- 9 monthsWith your Class 7, plus driver education
- ~20 minCan vary with traffic and weather
- 9 demeritsOr fewer to pass; 10 fails
- $55Each time you take it
What is the Class 5 road test?
Saskatchewan's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program takes every first-time driver, whatever their age, through Class 7 learner, Class 5 Novice 1, Class 5 Novice 2 and finally an experienced Class 5 licence. The Class 5 road test moves you from learner to Novice 1. It assesses your ability to drive a vehicle safely, and its content is the same across the province.
It's the only road test in the program. After it, you move through Novice 1 and Novice 2 on time and a clean record: see after you pass.
Step by step
- Hold your Class 7 learner's licence for at least nine months. Time when your licence was suspended, refused or not renewed doesn't count.
- Finish the mandatory driver education with an SGI-certified driver instructor: 6 hours in-class and 6 hours in-car (age 16 and up), or the High School Driver Education Program (30 hours in-class, 6 in-car). Uncertified instructors aren't recognized, and you won't be able to take the road test.
- Be at least 16, with a parent's approval if you're under 18.
- Book and pre-pay ($55) online with MySGI, or call or visit a motor licence issuer. Give your cellphone number to get text confirmations and reminders 24 hours and one hour before. In smaller centres, road test appointments are for local residents only.
- Get your vehicle ready. You supply the vehicle, and it must be a Class 5 vehicle.
- On the day, park, turn the vehicle off and stay in it. Text "Here" if you signed up for texts, keep your phone's ringer on and have your photo ID ready. The examiner calls you, asks some questions, then comes out to meet you. Your supervising driver waits in the waiting room.
- Take the test (usually about 20 minutes). Pass, and validate your Class 5 licence at a motor licence issuer ($15). You're now a Novice 1 driver.
The vehicle check
The examiner inspects the vehicle before the test begins. If any of these aren't in working order, the test can be rescheduled:
- Horn, signal lights and brake lights
- Headlights, windshield wipers and defrost (as required)
- Seatbelts and airbags
- Speedometer
- One valid licence plate properly attached to the rear
- A windshield with no obstructing cracks, stickers or tint, and no aftermarket tint on the windshield or front side windows
- Working driver's and front passenger's doors, and proper seats
- A clean passenger compartment, free of strong scents or odours
Not sure about a cracked windshield? Have an examiner look at it at your local driver examination office before the test. Get to know your vehicle too: where the wipers, defroster and emergency flashers are. No pets or passengers are allowed, only you and the examiner.
When the test is rescheduled
- No proof of the required driver education (a training record on your SGI file, or a Driver Education Certificate)
- You're late for your appointment
- You don't have the right licence, or haven't paid the exam fee
- You haven't held a Class 7 licence for at least nine months
- You don't meet the vision or medical fitness standards
- The vehicle is unsafe, not equipped as the law requires, or not the right class
If you're feeling unwell, you can cancel or reschedule at no charge. If you don't cancel and don't show up, you pay again for the next appointment.
What's tested
SGI's list, from the Driver's Handbook and the new drivers page:
- Starting, stopping and turning
- Traffic signs and signals, and obeying the signs along the route
- Proper lane driving and shoulder checking
- Travelling through controlled and uncontrolled intersections
- Backing up, parallel parking and two-point turns
- Anticipating potential hazards
- Safe driving practices such as speed selection and steering technique
Road tests are conducted in English, with simple, clear directions. Know these terms: right turn, left turn, lane change, backing, traffic lights, intersection, stop, shoulder check, two-point turn and parallel park. If English isn't your first language, SGI suggests bringing an English speaker to help with instructions before the test and the results afterwards (they don't ride along).
How it's marked
The examiner scores your driving on paper or on a tablet app, depending on the location. Mistakes earn demerits:
| Pass | 9 demerits or fewer |
| Fail | 10 demerits or more |
A combination of minor mistakes can add up to a fail.
Mistakes that fail you
According to SGI's Driver's Handbook, you fail the road test if you:
- Exceed the speed limit
- Are in a collision you're 50% or more responsible for
- Fail to stop where required
- Fail to yield to vehicles and pedestrians
- Disobey traffic lights
- Need the examiner's help
- Make a combination of minor mistakes
Parallel parking, two-point turns and backing
From Chapters 5 and 6 of SGI's Driver's Handbook. SGI notes there are other methods that work just as well.
Parallel parking
- Signal as you approach. Make sure the space is at least 2 m longer than your vehicle; stop beside it to check if you're not sure. Shift to reverse as soon as possible so your back-up lights come on.
- Stop parallel to the vehicle in front of the space, about 0.5 m out from it, with your back bumper lined up with its back bumper. Check that the way is clear.
- Back slowly and immediately turn the wheel toward the curb until you're at about 45 degrees. Watch your front end swing out into traffic.
- Keep backing slowly and straighten your wheels.
- When your front bumper clears the front vehicle's bumper, keep moving slowly and turn your wheels away from the curb.
- If needed, shift to drive and move forward slowly to straighten up.
Two-point turn
- Check you can see far enough to finish before any conflict: at least 20 seconds each way in a 60 km/h area, 40 seconds in a 100 km/h area.
- Well before the spot, signal right, shoulder check, move into the right lane and slow down.
- Cancel the signal, go past the intersection (or driveway) and stop as far right as possible.
- Signal right or turn on your four-way flashers, and check for traffic.
- Back up slowly. When your rear bumper is even with the intersection, turn the wheels sharply right, keeping the front from swinging into traffic. Straighten the wheels as you back into the approach, and stop.
- Signal left, check for traffic and turn left into the left driving lane.
Backing up
- Shift your weight onto your right hip, put your right arm along the top of the passenger seat, and palm the top centre (12 o'clock) of the wheel with your left hand.
- Look out the rear window and back slowly in a straight line. In the first foot or so, glance forward: if the front swings left, steer left; if it swings right, steer right. Once the wheels are straight, every time your hand is at 12 o'clock they'll be straight.
- Focus well back along your path, move slowly and steer where you want to go. The front end swings more when backing, which causes many backing collisions.
- Back-up cameras and sensors help, but don't rely on them: look over your shoulder and use your mirrors.
Parking on a hill
- Turn your front wheels so that if the vehicle rolls, it rolls into the curb, or off the road if there's no curb, not into traffic.
- Always set the emergency brake when you park on a slope.
Fees
| Class 5 road test, each attempt | $55 |
| Validating your Class 5 licence after you pass | $15 |
From SGI's new drivers page. Pay when you book; you pay again for each new attempt, and for a missed appointment you didn't cancel.
If you don't pass
- You get a full report with every error explained and where you need to improve, on paper or by email (with links to the matching handbook sections).
- You must wait at least two weeks before your next road test, but you can book it right away. You pay the test fee again.
- The examiner may recommend more training, or a longer learning period may be imposed.
- A successful result is valid for 12 months, but you can't drive alone until you've upgraded your licence at a motor licence issuer.
After you pass
- Novice 1, six months: only one passenger who isn't immediate family; other passengers must be immediate family.
- Novice 2, 12 months: stay incident-free, with no at-fault collisions, traffic convictions or suspensions. An incident restarts the 12 months and puts you in the GDL Improvement program.
- At every GDL stage: zero alcohol and drugs, no cellphone of any kind (hand-held or hands-free), no more passengers than seatbelts, no taxi, limousine or rideshare driving, and you can't be a supervising driver or get a commercial licence.
- Complete Novice 2 and SGI mails you your experienced Class 5 licence. There's no second road test.
Frequently asked questions
When can I take the Class 5 road test in Saskatchewan?
When you're at least 16 (with a parent's approval if you're under 18), have held your Class 7 learner's licence for at least nine months, and have finished the mandatory driver education with an SGI-certified instructor.
How long is the SGI road test?
It usually takes about 20 minutes, but it can vary with traffic, weather and other factors.
How many demerits can you get on the SGI road test?
You pass with 9 demerits or fewer and fail with 10 or more. Some mistakes, such as speeding, not stopping where required or needing the examiner's help, fail you on their own.
How much is the road test in Saskatchewan?
$55 each time you take it, paid when you book. After you pass, you pay $15 to validate your Class 5 licence at a motor licence issuer. If you miss an appointment without cancelling, you pay again for the next one.
How long do I wait after failing the SGI road test?
At least two weeks before you can take it again, but you can book the new appointment right away. You pay the $55 fee again, and the examiner may recommend more training.
Is parallel parking on the Saskatchewan road test?
Yes. SGI lists parallel parking, backing up and two-point turns among the skills tested, and they're among the English terms SGI says you should know before the test.
Official sources
- SGI: New Class 5 drivers (road test content, length, demerits, fees, retest wait, GDL restrictions)
- SGI: Saskatchewan Driver's Handbook (the Graduated Driver Licensing program; sections 2.8–2.11 on driver education and the road test; "Backing" in chapter 5; 6.1 Parking; 6.2 Turning)
Checked against these sources on November 8, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with SGI before you go.
More for Saskatchewan: How to get your learner's licence · Saskatchewan rules test · Saskatchewan road signs test · All Saskatchewan practice tests