmayindicatethatthelaneendsontheleftratherthantheright.

Thistabindicatesthedistanceatwhichthelaneends.

Pavementmarkingsmayaccompanythesesigns.

Laneorroadends

Warnsoftheendofaroadwayorlane.

Steepgrade

Indicates theslope inpercentage terms(at least6%,whichmeansadropof6mover100m).Thehigherthepercentage,the steeper the hill; requires greater caution from all drivers,especiallyofheavyvehicles,intheeventofaslipperyroadsurfaceorwindinghills.



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Indicates the maxi mum degree of slope in per cen tage.

Indicates a slope ahead with a length of morethan one kilo me tre.

These signs are used for two suc ces -si ve hills with dif fe rent degrees ofslope. The total dis tan ce is indi ca tedif it exceeds 1 km.

Reserved lane ahead

Indicate that the lane ahead isreser ved for the use of a par ti c u -lar class of vehi cle. The flas hing lights indi ca te that the res tric tionis in effect and the tab indi ca testhe per iod during which it isin effect.

Indicates that the lane at an inter sec tion is reser vedfor the use of a par ti cu lar class of vehi cle, andright-tur ning vehi cles must use the adja cent lane.


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ROAD SIGNS AND TRAFFIC SIGNALSW

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Schoolbusahead

Indicatesthepossiblepresenceofastoppedschoolbusahead.Thissignisusedwhereacurveorhillimpedes a driver’s line of sight of a stoppedschoolbus,indicatingthattheymustbepreparedtostop.Warnsofthepossiblepresenceofchildrenneartheroadway.

Beginningofaschoolzone

Indicatesthepresenceofaschoolzoneinwhichthespeedlimitis50km/hbetween7:00a.m.and5:00p.m.,MondaytoFriday,fromSeptembertoJune. If somemunicipalities prescribe a limit oflessthan50km/hinaschoolzone,aspeedlimitsignwillaccompanythissignindicatingthespeed

limit,times,daysandmonthsthelimitisineffect.Asignpostingthespeedlimitoutsideoftheschoolzoneindicatestheendoftheschoolzone.



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Advancecrossingsigns

Thesesignswarnmotoriststhattheyarenearingacrossingforpedestrians,bicycles,horsesorcertaintypesofvehicles.



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Pedestrianandcyclist

crosswalkahead

Heavytruckcrossingahead

Loggingtrucksahead

Snowmobilecrossingahead

All-terrainvehiclecrossing

ahead

Crossingforhorsebackridersahead

Crosswalkfordisabled

personsahead

Bicyclecrossingahead

Crossingforvisuallyimpairedpersonsahead

Pedestriancrosswalkahead

Schoolcrosswalkahead

Playgroundcrosswalkahead

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All-terrainvehicleandsnowmobilecrossingsahead

Warningofwildani-mals inthevicinity.

Crossingforfarmanimals

Designatedsharedroadway

Indicates to cyclists and drivers that they mustsharethedesignatedroadway,whichcallsforcau-tionandcourtesyonthepartofeach.

Advancedesignatedroadwaysign

Warnsofachangefromacyclelanetoaroadwaythatincludesmotorvehicles,orindicatesadesignatedroadwayahead.



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Advanceendoffreeway(autoroute)sign

Thesesignsindicatethedistanceremainingbeforethefreewayendsandindicatesthelayoutoftheroadatthelocationthefreewayends.

Hazardmarkers

Warnofthepresenceofobstaclesonoralongtheroadwayahead,aswellasthenarrowingofaroad.Diagonalbandspointtowardsthesideoftheroadwaythedrivermustusetoavoidthehazard,whichmaybeanobstaclesuchasaboulderorbridgerailing.

Indicatesthatthedrivermustpasstotherightorleftofobstacles.

Indicatesthatthedrivermustgototherighttopasstheobstacle.



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Indicatesthatthedrivermustgotothelefttopasstheobstacle.

Directionalarrows

IndicatesadangerouspointinaverysharpcurveorataT-intersection.Sharper curves are marked withdelineatorsorchevronpatterns.

Delineator

Markstheboundariesofanyobstacleortheedgeofaroadway,especiallyoncurvesorwhereitnarrows.Effec-tive inguidingroadusersatnightorinpoorvisibility,especiallywhenthepavementiswetorsnow-covered.Anarrowpointsinthedirectionofacurve;sharpcurvesareindicatedwithalignmentmarkers.



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Placedonright

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Alignment mar ker

The che vron pat tern is used to indi ca te a sharpcurve, poin ting in the direc tion of the curve.

Installed at the cen tre of a traf fic cir cle,this sign indi ca tes the direc tion oftraf fic within the cir cle.

Slippery sur fa ce

Warns that the road sur fa ce in cer tain areas maybe slip pe ry when wet.

Warns that a road way along the shore may beslip pe ry due to sea spray.

Warns motor cy cle ope ra tors that the road sur fa cemay be slip pe ry when wet.


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Icypavement

Warnsthataroadway,bridgeoroverpassmaybecome icy or slipperywhen the temperatureapproachesfreezing.

Floodedroadway

Warnsthatwatercoverstheroadwayatcertainpoints.

Pavementchange

Warnsofgroovedpavementaheadorwire-meshsurfaceonabridge.

Endofpavedsurface

Warns that pavement ends and a gravel or dirtsurfacebegins.



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Bumpyroadahead

Warnsofsurfaceirregularities.

Fallenrockhazard

Warnsofthepossibilityoffallingrockorlandslidesfromanunstableslopealongsidearoadway.

Openingbridgeahead

Indicatesthepresenceofadrawbridge.

Low-flyingaircraft

Thesesignsindicatethepossibilityoflow-flyingaircraftmanoeuvresneartheroadway.



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Majorairport Seaplanebase

Certifiedpublicorprivateairport

Heliport

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Noentryaheadfortrucksexceptlocaldelivery

Indicatesthataccesstotheroadwayaheadisprohib-itedfortrucksexceptthosemakinglocaldeliveries.

Riskofgettingstuck

Indicatesthatavehiclecouldgetstuckifitwentfurther ahead; usually found at runaway lanestopbeds.

Fogwarning

Warnsofapossibilityof fog; the flashinglightsindicatethepresenceoffog.

Blowingsnow

Warnsagainstthepossiblepresenceofsnowonapublicroadway;theflashinglightsindicatesnowblownbyhighwinds.

Bevisible

Warns thatvehicleheadlightsand tail-lightsmustbeonwhenusingatunnel.



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RoadworksignsWork site signs have an orange background.They may be

regulatory,informationorwarninginnature.

Barriers

Whenworkisinprogress,barriersclosepartorall of a road to traffic.They are placed at thebeginningofaworksite.

Visualmarkers

Visualmarkers indicate theboundariesofaworksite (areawhereworkisinprogress)ornarrowingofaroadwaybeforeaworksite.Theyshowthedirectiontofollow,indicateroadpaintinginprogressordirecttraffic.



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Directionmarker

Paintingmarker

Worksitemarker

Trafficcone Safetyflare Barrel

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Distance to road cons truc tion site

Indicates the dis tan ce to a work site.

Distance to end of work site

Indicates length of work site in kilo me tres.

Indicates end of work site.

Speed limit

Sign indi ca ting the maxi mum speedper mit ted near a work site; unli ke theyel low back ground, which would indi -ca te a recom men ded speed, the oran gesign with black let te ring shows the speedlimit autho ri zed in the area, and has thesame force of law as the usual whitesign with black let te ring.

The dia mond-sha ped sign indi ca tes thenew speed limit ahead.


CHAPTER 3

ROAD SIGNS AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS

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Road work signs

Indicate the pre sen ce of a work site ahead and the type ofwork being car ried out.

Indicates the dis tan ce the work site covers inkilo me tres.

Indicate that a gra der or snow blo weris ope ra ting in a traf fic lane or near by.

Indicates that an emer gen cy res pon se team is onor along si de the road.

This sign, pla ced on an accom pa nying vehi cle,warns of stal led traf fic due to road work.

Indicates that a road is clo sed due to a spor tingevent.


CHAPTER 3


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People wor king Surveying Heavy equip ment in use

Equipment wor king above

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Flagperson’ssign

Used to slow or stop traffic.Thefrontandbackofaperson’ssignisusedtocontroltrafficnearaworksite.

Aflagmaybeusedforthesamepurpose.

Flagperson’ssignals

Stop

Proceed

Slowdown



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Flagpersonahead

Warns of the presence of a flagperson aheaddirectingtraffic.Callsforcautionbecausetrafficisslowed,detouredor stopped temporarilydue toroadwork.Aflagperson’sordersmustbeobeyed.

Parkingtemporarilyprohibited

Thesesignsprohibitparkingforatimeontheroadtofacilitateroadwork,specialeventsormaintenanceoperations.Thesignmayindicatethetimes,daysandareawhenparkingisprohibited.

Areaaheadtemporarilyclosedtotraffic

Indicatethatanareaaheadsuchasaroad,street,tunnel,exitorbridgeistemporallyclosedtotraffic.



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Area tem po ra ri ly clo sed to traf fic

Indicate that an area is tem po ra ri ly clo sed to traf fic. Accompaniedby detour signs.

Local traf fic only

Indicates that the road way is clo sed to all butnear by resi dents and busi ness cus to mers. It mayalso indi ca te which ser vi ces remain avai la ble.

Lane merge

This type of sign indi ca tes that one lane is tem po ra ri ly clo sedand that the one remai ning open must be used.


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Detour

Indicatetheroutetofollowaroundaroadworksite.

Indicatetheroutetotakeduetoclosureofatrafficlaneorexit.

Alternateroute

Indicate the alternate route suggested to highway users inviewoftherisksofcongestionassociatedwithworkahead.



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Arrow

Indicatesthedirectiontrafficmusttake.

Warningchevron

Indicatesthatanobstacleontheroadwaymaybepassedtotheleftorright.

Lowshoulder

Indicates that the shoulder is lower than theroadway.

Blastingzone

Forsafetyreasons,radiotransmittersandcellphonesshouldbeturnedoffinablastingzone.



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Wetpaint

Installedprimarilyonanaccompanyingvehicle,thissignwarnsthatpavementmarkingshavebeenfreshlypainted.

Installedonthemarkervehicle.

Trafficsurvey

Warn of the presence of surveypersonnelontheroad.

Horizontalclearance

Warns that construction work obstructs part oftheroadwayandhorizontalclearanceislessthantheroadwidthindicated.

Loosegravel

Warnsofthepossibilityofsmalldebrisdislodgedbyvehiclesduringorafterroadwork.

Truckcrossingahead

Indicatesthataloadedtruckmayusetheroadwayfromanaccessroadahead.



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Temporary use of road shoul der

Indicate that traf fic is allo wed or pro hi bi ted tem po ra ri ly on theroad shoul der near a work site.

Duration of road work

Indicates the per iod during which road work willbe ongoing.

Lane diver ted

Traffic must detour becau se of work ahead.

NB The same type of sign is used for a detour to the right.


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InformationsignsTherearesixtypesofthesesigns:•destinationguide;•routelocator;•off-roadservices;•information;•touristfacilities;•fuelandfoodservicesonfreeways.

Destinations

Advancesignforseveralexitsforamunicipality

Indicatesthatthefreewaypassesthroughamunicipalityserved byasuccessionofinterchanges.Thesignshowsthenumberofexitsandthedistancetothelastexit.

SuccessionofexitsIndicates upcoming exits and theirdistanceaway.

AdvanceexitsignIndicatesthenumberoftheconnectingroadahead,themaindestinationsfromthe interchange, theexitnumberanddistancetotheexit.



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DirectionalsignforexitsConfirmstheinformationappearingonadvanceexit signs and indicates, by means of arrows,thebeginningoftheinterchangeexitlane.

DiagrammaticsignQuicklyinformsthedriverofthedirectiontotakeataninterchangewithmorethanoneexit.

ConfirmationofdestinationIndicatesthedestinationofa freewayandlaneusetotakethatroute.

Exitlaneonlysign

Indicatethatatrafficlaneleadsdirectlytoafreewayexitramp.Exitlanesareidentifiedbyaseriesofthreesignssothatdrivershavetimetochangelanesbeforetheymusttakethenextexit.



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Exitdirection

Exitconfirmation

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ExitsignIndicatethebeginningoftheexitramp,itsdirectionandtheexitnumber.

DirectionalsignIndicatethemajordestinationthatcanbereachedbytakingaparticulardirectionatanintersection.

DistancereminderConfirm the direction and shows the distancetoreachthedestinationindicated.

LakeshorecommunityIndicates thepresenceofa lakewithcottages,thedirectiontotakeandthedistance.



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Route loca tor

Highways

Roads and tou rist rou tes

Indicates a road or tou rist route and directsroad users.

Indicates the start of a road or tou rist route.


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Expressway, free way name

Highway name

Marker Expressway, free way (auto rou te)

Trans-Canada Highway

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BorderThetwofollowingsignsindicatetodriversthattheyareenteringtheprovincialboundariesofQuébec.

MarkstheQuébecboundaryonroutes100to199,onfreewaysandattheexitofinternationalairports.

MarkstheQuébecboundaryonroutes200to399oronunnumberedroads.

Shows the name of the tourism area inwhichtheroaduserisentering.

Indicates the limitsof a communityor Indianreserve.

BridgeIndicatesthelocationofabridgeanditsnameas it appears on the Québec Official Road Map(CarteroutièreofficielleduQuébec)1.

CompasspointsThesesignsindicatethegeneraldirectionoftheroad.

Theymayappearwithabluebackground.

EndoffreewayorhighwayEndoffreeway,whichcontinuesasanothernum-beredhighway.



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1. TheQuébecOfficialRoadMap(CarteroutièreofficielleduQuébec)canbepurchasedfromLesPublicationsduQuébecandisavailableinbookstores.

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Indicatingtheendofanumberedhighwayorfreeway,whichcontinuesunderanothernumberandisaccompaniedwithaninformationsignofthenumberedhighwayorfreeway.

DistanceTabshowingthedistancetoreachaspecificfacilityorroadfeature.

DirectionalarrowtabsTabsindicatingthedirectionofanfreeway,numberedhighwayortoaparticularfacility.

Tabsindicatingthegeneraldirectionofnumberedhighway.Thearrowpointsinthedirectiontofollow.



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JunctionTabindicatingtheintersectionofanumberedhighway.

Kilometrepost

GeographiclocationsThenameoflakes,rivers,mountains,waterfallsandwaterstoragedamsvisiblefromtheroad.



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Marksthedistancefromthestartingpointofahighwayorroad.

Marksthebeginningandendofanisolatedroad

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Services

Emergencyfacilities

PolicestationIndicates a Sûreté du Québec (provincial policeforce)station.

IndicatesapolicestationotherthanaSûretéduQuébecstation.

ShowsthetelephonenumberstoreachtheSûretéduQuébec.

MedicalassistanceIndicates a nearby hospital, university healthcentreoremergencystationproviding24-hourmedicalcare.

Indicatesanearbycommunityclinic.

EmergencyparkingareaIndicatesafreewayparkingareaforuseintheeventofanemergency.



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EmergencytelephoneIndicatesthepresenceofanemergencytelephone.

Firehydrant

Indicatesafirehydrantanditsfeatures.

