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SAAQ Class 5 overview

SAAQ Class 5: Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles

Rules for pedestrians, cyclists and power-assisted bicycles, foot scooters, motorcycles, mopeds and scooters, and what drivers must do around them.

  • 15 questions
  • Topic drill
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Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles · Question 1Score 0/0

An 11-year-old wants to bike alone along a road posted at 70 km/h. In which case is this allowed?

Study reference: SAAQ Driver's Handbook (2nd edition), Ch. 4 Traffic Rules — Special rules for certain road users, pp. 259–269

All 15 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. An 11-year-old wants to bike alone along a road posted at 70 km/h. In which case is this allowed?

    1. The road has a physically separated bikeway
    2. The child rides only in daylight
    3. The child rides on the paved shoulder
    4. The child wears a helmet and bright clothes

  2. While riding a bicycle, may you listen to music with headphones?

    1. Yes, with one earphone
    2. Yes, at low volume
    3. No, no headphones at all
    4. Yes, on bike paths only

  3. A cyclist ahead of you holds the left forearm straight up at a right angle. What is the cyclist signalling?

    1. A left turn
    2. A lane change to the left
    3. A stop
    4. A right turn

  4. A 15-year-old rides a moped. What rule applies to carrying passengers?

    1. They may carry a passenger aged 15 or older
    2. They may carry one passenger in daylight
    3. They may not carry any passenger
    4. They may carry a passenger with a helmet

  5. Three friends on motorcycles are riding in the same traffic lane. How should they ride?

    1. Single file, in the lane centre
    2. Two side by side, one behind
    3. In a zigzag formation
    4. Side by side across the lane

  6. A pedestrian wants to get to the opposite corner of an intersection. When may they cross diagonally?

    1. Whenever the light is green in their direction
    2. Only when a sign or signal allows it
    3. Only at night
    4. Whenever no cars are coming

  7. What is the minimum age to ride a power-assisted bicycle in Québec?

    1. 14
    2. 12
    3. 18
    4. 16

  8. A 16-year-old wants to ride a power-assisted bicycle. Besides a helmet, what do they need?

    1. A bicycle registration sticker
    2. No other document
    3. A moped or passenger-vehicle licence
    4. A signed note from a parent

  9. To count as a power-assisted bicycle, what limits must its electric motor meet?

    1. 750 W, assisting up to 40 km/h
    2. 1000 W, assisting up to 50 km/h
    3. 500 W, assisting no faster than 32 km/h
    4. 250 W, assisting up to 25 km/h

  10. You are walking along a country road that has no sidewalk. Where should you walk?

    1. On the shoulder, with your back to traffic
    2. In the middle of the lane
    3. On whichever side has less traffic
    4. On the shoulder, facing oncoming traffic

  11. When may a cyclist ride between two rows of vehicles?

    1. When traffic is stopped at a red light
    2. Whenever there is enough space
    3. When their lane is next to a right-turn lane
    4. When the cyclist rides slowly

  12. Which item must a bicycle have at the rear?

    1. A white reflector
    2. A red reflector
    3. A blue flashing light
    4. A yellow reflector

  13. Cyclists riding together in a group must ride single file. What is the largest group size allowed?

    1. 15 cyclists
    2. 25 cyclists
    3. 10 cyclists
    4. 20 cyclists

  14. Your scooter has a 125 cc engine. Where are you not allowed to ride it?

    1. On city streets
    2. On roads posted at 70 km/h
    3. On rural roads at night
    4. On highways and their ramps

  15. When must a motorcyclist have the white headlight on?

    1. Only on highways
    2. Only at night
    3. At all times while riding
    4. Only in rain, fog or falling snow

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Pedestrians: identification

  • A pedestrian must give name and address, or show a driver's licence, when an officer believes a Highway Safety Code offence was committed.

Pedestrians: obligations

  • Use the sidewalk; if none, use the shoulder or the edge of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
  • Cross at a nearby intersection or crosswalk; elsewhere yield to vehicles and cyclists.
  • Pedestrian lights: white = you may cross; flashing = those already crossing should hurry; orange = do not start crossing. No pedestrian light: follow the traffic lights.

