Frequently asked questions

» Why was the Graduated Driver's Licensing program implemented?

» What are incidents and interruptions?

» How long do new drivers spend in each stage?

» Why does the last 12 months in Novice Stage 2 need to be incident free?

» Is there a cost to move from stage to stage?

» What is the earliest a person can graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver’s licence?

» What are the rules around drinking and driving for the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program?

» What are the education requirements for the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program?

» How do I obtain a driver's licence if I have not completed driver training through a Saskatchewan high school driver education program?

Why was the Graduated Driver's Licensing program implemented?

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury and death among Saskatchewan's new drivers.

New drivers, regardless of their age, are over-represented in collisions. New drivers under 21 are involved in approximately 24 at-fault collisions per 100 drivers. That compares to new drivers over 21 who have 14 at-fault collisions per 100 drivers. For all Saskatchewan drivers, regardless of age or experience, there are approximately seven at-fault collisions per 100 drivers.

What are incidents and interruptions?

Incidents are at-fault collisions, licence suspensions and traffic convictions. Interruptions are when you do not have a valid driver’s licence such as forgetting to renew your driver’s licence.

The Learner’s licence must be valid for 274 days (nine months). The Class 5 Novice 1 driver’s licence must be valid for 183 days (six months). Class 5 Novice 2 driver’s licence must be valid for 365 days (one year) with no incidents (at-fault collisions, licence suspensions and traffic convictions).

How long do new drivers spend in each stage?

The Learner stage is nine months, Novice 1 is six months and Novice 2 is 12 months.

After passing the Learner road test, Novice drivers spend a minimum of 18 months in the Novice stage, and it is mandatory that the last 12 months are at-fault collision and traffic conviction free to exit the program and graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver's licence. If a driver in Novice 2 has an at-fault collision, traffic conviction or licence suspension, they restart their 12 months incident-free period.

Is there a cost to move from stage to stage?

The only cost is the normal licence renewal fee or $10 class change from a Learner class to a class 5 licence.

What is the earliest a person can graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver’s licence?

If they have a valid driver’s licence and they do not have any at-fault collisions, traffic tickets or licence suspensions for 18 months, new drivers will graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver’s licence. Under Graduated Driver’s Licensing, new drivers earn more driving privileges as they gain more experience and show they can handle the increased risk.

In fact, with a good driving record you can get your driver’s licence faster under the Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program. Drivers who demonstrate they are defensive drivers with no infractions will graduate to an experienced Class 5 driver’s licence in 18 months. The Probationary Drivers Program was 24 months and it increased to 36 months after two low-risk traffic convictions or one high-risk conviction.

Why does the last 12 months in Novice Stage 2 need to be incident free?

To ensure that drivers who graduate from the Graduated Driver's Licensing program have demonstrated safe driving habits and to help encourage new drivers to develop good driving habits.

Graduated Driver's Licensing will continue to have zero tolerance for drinking and driving (as the Probationary Drivers Licence program had). Zero tolerance means no alcohol can be consumed before driving.

What are the education requirements for the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program?

The learner must complete High School Driver Education or six hours in-class and six hours in-car driver training.

How do I obtain a driver's licence if I have not completed driver training through a Saskatchewan high school driver education program?

The mandatory Driver Education program in Saskatchewan consists of six hours in-car and six hours in-class instruction for everyone who has not completed driver training through a Saskatchewan high school driver education program.