Feb 19, 2024
A list of traffic tickets in Ontario
Ontario has busy roads with many vehicles, and many rules and regulations are in place to ensure safe driving for everyone. One crucial aspect is issuing traffic tickets, which remind drivers to adhere to the road rules.
In this blog post, we will explore the details of traffic tickets in Ontario, providing drivers with the information they need to handle such situations effectively.
Three main takeaways about traffic tickets
- A ticket is a formal notice of a violation.
- Most driving-related violations remain on your driver's history for three years.
- You can easily pay for any tickets online.
What’s on this page
What is a traffic ticket?List of Ontario traffic tickets
What do I do if I receive a traffic ticket?
Where do I pay for an Ontario traffic ticket?
How to check if you have traffic tickets online
Ontario traffic ticket FAQs
What is a traffic ticket?
Traffic tickets in Ontario, also referred to as citations or fines, are given by law enforcement officers to drivers who are believed to have broken traffic laws. These violations include speeding, running red lights, improper lane changes and distracted driving, which are generally tickets that increase insurance.
When a driver receives a traffic ticket in Ontario, it is a formal notice of the alleged violation. The ticket contains important information such as the offence's nature, the incident's time and location and the amount of the fine or penalty associated with the violation.
List of Ontario traffic tickets
Here is a look at traffic tickets in Ontario:
| Offence | Affects Insurance | Suspensions |
|---|---|---|
| Careless Driving Tickets | Yes | Mandatory for novice drivers and possible 6-month suspension upon conviction for all others |
| Suspended Driving | Dramatically | Mandatory 6-month suspension upon conviction for all drivers |
| Disobey Police Officer | Yes | No |
| Fail to Stop for Police | Dramatically | Mandatory for novice drivers and possible 6-month suspension upon conviction for all others |
| Drive on Closed Highway | Yes | No |
| Drive Wrong Way | Yes | No |
| Fail to Remain | Dramatically | Yes - novice drivers and possible upon conviction all others |
| Hand Held Device (Cell Phones) | Dramatically | Mandatory 3-day Suspension all drivers |
| Fail to Report Accident | Dramatically | No |
| Fail to Signal | Yes | No |
| Fail to Stop for School Bus | Dramatically | 30 day suspension for novice drivers |
| Fail to Yield | Yes | No |
| Fail to Use Low Beam | Yes | No |
| Fail to Stop for Emergency Vehicles | Dramatically | No |
| Following too Closely | Yes | Mandatory for novice drivers |
| G1 Contraventions | Yes | Mandatory licence suspension |
| G2 Contraventions | Yes | Mandatory licence suspension |
| Improper Passing | Yes | No |
| Improper Turns | Yes | No |
| No Insurance | Yes | Possible |
| Fail to Surrender Insurance Card | Yes | No |
| Improper Use of High Occupancy Lane | Yes | No |
| Pass off Roadway | Yes | No |
| Pedestrian Crossovers | Yes | No |
| Disobey Red Light | Yes | No |
| Radar Warning Device | Dramatically | No |
| Racing | Yes | Mandatory for novice drivers and possible 2 years upon conviction for all others |
| Speeding | Yes | Speeds over 30km - Mandatory suspension for novice drivers and possible for over 50km/h for all others |
| Stunt Driving | Dramatically | |
| Seatbelts | Yes | No |
| Unnecessary Slow Driving | Yes | No |
What do I do if I receive a traffic ticket?
In Ontario, when a driver receives a traffic ticket, it serves as a formal notice of an alleged violation. The ticket contains important details such as the nature of the offence, the location, the time of the incident, and the amount of the fine or penalty associated with the violation.
After receiving a traffic ticket, drivers in Ontario have two options:
- Pay the fine: Drivers can choose to pay the fine mentioned on the ticket. By doing so, they can resolve the issue without any further legal action.
- Challenge the ticket: Drivers can contest the ticket by disputing the allegations in court. Contesting a ticket means appearing before a judge and presenting evidence and arguments to defend the alleged violation.
Where do I pay for an Ontario traffic ticket?
It is important to check the information on your ticket to determine the amount of money you owe, the payment options available, the deadline for payment, and how to request a meeting with a prosecutor before a court trial if necessary.
To pay for your ticket, you can visit The Provincial Offences Act online service and provide the required information, such as the location code and offence listed on your ticket. After submitting the details, you will be directed to a municipal court office website to guide you through the payment process.
Traffic tickets can be costly, but their impact doesn't end there.
Driving tickets can also lead to significant increases in your premiums. To ensure you're getting the best and most affordable coverage available, compare your options from Canada's leading insurers with us today.
How to check if you have traffic tickets online
The simplest way to check for tickets in Ontario is by using the online system provided by the provincial government. Drivers can enter the ticket details or notice they received, and the website will provide all the necessary information about the ticket, such as whether it's still outstanding and how to pay for it or contest it in court.
It's important to remember that only fines or tickets issued under the Provincial Offences Act can be tracked down using the Government of Ontario's website. This means you won't be able to access information about other types of tickets or fines, such as criminal offences, parking tickets, appeals, publication-banned cases, and charges involving anyone under 16.
Ontario traffic ticket FAQs
Contesting a speeding ticket can help you avoid paying high fines, receiving demerit points, suspending your license, and facing increased insurance rates. However, it is important to weigh the ticket's cost against the legal expenses involved in challenging it.
Suppose you fail to pay the fine imposed upon conviction by the due date. In that case, consequences may include the Ontario Ministry of Transportation refusing to validate your vehicle registration and your driver's licence being suspended.
Provincial offences, such as driving offences, are not considered criminal and do not form part of a criminal record. Similarly, municipal offences, such as creating excessive noise or removing trees without a permit on city property, are also not criminal.
Safe driving prevents traffic tickets
For many Ontarians, traffic tickets are an unavoidable aspect of driving. However, knowing your legal rights and available options can help you deal with these situations confidently.
By keeping yourself well-informed about traffic laws, adopting safe driving practices, and knowing how to react to traffic tickets, you can fulfill your driving responsibilities on the roads while prioritizing the safety of yourself and others.