VehicleindistressIndicates thatavehicleneedsassistance, havingbrokenthroughabarrierandplungedintoadeepditchalonganisolatedstretchofroad.Amechanismtriggersthesign,whichcallsforthehelpofroadusers, who should act immediately to help andnotifythepolice.

TransportfacilitiesThissigndirectsroaduserstothefacilitiesillustrated.



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AirportIndicatesthepresenceofanairportwithafixedflightschedule,thefrontoftheplanepointinginthedirectiontofollow.

Indicatesthepresenceofanairportofferingcertainservices.

Seaplanebase.

Heliport

Indicatesthedirectionofanairport(ortrainstation)anditsname.

Indicatesthenameofanairport(ortrainstation),directiontofollowanddistance.

TrainstationIndicatesanearbytrainstation.



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Indicatesanearbyintercitybusstation.

FerryIndicatesthedirectionordistancetoacarferrywharfandpointofdepartureandarrival.

Tabindicatingferryoperationhasendedfortheseason.

ParkingareaParkingareaforintermodaltransportusers.



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Suburbantrain Citybus

Ferry Subwaystation

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PassengerpickupareaIndicateswheredriverscanwaitfororpickuppassengersatapublictransitterminal.

ParkingareaParkingareas,reservedoraccessibletoallmotorvehicles.

SanitarylandfillsiteIndicatesasanitarylandfillsite.

IndustrialfacilitiesIndicatesthepresenceofanindustrialpark.



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Forallmotorvehicles Reservedfortaxis

Reservedformotorcycles

Reservedfortrucks

Reservedforbuses

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Indicates the direc tion and dis tan ce to atech no lo gi cal park.

Indicates the pre sen ce of a ship ping port.

Boat launch

Indicates the pre sen ce of a ramp to launch boats.

Border cros sing point

Indicate the pre sen ce of a Canada-U.S. bor der cros sing point.

Other faci li ties

Indicate other ser vi ces.


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Arena LibraryCommunity cen tre

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Information

Dead end

Indicate a road or street with no exit.

Turnaround

Indicates an area in the median inten ded forvehi cles to make U-turns.


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Public mar ket

Church Indoor public swim mingpool

Municipal park

Outdoor public swim ming pool

College

University Court house

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PriorityturnonflashinggreenIndicatesthatvehicleoperatorsfacingaflashinggreenlighthavetherightofway.

CrossinglightactivatorIndicatetopedestriansand/orcyclists that they must pressthecrossinglightindicator.An arrow pointing to the leftor rightmay appear on thesesignsabovethebutton.

MetricsignsIndicates to visitors from the U.S. that Québecroadsignsusethemetricsystem.

AircraftpatrolledIndicatesthepossibilityoftrafficsurveillancefromtheair.

RunawaylaneIndicatesanareawhere runawayheavyvehiclescanbebroughttoastoponasteephill.



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Indicates a place where a vehi cle with fai ling bra kesmay be brought safe ly to a stop.

Passing lane

Indicates an addi tio nal lane to allow for pas sing.

Distance to ser vi ce sta tion

Indicates to dri vers the dis tan ce sepa ra ting thenext fuel ser vi ces along the road.

Exclusive towing rights

Indicate that towing on a par ti cu lar sec tion of the high way ishand led exclu si ve ly by the com pa ny whose tele pho ne num ber appears on the tab.


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Publicfacilities

RestareaIndicatesarestarearunbytheQuébecgovernmentalongsideahighway.Servicesavailableareshownbytheappropriatesymbols.Arestareaoperatedbyamunicipalitywillbesoindicatedinplaceofthe fleur-de-lys.Thesignmayalso indicate thedistancetothenexttworestareas.

Indicatesanareafortruckerstorestorchecktheirloadandvehicle.

Indicatesservicesavailable,suchasagasstation,parkinglot,restaurantoranyotherfacility.

LookoutIndicates a lookout alongside the roadway thatoffersasplendidview;thefieldglasspointstothelookout.

CoveredbridgeIndicatesacoveredbridgeofheritagevalue.



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Reserves,parksandpublictouristattractions

Indicateparksunderprovincialorfederalgovernmentjurisdiction.

Abeaversymbolidentifiesfederalparksorsites.

The maple leaf crown is used to identify parksadministeredbytheNationalCapitalCommissionofCanada.

TouristinformationTherearefourtypesoftourist informationcentres:Infotouristoffices,localandregionalcentresandtouristinformationstands.

CentreoperatedbyTourismQuébecprovidinginformationontheprovince.

Regionaltourist informationcentreprovidinginformationabouttheregion.



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Localtouristinformationcentreprovidinginfor-mationaboutoneormoremunicipalities.Ataboftenindicatesthedirectionanddistancetothecentre.

Indicatesatouristinformationstandthatprovidesinformationbymeansotherthanstaffedpersonnel.

Foreigncurrencyexchangeoffice.

PrivatetouristfacilityIndicatethepresenceofatou-rist facility,thedistancetoitsaccessrouteandthedirectiontoitsentrance.

HistoricsiteIndicates the presence of an historic site, thedistanceanddirection.



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Fuelandfoodservicesignsonfreeways

ConfirmationofexitsIndicatestheproximityofaservicestationandoffuelorfoodoutletsavailablethere.

ItineraryIndicates the direction of facilities alongside afreeway.

EntrancetofacilityIndicateaccesstofacilities.

TypesoffuelIndicatesthetypesoffuelavailableotherthangasoline,alongwiththeestablishmentlogoorname.D dieselN naturalgasP propane



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Off-roadcyclingroute

Indicateabikewaywithanexclusiveright-of-waythatisseparatefromautomobile traffic and specifies iftherouteisarecognizedRouteverte(described insection4.6).Thesignindicatesifthebikewayisopentoanothersportinthewinter.

SIGNSFORCYCLISTSCyclistsareallowedtorideonmostroadsinQuébecotherthanfreeway;motorvehicleoperatorsmustthereforeexercisecautionwhentheyseeabicyclerideronthefarright-handsideoftheroad.Thereare four typesof design intended tomake cyclingsafer:pavedshoulders,cyclinglanes,designatedcyclingroutes,andbicyclepaths.Pavedshoulders,markedoffwithasolidwhiteline,allowcycliststorideinthedirectionoftraffic,alongsidemotorvehicles.Cyclinglanesinurbanareasoccupypartoftheroadway,butaremarkedofforphysicallyseparatedfromtrafficlanesandreservedexclusivelyforcyclists.Designatedcyclingroutesareusuallyfoundwheremotorvehicletrafficislightandslowmoving;therearenoprotectedcorridors,merelysigns.Bicyclepathsaredesignedexclusivelyfortheuseofcyclists,oftenawayfrommotorvehicletraffic.As formotorvehicles, signs for cyclists come in four types:regulatory,warning,worksiteandinformationsigns.

NB Thesignspresentedinthissectiondonotappearinanyothersection.



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Regulatorysigns

BicycletabDrawstheattentionofcycliststoanyregulatorysignconcerningthemonly.

MandatoryrouteIndicatestheroutecyclistsmusttake.

Indicatetocyclistsandpedestrianstherespectivesidetheymustuse.

Indicatestocyclistsandpedestrianstheymustsharethatportionoftheway,therebeingnoexclusivecorridorforeither.

BicycleridersmustdismountIndicatestocycliststhattheymustdismountandwalkbesidetheirbicycle.



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ChildrenmustridewithanadultIndicatestocyclistsunderage12thattheymustbeinthecompanyofanadultinordertorideonapublicroadwaywherethepostedspeedlimitisover50km/h.

NopassingIndicatestocycliststhattheycannotrideside-by-side;marksthestartofano-passingzone.

Indicatestheendofano-passingzone.

BicyclesymbolatapedestrianlightIndicates to cyclists that theymust crosson thewalksignal.



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Warningsigns

SteepslopeIndicates the slope in percentageterms(atleast6%,whichmeansariseordropof6mover100m).

BusypublicaccessIndicatestocycliststhatanearbypublicaccessentailsthepresenceofmotorvehicles.

CyclistsaheadBicyclescrossingroadnearby.

Indicatesthepresenceofcyclistsonapavedshoulder,overthedistanceshown,whenitisplacedbelowthebicyclesign.

SlipperysurfaceWarnsthattheroadsurfacemaybeslipperyinsomeplaces.



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Worksitesigns

CyclelaneclosedIndicatesthatacyclelaneistemporarilyclosed.

DetourIndicatestocycliststhedirectionofadetourbecauseofroadwork.

Informationsigns

IndicatesthedirectiontoabikewayDirectscycliststoabikeway.

DirectionIndicate thedirectionanddistance inkm toadestinationbybicycleand facilitiesavailable. Incaseswherecyclistsmustsharetheroutewithpedestrians,ahumansilhouetteisshownonthissign.



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BicyclerouteIndicatethenameanddirectionofacyclelaneorpath.

ParkingareaforbicyclesIndicatesthedirectiontoparkingforbicycles.

ParkingareaforcyclinglaneconnectionIndicateswheremotorvehicleparkingareaprovidesaccesstoacyclinglaneorpath.

Routeverte identificationIndicatesthosepartsofthetrailwhereabicyclemaybeused.TheRouteverte isabicycletrailmorethan4,000kmlong that stretchesnorth to south, east towest,throughout theprovince.Comprisedofoff-roadpaths, pavedshouldersandsectionsofsmall,quietroads,itwilleventuallylink350municipalitiesin15regions(wheresomefourmillionQuebecerslive).Clearlymarkedandverysafe,theRouteverteisawaytodiscoverQuebecinallitsgreenery.

BeginningIndicatesthebeginningofabikeway.



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PeriodwhenclosedIndicatesthetimeoftheyearwhenthecyclepathcannotbeused.

PrivatetouristfacilitiesIndicatestheattractionsandservicesavailabletocyclists.

CommercialservicesIndicate food and bicycle repair serviceslocatednearabicyclepath.

PublicservicesIndicateservicesavailablealongabikeway.



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Drinkingwater

Restarea Airpump

Shelter Heatedshelter Touristinformation

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HIGHWAYSAFETYCODE PROVISIONSCONCERNINGROADSIGNSANDTRAFFICSIGNALS

Onlythepersonresponsibleformaintainingapublichighwaymayerectroadsignsortrafficsignals,whichmustmeetstandardssetbyTransportQuébec.

Nopersonmay:• erectasignal,sign,indicationordeviceonapublichighway

withoutthepermissionofthepersonresponsibleforthemaintenanceofthatroadway;

• erectordisplayonprivatepropertyasignal,sign,indicationordevicethatencroachesonapublicroadwayorthatcouldcreateconfusionorobstructanysignerectedonapublicroadway;

• travelonprivatepropertytoavoidcompliancewitharoadsignortrafficsignal.

Allpersonsmust:• complywitharoadsignortrafficsignalerectedona

roadwayundertheHighwaySafetyCode;• obey the orders or signals of a law enforcement officer,

schoolcrossing guardorflagpersoninchargeofdirectingtrafficaroundaworksite,evenifcontrarytoexistingtrafficsignalsorsigns.

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CHAPTER4TRAFFICRULES

T heHighwaySafetyCode setsoutthetrafficrulesforallusersofpublicroadways,in

particular motor vehicle operators. Pedestrians,motorcyclists,mopedoperatorsandcyclistsalsohavecertainrightsandobligationswhenusingapublicroadway.Forsafety’ssake,itisimportanttoknowtheserulesandfollowthem.

PROTECTION

SEATBELTSeatbeltsarenotsimplyanaccessory.Theyareanimportant

safetyfeaturethatcansavelives.Seatbeltuseismandatory.Alloccupants,exceptchildrenwhosesittingheightisbelow

63cm,asexplainedbelow,sittingonthefrontorbackseatofamovingmotorvehiclemustweartheseatbeltprovided;thisseatbeltmustbeproperlyfastened.Drivingavehicleisprohibitedif:

• thedriverorpassengerseatbeltismissingorunusable orhasbeenaltered;

• apassengerunderage16 isnotwearingaproperlyfastenedseatbelt.

Achildwhosesittingpositionmeasuredtothetopoftheheadcomesbelow63cmmustbeseatedinarestraintsystemorboosterseatincompliancewithregulationsreferredtointheMotorVehicleSafetyAct.Therestraintsystemandboosterseatmustbeadapted to the weightandsizeof thechild, inaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions,andmustbeproperlyinstalledinthevehicle.Thisobligationdoesnotapplyintaxisorpolicevehicles,inwhichcasethechildmustberestrainedbytheseatbeltavailable.

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TheSociétédel’assuranceautomobileduQuébecmay,however,issueacertificateexemptingaperson, forexceptionalmedicalreasons,fromtheobligationtowearaseatbeltortheuseofarestraintdevice.

Taxidriversoperatingavehicleaspartoftheirjobonapublicroadwaywithaspeedlimitsetbyamunicipality,oronanunnumbered roadway,arealso exempt from theobligation towearaseatbelt.

Driverswhoarebackingupandindividualswhoareridinginthepassengerseatofapolicewagonarenotrequiredtowearaseatbelt.

AIRBAGAirbagsareprovensafetydevicesdesignedtopreventthe

occupantsofavehiclefromstrikingtheirhead,neckorchestagainsttheinstrumentpanel,steeringwheelorwindshieldinafront-endcollision.Theyalsoprovideeffectiveprotectionagainstpotentiallyfatalinjuriesorinjuriesthatmayresultindisability.Researchin1998showedthatthecombineduseofairbagsandseatbeltsreducestheriskofsevereheadinjuryby75%andseverechestinjuryby66%.

Airbagsarenotdesignedtodeployinrear-endcollisions,rolloveraccidentsorinmostside-oncollisions.

Airbagscontaintinyholes,whichenablethemtodeflateuponabsorbingthemomentumfromtheoccupant,therebyallowingtheoccupanttobreatheandmove.

Somemeasurescanbe takentoreducerisks duringairbagdeployment:

• an infantmust alwaysbe seated in a rear-facing infantsafetyseatthatissecuredinthebackseat(centreifpossible);

• childrenage12andundermust alwaysbe seated inachildsafetyseatadaptedtotheirweightandsizethatissecuredinthebackseat;

• alwayswearaseatbelt;• movetheseatbacktoensurethatthereisadistanceof

at least25cmbetween thecentreof theairbagcoverandthemiddleofthedriver’schestarea.

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TheSociétédel’assuranceautomobileduQuébecmayauthorizeanairbagtobedeactivatedifoneofthedriversofavehicleor apassenger is at riskwhenanairbag deploys.Anapplication,however, must first be filed with the Société by completing theformentitledDeclarationofRequirementforAirBagDeactivatiod.

HEADRESTThousandsofQuebecerssufferwhiplashinautomobileaccidents

eachyear.Scarcely10%ofmotoristsintheprovinceadjusttheirvehicle’sheadrestproperly; themistaketheremaindermakeisplacingittoolow.

Iftheheadrestisplacedtoolow,behindtheneck,itisoflittleusebecauseintheeventofarear-endcollision,theheadwillbethrustback,causinganeckinjury.

Toofferadequateprotection:• the headrest must not be more than ten centimetres

(10cm)fromthebackofthehead;• themiddleoftheheadrestmustbelevelwiththeeyesor

topoftheears.

