According to law in Quebec, from Jan. 17, 2010, taking theoretical and practical courses, called Road Safety Education Program (RSEP) for a New Generation of Drivers, in an accredited driving school, is mandatory for a student who does not have a Class 5 driver’s licence from other province or country, and wants to obtain a Quebec Class 5 driver's licence.

"Too often, people think of learning to drive as simply acquiring the technical skills needed to handle a vehicle. But becoming a driver is much more complex than that, and the learner driver must also acquire awareness skills, like anticipating risk situations and taking other road users into account, as well as attitudes, like courtesy, responsibility and independence." (Julie Boulet, Minister of Transport, Québec), learners need more systematic and standardized driver education.

In the RSEP, learners are required to complete 24 hours (12 modules) of classroom theory and 15 hours of in-car practice, as illustrated in the following diagram.

Phase 1: Prerequisite for a Learner's Licence    Theory only, lasting at least 4 weeks

• Teaching content about the vehicle, the driver, the environment and at-risk behaviours
• Awareness of safe, cooperative and responsible behaviours to adopt when driving
• Theoretical evaluation in SUNWay Driving School. Learners are required to pass evaluation in order to be issued a learner's licence by the SAAQ

Phase 2: Guided Driving   Theory and practice alternate, lasting at least 4 weeks

• Teaching content about guided driving and the OEA strategy
• Learning basic manoeuvres in easy driving environments
• Adopting safe, cooperative and responsible behaviours in easy driving environments

Phase 3: Semi-Guided Driving   Theory and practice alternate, lasting at least 8 weeks

• Teaching content about at-risk behaviours (speeding, alcohol and drugs) and sharing the road, in particular with vulnerable road users and heavy vehicles
• Learning more complex manoeuvres in varied driving environments
• Adopting safe, cooperative and responsible behaviours in varied driving environments

Phase 4: Semi-Guided to Independent Driving  Theory and practice alternate, lasting at least 8 weeks

• Teaching content about other risk factors (fatigue and distractions while driving) and eco-driving, in preparation for the SAAQ knowledge test, which is at least 10 months later after the learner's licence is issued
• Further learning about vehicle manoeuvres and adopting safe, cooperative and responsible behaviours in varied driving environments
• Summary of what was learned during in-car sessions, in preparation for the SAAQ road test

12 months after obtaining a learner’s licence, a learner who has passed the SAAQ knowledge test and obtained an attestation of successful completion of the driving course can go to an SAAQ service centre and take the road test.

4 competencies to acquire in the RSEP:

• To establish the profile of a safe, cooperative and responsible driver
• To handle a passenger vehicle
• To share the road
• To use the road network independently and responsibly

The mandatory courses will last at least 12 months and 4 weeks, as shown in the following timeline of the RSEP.