Pedestrians: restrictions and tips

  • No diagonal crossing of an intersection unless a sign or signal allows it.
  • No hitchhiking on the roadway or where passing is prohibited; no standing on the road to talk with a vehicle's occupant.
  • No walking on highways or their ramps unless necessary; cross highways only at traffic lights.
  • No skates, skis, skateboards or toy vehicles on the roadway.
  • Tip: look over your shoulder for turning vehicles, then left, right and left again; wear bright clothing at night; reflective tape helps children.

Cyclists: general

  • Cyclists follow the same basic traffic rules as other road users, plus extra rules; they must identify themselves to an officer who believes an offence was committed.

Cyclists: mandatory equipment

  • Front: one white reflector, and for night a headlight or white light with flasher setting.
  • Rear: one red reflector, and for night a red light with flasher setting.
  • Pedals: yellow or white reflector on each pedal, or reflective ankle bands / shoes with reflective strips.
  • Front wheel: yellow/white spoke reflector, reflective tire sidewalls, or continuous reflective strip; otherwise yellow/white reflective strip on each side of the fork.
  • Rear wheel: red/white spoke reflector, red/white strip on each seat stay, reflective sidewalls, or continuous strip; otherwise red reflective strip on each seat stay.
  • Brakes: at least a rear-wheel brake able to lock the wheel immediately.

Cycling rules

  • Hold the handlebars at all times.
  • In a group of two or more (maximum 15 cyclists), ride single file.
  • Ride as close as possible to the right edge, with traffic, except when the way is blocked or when preparing to turn left.
  • Hand signals: right turn = left forearm raised at a right angle, or right arm straight out; left turn = left arm straight out.
  • A cyclist need not signal if doing so would be unsafe.

Cycling rules (continued)

  • Using bikeways is not mandatory; cyclists may ride on the shoulder in the direction of traffic.
  • No cycling on highways or their ramps, or between two rows of vehicles, except when the cyclist's lane is next to a right-turn lane.
  • No cycling on roads with a speed limit over 50 km/h unless there is a clearly marked, physically separated bikeway, OR the cyclist is at least 12, OR it is an adult-supervised excursion.
  • No alcohol or drugs while cycling; no passenger unless the bike has a fixed seat for one.
  • No riding on the sidewalk unless necessary or allowed by signs (then ride at a safe speed and yield to pedestrians).
  • No holding onto a moving vehicle; no headphones of any kind while riding.

Cycling safety tips

  • Light or bright clothing; a side pennant makes drivers leave more space; check the bike's condition often.

Power-assisted bicycles

  • Rider must be at least 14 and wear a helmet meeting the regulatory standard.
  • UPDATED (Guide de la route 4th ed. (2024), p. 271): riders aged 14 to 17 need a licence authorizing a moped (Class 6D) or a passenger vehicle; 18 and over need no licence.
  • Must have two or three wheels, pedals, and an electric motor of no more than 500 W that stops assisting at 32 km/h.
  • May not be used to tow another person.

Foot scooters

  • At night on a public road only with a white reflector/reflective material at the front, red at the rear and on each side near the back; otherwise the rider wears reflective material.
  • Must have at least a rear-wheel brake.

Motorcycles, mopeds and motorized scooters

  • Stay seated and hold the handlebars; white headlight on at all times.
  • Passengers sit facing the handlebars, feet on footrests; operators under 16 may not carry passengers.
  • Two or more riding in one lane: zigzag (staggered) formation.
  • Helmet meeting safety standards for operator and passengers (including sidecar); must show helmets to a peace officer on request.
  • No riding between a moving vehicle and the shoulder, between moving vehicles and parked vehicles, or between two rows of moving or parked vehicles.
  • 125 cc or less: not allowed on highways or their ramps.
  • Passenger only with a permanently fixed seat and footrests on each side.
  • A child who needs a booster seat or restraint system may not ride in a sidecar.
  • No riding on sidewalks unless necessary or allowed by sign.

Being seen on a motorcycle

  • Required: at least one white headlight, one red tail light, two front and two rear turn signals, a red brake light; motorcycles also two yellow reflectors front and two red reflectors rear; sidecar needs a red rear light on the far right.
  • 80% to 90% of driving information is visual; daytime high beams are recommended, especially in metropolitan areas.

Emergency vehicle drivers

  • Use flashing lights or sirens only on duty and when justified; then exempt from rules on speed, passing, stopping/parking, signs, lights, markings and right of way.

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