Maximum10cm

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TRAFFICRULES

Whetherturning,changinglanes,passingorcarryingoutanothermanoeuvre,motorvehicleoperatorsmustapplyspecialrulesineachcase.

TRAFFICLANEDIVISIONSomelinesseparatingtraffic lanesmaybecrossed, others

maynot.Driversmaycrossabrokenlineafterensuringthattheycandososafely.

Abrokenlinenexttoasolidlinemeanspassingisallowedifthebrokenline is on the vehicle’s side whenthe manoeuvre is begun. Passingmustbecompletedbeforethebrokenlineends.

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Asolidsingleline orsoliddoubleline maynotordinarilybecrossed.

However, these linesmaybecrossedif thetraffic laneisobstructedorclosed,ortomakealeftturnontoanotherroadwayorintoaprivatedriveway.Theycanalsobecrossedtopassfarmmachinery,farmtractors,animal-drawnvehicles,bicyclesorvehicleswithaslow-movingvehiclewarningsign(orangetrianglewithreflectorizedrededges).

LANEUSE

TWO-WAY TRAFFIC

Whentravellingonaroadwaysimilartotheoneillustrated,motorvehicleoperators must use the right-handlane.Theymayuse the left lane,however,topassanothervehicleortoavoidanobstacle.Inbothcases,driversmustmakesuretheleftlaneisfreebeforeenteringit. A

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THREE OR FIVE LANES OF TWO-WAY TRAFFIC

Whenusingaroadwaydividedinto threeor five laneswherethereistrafficinbothdirections,motor vehicle operatorsmustusethelaneorlanestotheright.Thecentrelaneisreservedforleftturnsbyvehiclestravelingineitherdirection.

LANE CLOSED

Ifoneormorelanesinthedirectionthevehicleistravellingareclosedorobstructed, the drivermay use thenearestfreelaneintendedforoncom-ing traffic,afteryieldingtherightofwaytoanyvehicleinthatlane.

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TWO OR THREE LANES FOR ONE-WAY TRAFFIC

Driversmustingeneralkeeptothefar rightwhen there are two lanesfortrafficinthesamedirection.

Generallyspeaking,whentherearethreelanes,driversshoulduseoneoftheright-handlanes.

Particularcircumstances:• Amotorvehicleoperatormayusethefarleftlaneonan

expresswaytopassothervehicles,turnleft,avoidobstacles,ormovetowardanexitlane.

• Slowingdownintheleft-handlaneispermitted,aslongasthemotorvehicleoperatorsignalshis/herintentiontoturnleftorstopontheleftsideofthelane.

• Wherethespeedlimitisbelow80km/h,forinstanceonanurbanboulevard,amotorvehicleoperatormayuseeitherlane.Travellingfaster thanavehicleinanotherlaneisnotconsideredpassing.

ROADWAY SEPARATED BY A MEDIAN OR OTHER DIVIDER

Driversmustnotcrossmediansorotherdividersseparatingtrafficlanes,exceptinthoseplacesindicatedbytheappropriatesigns.

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FREEWAY ACCESS AND EXIT RAMPS

Toenterorexitafreeway,motorvehicleoperatorsmustusedesignatedaccessandexitlanes.

SPEEDLIMITSANDDISTANCEBETWEENVEHICLESAnyactorspeedlikelytoendangerpeople’slivesorpersonal

propertyisprohibited.Theseobligationsapplyonallpublicroadwaysandonprivateroadwaysopentopublicroadvehicletraffic,aswellasshoppingcentreparkinglotsandotherareasopentopublictraffic.

Motorvehicleoperatorsmustrespectthefollowingspeedlimits:• onfreeways:

– 60km/hminimum;–100km/hmaximum.

• onhighwayswithaconcreteorasphaltsurface:–90km/hmaximum.

• ongravelroads:–70km/hmaximum.

• ina schoolzonewhenchildrenareenteringor leavingschool:

–50km/hmaximumunlessasignindicatesadiffe-rentspeed,whichthedrivermustthenobey.

• incities,townsorvillages,unlessotherwiseindicated:–50km/hmaximum.

Driversmustreducespeedwhentravellingafterdark,infog,rain,snowandotherconditionslimitingvisibility,aswellasonaroadsurfacethatisslipperyornotentirelycleared.Theymustalsoslowdownwhenapproachingroadconstruction.

Driversmaynottravelsoslowlyastohindertheflowoftraffic.

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DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES

Whentravellingbehindanothervehicle,motorvehicleoperatorsmustkeepatareasonable,safedistancefromthevehicleaheadsothattheycanstoptheirvehiclewithoutcausinganaccidentshouldtheyneedtostopquickly.Driversmusttakeintoaccounttrafficspeed,trafficdensity,weatherconditionsandthestateoftheroadsurface.The“2-second”rulecanbeusedtoestimatethedistancebetweentwovehicles.Thisruleisdescribedandillus-tratedindrivingtechniquepublications:DrivingaPassengerVehicle;OperatingaMotorcycle;OperatingaMopedorScooter.

Motor vehicle operators travelling in a convoy on a publichighwaywherethemaximumspeedis70km/horhighermustleave sufficient space between their vehicles.They must alsoallowothermotorvehicleoperatorstopassthem.

PASSINGCertainsituationsmaycallforpassinganothervehicle.Motor

vehicleoperatorsmustfollowcertainruleswhenpassinganothervehicle.

Beforepassinganothervehicle,driversmust:• makesurepassingisallowed(brokenlinesbetweenlanes);• makesurethattheleftlaneisfreeandthatnoothervehicle

comingfrombehindisgoingtooccupythatlane;• makesurethatthelanetheywishtoenterisunoccupied

forasufficientdistance;• signaltheirintentiontopassusingturn-signallights.

Passingshouldbeavoidedwhentravellinginfogorconditionsthataffectvisibility.

Motorvehicleoperatorsmustusetheleftlanetopass.Apassingvehiclemustreturntotheright-handlaneoncethemanoeuvreiscomplete.

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PASSING A BICYCLE

Motorvehicleoperatorswishingtopassabicyclemayremainin the same lane if there is enough room to complete themanoeuvresafely.Theleftlanemayalsobeused.

BEING PASSED

Motorvehicleoperatorsbeingpassedorabouttobepassedbyanothervehiclemustnotaccelerate.Theymayslowdownoutofcourtesy,however,inordertofacilitatethemanoeuvre.

PASSING PROHIBITED

Whenmotorvehicleoperatorsneedtousealanereservedforoncomingtrafficinordertopass,theymustavoiddoingso:

• whenapproachingorontopofahill;• inacurve;• when approaching or crossing a marked pedestrian

crosswalk,alevelcrossingoratunnel;• anyotherplacewheresignsorpavementmarkingsindi-

catethatpassingisprohibited.

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Vehicle1maynotpassvehicle2inthesesituations.Passingisalsoprohibitedwhentherearevehiclesintheleft

lane,orifavehiclebehindhassignaledtheintentiontopass,orhasbeguntodoso.Insituationslikethoseillustratedbelow,thedriverofvehicle1mustnotpass.

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Whendrivingonaroadwaywithtwoormorelanesofone-waytraffic,motorvehicleoperatorsmustavoid:

• lanehopping;• passingontheright,except:

–whenpassingavehiclemakingaleftturnorheadingtowardanfreewayexitramp;

–whenpassingavehicleperformingmaintenanceintheleftlane.

Atnotimemayapassingvehicleleavetheroadway(e.g.driveontheshoulder)toperformthemanoeuvre.

•••Passinginaslowlane•••

Whenthereareslowlanesigns,driverstravellingslowlymustusethefarright-handlane.Slowlanes,createdinordertomaintaintrafficflow,areusuallyfoundinmountainousregions.Anyvehiclecanusethem–notjusttrucks.

Sincesomeoftheselanesarelongerthan2km,abrokenlinemaybeusedover a certaindistance to allowvehicles drivingdownhilltopassothervehicles.

Driversintheslowlaneonthefarrightmaynotreturntothemainlanewhentheroadwayshowsthesemarkings.

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TURNINGBeforeturningatanintersection,motorvehicleoperatorsmust:

• makesuretheturncanbecompletedsafely;• signaltheirintentiontoturnusingthevehicle’sturn-signal

lights;• yieldtherightofwaytopedestriansorcyclistscrossing

theroadwaytheywishtoenter;• yieldtherightofwaytovehiclestravellingontheinter-

sectingroadway,oncomingvehicles,orvehiclesapproachingoralreadyintheintersection.

Thedriverthenmakestheturnwhenthecoastisclear.Ifthemotorvehicleoperatorisunabletomoveintothedesig-

nated turninglanewhenpreparingtomakeaturn,he/shemustmaketheturnatanotherintersection.

Thefollowingillustrationsshowtherulestofollowwhenmakingthemostcommonrightandleftturns.

RIGHT TURN

Motorvehicleoperatorsplanningtomakearightturnontoaroadwaywithoneormorelanes,whetherforone-ortwo-waytraffic,must:

A. movetothefarright-handsideof the roadway or to the lanedesignatedforturningright;

B. advanceinastraightlinetothepointwherethetworoadsmeet;

C. turn sharply and enter the farright-handlaneoftheotherroad-way without encroaching uponthe left laneoranybicycle laneorreservedlane.



CBA

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LEFT TURN

Attheintersectionofroadwayswithtrafficinbothdirections,motorvehicleoperatorsplanningtomakealeftturnmust:

A. move over to the left lane or aturn lane of the roadonwhichtheyaretravelling;


C. assoonasthecoastisclear,turnintothenearestlane(furthesttothe left) allowing travel in thedesireddirection.



C. assoonasthecoastisclear,turnintothenearestlane(furthesttothe left)allowing themto travelinthedesireddirection.

Whenturningfromaroadwithtrafficinbothdirectionsontoaone-wayroad,driversmust:



C. as soon as the coast is clear,enterthefarleftlaneoftheotherroadway.



CB

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Whenturningfromaone-wayroadontoaroadwithtrafficinbothdirections,driversmust:

A. moveovertothefarleft-handlaneoranyotherdesignated turninglane;


C. enterthenearestlane(furthesttotheleft)allowingtravelinthedesireddirection.

If there are two designatedturninglanes,theturnshouldbe completed in the corres-ponding lane of the otherroadway.

When turning from a one-way road onto another one-wayroad,driversmust:

A. moveovertothefarleft-handlaneoranyotherdesignated turninglane;


C. enterthefarleft-handlaneoftheotherroadway.

CBA

CBA

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AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE SEVERAL

VEHICLES ARE TURNING AT THE SAME TIME

Atanintersectionoftworoadswithmorethanonelaneinbothdirections,whenthesemanoeuvresareperformedsimultaneouslybyseveralvehicles,eachdrivermustdirecthis/hervehicleintothecorrectlane.

Vehiclesturningrightmust:A. moveintothelaneontheextreme

rightorintoalanereservedformakingturns;


C. enter the far right-hand lane,without encroachingon the leftlane, and respect reserved lanesorbicyclelanes.

Vehiclesturningleftmust:D.moveintotheleftlaneorintoalanereservedformaking

turns;E. advanceinastraightlinetothepointwherethetworoads

meet;F. enter the far left-hand lane, without encroaching on the

rightlane,assoonasthecoastisclear.



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VEHICLES TURNING RIGHT ON A RED LIGHT

Tosafelyrightturnataredlightadrivermust:

1.Stop:– attheapproachofaredlight,cometoacompletestop

atthestoplineorinfrontofthepedestriancrossing.

2.Look:– checkforasignprohibitingrightturnsataredlight;– ifthereisnosuchsign,oroutsideofthetimeperiod

indicatedon the tabofa traffic light indicating thatturningisprohibited,oroutsidetheislandofMontréal,ensurethatnopedestrianiscrossingorpreparingtocrosstheintersection:- yieldtherightofwaytopedestriansandcyclistsin

the intersectionorabout to enter it.Pedestriansalwayshavetherightofwaywhenfacingagreentrafficlightorapedestrianlightallowingthemtocross;

- look left,aheadandright (mirrorandblindspot)andalasttimeontheleft;

- yieldtovehiclessoastonotimpedetraffic;– beextracarefulinthepresenceofchildren,theelderly,

peoplewithreducedmobilityoranyonecrossingslowly.

3.Decide:– turningrightonaredlightisnotmandatory.Itshould

bedoneonlyifthecoastisclear.

INDICATINGYOURINTENTIONSANDPRESENCE

INDICATING YOUR INTENTIONS

Beforechanginglanes,makingaU-turn(unlessprohibitedbyaroadsign),passing,makingaturnorenteringaroadwayfromtheshoulderoraparkingarea,driversmustindicatetheirintentions using the vehicle’s turn-signal lights continuouslyoverasufficientdistancetoensuretheoperator’ssafetyandthatofotherroadusers.

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USING EMERGENCY FLASHERS

Motorvehicleoperatorswhohavetodriveveryslowlymustusethevehicle’semergencyflashers.Emergencyflashersshouldbeusedonlyforreasonsofsafety(abreakdownorstalledvehicleontheroadwayatnight,forexample).

USING HEADLIGHTS AND RUNNING LIGHTS

Atnightorinpoorweatherconditions,motorvehicleoperatorsmustensurethatheadlightsandrunninglightsareon.

Atnight,driversmustswitchfromhighbeamstolowbeams:• whencomingwithin150mofanoncomingvehicle;• whencomingwithin150mofthevehicleahead;• whentheroadwayiswell-lit.

YIELDINGTHERIGHTOFWAYThe Highway Safety Code describes many situations where

roadusersmustyieldtherightofway.

PEDESTRIANS

Motorvehicleoperatorsand cyclistsmustyield therightofwaytopedestrianscrossingorpreparingtocross:

• atagreenlight;• atawhitepedestrianlight,flashingornot;• apedestriancrosswalk;• atanintersectionwithoneormorestopsigns;• atanintersectionwithayieldsign. A

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YIELD SIGNS

The driver of vehicle 1 must yieldtherightofwaytovehicle2beforeenteringlaneA.

ENTERING AN FREEWAY

Thedriverofvehicle1,whenmergingwiththeflowoftrafficon the freeway,must yield the rightofway tovehicle2. In theexampleillustrated,thisdrivermustpullinbehindvehicle2.

Thedriverofvehicle2mustconsiderthatavehicleistryingtomergewithtrafficonthefreewayandshoulddisplaycourtesyandchangelanesifpossible.

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AT A MANDATORY STOP

Atanintersectioncontrolledbyastopsign ononeroadway:Driversandcyclistsrequiredtostopatanintersectionorflashingredlightmustyield the rightofway toanyvehicleontheotherroadwayalreadyin the intersectionornear enoughto the intersection that entering itwouldbedangerous.

Atafour-waystop:Driversorcyclistsrequiredtostopattheintersectionmustyieldtherightofway toanyvehicle that reachestheintersectionbeforethem.Inbothofthesecases,thedriverorcyclistmustalsoyieldtherightofwayto pedestrians or cyclists crossingtheroadthatthedriverorcyclistisabouttocrossorenter.

