Permis PrêtSAAQ Class 5 knowledge test: how many questions?
What the SAAQ officially says about the test format, and what it leaves out.
Short answer: the SAAQ does not publish the total number of questions or how they are split between sections. What it does publish: the test has three sections, uses multiple-choice questions only, takes 30 to 60 minutes, and you need 75% in each of the three sections.
Three sections, marked separately
The Class 5 knowledge test is based on the Road Safety Education Program and is divided into three parts (SAAQ, “Preparing for the knowledge and road tests”):
| Section | Typical topics |
|---|---|
| Highway Safety Code | licences, demerit points, alcohol, right of way, speed limits |
| Road signs and traffic signals | signs, traffic lights, pavement markings |
| Behaviours and techniques for driving a passenger vehicle | scanning, following distance, winter and night driving, emergencies |
The SAAQ’s handbook, the Guide de la route, describes the goal: checking that you can apply what you know about the rules, signs and safe behaviour to different situations (Guide de la route, ch. 1).
Pass mark: 75% in every section
There is no overall average. Each section has to reach 75% on its own, so a strong score on signs cannot make up for a weak score on the Code. If you fail a section, you only retake that section, after waiting at least 28 days, and a fee applies each time (SAAQ, “Auto (classe 5)” and “Preparing for the knowledge and road tests”; Guide de la route, ch. 1).
What is published, and what is not
| Item | Published by the SAAQ? |
|---|---|
| Number of sections | Yes: three |
| Question type | Yes: multiple choice only |
| Pass mark | Yes: 75% in each section |
| Length | Yes: 30 to 60 minutes |
| Fee | Yes: $13.50 on the page checked on 2026-10-28 |
| Total number of questions | No, not on the official pages we checked |
| Questions per section | No |
You will see exact counts on unofficial websites. We don’t repeat them, because neither the SAAQ’s pages nor the Guide de la route give them. That is why the Permis Prêt mock exam lets you set the number of questions per section: the default (16 / 16 / 32) is a practical choice, not an official figure.
Before you book
- Eligibility: you need to have held your learner’s licence for at least 10 months and to have an appointment (Guide de la route, ch. 1).
- Languages: French or English; on request on the day, Modern Standard Arabic, Spanish or Mandarin. An interpreter can be arranged for a fee (SAAQ, “Preparing for the knowledge and road tests”).
- What you can bring: only SAAQ-supplied material and a paper dictionary with no pictures or notes. Phones, smart watches and other devices are not allowed. Cheating means an automatic fail and a 90-day wait (180 days if it happens again).
- Picture questions: the SAAQ publishes a “Guide visuel pour les examens théoriques” showing the symbols used in illustrated situations (vehicle lights, speed, weather and so on).
Key points for the test
- Three sections, 75% required in each.
- The total number of questions is not officially published.
- At least 10 months with a learner’s licence before the test.
- If you fail: 28-day wait, failed sections only.
Original questions with explanations and sources, “Highway Safety Code” section.
Practise for free
See also
- Retaking the knowledge test: how long to wait?
- Demerit points on a learner’s licence
- Québec road signs and what they mean
Official sources
- SAAQ, “Preparing for the knowledge and road tests” (checked 2026-10-28)
- SAAQ, “Auto (classe 5)” (French), “Examen théorique” section
- SAAQ, “Guide visuel pour les examens théoriques” (PDF)
- SAAQ, Guide de la route (driver’s handbook, French 4th ed., 2024), ch. 1, “La réussite de l’examen théorique”
General information page, current as of 2026-10-28. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.