Navigating Insurance with a Suspended Licence in Ontario

Violations of the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario or the Criminal Code of Canada can lead to the suspension of your licence. Driving is a privilege after all!

Understanding the rules around licence suspension is crucial – it will help you understand the steps needed to reinstate it. Failure to meet those criteria can lead to additional penalties and longer suspensions.

Some of the most common reasons for a licence suspension include:

• Unpaid fines: If you avoid paying fines, you can lose your licence. You’ll need to pay all fines back to get it back. If you have been approved for a payment plan, you can apply for reinstatement from MTO.
• Health conditions: Some conditions can affect your ability to drive. Some examples include Cognitive, motor/sensory impairment, visual impairment, substance abuse and sudden incapacitation.
• Demerits: If a driver accumulates too many demerit points, there is a risk of having your licence suspended, depending on the offence and number of points.
• Mandatory suspensions: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lead to suspensions and remedial programs or hearings before getting their licence reinstated.
• Admin suspensions: If you don’t renew your driver’s licence on time or avoid paying fines, you can face suspension.
• Court-ordered: If a driver is convicted of a driving related offence, such as distracted driving or leaving the scene of an accident, the court can order a suspension as part of the penalty.
• Vehicle theft: Anyone convicted of motor vehicle theft under the Criminal Code could face a 10-year licence suspension for a first offence, a 15-year licence suspension for a second offence and a lifetime licence suspension for a third offence if new legislation passes.

Licence suspension in Ontario can result from accumulating demerits, certain convictions, or unpaid fines. Suspension can be temporary or indefinite, depending on the severity of the offence. Understanding this is important before discussing insurance. Here are some examples of suspensions and their convictions:

• BAC: Young and novice drivers must have a blood alcohol level of zero. If convicted of impaired driving or driving high you could face a fine and a minimum 30-day licence suspension. If you have your full G, you can have suspensions for having a BAC over 0.05 to 0.08 (or more), or refusing a breath or blood sample.
• Dangerous driving: Some examples of dangerous driving include stunt driving, driving aggressively, or texting and driving. These types of suspensions can last from three days to upwards of 30 days and vehicle impoundment.
• Criminal Code Violations: You can receive a one year suspension the first time you are convicted of a Criminal Code offence. Subsequent offences can result in a lifetime ban from driving. Examples of this include causing death or bodily harm by criminal negligence, failing to stop for police, refusing a breath sample for roadside testing, dangerous driving, and impairment.

As per the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), any individual who is convicted of a driving-related criminal offence will face serious repercussions. A first-time offence will result in a one-year licence suspension. If convicted again within 10 years, the licence will be suspended for three years.

A third conviction within the same ten-year period as the second offence will lead to a lifetime suspension, subject to reinstatement only after ten years and if certain requirements are met and specific circumstances exist. Fourth-time offenders will face a permanent driving ban with no chance of reinstatement.

It is important to understand the gravity of these consequences and always to prioritize safe and responsible driving.

Having a suspended licence directly impacts your ability to operate a vehicle legally, but it also has implications for coverage. A suspended licence can increase your rates, make you high risk, and cause you to have issues finding coverage. You can see your costs increase by at least 10% and as much as double. Always speak to your broker to learn more about your coverage's solutions and causes.

Medical suspensions can result in minor increases and may involve administrative reasons rather than impaired driving or unpaid fines. Doctors may also report diagnostic reasons to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

While your licence is suspended, you are not permitted to drive, and if you're caught driving during this period, you could face even more severe consequences. However, the car insurance related implications don't stop there.

Reinstating a suspended driver's licence in Ontario might seem intricate, yet comprehending the sequential steps involved can simplify the process. Below is a guide on how to go about reinstating a suspended licence in Ontario:

• Grasp the cause of your licence suspension: Understanding the reasons for your suspension is crucial before taking steps to reinstate your status. Reasons for suspension include unpaid fines, medical issues, family law matters, and MTO-mandated suspensions.
• Address the underlying suspension cause: The approach to resolving a suspension depends on the reason. Outstanding fines require payment or a payment plan, while medical issues need to be addressed with a primary care physician.
• Complete the suspension period: If the suspension duration stems from an MTO-imposed suspension period, you'll need to wait until this period concludes before becoming eligible for reinstatement. The length of suspension varies based on the grounds for suspension and can span from 30 days to several years.
• Gather essential documentation: After tackling the suspension reason, you'll need to provide the required documents. This might include evidence of fine payment, a certificate confirming your fitness to drive, or verification of adherence to family law responsibilities.
• Satisfy mandatory assessments: On occasions, the MTO might mandate additional assessments like written or road tests, which you must complete before your licence is reinstated.
• Settle reinstatement fee: Before the reinstatement of a suspended licence, a fee must be remitted to the MTO.
• Obtain the renewed licence: Once all prerequisites are fulfilled, the MTO will grant a new driver's licence, enabling you to lawfully operate a motor vehicle once again.

To make sure that you meet all of the specific requirements for reinstatement, it’s always best to contact the MTO to confirm why your licence is suspended and what steps you need to take to get it back and legally drive again.

No, if your licence is suspended you cannot drive. Similar to driving without insurance, if you are caught driving without one you can experience fines and even jail time for a minimum of six months. Traffic violations can result in licence suspension for a minimum of six months and fines ranging from $1000 to $5000 or more, depending on the offence.