Ontario · Guides

Free Ontario traffic offence guides

Plain-language explanations of the rules that decide what a ticket actually costs you — written from the Highway Traffic Act rather than summarised from other websites.

Guides

• Ontario speeding ticket calculatorWork out the fine and demerit points for any speed — and see whether it crosses the threshold into stunt driving under s.172.
• The Ontario demerit point systemEvery point value from 2 to 7, what happens at each threshold for full and novice licences, and why the points expire before the conviction does.
• Hand-held device suspensionsA distracted driving conviction suspends your licence from the first offence — 3, 7, then 30 days. When it starts, and why paying the ticket triggers it.
• How long is a suspended licence?An unpaid-fines suspension has no fixed end date — it lasts until paid. Demerit-point suspensions do. Neither comes with a restricted or work licence.
• How long is a stunt driving suspension?Stunt driving suspends your licence twice — 30 days at the roadside, then at least a year on conviction. The 30 days are not credited; the court can only lengthen it.
• Is careless driving a criminal offence?Not criminal: a careless driving conviction stays off police record checks but sits on your 3-year driver record, and the ticket type decides whether jail is possible.
• Is fail to remain a criminal charge?Fail to remain under the HTA is provincial, not criminal; the Criminal Code version carries up to 10 years and since 2018 needs no proof you meant to flee.
• Does no insurance suspend your licence?A conviction can suspend your licence for up to a year and impound the car for up to three months — both discretionary court orders at conviction, not roadside measures.
• What if you don't pay a speeding ticket?After 15 days a court clerk convicts you without a hearing; 30 days later the unpaid fine suspends your licence and blocks your plate until it is paid.

By charge

• Careless DrivingHighway Traffic Act, s.130 (Ontario)One of Ontario's most common serious traffic charges — 6 demerit points, a possible licence suspension, and a major insurance conviction. Often defensible on disclosure.
• Distracted DrivingHighway Traffic Act, s.78.1 (Ontario)A hand-held device charge under s.78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act. Unusually harsh for a Part I ticket: on top of a fine starting at $500 and 3 demerit points, a conviction carries an automatic licence suspension from the very first offence.
• Driving Under SuspensionHighway Traffic Act, s.53 (Ontario)A serious HTA charge with heavy fines, possible jail, and a further 6-month licence suspension added on top of any existing one. This is not a minor ticket.
• Driving Without InsuranceCompulsory Automobile Insurance Act, s.2 (Ontario)A charge under s.2 of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act. There is no set fine to pay — the minimum on a first conviction is $5,000 before the victim fine surcharge, and on conviction the court can suspend your licence for up to a year and impound the vehicle for up to three months.
• Fail to RemainHighway Traffic Act, s.200 (Ontario)Leaving the scene of a collision under s.200 of the Highway Traffic Act. Seven demerit points — the maximum the Ontario system imposes — jail exposure of up to six months, and a possible court-ordered licence suspension of up to two years (where a suspension is ordered, the points are not recorded).
• Red Light & Stop SignHighway Traffic Act, s.144(18) and s.136 (Ontario)Failing to stop for a red light under s.144(18) of the Highway Traffic Act, or for a stop sign under s.136. Three demerit points and an insurance conviction — and, unlike a camera ticket, this one goes on your record.
• SpeedingHighway Traffic Act, s.128 (Ontario)A Part I set-fine ticket under s.128 of the Highway Traffic Act — but demerit points and insurance impact scale with speed, and higher speeds can be charged as stunt driving instead.
• Stunt Driving & RacingHighway Traffic Act, s.172 (Ontario)A serious Highway Traffic Act charge with immediate roadside consequences and long licence suspensions on conviction. The first 30 days matter.

Legal information, not legal advice. Penalties are current as at the last review date — verify against the currentHighway Traffic Actand the Ontario Court of Justice set-fine schedule.