Permis PrêtWhat is the school zone speed limit in Quebec?
A ceiling set by the Code, a school period defined by regulation, and often a stricter posted limit.
Short answer: during the school period (7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, September to June), the speed limit in a school zone must be 50 km/h or less. That is a ceiling: if a sign shows a lower limit, the lower limit is the one you must obey.
A ceiling, not an automatic limit
The Code de la sécurité routière (Quebec’s Highway Safety Code) says that any speed limit that applies in a school zone during the school period must be set at 50 km/h or less (s. 329.1). In other words, 50 km/h is the most the law allows during those times, and a lower limit can be prescribed in some places. The SAAQ handbook explains that a speed limit sign is then added to the school zone sign, showing the limit and the hours, days and months it applies (Guide de la route, ch. 3, “Début d’une zone scolaire”).
The habit to build: always read the sign and the plate under it. The posted limit is what counts, within the 50 km/h ceiling during the school period.
When is the school period?
It is set by regulation (Regulation to govern the establishment of school zones and define the school period, s. 2):
| Item | School period |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Days | Monday to Friday |
| Months | September to June |
Outside that period the s. 329.1 ceiling no longer applies, so you follow the limit posted for that stretch of road. When a zone-specific limit is posted, its plate shows the hours, days and months it applies: go by what it says.
How to recognize a school zone
A school zone covers the part of a road running along the grounds of a primary or secondary school, and may extend a little beyond (same regulation, s. 1). Whoever maintains the road must mark where it starts and ends (Highway Safety Code, s. 294.0.1).
- Start: the yellow-green pentagon sign.
- Advance warning: a yellow-green sign tells you a school zone or school crossing is coming up.
- End: a sign showing the speed limit that applies after the zone.
Fines and crossing guards
During the school period, the Code doubles the fine for speeding in a school zone (s. 516.2); very large excesses already fall under stricter rules (s. 516.1). And a school crossing guard’s directions must be obeyed even if a light or sign says otherwise (s. 311).
Key points for the test
- During the school period: 50 km/h at most, or less if a sign says so.
- School period: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, September to June.
- Yellow-green pentagon = start of a school zone.
- A crossing guard overrides signs and lights.
Original questions with an explanation and a source, “Road signs and signals” section.
Practise for free
See also
Official sources
- Code de la sécurité routière (Highway Safety Code, CQLR c. C-24.2), ss. 294.0.1, 311, 329.1, 516.1 and 516.2
- Regulation to govern the establishment of school zones and define the school period (CQLR c. C-24.2, r. 24.01), ss. 1 and 2
- SAAQ, Guide de la route (4th ed., 2024, French), ch. 3, “Formes et couleurs des principaux panneaux” and “Début d’une zone scolaire”
General information page, current as of 2026-10-28. If in doubt, the official text prevails. Rules can change: check saaq.gouv.qc.ca and legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca.