Exploring Quebec by car — from Charlevoix to the Gaspé Peninsula by way of the Eastern Townships — is one of summer's great pleasures. Before you leave, two formalities deserve a newcomer's attention.
Your driver's licence. A foreign licence generally lets you drive in Quebec for the six months following your arrival. After that, you need a Quebec licence. According to the SAAQ, the exchange is done by appointment with the required documents; the agency then gets back to you within a set number of business days to confirm whether you can obtain a licence or have your driving experience recognized. Nationals of certain countries tied to Quebec by an agreement are exempt from the exams — check your situation on the SAAQ foreign-licence page.
A hop into the United States? Many routes run along the border, and crossing over is tempting. The safest document is a valid passport: the Government of Canada reminds travellers that a passport is the only universally accepted document proving your right to return to Canada. Note: a U.S. REAL ID card is not accepted for entering Canada.
Your immigration status matters on the way back. If you're not a Canadian citizen, make sure you have the documents needed to re-enter Canada after a trip out — for example a valid permanent resident card, or the appropriate authorization for your status. Check the list of accepted documents from the Canada Border Services Agency before planning a cross-border round trip.
Good to know for newcomers. Sort out the licence in your first months so you don't get stuck after the six-month window. And keep your travel documents handy: nothing ruins a road trip like a forced U-turn at the border.
