Oct 7, 2022
How do demerit points work in Ontario?
Demerit points are not something you want to be added to your Ontario driver’s licence. For starters, if you have any, it means you have received a traffic ticket, and it also means that your car insurance could be impacted when it comes time for renewal.
Here’s everything you need to know about how the demerit point system works in the province.
Three main takeaways about the Ontario demerit point system
- Demerit points are directly related to driving convictions - depending on the violation, you may have points added.
- You start with zero demerit points - you gain them when you break driving laws.
- Demerits can lead to a licence suspension and stay on your record for two years.
What’s on this page
What are demerit points?How many Ontario demerit points do I start with?
How to check demerit points in Ontario
What is the maximum number of demerit points in Ontario?
Ontario demerit points effect on traffic tickets
How many demerit points for impaired driving in Ontario?
How many demerit points for failing to wear a seatbelt?
How long do demerit points last?
How many demerit points until suspension?
Ontario demerit points system FAQs
What are demerit points?
Demerit points are added to your driver’s licence if you are convicted of breaking specific driving laws. The rules differ depending on whether you are a new driver or have a full G licence.
If you get a ticket, you may receive some demerit points and a fine. They range from 2 points for minor convictions to 6 points for serious traffic convictions.
The demerits system was created to hold drivers accountable for their actions. They are assigned to driving infractions, with more severe tickets receiving more points, and demerit points can increase insurance indirectly.
The demerit-point system encourages drivers to improve their behaviour and protects people from drivers who abuse the privilege of driving.
How many Ontario demerit points do I start with?
One of the most common misconceptions about demerit points in Ontario is that you “earn” or lose them. In the province, you start with zero demerit points. You gain them as you are convicted of breaking laws under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act..
How to check demerit points in Ontario
If you are curious as to how many demerit points you have accumulated, you can order a request for your driver’s abstract either online or in person. You can pay $12 for an uncertified version or $18 for a certified version. Both will include the total number of demerit points and a three- or five-year history, including convictions, penalties, and driving offences.
What is the maximum number of demerit points in Ontario?
How many you are allowed to collect depends on the type of driver’s licence you have. The following breaks down the penalties for them:
Max demerit points for G Licence
As a fully licenced driver, you can accumulate up to 15 demerit points before your driver’s licence is suspended.
Here is a breakdown:
- 2 to 8: You will receive a letter of warning.
- 9 to 14: Your driver’s license could be suspended, and you may have to attend a meeting to discuss your driving and why your license should not be suspended at this time. A $50 fee for the demerit point meeting applies.
- 15 or more: You will receive an automatic 30-day license suspension. You will be required to surrender your driver’s license. You can do this in person at any Service Ontario Centre. Failure to surrender your driver’s license could result in a 2-year suspension.
Once the suspension ends, you may need to take a vision, written, and road test again. If you pass, your licence will be reinstated, and the demerit points will be reduced to 7.
Demerit points for young and new drivers (G1-G2)
You face different demerit point penalties as a new or young driver. This includes drivers with a G1 or G2. Here’s a breakdown of penalties you could face:
- 2 to 5: You will be sent a letter of warning by the MTO.
- 6 to 8: Your license could be suspended, and you may need to attend an interview to discuss your driving. The $50 fee applies.
- 9 or more: Your license will be suspended for 60 days. You will have to surrender your driver’s license and follow the same steps as above to get it back when the suspension ends (re-take driving tests), and your demerit points will be reduced to 4. Any new points will require you to come back for an interview with the MTO.
Any of the above can result in your auto insurance rising significantly.
Ontario demerit points effect on traffic tickets
Not all traffic tickets will land you demerit points. That is the good news. The bad news is they will still result in a fine. Tickets with no points are typically minor offences. Here's how you can be affected:
Demerit points for speeding
The number of demerit points you’ll receive for speeding will depend on how fast you were caught going.
Here is a list of how they are assigned for speeding:
- 6 points: Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more.
- 4 points: Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h.
- 3 points: Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h.
Demerit points for distracted driving
We all know that driving impaired, and texting and driving in particular, are a huge issue on roads today. Depending on the conviction, your demerit points will be affected by:
- First: 3 demerit points.
- Second: 6 demerit points (in addition to the first 3).
- Third: 6 demerit points.
Novice drivers with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 are not subject to demerit points for distracted driving, but they will face fines, a licence suspension or cancellation.
If you face distracted and careless driving fines, you could see 6 points, fines of up to $2,000 and/or a jail term of six months, and up to a two-year licence suspension.
