Beginner driving course in Montreal
The complete SAAQ Road Safety Education Program for new drivers: 12 theory classes on Zoom and 15 in-car sessions, in English or French, from our NDG and Guy–Concordia branches.
Who it’s for
- You have never held a driver’s licence and want to drive a car (class 5).
- You are 16 or older (you can start the theory classes a few weeks before your 16th birthday).
- You want one clear path from learner’s permit to the SAAQ road test, in the language you are most comfortable with.
- You hold a licence from a country with no SAAQ exchange agreement and must take the full course.
What’s included
Theory, live on Zoom
12 classes of two hours with a certified instructor, including team activities on road safety topics.
In-car driving
15 sessions of 55 minutes in an Omega school car, each with a briefing before and a debriefing after, plus your own self-evaluation.
To your learner’s permit
Phase 1 takes at least 28 days. Pass the 24-question exam in class and we give you the certificate the SAAQ asks for.
How our driving course works
Watch Tomik, owner of Omega Driving School, explain the course, the different phases and what to expect.
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How the course works: 4 phases
The SAAQ’s Road Safety Education Program has four phases. What you learn in class is put into practice step by step in the car, and regular evaluations show your progress, strengths and weak spots.
- Phase 1
Prerequisite for a learner’s permit
- One theory module a week for 5 weeks.
- Module 5 ends with a 24-question multiple-choice exam in class.
- Pass it and the school gives you a certificate to get your learner’s permit from the SAAQ.
- At the SAAQ service centre, you fill in a medical declaration and take an eye exam.
- Phase 2
Guided driving
- In-car sessions 1 and 2 cannot be combined.
- Phase 3
Semi-guided driving
- Sessions 5 and 10 are formative evaluations: you and your instructor review your strengths and the areas that need more practice.
- Two 55-minute sessions can be taken on the same day.
- Phase 4
Semi-guided to independent driving
- Session 15 is the summary session: your final evaluation before the road test, with your instructor’s comments for the final certificate. It cannot be combined with observation sessions.
Each phase, theory and in-car sessions, must be fully completed before the next one starts. Along the way you learn how speeding, alcohol, drugs and fatigue cause crashes and make them worse, and you finish by practising independent driving, making your own decisions behind the wheel.
Price, taxes & instalments
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Beginner course (24 h theory + 15 h in-car) | $1,130.00 |
| GST (5%) | $56.50 |
| QST (9.975%) | $112.72 |
| Total, taxes included | $1,299.22 |
| Payment plan | 6 instalments, $1,299.22 in total |
Tuition is $1,130.00 plus GST ($56.50) and QST ($112.72), for a total of $1,299.22. The 6 instalments add up to exactly $1,299.22, taxes included. SAAQ fees (knowledge test, road test, permit and licence) are paid directly to the SAAQ and are not included.
Instalment schedule
| When | Amount |
|---|---|
| Start of phase 1 | $250.00 |
| Start of phase 2 | $250.00 |
| Start of phase 3 | $199.81 |
| Halfway through phase 3 | $199.81 |
| Start of phase 4 | $199.81 |
| Halfway through phase 4 | $199.79 |
Next start dates
The date you select is your first class (Module 1). Phase 1 runs once a week for five consecutive weeks, on the same day and at the same time.
| Start date | Reserve |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. | Reserve |
| Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. | Reserve |
| Wednesday, December 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. | Reserve |
| Saturday, December 26, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. | Reserve |
After the course: SAAQ tests and your licence
- Complete all 4 phases and pass session 15, the school’s final evaluation, to get your final certificate.
- The SAAQ knowledge test and road test are taken at the end of the learning period: at least 10 months and 12 months, respectively, after you get your learner’s permit.
- Your final certificate lets you take the SAAQ road test.
- Pass the road test and you receive a two-year probationary licence.
How registration works
Send the online form
Choose your course, branch, language and schedule. It takes about two minutes.
Receive your confirmation email
A confirmation email will be sent to the email address you provided.
Join your first class
Zoom links are automatically sent to the email address provided. Please check your spam or junk folder as well.
Textbooks and course materials
- Road Access Binder
- Today’s Driver manual
$80 plus tax for the book package
Books must be picked up at one of our branches.
Homework
- Review what was covered in class.
- Read the Road Access Binder and the Today’s Driver manual.
- Use the Road Safety Education Program website (page 13 of the Road Access Binder).
- Check the SAAQ website.
Questions about this course
Do I need my learner’s permit before I start?
No. Phase 1 gets you there: five weekly theory classes, then a 24-question exam in class. Once you pass, we give you a certificate, and you get your learner’s permit at a SAAQ service centre after a medical declaration and an eye exam.
How long does the whole course take?
The four phases take at least 168 days (28 + 28 + 56 + 56), about six months. The SAAQ road test can only be taken at least 12 months after you get your learner’s permit, so most students take it about a year after finishing phase 1.
Can I take two in-car sessions on the same day?
In phase 3, yes: two 55-minute sessions can be booked the same day. Sessions 1 and 2 cannot be combined, and session 15 is taken on its own.
What do I need for the theory classes?
A computer, tablet or phone with Zoom, plus the Road Access Binder and the Today’s Driver manual.
Does the course include the road test car?
The road test itself is booked with the SAAQ. You can rent an Omega car for it: see SAAQ Exam Car Rental.
Ready to start driving?
Register online in about two minutes, or call the branch nearest you.