You have received a letter from the SAAQ asking you to submit a medical examination report within 30 days. You are a professional driver and need to renew your Class 1 license. You are 80 years old and your right to drive is conditional on an annual medical check-up. In each of these cases, the procedure is the same: find a doctor or specialized nurse practitioner, have the prescribed form completed, and send it to the SAAQ before the deadline. This guide explains who is involved, how it works, which professionals can fill out the form, and how to get an appointment quickly - even without a family doctor.<\/p>\n
In Quebec, driving a road vehicle is a privilege, not a right. The SAAQ is the authority responsible for ensuring that all licensed drivers are medically fit to drive safely. The purpose of the medical examination is not to treat the patient - it's to assess whether his or her state of health is compatible with driving a road vehicle. This is why this service is not covered by RAMQ: it is not medical care, but a professional attestation related to obtaining or maintaining a privilege.<\/p>\n
The SAAQ may request a medical examination report in a number of different situations. Some drivers are subject to mandatory periodic check-ups because of their age or class of license. Others receive an ad hoc request following a report, a declared health problem, a serious offence, or a previous medical assessment that led to specific conditions. In all cases, the driver is given a period of time - usually 30 days - to submit the completed form to an authorized professional. After this period, the driver's license or right to obtain one may be suspended.<\/p>\n
Class 1, 2, 3, 4A and 4B licence holders<\/strong><\/p>\n Professional drivers - truckers, bus drivers, emergency vehicle operators and cab drivers - are subject to compulsory medical examinations at intervals defined by the SAAQ. These examinations take place at the following ages: 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 45, then at 48, 51, 54, 55, 57, 60, 63 and 65, and every year thereafter. The form must be completed and submitted before the relevant anniversary date to avoid any interruption in the validity of the license. For drivers operating in the USA, specific checks apply in accordance with US regulations.<\/p>\n Drivers aged 80 and over<\/strong><\/p>\n From the age of 80, every Quebec driver's license holder must undergo a medical and visual examination every two years. The SAAQ sends out a notice with the required forms six months before the relevant anniversary date. The driver must have the medical form completed by a physician or specialized nurse practitioner, and the visual form by an optometrist or ophthalmologist, then forward both reports to the SAAQ before the deadline.<\/p>\n 75-year-old drivers - the self-declaration process<\/b><\/p>\n Since December 2021, drivers aged 75 must complete a self-declaration form for diseases and functional deficits. This form initially replaces the full medical examination report. If medical conditions are declared, the SAAQ may then require a complementary medical and\/or visual examination report. Drivers declaring no medical conditions need not consult a physician.<\/p>\n Drivers with a declared or reported medical condition<\/strong><\/p>\n A driver with a medical condition likely to affect his or her ability to drive - insulin-dependent diabetes, epilepsy, cardiovascular disease, visual disorders, psychiatric problems, use of medication affecting alertness - may receive a request for a medical report at any time. Similarly, a report to the SAAQ by a healthcare professional or a third party may trigger a mandatory medical assessment. Any doctor who deems a person unfit to drive is protected by law from making a declaration to the SAAQ, without needing the patient's consent.<\/p>\n The SAAQ medical examination report - officially entitled \u00abRapport sur l'\u00e9tat de sant\u00e9\u00bb - is a multi-page form that the health professional fills out during the consultation. It covers all the patient's medical history likely to influence his or her ability to drive: cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, psychiatric problems, diabetes, functional limitations, dyspnea, and any other condition deemed relevant. The professional also indicates whether further assessment is required, and whether, in his or her opinion, the patient is fit, fit with conditions, or unfit to drive.<\/p>\n The form can be completed by a physician or a specialized nurse practitioner (SNP). Clinique Omicron has doctors and SPNs who can complete this type of report - without the patient needing a family doctor. Once completed and signed, the report can be forwarded to the SAAQ electronically via SAAQclic, by post to their medical assessment department, or in person at an SAAQ point of service. The responsibility for transmission lies with the driver, not the clinic.<\/p>\n The eye examination is a separate component of the medical evaluation. It must be performed by an optometrist who is a member of the Ordre des optom\u00e9tristes du Qu\u00e9bec or by an ophthalmologist - not by a general practitioner or an IPS. Clinique Omicron does not perform optometric examinations; for this part, the driver must make a separate appointment with an optometrist. Both forms - medical and visual - must be submitted to the SAAQ before the deadline indicated in the letter received.