Quebec license requirements

[doobraap]

Hey all,  It's been a 10 years since I have ridden in Quebec due to other obligations and growing family.  Now that my son has become a proficient enough rider we wanted to do a ride around the Gaspe this month.  He has been dying to ride Quebec forever but needed to be 16 years old.    The issue is he is 17 years old without a drivers license...  When I looked last fall I though all he needed was a safety course card which he has from NH. But it looks like he needs a license as well.

I did see you can ride a snowmobile if you have a learners permit but I am not sure that extends to US residents as well.  NH does not give learners permits but he has passed Drivers Ed and all the other requirements but just has not taken the road test yet.

Anyone have any thoughts on the learners permit?  We would love to go if he is legal but I don't want to end up with a fine or worse..

 

 

[SnomoGary]

SNOWMOBILE OPERATOR'S PERMIT

What the law says

Under Section 16 of the Act respecting Off-highway vehicles, all snowmobile operators must be at least 16 years of age. In addition, 16 and 17 year old drivers must have a certificate of competency showing that they have the skills to operate a snowmobile in addition to holding a driver's licence.

The Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec has mandated the ConduiPro driving schools group to dispense this information and issue a certificate of competence to those candidates that have successfully completed the theoretical training course.   

For additional information, please visit the ConduiPro Web site or call 1-877-766-3443.

Attention ! In such instances where the snowmobile trail crosses a public roadway or utilises a road right-of-way, the operator must be the holder of a licence authorizing him under the Highway Safety Code to drive a road vehicle on such a roadway, regardless of his/her age. In addition to an automobile licence, the following permits are also authorized:

Mopeds or scooters (class 6D)
Probationary licence (class 5)
Tractor (class http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_dirol.gif

NB :  The learner’s licence is to be used under the same conditions as those that apply for its use on a roadway for motorcycles. For additional information, please visit : https://saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/drivers-licences/obtaining-licence/motorcycle-6a-6b-6c-6e/motorcycle-classes-6a-6b-6c?ADMCMD_prev=

For non-Quebec residents

Operators aged 16 and 17 years old must possess proof that they are legally entitled to operate an off-highway vehicle in their home jurisdiction in addition to holding a driver's licence. Please note that even in instances when the home state or province allows legal operation of a snowmobile to individuals aged below 16 years of age, driving a snowmobile in Quebec for anyone under 16 is strictly prohibited.

What you need before you leave

Your FCMQ trail permit

Your vehicle registration

Your driver's licence 

Proof of $1 000,000 liability insurance coverage

A rental contract (if the snowmobile is rented)

16 and 17 year old drivers must have a certificate of competency showing that they have the skills to operate a snowmobile in addition to holding a driver's licence (V-1.3).

[PLAYHARD]

Looks like, and makes sense, the law is now full DL for those trails that run roads.

But at the 6 or 8 police stops (and a bunch more club-warden stops) over the years, they're never asked our younger riders for anything more than the sled docs (registration & insurance & trail passes).

If there was ever a reason for a claim, like heaven forbid assessing accident liability, it could get sticky if an operator wasn't fully legit.

[doobraap]

The part that is grey in my eyes is QC residents can use a learners permit to ride as  which my son has. Not sure I want to be having that conversation trailside with the police who have a different opinion though.

 

[Je me souviens]

How the rules are applied and enforced varies largely by location.  If you plan on being in the bush you will be fine.  If you plan on riding around town you might encounter more resistance.  I noticed you are considering the Gaspe, that area seems to have a lot of trail pass checkpoints as compared to the upper mauricie region.  If I was in your shoes I would just doo it.  Bring the learners permit and the snowmobile safety course card and call it good.  It’s not like he’s 14, shit they will probably serve him at the bar.

[quebec bob]

How big is he… unless there is an accident… he’s going to keep his helmet on and his mouth shut..  mostly they want to see trail passes and registration… usually just trail pass papers and maybe check vin number on tunnel… obviously the real liability is in not having an accident… unfortunately that has you rely on all the other riders on the trail

[doobraap]

He's a typical skinny 17 year old but he certainly looks like he could drive.  I am not too worried about an accident since that would screw up the trip anyway.  an extra fine would just be icing on the cake 😞   My insurance should cover him regardless.  When I have rarely encountered officials on the trail all they wanted was to verify the trail pass too.    There is still an outside chance he can schedule a drivers test for next week and we will be 100%, provided he passes!!!  Ironically he has way more miles under his belt riding a sled than driving a car.