How many demerit points for impaired driving in Ontario?
This is an interesting case. While most would assume that a driver would receive some points for impaired driving, there are no demerit points. Impaired driving is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. Criminal charges have more severe consequences, including jail time.
How many demerit points for failing to wear a seatbelt?
Making sure your seatbelt is secure before starting to drive is a crucial safety consideration. If you are convicted of a seatbelt infraction, you will get two demerit points. There are three instances of failing to wear a seatbelt where you can be charged:
- Driver failing to wear a seatbelt.
- Driver failing to ensure passenger under 16 years is wearing a seatbelt.
- Driver failing to ensure passenger under 16 years is occupying a position with a seatbelt.
Stay safe and buckle up!
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Ontario demerit points list
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation provides a complete list of offences that come with demerit points:
Seven points:
- Failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
- Failing to stop for police.
Six points :
- Careless driving.
- Racing and stunt driving.
- Exceeding the speed limit of 40km/h or more on roads with a speed limit of less than 80km/h.
- Exceeding the speed limit by 50km/h or more.
- Failing to stop for a school bus.
Five points:
- Driver of bus failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing.
Four points:
- Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h.
- Following too closely.
- Not stopping at a pedestrian crossover.
Three points:
- Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h.
- Driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier.
- Driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communications/entertainment device or viewing a display screen unrelated to the driving task.
- Failing to yield the right-of-way.
- Failing to obey a stop sign, traffic light or railway crossing signal.
- Failing to obey traffic control stop signs, control slow signs or school crossing stop signs.
- Failing to obey the directions of a police officer.
- Driving the wrong way on a divided road.
- Failing to report a collision to a police officer.
- Improper driving where the road is divided into lanes.
- Crowding the driver's seat.
- Going the wrong way on a one-way road.
- Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road.
- Crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is provided.
- Failing to slow and carefully pass a stopped emergency vehicle.
- Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing.
- Disobeying the move over law (where possible, into another lane when passing a stopped emergency vehicle).
- Driving a vehicle equipped with or carrying a speed measuring warning device (such as a radar detector).
- Improper use of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane.
Two points:
- Failing to lower headlight beam.
- Prohibited turns.
- Towing people - on toboggans, bicycles, skis, for example.
- Failing to obey signs or sharing the road.
- Improper right or left turn.
- Failing to signal.
- Unnecessary slow driving.
- Reversing on a highway.
- The driver failed to ensure the infant passenger was secured in an appropriate car seat.
- The driver failed to secure the toddler or child passenger.
How many demerit points until suspension?
If you accumulate fifteen (or more) demerit points with a full G licence, you will receive an automatic 30-day driver's licence suspension.
After the suspension, you will have your licence reinstated, and the number of points will be reduced, but they will still be on your record for two years. If you gain more points, you will receive another suspension.
Novice drivers (G1 & G2) will receive suspensions if they have four or more points. If they receive nine or more, they will have a 60-day suspension.
How long do demerit points last?
Demerit points remain on your driving record for two years from the date they were earned. After the two-year period has elapsed, the points are automatically removed. However, it is advisable to review your driving record to ensure that the demerit points have been removed if the scheduled removal date has passed.
Ontario demerit points system FAQs
Yes, you can check online. You can order a copy of your driver’s abstract at the Service Ontario website. You can get it emailed to you directly. The cost is $12 to $18, depending on the report.
No, the demerit points associated with traffic violations will not appear on the ticket. Police officers are not authorized to assign them to a traffic offence. The Ministry of Transportation adds them once you pay your ticket or are found guilty in court.
Remember, they can stay on your record for two years, and if you accumulate too many, you could receive a warning or even a licence suspension.
Yes. You can get demerit points for traffic convictions in other provinces, and some states in the U.S., such as Ontario, have a reciprocal agreement with the states of Michigan, New York, and other Canadian provinces and territories. The number of points you receive will depend on the conviction.
If you have been convicted of a driving offence in another Canadian province, the State of New York or Michigan, they will be added to your record just as if the offence happened in the province,
says Ontario.ca.
Here are some that will get added:
- Careless driving
- Speeding and racing
- Failure to remain at the scene of an accident
- Failure to obey a stop sign, street light, or stop for a school bus
The demerit point system helps to keep roads safe
Even though your policy won't immediately increase from demerit points, many prove that you may be a dangerous driver. Keep your driver’s abstract clear and premiums low by being a considerate and safe driver.