<\/p>\n The SAAQ medical examination is not a service covered by RAMQ. It is a professional attestation related to obtaining or maintaining a privilege, not medical care. The physician or IPS is therefore free to bill for this service at his or her own rates. In practice, rates vary by professional and clinic - depending on the complexity of the medical file and the time required to complete the form, which can be as long as four pages of detailed questions. Consult cliniqueomicron.ca\/rates\/ or call 514-606-3350 for rates applicable to each point of service.<\/p>\n This type of consultation is generally not reimbursed by extended health insurance plans, as it does not constitute medical care. That said, it may qualify as a medical expense on your provincial and federal income tax returns - check with your accountant depending on your situation.<\/p>\n When the SAAQ sends a request for a medical report, a deadline is included in the letter - usually 30 days from the date of receipt. It's crucial not to wait. Finding an available doctor, scheduling the appointment, obtaining the completed form, and forwarding it to the SAAQ can take several days. If the report is not submitted by the deadline, the SAAQ may suspend the driver's license or the right to obtain one, which can have serious consequences for the driver's professional and personal life.<\/p>\n The SAAQ provides for the possibility of requesting an extension in certain circumstances, via SAAQclic. If you have received a letter and are unable to meet the initial deadline, contact SAAQ immediately to find out about the conditions for a delay. Requesting a delay does not automatically suspend proceedings - act quickly.<\/p>\n If you don't have a family doctor, or if your doctor is not available within the required timeframe, Clinique Omicron offers this service at its points of service on Quebec's South Shore. Our doctors and specialized nurse practitioners are qualified to fill out the SAAQ medical examination form - health report - for all categories of drivers: regular license, classes 1 to 4B, senior drivers, or drivers with a medical condition under surveillance.<\/p>\n Bring your SAAQ form (provided in the letter you receive), your current prescriptions, a list of your medications, and any relevant medical documentation to facilitate the assessment. The consultation is usually completed in a single visit. The form is given to you or sent directly to you, and you are responsible for getting it to the SAAQ before the deadline.<\/p>\n Book an appointment directly on cliniqueomicron.ca or by telephone at 514-606-3350. Specify that this is a medical examination for the SAAQ so that the administrative team can reserve the appropriate slot and type of consultation.<\/p>\n Q : I don't have a family doctor. Can I have my SAAQ form filled out at a clinic?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Yes. You do not need a family physician for this service. Any physician or specialized nurse practitioner can complete the SAAQ form. Clinique Omicron accepts patients without a family physician for this type of consultation. Book an appointment online or by phone and specify your needs.<\/p>\n Q : Can an IPS fill out the SAAQ medical form?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Yes. The SAAQ accepts medical examination reports signed by a specialized nurse practitioner (SPN), in the same way as a physician. Clinique Omicron has SPNs authorized to complete this form.<\/p>\n Q : How long does the SAAQ medical examination take?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: The duration varies according to the complexity of the medical file. For a healthy driver with little history, the consultation is generally short. For a patient with several medical conditions, it may take longer, as the form contains up to four pages of detailed questions. We recommend that you bring all your medical documents with you to avoid an additional appointment.<\/p>\n Q : Is the SAAQ medical examination covered by RAMQ?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: No. This service is not medical care - it's a professional attestation linked to a privilege. It is billable directly to the patient and is not reimbursed by RAMQ. Fees vary by professional and clinic. Consult cliniqueomicron.ca\/rates\/ for current rates.<\/p>\n Q : How do I send my completed form to the SAAQ?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: Three options are available. You can deposit the report directly into your SAAQclic account (the fastest method). You can also mail it to the SAAQ's Service de l'\u00e9valuation m\u00e9dicale et du suivi du comportement in Quebec City. Finally, you can hand it in personally at any SAAQ point of service. You are responsible for sending it - the clinic does not send it on your behalf.<\/p>\n Q: What happens if I don't submit my report on time?<\/strong><\/p>\n A: The SAAQ may suspend your driver's license or your right to obtain one. If you anticipate a delay, contact the SAAQ as soon as possible via SAAQclic to request an extension, and make an appointment with a health professional as soon as possible to avoid any interruption.<\/p>\n Medical consultation | Clinique Omicron<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The SAAQ medical form - how it works<\/h3>\n
About visual examination<\/h3>\n
The cost of the SAAQ medical examination - what you need to know<\/h3>\n
Time limits - avoid licence suspension<\/h3>\n
Clinique Omicron - get your medical report fast on the South Shore<\/h3>\n
FAQ - Medical examination for a driver's license in Quebec<\/h3>\n