2023-11-09 05:00:00
A man failed his theoretical driving test for heavy goods vehicles more than 70 times in four years, according to data from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) obtained by our Bureau of Investigation.
• Read also: “It doesn’t make sense”: a Quebec woman failed the theoretical driving test 120 times
“It’s quite surprising,” exclaims the director of the Montreal Road Training Center (CFRM), Laetitia Debrun. She admits that she has never seen such numbers before.
Laeticia Debrun, director of the Montreal Driver Training Center, is surprised that an apprentice truck driver failed the SAAQ exam 70 times. Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
The man, who is now in his fifties, completed his tests in Montreal. His first attempt dates back to 2019.
A truck driver can retake the exam within seven days following a failure.
Other cases are similar. Another fifty-year-old is making his 68th attempt.
In total, at least three people took their multiple choice test more than 60 times.
For the practical test, two men failed their driving course 11 times in the company of an SAAQ evaluator.
No compulsory course
In Quebec, no education is required before taking a driving test to obtain a class 1 license.
“The current absence of mandatory training for driving heavy vehicles may explain the number of attempts at theoretical exams by certain candidates,” says Gino Desrosiers, media relations coordinator and spokesperson at the SAAQ.
“It is absolutely necessary to have compulsory training,” believes the director of the CFRM.
She wants an apprenticeship of at least 100 hours to be imposed on Quebec truckers, as is the case in Ontario.
Last August, the Minister of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault, announced her desire to make education compulsory for apprentice truck drivers in her Road Safety Action Plan.
“The establishment of compulsory training […] will better prepare candidates for the safe driving of such vehicles, and therefore, for passing the exams,” reiterates Mr. Desrosiers.
No better for buses
As for bus drivers, a fifty-year-old from the Montreal region has failed his theoretical exam 37 times in six years.
At least four people passed the SAAQ computers more than 30 times to test their driving skills.
“For our part, we have never seen this,” confesses Isabelle Debrun.
People have already passed the theoretical exam after more than 30 failures, specifies the SAAQ.
Last September, our Bureau of Investigation revealed that a woman failed her theoretical driving test for vehicles 120 times.
The 5 biggest chess numbers at the exam
51 to 55 years: 71 times 56 to 60 years: 68 times 61 to 65 years: 61 times 36 to 40 years: 59 times 41 to 45 years: 46 times
Source: SAAQ
Should we impose a limit?
The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) is considering measures to take towards drivers who take their driving test too often.
“The monitoring and reflection work is carried out by SAAQ employees,” explains Gino Desrosiers, media relations coordinator and spokesperson for the state corporation.
The SAAQ did not want to be more precise on this subject.
“Rest assured that road safety remains the Company’s priority,” said Marie-Claude Thibault, responsible for administrative support and responder to complaints at the SAAQ, in responding to our request for access to information.
Welcome news
The director of the Montreal Road Training Center (CFRM), Laetitia Debrun, is in favor of the SAAQ imposing a limit on attempts for a given period.
This will allow people to study more before making an attempt without having done the necessary work, adds Ms. Debrun.
Photo Pierre-Paul Poulin
Marc Thompson, general director of the Association of Driving Schools of Quebec, is also in favor of limiting exams. However, he is concerned about the legal aspect of the initiative.
“Do you have the right to prevent someone from trying to get their driving test as many times as they need to? I think it’s going to be difficult to prevent that,” Mr. Thompson wonders.
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