CERTAIN TRAFFIC LIGHTS

Motor vehicle operators or cyclists at any of the followingtrafficlights:

• flashingredlight• flashingyellowlight• greenlight,flashingornot• greenarrow

must yield the right ofway to vehicles, cyclists andpedestriansalready in the intersectionormakesure that theycanmake itacrosstheintersectionsafely.

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WHEN TURNING AT AN INTERSECTION

Motorvehicleoperatorsandcyclistsmust:• Yieldtherightofwaytopedestriansandcyclistscrossing

theroadwaythattheywishtoenter.Intheexampleillus-trated,thedriverofvehicle1yieldstherightofwaytothepedestrian.

• Yieldtherightofway,whenmakingaleftturn,toanyoncomingvehicle.Intheexampleillustrated,vehicle3yieldstherightofwaytovehicle2,thepedestrianandvehicle1.

ENTERING OR EXITING PRIVATE PROPERTY

Motorvehicleoperatorsandcyclistswishingtoenterorexitprivatepropertymustyield the rightofway toanyvehicleorpedestriantravellingonapublicroadway.

In this illustration, before enteringlaneA, thedriverofvehicle1mustyieldtherightofwaytothepedestrianandmotorcyclist.BeforeenteringlaneB,thedriverofvehicle1mustyieldtherightofwaytothepedestrian,motorcyclistandvehicle2.

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In the situation illustratedhere, thedrivermustyieldtherightofwaytothemotorcyclistandpedestrianbeforeenteringtheprivatedriveway.

EMERGENCY VEHICLES

Motorvehicleoperatorsandcyclistsmustallowunhinderedpassageforemergencyvehicleswiththeirlightsflashingorsireninoperation.Thismeansreducingspeed,keepingas far to therightaspossibleandstopping,therebylesseningthenumberofobstaclesanemergencyvehicledrivermustcontendwith.Itisveryimportanttostaycalmandtoprovideafreelaneforemergencyvehiclestopass,whethertheyarecomingfrombehind orintheoppositedirection.Stayclearofintersectionsandavoidturninginfrontofanemergencyvehicle(turnfartheronandbacktrack,ifnecessary).Inthiswaywecanallhelpsavelives.Secondscount:thinkaboutit!

BUSES

Onpublicroadswithamaximumspeedlimitunder70km/h,motor vehicle operatorsmust yield the right ofway to a buswhosedriverwishestore-enterthelanethebusoccupiedbeforestopping.Thebusdrivermustmakesurethatitissafetodoso,however, and indicate intentions using the turn-signal lights.This obligationonly applies to drivers of vehicles in the lanethatthebusdriverwishestore-enter.

SCHOOLBUSESMotorvehicleoperatorsmustbereadytostopintheproximity

ofaschoolbus.Schoolbusesmakefrequentstopstotakeonanddropoff

children.Toavoidhavingothervehiclessuddenlyslowdownorstop,theschoolbusdriverwhointendstostopmustwarnothervehicleoperators,usingtheflashingamberlights.

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Otherdriversmustbeawareofthesetwostages:• when the flashing amber lightsorhazard lightsof the

busareactivated,otherdriversmustpreparetostop.• whentheflashingredlightsofthebusareinoperation

oritsstoparmextended,otherdriversmustbringtheirvehicletoafullstop.

Motorvehicleoperatorsmuststopatleastfivemetresfromavehicleusedtocarryschoolchildrenifithasitsflashingredlightsinoperationoritsmandatorystoparmextended.Driversmaypassthevehicleineitherdirectionifitsflashingredlightsareoffandthestoparmretracted,provideditissafetodoso.Thisapplies tovehicles travellingon thesameroadway,on thesametrafficroute(forexample,north-southroad)andonaroadthatisnotseparatedbyamedian,asaschoolbus,travellingineitherdirection.

Ifthetrafficlanesareseparatedbyamedianoranotherdivider,however,oncomingvehiclesarenotrequiredtostop.

LEVELCROSSINGSMotorvehicleoperatorsandcyclistsarerequiredtostopat

least five metres fromarailwaycrossing if thearrivalofarailvehicleisindicatedbyflashingredlights,aloweredbarrier,orarailwayemployee.

Driversmustnotenteralevelcrossingifthereisnotenoughfreespaceaheadtoclearthecrossingcompletely.

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Unlessotherwise indicated, thedriverofabus,minibusorvehiclecarryinghazardousmaterialmuststopatleastfivemetresfromalevelcrossing.Driversmaycontinueonlywhentheyarecertaintheycancrosssafely.

DRIVINGINREVERSEWhenbackingup,driversmustmakesurethemanoeuvrecan

beperformedsafelyandwithoutimpedingtraffic.Driving in reverse is prohibited on freeways and on their

accessandexitramps.

SHARINGTHEROADWITHHEAVYVEHICLESCar,motorcycleandtruckdrivershavetheirownreasonsfor

usingtheroadway.Eachisrequiredtobehaveresponsibly.Hereareafewsafetyrulesthatcallforcourtesyandtolerancewhensharingtheroadwithotherusers.

It is important to be aware of the limitations of driving aheavy vehicle in order to have a better understanding of themanoeuvres requiredof truckdriversand todrivedefensively.Sincetrucksarelonger,widerandheavierthanothervehicles,theyaremoredifficulttohandleandreactmoreslowly.

For example, a truck requires greater time and distance tostop.So,driverstravellinginfrontofheavyvehiclesmustsignaltheir intention to turn or change lanes well ahead of time.Suddenmovessuchasquicklycuttinginfrontofaheavyvehiclemustbeavoidedatallcosts.Driversmustplanfortheextratimeanddistancerequiredbeforepassingatruck.

Whenatruckdriversignalsaturnatanintersection,allotherdriversmustcooperatebyremaining behindandallowing theheavyvehicletocompleteitsturnwithoutgettinginitsway.

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Given the length and height of their vehicles, truck drivershavedifficultyseeingotherroadusers.Atruckdriverhasblindspotsatthefront,rearandsideofthevehicle.Forexample,acardriverormotorcyclistwhoistravellingbehindatruckandwhodoesnotseeanyofthetruck’ssidemirrors,istoocloseandcannotbeseenbythetruckdriver.Roadusersshouldthereforeavoiddrivingalongsideaheavyvehicleforlongperiodsandiftheymustpassaheavyvehicle,theyshouldtakeaslittletimeaspossibleindoingso.

HEAVYVEHICLEBLINDSPOTSBlindspotsarethoseareasoftheroadthataheavyvehicle

operator cannot see because of the vehicle’s size and design.Otherroadusersshouldstayoutofthoseareasbecausetheriskof collision is higher.Aheavyvehicle’sblind spots are at thefront,rearandsides.

FIVE TYPICAL SITUATIONS

•••Infrontofaheavyvehicle•••

Acollisioncouldoccurwherethe driver of a light vehiclecuts quickly in front of aheavytruck, fromthe leftorright lane and slows downonceinfront.

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•••Behindaheavyvehicle•••

Whenthedriverofalightvehiclefol-lows close behind a heavy truck,which then stopsor slows suddenly,theresultcouldeasilybeanaccident.

•••Oneithersideofaheavyvehicle•••

Thereareblindspotsoneithersideofaheavyvehicle,becausetheseareasarenotcoveredbythe truck’s rearviewmirrors.Alightvehicleinthoseblindspotscouldcollidewiththeheavyvehicle,wereittomoveovertotheleftortotheright.

APPROACHINGAROADWORKAREA

Aseriesoforangediamond-shapedsignstellmotoriststhatroadworkisbeingcarriedoutfurtherahead.Theworkareamaybe identified by cones, barrels, barriers, signs, pavementmar-kings,flashingarrowsorsignallights.



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Driversmustbeparticularlycarefulwhennearingaworksite:• Remainpatient.Thepurposeofroadworkistoimprove

traffic conditions. Some inconvenience to motoriststhereforecannotbeavoided.

• Obeyalltrafficsigns,includingthespeedlimitpostedinroadworkareas,whichcarrythesamepenaltiesasnormalpostedspeedlimits.

• Reducespeedandmaintainagreaterdistancefromthevehicleaheadtoallowenoughtimetoreactsafelytothewarningsigns.

• Scantheroadaheadandonthesides,andchecktherear-viewmirrorsfrequently.

• Watch forsitepersonnel,vehiclesandequipment; theymightappearunexpectedly.

• Exercisecautionwhencomingtoareaswheretheroadwaynarrowsorlanesmerge,whichcancreateafunneleffectandslowtraffic.Getintotheopenlaneandremainthere;waitinguntilthelastmomentbeforemakingamoveisespeciallydangerousinworkareas.

• Careisrequiredwhendrivingwheretemporarydetourshavebeenerectedtodiverttraffic.Shouldersmayalsobelowerthantheroad.

• Obeysignalpersons;theirtaskistodirecttrafficsafelythroughworkareas.

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STOPPINGANDPARKING

Justasvehiclemovementisregulated,stoppingisalsosubjecttovariousrules:

OBLIGATIONSDriversmustparktheirvehiclesinthesamedirectionasthe

flowof trafficandnomore than30cm fromtheedgeof theroadway.Whenparkingonagrade,driversmust:

• engagetheparkingbrake;• turnthewheelstoensurethatanymovementofthevehi-

cle’sfrontwillbemadetowardthenearestcurb.

Driversmust not leave their vehicles without removing thekey from the ignition and locking the doors. Also, no childunderage7istobeleftunattendedinavehicle.

Motorcycles,mopedsandmotorizedscootersmaybeparkeddiagonallytotheedgeofthenearestcurbinthesamedirectionastheflowoftraffic.

Drivers who have to stop temporarily on the roadway atnightmustleavetheirrunninglightsortheiremergencyflasherson.Theymayalsosignalthepresenceofthevehicleusinglightsorflaresthatarevisibleforadistanceofatleast150metres.

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RESTRICTIONSOnlyincasesofnecessitymaydriversstoporparktheirvehicles

insuchawaythattheyblockaroadsign,hindertraffic,roadconstructionormaintenanceworkorblockaccesstoprivateproperty.

Parkingorstoppingisprohibited:• anyplacewhereparkingisforbiddenbynoparking signs;• onasidewalkormedian;• inorwithinfivemetresofanintersection,pedestrian

crosswalkorlevelcrossing;• onanfreewayoritsaccessorexitramps;• onanelevatedroadway,bridgeoroverpassorinatunnel;• onapublicroadwaywherethespeedlimitis70km/h

orover;• within five metresof a stop sign, fire hydrant,police

stationorfirehall;• inatrafficlanereservedforcertainvehicles;• withineightmetresofapolicestationorfirehalllocated

ontheoppositesideoftheroadway;• inzonesreservedforbuses,clearlyidentifiedassuch;• inloadingzones;• infrontofasidewalkaccessrampfordisabledpersons;• inaparkingspacereservedfordisabledpersons.

Despitetheprohibitions,adrivermaystopintheselocationstotakeonordropoffadisabledperson,wherethiscanbedonesafely.

Nonetheless,touseaparkingspacereservedforthedisabled,thevehiclemustdisplayaparkingpermitforthatpurpose.

Abandoningavehicleonapublicroadwayisprohibited.Anyvehicleabandonedontheroadwaywillberemovedandplacedinstorageattheowner’sexpense.

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SPACESRESERVEDFORDISABLEDPERSONSANDPARKINGPERMITS

Touseaparkingspacereservedforthedisabled:• thevehiclemustdisplayaparkingpermitissuedbythe

Sociétédel’assuranceautomobileduQuébecinthenameof thedriveror thepersonaccompanying thedisabledperson;

• theparkingpermitmusthangfromtherearviewmirrorandbevisiblefromtheoutsideofthevehicle;

• thecertificateissuedbytheSAAQattestingthatapermithasbeenissuedmustbeinthedriveroraccompanyingpassenger'spossession.

Aparkingspacereservedforthedisabledmayalsobeusedby someonewhohas a sticker,plateorpermitdisplaying theinternationalwheelchairsymbol,issuedbyaCanadianjurisdictionoutsideQuébecoramembercountryorassociatemembercountryoftheEuropeanConferenceofMinistersofTransport.

Toqualifyforadisabledparkingpermit,thepersonmustmeettherequirementsoftheRegulationrespectingidentificationstickersforusingparkingspacesreservedforhandicappedpersons,thatisbestruckwithadisabilitylastingatleastsixmonthsthat:

• resultsinalossofindependence;• riskscompromisingtheperson'shealthandsafety

inmovementbetweentheparkedvehicleandthedestination.

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Toobtainoneofthesepermits,thepersonmustfillouttheappropriateapplicationform,submitittotheSociétéalongwiththerequiredpaymentand,ifapplicable,provideathis/herexpenseaprofessionalassessmentdemonstratingthattheeligibilityrequirementsaremet.

Apermitisissuedtothedisabledpersonandmaynotbeloanedtoanyone.

TheSAAQmayalsoissueapermittoapublicestablishmentasdefinedintheActrespectinghealthservicesandsocialservices,iftheestablishmentownsavehicleequippedtocarrywheelchair-bound passengers.

Whererequestedbyapeaceofficer,thedriverorpassengermustimmediatelyproducethecertificateissuedbytheSAAQattestingthatapermithasbeenissued.

TheSAAQmustbeinformedwithin30daysofachangeofaddressorthedestructionorlossofaparkingpermitorrelatedcertificate.

TheparkingpermitandcertificatemustbereturnedtotheSAAQiftheyarenolongerusedoriftheconditionslistedonthecertifi-cate nolongerapplytotheholder.

UNLAWFULPRACTICES

DRIVINGPROHIBITED–WHEREANDWHEN?Certainmanoeuvresandbehaviour,whetherornotavehicle

isstoppedorinmotion,arestrictlyprohibitedorarerestrictedinordertoensurethesafetyofroadusers.

ON THE SHOULDER

Motor vehicle operatorsmaynot drive on the shoulder,exceptifnecessary(laneclosedorobstructedoremergency)orunlessasignindicatesitispermitted.

EMERGENCIES

Motorvehicleoperatorsmustnotoperatevehicleswhenandwhereprohibitedby theauthoritiesbecauseof an emergency,thaw,rainorflooding.

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RACES OR RALLIES

Operatingamotorvehicleforawagerorinaracewithanothervehicle isprohibitedexcept inthecaseofarallyorganized inaccordancewithestablishedstandards.

TOO MANY PASSENGERS

Motorvehicleoperatorsmaynotcarrymorepassengersthantheamontofseatingavailableinthevehicle.

Nomorethanthreepeoplemaysitonthefrontseat.Ifthevehiclehasbucketseats,onlytwopeoplemaysitinthefront.

No passengers may ride in the trailer or semi-trailer of amovingvehicle unless it isdesignedspecifically forthatpurposeandtheroadusedisclosedtotraffic.

ALCOHOL

Vehicleoccupants arenot allowed todrink alcoholwhiledriving intrafficorwhileparkedinanareawherepublictrafficispermitted.

VEHICLERESTRICTIONS

MOVING VEHICLES

Riding on, climbing up on and climbing down from therunningboardofamovingvehicleisprohibited.Thesepracticesarepermittedonlyforpeoplewho,inthecourseoftheirwork,mustrideonaspeciallydesignedexteriorportionofavehicle.

Thedoorsofamotorvehiclemaybeopenedonlyifthevehicleisstationaryandwhendoingsoentailsnodanger.

