A Quebec coroner is calling for stronger winter driving education for newcomers following a crash that claimed the life of a 29-year-old Mexican immigrant.
In a report, coroner Nancy Bouchard recommended that the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec better prepare new residents for the risks of winter driving.
This follows an investigation into a January 2025 crash on Highway 116 in Princeville, about 165 km northeast of Montreal. The victim died of his injuries four months later, in May 2025.
The individual held a valid Mexican driver’s licence and had passed Quebec’s written exam in December 2024, but he had not completed the required road test to validate his foreign driving experience, CTV News reported.
“The accident occurred when he should have had his driving experience acquired outside Quebec recognized in order to bring his skills up to standard, which was not the case,” Bouchard wrote in her report. “This situation seems concerning to me, as it could have not only prevented his death, but would also have helped prevent future deaths.”
The crash happened in particularly hazardous weather. Witnesses reported blowing snow, poor visibility, and slick roads, with strong winds in the area, even though vehicles were travelling at the posted 90 km/h speed limit.
Under federal guidelines, newcomers to Canada with valid foreign driver’s licences can typically use them for a short period after arrival. The government recommends obtaining an International Driving Permit in the home country to provide translations of the licence into French and English.
The process to obtain a Canadian driver’s licence varies by province and may include a written exam on road rules and one or two road tests. Federal information also stresses that newcomers should familiarize themselves with winter driving safety, noting that snow and ice are major hazards in most parts of Canada.
Quebec’s auto insurance board currently provides information for new residents through its website and through outreach programs delivered via employers, French-language classes and community organizations. Bouchard said the board should review its guidelines to ensure newcomers fully understand winter driving risks.
Simon-Pierre Poulin, a spokesperson for the board, said the organization is reviewing the coroner’s report before commenting further. Any road death is one too many for the organization, Poulin noted.
New regulations took effect in June 2025, requiring foreign drivers who fail their practical exam to drive with a learner’s permit until they pass. The permit requires them to be accompanied by someone with a valid licence and includes other conditions. A minimum four-week waiting period is now required before retaking the test.
Under Quebec law, immigrants have a six-month grace period to drive with a foreign licence after arriving in the province. To continue driving, they must have their foreign driving experience recognized by the auto insurance board and obtain a Quebec licence.
