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The Paralegal

Ontario · Guide

The Ontario demerit point system

Ontario demerit points range from 2 to 7 points per offence. A fully licensed driver is suspended at 15 points; a novice G1, G2, M1 or M2 driver is suspended at 9. Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence, and they are removed automatically — there is no course that clears them.

The point that catches most drivers out: demerit points and the conviction are two different things with two different lifespans. Points expire after two years. The conviction stays on your driving abstract for three years, and that is the record your insurer prices from. Losing the points does not undo the premium increase.

How many demerit points is each offence?

7 points

6 points

5 points

  • Failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing (bus drivers only)

4 points

3 points

2 points

  • Improper turns and lane changes
  • Failing to signal
  • Seat belt violations
  • Failing to properly use a child restraint

What happens at each threshold

Full licence (G, M)

6–8 points
The Ministry sends a warning letter.
9–14 points
A second warning letter. At this stage you may be required to attend an interview to explain your record.
15 or more points
Your licence is suspended for 30 days.

Novice licence (G1, G2, M1, M2)

2–5 points
The Ministry sends a warning letter.
6–8 points
A second warning letter, and a possible interview.
9 or more points
Your licence is suspended for 60 days.

Novice drivers reach suspension at little more than half the points, and start receiving warning letters at 2 rather than 6. A single 6-point conviction puts a G2 driver two thirds of the way to suspension.

What this means if you have been charged

Paying a ticket is a guilty plea, and the points follow automatically. Where a driver already has points on their record, the arithmetic matters more than the fine: a second 3-point conviction can be the one that triggers an interview, and a 6-point conviction can end a novice licence outright.

The practical work is usually about the points rather than the money. Resolving a charge to a lesser offence that carries fewer points — or none — is frequently worth far more than a reduced fine, because it protects both the licence and the insurance rating. Whether that is available depends on the disclosure and the prosecutor.

Source:Ontario's published demerit point system. Point values are set by regulation (O. Reg. 339/94) rather than by the Highway Traffic Act itself, and can change — verify before relying on them.

Demerit points — common questions

How long do demerit points stay on your record in Ontario?

Demerit points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the offence — not the date of conviction. The conviction itself remains visible on your driving abstract for three years, which is the figure insurers work from. That is why a conviction can still affect your premium after the points themselves have expired.

How many demerit points before you lose your licence in Ontario?

A fully licensed driver is suspended at 15 points, for 30 days. A novice driver — G1, G2, M1 or M2 — is suspended at 9 points, for 60 days. Novice drivers also start receiving warning letters at just 2 points, compared with 6 for a full licence.

Do demerit points get removed if I take a driving course?

No. Ontario does not remove demerit points for completing a driving course. Points expire on their own two years after the offence date. The only way to avoid them is to avoid the conviction — either by defending the charge or by resolving it to an offence that carries fewer points or none.

Do I get demerit points from a red-light camera or speed camera ticket?

No. Camera-issued tickets are directed at the registered plate holder rather than the driver, carry no demerit points, and do not appear on your driving record. Only a charge laid by a police officer who stopped you results in demerit points.

Can I check how many demerit points I have?

Yes. You can order a driver's licence history (an abstract) from ServiceOntario, which shows convictions and the points attached. If you are unsure where you stand after a charge, that record is the first thing worth obtaining.

Worried about the points on your record?

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