LICENCE PLATE

Motorvehicleoperatorswhoselicencepermitsthemtodriveonlyonprivatepropertyorprivate roadsmaynotdriveonapublicroadway.However,operatorsofsuchvehicles,excludingvehicleswithmetaltreads,maycrossanypublicroadwayotherthanafreeway.

SQUEALING TIRES

Squealingavehicle’stiresorstoppingabruptlyisprohibitedunlessnecessaryforreasonsofsafety.

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TOWING

Motorvehicleoperatorsmaynottowanothervehiclewhosewheelsremainincontactwiththeground,unlessthevehicleissolidlysecuredbymeansofabar.

PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYERS,TELEVISIONS AND RADAR WARNING DEVICES

Motorvehicleoperatorsmaynotwearaportablemusicplayerorheadphones whiledriving.

SubjecttotheexceptionsprovidedintheRegulationrespectingsafetystandardsforroadvehicles,drivingamotorvehicleequippedwithanyofthefollowingisprohibited:

• a television or screen that displays information and isplacedsothatthedrivercanseethescreen;

• aradarwarningdevice.

Drivingamotorvehicleisprohibitedwhenapassenger,animalorobjectobstructsthedriver’sview.

RESTRICTIONSONTHEUSEOFPUBLICROADWAYS

OBJECTS AND OBSTACLES

Generally speaking, throwing or dumping snow or ice on apubic roadwayisprohibited.It isalsoforbiddentothrowanyobjectwhatsoeverontheroadwayortoputanyobstaclesinthewayoftraffic.

ANIMAL CROSSING

Farm animals may not be herded onto or across a publicroadwayunlessaccompaniedbytwopeoplewithredflags.Theymaynotbeherdedatnightandarenottobeherdedonafreewayunderanycircumstances.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Itisforbiddentorideahorseonafreewayoritsaccessorexitramps,oranywhereelsewhereprohibitedbytheappropriatesigns.

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SPECIALRULESFORCERTAINUSERS

Therulesinthissectionapplyspecificallytocertaincategoriesofusersandsupplementthetrafficrulesalreadypresented.

Theremayberegulationsconcerningotheraspectsofdrivingfor thesamecategoriesofusers, forexample theRegulationrespectingroadvehiclesused for the transportationof schoolchildren,theActrespectingoff-roadwayvehicles andanumberofregulationsthatapplytoheavyvehicleusers.Therefore,itisnecessary to refer to these regulations to find out what otherobligationstheseusershave.

PEDESTRIANS

MANDATORY IDENTIFICATION

As road users, pedestrians are now required to state theirnameandaddressorpresenttheirdriver’slicencewhenaskedto do so by a law enforcement officer who believes that aHighwaySafetyCode offencehasbeencommitted.

OBLIGATIONS

Ifthereisasidewalkalongaroadway,pedestriansmustuseit.Intheabsenceofasidewalk,pedestriansmustfacetrafficandwalkontheshoulderoralongtheedgeoftheroadway.

Pedestrianswishingtocrossapublicroadwaymustuseanynearbypedestriancrosswalkorintersection,afterensuringitissafetodoso.

If there is no intersection or pedestrian crosswalk nearby,pedestrians crossing a public roadwaymust yield the right ofwaytocyclistsandvehicles.

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Pedestriansmustobservethewalksignalsatanintersection.Thewhitesignalauthorizesapedestriantocross,whileaflashingsignalindicatestopedestrianswhohavealreadystartedtocrossthattheyshouldbequicktoreachthesidewalkormedian.An orange signal prohibits pedestrians from starting acrosstheroadway.

Pedestriansmustobeytrafficlightsiftherearenopedestriansignals.

RESTRICTIONS

TheHighwaySafetyCode alsoprohibitspedestriansfrom:• crossinganintersectiondiagonally,unlessatrafficsignor

signalexpresslyallowsthemtodoso;• hitch-hikingbystandingontheroadwayorinalocation

wherepassingisprohibited;• standingontheroadwaytospeakwiththeoccupantof

aroadvehicle;• walking along an freeway or its entrance or exit ramps,

exceptifnecessary.Pedestriansmaycrosssucharoadonlyattrafficlights;

• usingskates,skis,askateboardoratoyvehicleontheroadway.

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SOME SAFETY TIPS

Beforecrossing,pedestriansshouldlookovertheirshouldertomakesurethatnovehicleisapproachingfrombehindtoturnonto the road theyare crossing.Look left, then right and leftagainbeforestartingacross;alsolearntocorrectlyestimatethetimeneededtocrosstheroadsafely.

Atnight,wearbrightly-colouredclothing.Reflector tapeonclothing and schoolbags improves the visibilityof childrenwalkingtoandfromschool.

BICYCLESCyclingasameansfortransportationisaneffectivemeansof

protectingtheenvironment,improvinghealthandreducingtrafficcongestion.Usingabicycleontheroad,however,isnotwithoutitsrisksandeachyearmanycyclistsareaccidentvictims.

Cyclists are subject to the same basic traffic rules as otherroadusers,aswellascertainadditionalprovisionsthatapplytothemalone.Furthermore, theHighwaySafetyCode requiresthat cyclistsidentifythemselvestoanypoliceofficewhobelievesthatanoffencehasbeencommitted.

MANDATORY ACCESSORIES

Bicyclesmustbeequippedwithawhitereflectorinfrontandredreflectorsat therearandonthespokesof therearwheel.Theymustalsohaveamberreflectorsoneachpedalandonthespokesof the frontwheel.Bicyclesmust be equippedwith atleastonewhiteheadlightandoneredtaillightfornightriding.

Abicyclemustbeequippedwithatleastarear-wheelbrakingsystemcapableofblockingthewheelimmediately.

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toslowdownorstop,byholdingtheleftforearmdownataright

angletotheroad

toturnright,byholdingtheleftforearmupata

rightangletotheroad,orbyholdingtherightarmout

horizontally

toturnleft,byholdingthe

leftarmouthorizontally



CYCLING RULES

Cyclistsmustholdontothehandlebarsatalltimesandrideinsinglefilewhentravellingwithanyoneelseorinagroup,whichmaynotincludeanymorethan15cyclists.Cyclistsmustrideonthefarright-handsideoftheroadway,inthesamedirectionastraffic,except:

• whenthewayisblocked;or• whenpreparingtoturnleft.

Notonlymustcyclistsobeyroadsignsandtrafficlights,theymustusehandsignalsinacontinuousmannerandoverasufficientdistancetomaketheirintentionknowntootherroadusers:

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Iftheroadwayincludesabikepathorlane,cyclistsmustuseit. Similarly, it is preferable to use the asphalt shoulder if theroadhasone.

Ridingabicycleisprohibitedbetweentwoadjacentlanesofvehicles,whetherthevehiclesarestoppedormoving,onfreewaysoronfreewayexitorentranceramps.

Cycling isprohibitedon public roadwayswithamaximumspeedlimitover50km/h,unless:

• theroadhasaclearlyindicatedandphysicallyseparatedbikelane;

• thecyclistisatleast12yearsold;or• thecyclististakingpartinanexcursionsupervisedby

anadult.

Drinkingalcoholicbeverageswhilecyclingisforbidden,asiscarryingapassengeronabicycle that isnotequippedwithafixedseatforthatpurpose.Cyclistsarenottorideonthesidewalkunlesstheyhavetoorunlesspermittedbytheappropriatesigns.

Itisalsoforbiddenforcycliststoholdontoamovingvehicleortoridewhileusingearphonesoraportablemusicplayer.

FOR ADDED SAFETY

Wearlightorbrightly-colouredclothingwhenridingabicycle,tomakeiteasierforotherroaduserstoseeyou.

Althoughnotcompulsory,wearingahelmetprovideseffectiveprotectionfromheadinjuryintheeventofafall.

Apennantonanarmatthesideofabicyclewillforcemotoriststoleavemorespacebetweentheirvehicleandthebicyclewhenpassing.

Usingabasketorcarrierifneededwillincreasesafety.Frequentlycheckabike’soperatingconditionanditscomponents

andaccessories–handlebars,wheels,rims,chainandbrakes.

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ELECTRIC BICYCLE

Theriderofapower-assistedbicyclemust:• beatleastage14;• wearabikehelmet;• if between the ages of 14 through 17, hold a licence

authorizinghim/hertodriveamopedorscooter.

Anyoneage18oroverdoesnotrequiresuchalicencetorideapower-assistedbicycle.

RecentprovisionsoftheHighwaySafetyCode alsoallowtheriderofapower-assistedbicycletochosetouseabikewayortheroad,unlikeatraditionalcyclistwhoisrequiredtouseabikewaywhereavailableonapublicroad.

Thefeaturesofanelectricpower-assistedbicyclemustcomplywiththeprovisionsof theMotorVehicleSafetyAct andtheHighwaySafetyCode.Thebicyclemustbedesignedtooperateontwoorthreetiresandmustbeequippedwithpedalsandanelectricmotorthatdoesnotexceed500wattsofpower,whichceasestogeneratepoweroncethebicyclereachesaspeedof32km/h.

Apower-assistedbicyclecannotbeusedtopullanotherperson.

FOOTSCOOTERFor improvedroadsafety,useofa footscooterona public

road isprohibitedatnight unless it is equippedwithawhitereflectororwhitereflectivematerialatthefront,redreflectororredreflectivematerialattherearandoneachsidenearthebackofthescooter.Ifascooterisnotequippedwithreflectors,ridersmustwearreflectivematerialonclothingoranaccessorytobevisibletoroadusersatnight.Failuretorespecttheseconditionsforuseofascooteratnightispunishablebya$25to$50fine.

A foot scootermustbeequippedwithat leasta rear-wheelbrakingsystem.Theownerofafootscooterthatisnotequippedwithabrakingsystemisliabletoafineof$15to$30.

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MOTORCYCLES,MOPEDSANDMOTORIZEDSCOOTERSMotorcycle,mopedandscooteroperatorsmustremainseated

andhold thehandlebarswhen the vehicle is inoperation.Whenriding,thewhiteheadlightmustremainonatalltimes.Passengersmustbeseatedfacingthehandlebars,withtheirfeetonthefootrests.Whentravellingingroupsoftwoormoreinatrafficlane,theymustrideinstaggered(zigzag)formation.

Ridersmustwearahelmetthatmeetssafetystandards.Thesameappliestorearorsidecarpassengers.Operatorsandpassengersarerequiredtoproducetheirhelmetsforinspectionattherequestofalawenforcementofficer.

Ridingamotorcycle,mopedorscooterbetweentwolinesofvehiclesinadjacentlanes,whetherthevehiclesarestoppedormoving, is prohibited.What is more, the use of motorcycles,scootersormopedswhoseenginehasacylindersizeof125ccorlessisprohibitedonfreewaysandonfreewayaccessandexitramps.

Theoperatorofamotorcycle,scooterormopedmaycarryapassenger only if the vehicle is permanently equipped with afixedseatforthatpurposeandfootrestsoneitherside.

Riding on a sidewalk is prohibited except if necessary orwherepermittedbytheappropriatesigns.

Motorcycle,scooterandmopedoperatorsmustobeyallroadsigns.

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MAKE SURE YOU CAN BE SEEN

Motorcycles,scootersandmopedsmustbeequippedwithatleastoneheadlight in front,one red tail-light, two turn-signallightsatthefrontandrearandaredbrakelight.Sidecarsmustbeequippedwitha red lightat the rear, locatedas far to therightaspossible.

Since80%to90%ofalltheinformationwhichvehicleoperatorsreceiveisthroughwhattheysee,ridersmustconstantlymakesurethatotherroaduserscanseethem.Thisiswhytheirheadlightshouldremainontheentiretimethevehicleisinoperation.Anotherwaytobeseenistoremainintheproperlanepositionatalltimesandwearbright-colouredclothingwithreflectorstripsatnight.

EMERGENCYVEHICLESEmergency vehicle operators should only activate flashing

signallightsorsirensoranyotheraccessorywhenneededfortheirjob.

Theyare exempt from traffic rules concerning speed limits,passing,stoppingandparking,roadsignsandtrafficlights,andrightofway.

VEHICLESUSEDTOCARRYSCHOOLCHILDRENDriversofbusesorminibusesusedtocarryschoolchildren

maynothavemorepassengersthanthenumberofavailableseats.Theymaynotsetthevehicleinmotionunlesseveryoneisseated

andmustensurethatpassengersremainseatedthroughoutthetrip.Driversofbusesorminibusesusedtocarryschoolchildren

mustwarnotherroadusersthatthevehiclehasstoppedtoallowpassengerstogetonoroffbyusingflashinglightsandactivatingthestoparm untilthepassengersaresafe.Thismeansleavingthelightsonandtheretractablestoparmextendeduntilthepassen-gershavereachedthesidewalkorroadside.

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Whenaschoolbusdriverisstoppedintrafficbehindanothervehicleusedtocarryschoolchildrenwhoselightsareflashing,he/shemustactivatetheflashinglightsandextendthestoparmaswell.Undernoothercircumstances,asidefromtakingonorlettingchildrengetdown,shouldthedriveroperatetheflashinglightsorextendthestoparm.

VEHICLESTRAVELLINGONLOGGINGROADSSinceApril1,1999,certainsectionsoftheHighwaySafetyCode

applyonloggingroadsjustastheydoonallofQuébec’spublicroadways.

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NO DRINKING AND DRIVING

Now,anyone suspectedofdrivingona logging roadwhileimpairedmaybe stoppedby a law enforcement officer andsubmittedtoabreathalyzertest.

SPEED LIMIT

Aspeedlimitof70km/hmustnowbeobservedonloggingroads, unless signs and signals indicate otherwise. It is alsoimportanttoadjustspeedinkeepingwithroadconditions.

Furthermore,alldriversmustcarrywiththemavaliddriver’slicencefortheappropriateclassofvehicle,thevehicle’sregistra-tioncertificateandproofofliabilityinsurance.

SEAT BELTS BUCKLED

Onloggingroads,thedriverandpassengermustweartheirseatbelts.

AVEHICLE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER

Allvehiclestravellingonloggingroadsmustbeingoodwor-kingorder.Their loadmust alsobe securely attached in com-pliance with the standards for securing loads set out in theHighwaySafetyCode.

DRIVE ON THE RIGHT

Logging roads are used by all sorts of vehicles: cars, vans,recreationalvehicles,etc.However,theyareespeciallyusedbytruckscarryingheavyloads.Driversmustthereforebeverycarefulatalltimesandalwaysdriveontheright-handsideoftheroadwhenmeetinganothervehicle–especiallyincurvesandonslopes.

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SAFETY RULES

Drivingsafelyonloggingroadsisamatterofcommonsense.• Reduceyourspeedbeforecrossingabridge.Thereisoften

onlyonelaneonabridge.• Parkyourvehicleonthesideoftheroadsothatit is

visiblebutoutofthewayoftraffic.Neverparkitinacurveoronagrade.Thesamerulesapplywhenobservinganimals bytheroad.

• UseaCBradiotosignalyourpositiontoothervehiclesontheloggingroad.

• Ifyouneedtopassanothervehicle,proceedatamoderatespeed toavoidprojectinggravelor stonesuponto thevehicle’swindshield.

• Beextracarefulatthebeginningandtheendoftheday,inordertoavoidhittingananimal.

• Beforeyousetout,makesurethatyouhavetwosparetires.• Drivewithyourheadlightsonatalltimes.

LOADS

TheHighwaySafetyCode requiresdrivers:• toobserveregulationsconcerningthetransportofhazardous

materialsandtofollowtheinstructionsofalawenforcementofficerwhoaskstoinspectthecargo,providingtheofficerwithanydocumentsconcerningthecargo,orthatattesttoone’squalificationsforthehaulingofhazardousmaterial;

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• toputaredflagorreflectivepanelonthebackofaloadextendingmore thanonemetre beyondtherearof thevehicle.Ifthevehicleisdrivenatnight,itmustbeequippedwitharedlightvisibleatadistanceof150metresfromtherearandside;

• toequipanyslow-movingvehiclewithawarningsign.

The Highway Safety Code prohibits anyone from operating avehicleorallowingavehicletobeoperatedwhenthecargo:

• isnotproperlysecuredorcoveredsothatnoneofitspartscanmove;

• reducesthedriver’sfieldofvisionorcoverstheheadlightsorotherlights;

• compromisesthestabilityorhandlingofthevehicle.

Thedrivermustnotallowpassengersinatrailerorsemi-trailerinmotion.

HEAVYVEHICLESDrivers,ownersandoperatorsofheavyvehicles(roadvehicles

andcombinationroadvehicleswithanetweightofover3,000kg,buses, minibuses, tow trucks and road vehicles used to haulhazardous material)mustabidebyanumberof special rules forheavyvehicles.3

PRE-TRIP INSPECTION

Driversmustmakesurethattheirvehicledoesnothaveanydefects.Sothattheycandrivesafely,theymustinspecttheirvehiclebeforetheyleaveonatrip,notingtheirobservationsandthemechanicalconditionofthevehicleintheirinspectionreport,andimmediatelyreportanymechanicaldefecttotheoperator.Theymustalsofilloutandupdatetheinspectionreportdailyfortheheavyvehicletheydriveandkeepitonboardthevehicle.

3.There ismore informationonheavy vehicles in the guideDrivingaHeavyVehicle,availablefromPublicationsduQuébec.Inaddition,otherpublications,suchasInspectBeforeYouGo:DailyPre-Trip InspectionGuide areavailable freeof chargeatSAAQserviceoutlets.

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Theheavyvehicleoperatormustputaninspectionreportformin thevehicle. Theoperatormustmakesure that thedriverkeepsthisreportinthecaboftheheavyvehicleandentersallrequiredinformationinit.Theoperatormustalsoinformtheownerofanydefectnotedand send theownera copyof theheavyvehicle inspection report. Theoperatormustnotuseaheavyvehiclethathasamajordefect.

Theowneroftheheavyvehiclemustcorrectanymechanicaldefects reported tohim/her.Minor defectsmustberepairedwithin48hours.Ifthevehiclehasmajordefects,however,drivingitisprohibited.Theownermustalsoensurethathe/sheobtainsacopyoftheinspectionreportwhentheheavyvehicleisusedbytheoperator.

Theinspectionreportmustalwaysbekeptintheheavyvehicle.Amissingreportconstitutesanoffence.

DRIVING HOURS AND REST

Driversmustobservetheregulatorystandardsgoverningdrivingandresttime.Theymustkeepadailylogoftheirhoursandkeeponboardthevehiclethedailydrivingandresttimelogsforprecedingdays,usingthegivenreferenceperiodtocalculate theauthorizednumberofhours.

Operatorsmustensurethatdriversentertherequiredinforma-tion in thedailydrivingand rest time logand that theykeepthemintheheavyvehicle.Operatorsmustalsomakesurethatdrivers respect thenumberofdrivingand resthoursand thatdriversgivethemacopyoftheirdailylogsupontheirreturn.

DRIVER’S LICENCE

Heavyvehicledriversmusthaveadriver’slicencecorrespondingtothetypeofvehicleusedandincludingtheappropriateendorse-ments,suchasforamanualtransmission,airbrakesoraroadtrain.

They must also inform the operator, owner or any personwhoprovidesdrivingservicesiftheirdriver’slicenceisrevokedorsuspendedandofanychangeofclassqualifyingthemtodrivethevehicle.

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Driversmustalsocomplywiththedemandsofalawenforcementofficer whotakes theirdriver’s licenceawaybecause theyhavegoneoverthedrivinganddutytimeprovidedforbyregulationfortheperiodcorrespondingtotheprescribednumberofhoursofrest.

OTHER OBLIGATIONS

Heavyvehicledriversmustpullintoaninspectionstationonthe ordersofanauthorizedofficeror signal.Thisrequirementdoesnotapplytodriversofanemergencyvehiclerespondingtoacallorreturningtopost.

Theymustnotdriveavehiclewhere the loadhasnotbeenplaced, secured or covered in accordancewith theRegulationrespectingstandardsfor thesecuringof loads,whichsets forthstandardsbasedonthetypeofloadcarried.

Driversmustalsoensurethatthevehicle’slengthandwidtharewithinprescribedlimitsandthattheloaddoesnotexceednorms.

Ownersorlessorsofoversizedvehiclesmustobtainaspecialtravelpermittooperatethem.Driversmustcarrythesepermitswiththemwhendrivingandabidebytheirconditions.

EXTRA RULES CONCERNING BUSES

Whenallowingpassengerstogetonoroffabus,driversmuststop the bus on the far right-hand side of the roadway or inareassetasideforthispurpose,afterensuringthattheycandososafely.Doorsarenottobeopeneduntilthevehiclehasreachedafullstop.

Busdriversmustdistributebaggageand freightproperly inthebus.

Schoolbusdriversmustnottakeonmorepassengersthantheamountofseatingavailable.Itshouldbepointedoutthatthisruledoesnotapplytoanyothercityorruralbusoraminibus usedinoroutsidecities,providedthatthenumberofpassengersinexcessoftheamountofseatingavailableisnomorethanonepassengerperrowofseats.

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OVERSIGHT OF HEAVY VEHICLE USERS

In1998,anoversightmechanismwascreatedtoevaluatetheconductofheavyvehicleusers.

•••Registration•••

SinceApril1999,heavyvehicle ownersandoperatorshavehadtoregisterwiththeCommissiondestransportsduQuébec.

•••Follow-up•••

Acasefileforevaluatingtheconductofheavyvehicleusersiscreated by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.Thisfileisbasedonoffencescommittedontheroadorwithincompanies, on accidents in which users and their drivers areinvolved,andonmechanicalinspectionresults.

•••Rating•••

Asof1999,allownersandoperatorsofaheavyvehiclearegivenaconductrating.Theseratingsmakeitpossibletopinpointheavyvehicleuserswhorepresentaroadwaysafetyriskorarisktotheroadwaysystem.

•••Penalties•••

Penaltiesdirectedatownersandoperatorsofheavyvehiclesare geared towards improving their roadway behaviour.Theyinclude activities designed to increase awareness and providesupport,aswellashighwayandcompanymonitoring.Thefileofahigh-riskowneroroperatormaybereferredtotheCommissiondestransportsduQuébec,however,fortheimpositionofapenalty,inparticularmandatoryhighwaysafetycourses,formorefrequentmechanicalinspections,orfortheinstallationofspeedlimitingdevices.

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SHARING THE ROAD AND HANDLING HEAVY VEHICLES

Defensive driving should be practised at all times, becausetheconsequencesofanyaccidentinvolvingaheavyvehiclearebound to be serious. Since many drivers are unaware of thelimitsofdrivingaheavyvehicle,theyarenotreallyinapositiontoanticipatetruckdrivers’manoeuvres.

Asregularroadusers,truckdriversmusthelpotherdriversbysignalingtheirintentions.Toensurethatotherdriversseethem,theyshould,likeothervehicles,drivewiththeirheadlightson.Theuseofreflectorstripsontrucksisrecommended.

So that theydonot slowdown traffic, truckdrivers shoulduse the far right-hand lane if they are travelling more slowly.Whenthereisaspeciallanereservedforslow-movingvehicles,theyshoulduseit.

Since a truck requires more time and a greater distance tostopthanacar,truckdriversmustneverexceedthemaximumloadorthespeedlimit.Theymustensurethattheirbrakesarealways in good working order.Truck drivers must also obeyspeedlimitsandbeextracarefulatnightorinpoorweatherorpoorroadconditions.Theymustatalltimesavoidtailinganyonetooclosely.

OFF-ROADVEHICLESThefollowingareconsideredtobeoff-roadvehicles:

• snowmobileswithanetweightof450kgorlessandawidth,includingaccessories,ofnomorethan1.28metres;

• all-terrainvehicles (ATVs)withhandlebarsandat leasttwo wheels which can be straddled and whose netweightisnomorethan600kg;

• othermotorvehiclesintendedforuseoffpublicroadwaysandprovidedforbyregulation.

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Off-roadvehicles,ATVsandsnowmobilesareverypopular.Unfortunately,carelessnessandalackofpropersafetyequipmenthaveresultedinseriousinjuryandevendeathformanyriders.Operatorswhodonot followthe traffic rulesgoverning thesevehiclesarebreakingthelawandareendangeringtheirlivesandthelivesofthosearoundthem.

RULES FOR USING OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

Theoperatorofanoff-roadvehiclemustbeatleast16yearsold.Thoseunderage18musthaveacertificatefromtheFédération

desclubsdemotoneigistesduQuébecortheFédérationquébécoisedesclubs“quads”attestingthattheyhavetheskillsandknowledgerequiredtooperatethesevehicles.

Inordertouseapublicroadway,driversofoff-roadvehiclesmusthavea licence thatauthorizes them,under theHighwaySafetyCode,todrivearoadvehicleonapublicroadwayandmustabidebyitsconditionsandrestrictions.Personsage16oroverneedtohaveaclass5or6driver’slicenceorprobationarylicence(6A,6Bor6C);thoseunder16needaclass6Dlicenceauthorizingthemtooperateamopedorscooter.

Ownersofoff-roadvehiclesmusttakeoutathird-partyliabilityinsurancepolicyforatleast$500,000thatguaranteescompensationforbodilyinjuryorpropertydamagecausedbythevehicle.

Driversofoff-roadvehiclesmustcarrywiththemthevehicle’sregistration certificate issued under the Highway Safety Code,proofofthird-party liability insurance,proofofageand, ifapplicable,theirqualificationcertificateorauthorizationtodrive.

Ifthevehicleis leasedorrentedfromadealerforlessthanoneyear,theymustalsocarryproofofthedurationoftheleaseoracopyofthecontractwiththedealer.

Nomorepassengersmaybe carriedonanoff-roadvehiclethanthenumberstipulatedbythemanufacturer.

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If themanufacturerof theoff-roadvehicledoesnot specifythemaximumnumberofpassengersallowedonthevehicle,only onepassengermaybe carriedon a snowmobile andnopassengersmaybecarriedonotheroff-roadvehicles.

Anextrapassengermaybecarriedifthevehiclehasaccessoriesdesignedforthispurposeandif it is installedinkeepingwiththestandardsofthemanufactureroftheoff-roadvehicle.

Off-roadvehiclesarenotallowedtotowanymorethanonesledoronetraileratatime.

Anyonetravellingonanoff-roadvehicleoronasledoratrailer pulled by an off-road vehicle must wear the followingequipment,whichmustmeetregulatorystandards:

• ahelmet;• safetyglassesifthehelmetdoesnothaveavisor;• anyotherequipmentprescribedbyregulation.

Drinkingalcoholicbeveragesisprohibitedonoff-roadvehiclesandonsledsortrailerstowedbyoff-roadvehicles.

All off-road vehicles must be equipped with the followingitems,whichmustmeetregulatorystandards:

• awhiteheadlight;• oneredparkinglightattherear;• anexhaustsystem;• abrakesystem.

Furthermore,alloff-roadvehiclesmanufacturedafterJanuary1,1998mustbeequippedwith:

• aredbrakelightattherear;• arearviewmirrorthatissecurelyattachedtotheleftside

ofthevehicle;• aspeedometer.

Equipmentinstalledbythemanufacturerthatisrequiredfortheoperationofanoff-roadvehicle,sledortrailermustnotberemoved.

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Anymodificationtothevehiclethatisliabletodecreaseitsstability or the effectiveness of its brakes or to increase itsaccelerationcapabilityisprohibited.

TRAFFIC RULES FOR OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

Off-roadvehiclesareallowedtouseprivateroadsandroadwaysopentopublicroadvehicles.Theowneroftheroadorthepersoninchargeofitsmaintenancemay,however,placesignsprohibitinguseoftheroadorrestrictingitsusetocertaintypesofoff-roadvehiclesortocertaintimesoftheyear.

Operatingoff-roadvehiclesisprohibitedonapublicroadway,asunderstood withintheHighwaySafetyCode.

Thedrivingofanoff-roadvehicleatadistanceinferiortothatstipulatedunderamunicipalbylawor,failingthat,within30metresofahouse,healthfacilityorrecreational,sports,culturaloreducational areaisprohibitedunless:

• expresslyauthorizedbytheownerortenantofthehouseorthespecialarea;

• on a public roadway under the conditions providedforbytheActrespectingoff-highwayvehicles;

• onaprivateroadopentopublicroadvehicletraffic;• on a trail created along a disused railway right-of-way

andshownonthedevelopmentplanofaregional countymunicipalityoranurbancommunity.

Off-roadvehiclesmayhowever:• beusedonaroadforamaximumdistanceof1km,if

thedriverisaworkerwhorequiresuseofthevehicletoperformhis/herwork,providedthattheworkerobserveshighwaytrafficrules;

• crossaroadwayatrightangles,ontheconditionthataroadsignindicatesacrossingforoff-roadvehicles;

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• beusedoffaroadandoutsideofaditch,evenintheoppo-sitedirection,subjecttoconditionsdefinedbyregulation;

• betakenontheroadforamaximumdistanceof500metresinordertoreachatrail,servicestationoranotherplaceopentothepublic,whereauthorizedbyaroadsign;

• travelonaroadwhereroadtrafficisclosedbecauseofaspecialeventorduetoweatherconditions,withtheauthorizationofthepersoninchargeofmaintainingtheroadandontheconditionsdeterminedbythatperson;

• travelonallorpartofaroadwaythatagovernmentdepartmentormunicipality is inchargeofmaintainingasdeterminedbyregulationorbylaw,andsubjecttotheconditions,timeofdayandtypeofvehiclespecifiedintheregulationorbylaw,providedthedriverabidesbytherulesoftheroad.

Driversofoff-roadvehiclesmustabidebyroadsignsandtrafficsignalsandobey the ordersand signalsofa lawenforcementofficerortrailsupervisor.

Themaximumspeedlimitforsnowmobilesis70km/handthespeedlimitforotheroff-roadvehiclesis50km/h.

Driversofoff-roadvehiclesmustkeeptheirwhiteheadlightandtheirredtaillighton.

Noonecan travelona trail unless theyareonanoff-roadvehicleauthorizedforuseonthetrail.Driversofoff-roadvehiclesmustkeeptotherightofatrail.

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Some 200,000 acci dents occur each year inQuébec, with vic tims num be ring in the tens of

thou sands. They are entit led to com pen sa tion underour public auto mo bi le insu ran ce plan, which coversall Québec resi dents and pro vi des com pen sa tionfor bodi ly inju ry regard less of where an accidentoccurs or who is at fault.

Coverage may also extend to non-resi dents forinjuries sus tai ned in a road mis hap in Québec.

AUTO MO BI LE INSU RAN CE

IN QUÉBEC

Every vehi cle owner must remem ber that:

• he/she is requi red, under theAutomobile Insurance Act, tohold a third-party lia bi li tyinsu ran ce contract cove ringpro per ty dama ge for a min -i mum amount of $50,000.This type of cove ra ge is avai l - a ble from pri va te insu rers;

• the Société de l’assu ran ce auto mo bi le du Québec com -pen sa tes, regard less of fault, all Quebecers who suf ferbodi ly inju ry in a road acci dent occur ring insi de orout si de Québec, whe ther they be:

- auto mo bi le dri vers and pas sen gers;

- motor cy cle riders;

- cyclists and pedes trians (if struck by a motor vehi cle).

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The public insu ran ce plan, which has been in effect since 1978,pro tects all Québec resi dents. It is a no-fault insu ran ce plan, whichmeans that acci dent vic tims do not have to wait for blame to beesta blis hed befo re recei ving com pen sa tion for bodi ly inju ry.Remedy through the courts has accor din gly been abo lis hed.

People will still be pro se cu ted, of cour se, for dan ge rousdri ving and rela ted offen ces under the Highway Safety Code orthe Criminal Code.

OUTSIDE QUÉBEC

All Quebecers inju red in an acci dent out si de the pro vin ce areentit led to the com pen sa tion for bodi ly inju ry that is pro vi dedfor under the public auto mo bi le insu ran ce plan, whe ther they areto blame or not.

However, a Quebecer res pon si ble for an acci dent out si de Québecmay be sued befo re the courts of the jurisdiction where the acci -dent occur red for the bodi ly inju ry or pro per ty dama ge he/shecau sed. The dri ver is pro tec ted by third-party lia bi li ty insu ran cetaken out with a pri va te insu rer, man da to ry for tra vel in NorthAmerica. That cove ra ge must be of suf fi cient amount to pay allcom pen sa tion.

Before travelling in another Canadian province or in theUnited States, Quebecers should check with their private insurerto see that their liability insurance is sufficient to cover thebodily injury and property damage another party could sustainin the event of an accident. When driving a motor vehicle inother parts of the world, residents are also advised to find outhow much coverage is necessary to be well-protected.

A Québec resi dent who is not at fault retains the right under thelaws of that juris dic tion to sue for any amount of com pen sa tionin excess of what the Société pays.

NON-RESI DENTS

People whose permanent residence is located outside Québecare covered by the public insurance plan as the owner, operatoror passenger of a motor vehicle registered in Québec. Such non-residents are entitled to the same benefits as a Quebecer if theybecome involved in an accident on Québec roads.

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Other non-resi dents invol ved in an auto mo bi le acci dent inQuébec are com pen sa ted by the Société to the extent that theyare not res pon si ble for the acci dent (inver se pro por tion to fault).Agreements have been rea ched with Ontario, Manitoba andAlberta under which their resi dents are com pen sa ted by theirown insu rer accor ding to the prin ci ples and rates of the Québecplan regard less of fault.

TYPES OF ACCI DENT EXCLU DED

Some types of acci dent are not cove red by the public plan andthe per sons invol ved are not entit led to com pen sa tion.

Such is the case of:

• an acci dent that occurs in an auto mo bi le race, contest orshow, whe ther as dri vers, pas sen gers or spec ta tors;

• an acci dent invol ving a snow mo bi le or other vehi cleinten ded for off-road use, unless the col li sion invol ves a moving motor vehi cle autho ri zed to tra vel on a publicroadway (e.g: car/snow mo bi le crash);

• an acci dent invol ving an equip ment vehicle or trailer(e.g: snow remo val vehicle) or a farm trac tor, unless thecol li sion invol ves a moving motor vehi cle autho ri zed totra vel on a public roadway (e.g: car/trac tor crash);

• bodi ly inju ry cau sed by equip ment that can func tion inde -pen dent ly from the vehi cle of which it is part (e.g: a snowplow installed temporarily on a truck) when that vehi cleis stop ped on a public road way, or on a pri va te road,stop ped or in motion.

To be protected in the lat ter three cases, the vehi cle or equip mentowner must take out appro pria te cove ra ge with a pri va te insu rerfor any bodi ly inju ry and pro per ty dama ge that might be cau sedby his/her vehi cle or equip ment.

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SPECIAL CASES

On-the-job auto mo bi le acci dents

Any claim for com pen sa tion in connec tion with auto mo bi leacci dents that occur on the job must be sub mit ted to theCommission de la santé et de la sécu ri té du tra vail (CSST).

A clai mant who has been tur ned down by the CSST may thenfile a claim for com pen sa tion with the Société, enclo sing the let terof rejec tion from the CSST.

Victims of cri mi nal acts; persons inju red

while assis ting someo ne in dis tress

The vic tim of an assault in which an auto mo bi le cau sed inju ryhas the option of being com pen sa ted under the Crime VictimsCompensation Act or the Automobile Insurance Act.

A per son inju red by an auto mo bi le while assis ting someo ne indis tress may elect com pen sa tion under the Act to pro mo te goodciti zens hip or the Automobile Insurance Act.

A per son who choo ses to be com pen sa ted under either the CrimeVictims Compensation Act or the Act to pro mo te good citi zens hipmust contact the nea rest CSST regio nal offi ce.

COMPENSATION

The Société pays com pen sa tion in one or more of the fol lo wingforms to the vic tims of bodi ly inju ry sus tai ned in a motor vehi cleacci dent:

• an inco me repla ce ment indem ni ty;

• an indem ni ty for care expen ses;

• a lump sum for afte ref fects of inju ry, such as loss of enjoy -ment of life, pain and men tal suf fe ring;

• the reim bur se ment of cer tain expen ses incur red due tothe acci dent (e.g: medi ca tion, trans port by ambu lan ce,pur cha se of pros the ses or ortho pe dic devi ces, repla ce mentof dama ged clo thing, home care expen ses, etc.);

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• a lump-sum indem ni ty for the loss of an enti re school yearor a semes ter at the post se con da ry level;

• a care allo wan ce;

• reim bur se ment of sub sti tu te labour costs for per sonswor king without pay in a fami ly busi ness;

• death bene fits;

• a lump sum to cover fune ral costs.

Most indem ni ties paid by the Société are indexed year ly onJanuary 1.

The Société is autho ri zed to take the steps neces sa ry for a victim’sreha bi li ta tion and his or her return to nor mal life as well asrein te gra tion into the wor king world. For instan ce, the Société maycover the cost of alte ra tions to a home or vehi cle, the pur cha seof spe cial equip ment and job trai ning or labour mar ket rein te -gra tion if it consi ders these essen tial to the reha bi li ta tion of anacci dent vic tim.

RIGHT OF CHALLENGE

A per son who is dis sa tis fied with a deci sion ren de red by aSociété com pen sa tion offi cer may ask for a review of the case inwri ting within 60 days of the post mark date of the com pen sa tionofficer’s deci sion. The appli ca tion must be sub mit ted to the Société’sreview office on the Application for Review form before the end ofthe allotted time. It must set forth the reasons for wanting areview, and include supporting documents where possible. Theapplication form must be signed by the claimant.

A per son who remains dis sa tis fied fol lo wing the Société’s review deci sion is entit led to contest it within 60 days befo re theAdministrative Tribunal of Québec, whose deci sion is final.

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PRO PER TY DAMA GE

Liability insu ran ce for pro per ty dama ge to ano ther party in aroad acci dent is com pul so ry in Québec. When a col li sion occursbet ween at least two vehi cles, the owners of which are known,each owner must file a claim with his/her own insu rer (DirectCompensation Agreement).

HIT-AND-RUN AND INSOLVENCY

Some acci dent vic tims who sus tain pro per ty dama ge findthem sel ves without cove ra ge when faced with insol ven cy on thepart of the per son res pon si ble for the acci dent, or in a hit-and-runsituation. The Société de l’assu ran ce auto mo bi le du Québec may,in certain cases, com pen sa te such vic tims for bodi ly inju ry andpro per ty dama ge sus tai ned in the acci dent.

ACCIDENTS INVOL VING PRO PER TY DAMA GE

Someone who sus tai ned dama ge to their vehi cle or to otherpro per ty in an auto mo bi le acci dent may be com pen sa ted:

• if a Québec court has han ded down a deci sion in his orher favour which can not be satis fied becau se the partyres pon si ble for the acci dent is insol vent or did not havesuf fi cient lia bi li ty insu ran ce cove ra ge;

• the iden ti ty of the ope ra tor or owner of the vehi cle thatcau sed the acci dent is not known (hit-and-run).

Victims of a motor vehi cle acci dent which did not occur on a public road way and was cau sed by a farm trac tor or trai ler,a snow mo bi le, an equip ment vehi cle or trai ler, or any vehi cle notmeant to be ope ra ted on a public roadway, may apply to the Sociétéfor com pen sa tion of bodi ly inju ry and pro per ty dama ge:

• when a Québec court has han ded down a deci sion intheir favour which can not be satis fied becau se the partyres pon si ble for the acci dent is insol vent or did not havesuf fi cient lia bi li ty insu ran ce c ove ra ge;

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• the iden ti ty of the ope ra tor or owner of the vehi cle thatcau sed the acci dent is not known.

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT

If INJU RED in a motor vehi cle acci dent:

• Call the poli ce to the scene so a report can be madeof the acci dent;

• See a phy si cian without delay and have all signs ofinju ry ente red on the doctor’s report. Make sure the report is sent to the SAAQ;

• Contact the Société as soon as pos si ble to file a claimfor com pen sa tion: - by calling 1 888 810-2525 or

- through a nurse who will open a compensationfile for you during your stay in a hospital offeringthis service;

• Noti fy your insu rer of any pro per ty dama ge cau sed.

Should you

be injured

in a road

accident...

Call:

1 888 810-2525

The public plan administered by theSAAQ covers all Quebecers injured ina road accident wherever the mishap

occurs, regardless of fault.

For information or to claim compensation, telephone the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec.

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The Société will pro vi de the forms and expla na to ry docu men -ta tion nee ded to file a claim for com pen sa tion. The Claim forCompensation is also avai la ble in SAAQ ser vi ce cen tres.

The Société pro vi des help free of charge to assist in preparinga claim. A Société repre sen ta ti ve could go to an acci dent victim’shome to help com ple te the form and sub mit the docu ments.

If information relating to a compensation claim is gathered ina hospital by a nurse, he or she will transmit the information tothe Société electronically.

If a dri ver is invol ved in a col li sion with an inani ma te object,an ani mal wei ghing over 25 kg or an unoc cu pied vehi cle, and theowner of the dama ged pro per ty or his/her repre sen ta ti ve is notat the scene of the acci dent or near by, the driver must contactthe nea rest poli ce sta tion imme dia te ly to report the acci dent andgive the above infor ma tion.

Failure to com ply is punis ha ble by a fine.

AT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT

The first moto rist to arri ve at the scene of an acci dent must:

• park his/her vehi cle on the shoul der, some thir ty metresaway;

• warn other road users of the acci dent by tur ning on theemer gen cy or hazard lights. Fla res can be very use ful forthis;

• ask peo ple to take up posi tions at a rea so na ble dis tan cefrom the site of the col li sion, in the best loca tion to warntraf fic in all direc tions;

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• turn off the igni tion of the cars invol ved in the acci dentand see that no one smo kes becau se of the dan ger of fireor explo sion;

• look to see if anyo ne has been inju red and admi nis ter firstaid if capa ble. Other wi se, hand ling the inju red must beavoi ded;

• report the acci dent by tele pho ne to the nea rest poli cesta tion, spe ci fying to the best of one’s ability the loca tionof the acci dent, and the num ber of inju red vic tims anddama ged vehi cles.

Never move an inju red per son unless there is immi nent dan gerof fire or col li sion with ano ther vehi cle.

FIRST AID

A pru dent dri ver should always have a first-aid kit in the vehi cleand fol low these instruc tions:

• Injuries: while awai ting the arri val of ambu lan ce atten -dants or a phy si cian, stop the flow of blood throughpres su re applied with a pad, a thumb or a hand, if qua li fiedto do so. Cover the inju ry with a clean dres sing and astur dy ban da ge. If neces sa ry, apply a tour ni quet.

• Burns: use a clean dres sing to pro tect the bur ned areafrom expo su re to the air and cover with a ban da ge. Neverbreak blis ters or remo ve a victim’s clo thing.

• Other pre cau tions: keep the vic tim warm and com for ta bleunder a blan ket. Do not give any thing to eat or drink to anacci dent vic tim who is uncon scious or could be blee dinginter na ly. Otherwise, wet the person’s lips and give sweetwarm tea or cof fee, a litt le at a time.

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CHAPTER6OFFENCESANDFINES

T heQuébecstatutegoverningtrafficmattersiscalledtheHighwaySafetyCode.Drivers

shouldknowthatpaymentofafineisequivalenttoanadmissionofguilt;failuretopaycanleadtoprosecutionbeforethecourts.

Inadditiontofinesforspecificviolations,demeritpointsmaybeenteredonadriver’srecord.

ThefollowingtableshowssomeHighwaySafetyCode offencesandcorrespondingfinesforpassengervehicledrivers.

OFFENCESANDFINES*

LICENCESTODRIVE

OFFENCE FINE

Failuretocarryone’sdriver’slicence,learner’slicence,probationarylicenceorrestrictedlicence

Failure on the part of a licence holder toinformtheSociétéwithin30daysofachangeofaddress

Knowinglygivingfalseormisleadinginfor-mationonalicenceapplication

Drivingavehicleonapublicroadwaywithoutholdingalicenceofthecorrespondingclass

$30to$60

$60to$100

$300to$600

$300to$600

*Inadditiontothecostofafine,offendersarerequiredtopayapplicableadministrativefees,sub-jecttochange,whicharedeterminedonthebasisoftheamountofafine.Offendersmustalsopayamandatorycontributionof$10tothecrimevictims’assistanceprogram(Indemnisationdesvic-timesd’actescriminels).

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Drivingavehicledespitea revokedorsus-pendedlicence,orsuspensionoftherighttoobtain a licence, for a reason other thandemeritpointsoradriving-relatedcriminaloffence

Drivingorhavingcustodyofavehicleafterhaving consumed alcohol, if the person isundertheageof25orifhe/shehasheldforlessthanfiveyearsalearner’slicence,proba-tionarylicence,licenceforamopedorscooter(class6D)orfarmtractor(class8)

Allowingvehicleoperationbysomeonewhodoesnotholdalicenceofthecorrespondingclass or who is under penalty for anotherCriminalCodeoffence

Drivingavehicledespitea revokedorsus-pendedlicence,orsuspensionoftherighttoobtainalicence,duetoanaccumulationofdemeritpoints

Drivingavehicledespitea revokedorsus-pendedlicence,orsuspensionoftherighttoobtain a licence, due to a conviction for adriving-relatedcriminaloffence

VEHICLEREGISTRATIONFailingtocarryone’sregistrationcertificate,certificateof liability insuranceorof finan-cialresponsibility,proofofthedurationofavehicleloadoracopyoftheleasecontract

Failureon thepartof the registeredownerto inform the Société within 30 days of achangeofaddress

$300to$600

$300to$600

$300to$600

$600to$2,000

$1,500to$3,000

$60to$100

$60to$100

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Operatingamotorvehiclefittedwithalicenceplatecorrespondingtoanotherclassofvehicleoronethatwasissuedforanothervehicle

Installingan imitation licenceplateoronethatwasissuedforanothervehicle

Failure to return one’s licence plate to theSociétéfollowingregistrationsuspension

Fabricationofafalselicenceplate

VEHICLESANDACCESSORIESOperatingamotorvehiclethatisnotingoodcondition

Operatingamotorvehiclethatisnotequippedwithtworearviewmirrors

Operatingamotorvehicleoracombinationofvehiclesthatisnotequippedwithatleastonebrakesystemingoodworkingorder

Operatingamotorvehicleonapublicroadwaythatisequippedwithsubstandardtires

Operatingamotorvehicleonwhichthebrakesystemhasbeenmodifiedoralteredtoreduceitseffectiveness

Removingoralteringaseatbelt,orrenderingituseless

Deactivatinganairbag

Operatingamotorvehicleequippedwitharadardetector

$200to$300

$200to$300

$300to$2,000

$600to$2,000

$60to$100

$100to$200

$100to$200

$200to$300

$200to$300

$200to$300

$300to$600

$500to$1,000

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Modifying,defacing,renderingillegible,replac-ingorremovingavehicle’sidentificationnumber without prior authorization fromtheSociété

TRAFFICFailuretouseaturn-signallighttosignaltheintentiontopassanothervehicle

Brakingsuddenlywithoutreason

Leavingachildunderage7unsupervisedinamotorvehicle

Failuretouselowbeamswithin150metresofanoncomingvehicle,thevehicleaheadoronasufficientlylightedroad

Drivingamotorvehicleonapublicroadwaywithoutwearingaproperlyfastenedseatbelt

Drivingwhileusingadeviceequippedwithatelephonefunction

Drivingamotorvehiclewithapassengerunderage16whoisnotsecuredbyaseatbeltorrestraintdevicethatmeetsstandards

Failuretoyieldtherightofwaytoapedestrianfacingagreenlightorcrossingonawhiteorflashingpedestriansignal

Following another vehicle at an unsafe orunreasonablyclosedistance

Failure toobey traffic controldevicesonapublicroadway

Increasing one’s speed when being passedorabouttobepassed

Zigzaggingtoovertakevehicles

$600to$2,000

$30to$60

$30to$60

$60to$100

$60to$100

$80to$100

$80to$100

$80to$100

$100to$200

$100to$200

$100to$200

$200to$300

$200to$300

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Passingabicycle in thesametraffic lanewithoutsufficientspacetodososafely

Passing on the right, except to overtake avehiclemakingaleftturnoravehicleabouttoexit

Crossingasolidlinetoovertakeavehicle

Failuretostopmorethanfivemetresawayfromaschoolbusorminibuswhenitsflashinglightsareoperating

Failuretostopineitherdirectionforaschoolbusorminibuswhenits flashinglightsareoperating

Drinkingalcoholinamotorvehicle:•driver•passenger

Operatingamotorvehicleforawager,stakeorracewithanothervehicle,otherthaninarallyapprovedundertheActrespectingsafetyinsports.

$200to$300

$200to$300

$200to$300

$200to$300

$200to$300

$300to$600$200to$300

$300to$600

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SPEEDINGUnsafespeedoranactliabletoendangerlife,propertyorpublicsafety $300to$600

FinedependingonoffenceOffence Fines

Ifyoudrive1to20km/h overthespeedlimit

$15,plus$10foreachadditional5km/habovethespeedlimit $15to$55

If you drive 21 to 30km/h over the speedlimit

$15,plus$15foreachadditional5km/habovethespeedlimit $75to$105


$15,plus$20foreachadditional5km/habovethespeedlimit $135to$195*


$15,plus$25foreachadditional5km/habovethespeedlimit $240to$315*

Ifyoudrive61km/horover thespeedlimit

$15,plus$30foreachadditional5km/habovethespeedlimit $375andover*

Drivingtoofastforweatherortrafficconditions

$60to$100fine

* SinceApril 1, 2008, fines have doubled for drivers who commit an excessivespeedingoffence.Ifyouarefoundguiltyofanexcessivespeedingoffenceandhave3ormorepreviousconvictionsforexcessivespeedingwithinthelast10yearsofthedateofafirstconviction,finesaretripled.

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OFFENCE FINE

Example1

Speedlimit:50km/hRecordedspeed:75km/hExcess:25km/hFine: $15+$75=$90

Exampleofexcessivespeeding

Speedlimit:70km/hRecordedspeed:120km/hExcess:50km/hFine: $15+$300=$315

MECHANICALINSPECTIONPuttingavehicleinneedofminorrepairsbackontheroadafter48hourswithoutprovingitmeetsHighwaySafetyCode standards

PuttingavehicleinneedofmajorrepairbackontheroadwithoutprovingitmeetsHighwaySafetyCode standards

MOTORCYCLES,MOPEDSANDSCOOTERSCarryingapassengerifadriverisunderage16(mopedandmotorizedscooter)

Failuretoremainseatedwhileridingortoholdontothehandlebarsatalltimes

Failuretowearahelmet

$100to$200

$300to$600

$30to$60

$80to$100

(5X$15)

(10X$30)

$100

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Failuretorideinstaggeredformationwhentravellingasapairorgroup

Ridingbetweentwolanesofvehiclesmovinginthesamedirection

BICYCLESRiding abicycle withoutmandatory acces-sories,orwithoutawhitereflectoratthefrontandaredtail-lightatnight

Failuretorideastrideabicycleornotholdingontothehandlebars

Ridingabicyclebetweentwolanesofvehiclesmovinginthesamedirection

Carryingapassengeronabicyclenotequippedwithadesignedseatforthatpurpose

Failuretoridesinglefilewhentravellingasapairorgroup

Failuretotravelonthefarright-handsideoftheroadway,withtheflowoftraffic

Failure to obey traffic rules or traffic signsandsignals

Failuretorideonacyclepathorlanethatispartoftheroadway

Modifying,defacing,makingillegible,replacingorremovingabicycle’sidentificationnumberwithoutpriorauthorizationfromtheSociété

$15to$30

$15to$30

$15to$30

$15to$30

$30to$60

$15to$30

$15to$30

$15to$30

$15to$30

$100to$200

$100to$200

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Wearingheadphonesorearphoneswhilecycling

Holdingontoamovingpower-assistedbicycleorbeingpulledbyone

Ridingapower-assistedbicycleonapublicroadwaywhenunderage18withoutalicenceauthorizingtheuseofamopedorscooterorfailingtorespecttheconditionsandrestric-tionsofthislicence

Failuretowearahelmetwhileridingapower-assisted bicycleonapublicroadway

Ridingapower-assistedbicyclethatfailstocomplywiththeMotorVehicleSafetyActandtheHighwaySafetyCode onapublicroadway

FOOTSCOOTERSFailure to equip a foot scooter with thenecessarybrakesystem

Useofafootscooteratnightthatisnotequipped with the necessary reflectors orreflectivematerialorfailuretowearclothingoranaccessoryonwhichreflectivematerialhasbeenaffixed

PEDESTRIANSFailuretoobeytrafficsignsorsignals

Crossinga public roadwayother thanatnearby intersectionorpedestriancrosswalk

$15to$30

$25to$50

$15to$30

$15to$30

$100to$200

$100to$200

$100to$200

$30to$60

$30to$60

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INDEX

A

Accident– at the scene of an accident, 254– driver involved, 31– first aid, 255– hit-and-run, 252– liability insurance, 23, 64, 233– what to do if injured in an accident,

248

Address– change of address, 24, 67

Air Bags, 71, 192

Alcohol– driving prohibition, 37, 40, 44– ignition interlock, 20, 21, 35, 38,

39, 40, 41, 42, 43– penalties, 36, 43, 51, 52, 263– restricted licence, 3, 34, 37, 40– zero alcohol, 18, 36, 37, 43, 44

Animal crossing, 223

Attitude, 46

Automobile insurance– cases of exclusion, 249 – compensation, 250, 251– in Québec, 252– liability insurance, 23, 64– non-residents, 249– outside Québec, 248– right of challenge, 251

Autospection, 78 to 81

B

Bicycles– compulsory accessories, 226– cycling rules, 227– electric, 229– equipment and accessories, 226– offences and fines, 259

Bicycle paths– signs and signals, 180

Bodily injury and property

damage, 247 to 252

Bumpers, 74

Buses, 93, 98, 235, 237

C

Change of ownership, 67

Cell phone, 49, 50, 51

Child safety seat, 192

Compulsory features, 68

Compulsory accessories, 68

Criminal Code offence, 35, 259

Cyclist– see Bicycle

D

Demerit points, 29 to 34

Disabled persons, 220

Discarding a vehicle, 66

Driver’s licence – classes, 9– first licence, 4, 34– learner’s licence, 5, 6– licence with ignition interlock, 39– medical restrictions, 21– new residents, 25– non-residents, 26– offences and fines, 259 to 267– probationary licence, 8– renewal, 24– replacement, 24– requirements, 3 to 22– restricted licence relating to demerit

points, 34

Driving prohibition– during a penalty period, 43– for a bet or a race, 221– in areas during an emergency, 196– with more passengers than lawful,

221

Drugs, 35, 47, 54

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INDEX

E

Excessive speeding, 29, 264, 265

Emergency vehicle, 14, 212, 231,235, 237

Exhaust system, 72, 73, 79, 239,241

F

Fatigue, 49

Fenders, 74

Field of vision, 47

Fines– for driving during a penalty period43

– unpaid, 27, 28, 42

First aid, 255Following distance, 180Forest road, 232

H

Handicapped persons, 220

Headlights, 48, 70, 72, 237– fog lights, 72, 208

Headrest, 80, 193

Health and driving, 20

Heavy vehicles– blind spots, 215, 216– other obligations, 224, 237– requirements, 11 to 13– sharing the road, 215, 239– specific rules concerning buses, 237 – rules, 235 to 239

Hit-and-run– accident off a public roadway, 239– accident with property damage, 252

Horn, 72

Horseback riding, 72, 223

I

Identification– mandatory number, 68

Illness, 20, 22

In reverse, 214

Insolvency, 252

L

Lane– use, 194 to 197

Level crossings, 139, 140, 213,214

Licence classes, 9 to 19– changing to a higher class, 10

Licence plates– affixing, 64– replacement, 64

Lighting– automobiles, 69– bus, minibus used to carry schoolchildren, 70

– heavy vehicle, bus, 69, 70 – tractor-trailer, 69

Lines, arrows and symbols, 96

Lines marking lane divisions, 194 to 196

M

Mechanical inspection, 75 to 77

Medication, 54, 250

Modifying a vehicle, 75

Mopeds and scooters– lights and signal lights, 69 – operator’s licence, 19– operator’s rules, 230, 231

Motorcycles– lights and signal lights, 69– offences and fines, 265– licence, 16 to 19– operator’s rules, 230

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INDEX

N

Natural gas, 75, 179

O

Objects, obstacles– on a public roadway, 223

Off-road vehicle– basic rules, 240– traffic rules, 242, 243

Offences and fines, 259 to 267– bicycles, 266– driver’s licence, 259– electric bicycle, 266– equipment and mechanical condi-tion, 261

– mechanical inspection, 265– motorcycles, mopeds, and scoot-ers, 265

– pedestrians, 267– registration, 260, 261– traffic, 262, 263

P

Parking permit, 220– for disabled persons, 220

Parking– obligations, 218– prohibited, 219– reserved spaces for disabled per-sons, 220Passing, 30, 31, 94, 115, 175, 182,194, 197, 199, 200, 201, 202, 214,262, 263– passing prohibited, 198

Pavement markings, 94 to 99– colour, 95– function, 94– lines, arrows, symbols, 96

Pedestrians– offences and fines, 267– mandatory identification, 224– restrictions, 225– safety tips, 226

Penalties– impaired driving, 36, 37, 38, 43,44, 45, 50

Periodic inspection, 78 to 81

Physical condition, 48

Propane, 75, 118, 179

Purchase of a vehicle– from a dealer, 67– from an individual, 67– trade-in, 67

R

Radar detector, 72, 223, 261

Rallies, 219

Rearview mirrors, 73, 78, 215, 216

Registration– annual payment, 66– change of ownership, 67– conditions, 64– cost, 63– in general, 61– obtaining, 63– offences and fines, 259– parking identification for the dis-abled, 220

– refusal by the Société, 69– reimbursement, 67– vehicle exempt, 62

Restrictions– concerning vehicles, 222– on the use of public roadways,223

Right of challenge, 45, 251

Road signs and traffic signals, 85 to 187– categories, 102, 103, 104– designation and meaning, 106– Highway Safety Code provisions,187

– information signs, 160 to 179

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– regulatory signs, 106 to 127– road work signs, 150 to 159– warning signs, 128 to 149

S

Sale of a vehicle– to a dealer, 67

School buses, 212– driver’s obligations, 22– obligation in the presence of, 212

School zones, 101, 141, 198

Scooter, 230, 231

Seat belts, 118, 191, 192, 233– alteration, 71

Signal lights, 85 to 93

Signalling intentions, 207

Snowmobiles – basic rules, 239

Space reserved for disabled persons, – parking permits, 220, 221

Speed limits, 108, 130, 198, 217,231, 239, 264

Speeding– offences and fines, 264

Speedometer, 74

Speedometer and odometer, 74

Squealing tires, 222

Stopping– near a disabled access ramp, 219– obligation, 218– prohibited, 218

T

Televisions, 223

Tests– knowledge, 4 to 6

– road, 7 – upgrade, 10

Tires, 74, 79, 261

Tires for winter driving, 76, 261

Towing, 16, 42, 175, 223

Traffic rules, 191 to 243

Turns– left turn, 204, 205– on a red light, 207– right turn, 203

V

Vehicle exchange, 67

Vehicle identification number, 68

Vehicle seizure, 28, 42, 44

Vehicle storage, 66

Vision, 46– night, 48– stereoscopic, 47

Visual acuity, 47

W

Portable music player, 222, 228

Windshield and windows, 74, 79

Y

Yielding the right of way, 87, 88,106, 107, 128, 129, 139, 196, 208to 211, 260

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The Driver's Handbook provides key information

on:

• driving

• driver's licences

• vehicle registration

• traffic rules

• requirements on vehicles and features

• Québec road signs and traffic signals

• insurance coverage and what to do in the

event of an accident

This new edition includes important clarifica-

tions about new road safety measures that have

been in effect since 2008.

All road users, whether they be pedestrians,

cyclists, motor vehicle operators or passengers,

will find their rights and obligations set forth in

the Handbook.

There are other guides indispensable in

preparing for licence tests:

• Driving a Passenger Vehicle

• Driving a Heavy Vehicle

• Operating a Motorcycle

• Operating a Moped or Scooter

quebec drivers license handbook

Documents