If you’ve recently lost points for a traffic violation or infraction, you may wonder how long the demerit will remain in effect, or how it will impact your insurance. Here’s a quick overview of Ontario’s demerit point system.
Drivers convicted of certain driving-related offences have demerit points recorded on their records. It is a common misconception that drivers “lose” points due to convictions for certain traffic offences. In fact, a driver begins with zero demerit points and accumulates demerit points for convictions. Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the offence date. If you collect enough points, you can lose your driver’s licence. Below is a table outlining the demerit point penalties for driving offences:
| 7 Points | |
|---|---|
| Failing to remain at the scene of a collision | Failing to stop when signalled/requested by a police officer |
| 6 Points | |
| Careless Driving | Racing |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more | Failing to stop for a school bus |
| 5 Points | |
| Driver of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing | |
| 4 Points | |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h | Following too closely |
| 3 Points | |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h | Driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier |
| Failing to yield the right-of-way | Failing to obey a stop sign, traffic control stop/slow sign, traffic light or railway crossing signal |
| 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 when 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 move, where possible, into another lane when passing a stopped emergency vehicle |
| Improper passing | Improper use of high occupancy vehicle lane |
| 2 Points | |
| Improper opening of a vehicle door | Prohibited turns |
| Towing people — on toboggans, bicycles, skis, etc. | Failing to obey signs |
| Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing | Failing to share the road |
| Improper right turn | Improper left turn |
| Failing to signal | Unnecessary slow driving |
| Reversing on a divided high-speed road | Driver failing to wear a seat belt |
| Driver failing to ensure that a passenger less than 23 kg is properly secured | Driver failing to ensure that a passenger under 16 years is wearing a seat belt |
| Failing to lower headlamp beams | Backing on a highway |
| Driver failing to ensure infant/child passenger is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster seat | |
Demerit Points and New Drivers
- As a Class G1, G2, M1 or M2 driver, if you get two or more demerit points, you will be sent a warning letter.
- At six points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. If you don’t attend, your licence may be suspended.
- At nine points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. A driver’s licence may be surrendered at any ServiceOntario Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, ServiceOntario College Park Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or mailed to:Ministry of Transportation
Driver Improvement Office
Building A, Main Floor
2680 Keele Street
Downsview, ON M3M 3E6 - DriveTest centres do not accept surrendered licences for suspension purposes.
- After the suspension, the number of points on your record will be reduced to four. Any additional points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach nine points again, your licence can be suspended for six months from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation.
- Note: If you are a novice driver and are convicted of violating any novice condition or a Highway Traffic Act offence which carries 4 or more demerit points or receive a court-ordered suspension for an offence that would have resulted in 4 or more demerit points, you will receive the appropriate penalty under the Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions program. However, no demerit points will be applied to your record or be counted towards your demerit point total
Demerit Points and Fully Licensed Drivers
- As a fully licensed driver, if you get six demerit points, you will be sent a warning letter.
- At nine points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. If you don’t attend, your licence may be suspended.
- At 15 or more points, your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation for the first suspension. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence. A driver’s licence may be surrendered at any ServiceOntario Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, ServiceOntario College Park Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, or mailed to:Ministry of Transportation
Driver Improvement Office
Building A, Main Floor
2680 Keele Street
Downsview, ON M3M 3E6 - DriveTest centres do not accept surrendered licences for suspension purposes.
- After the suspension, you may be required to complete a driver re-examination (vision, knowledge and road tests). If you successfully fulfil your requirements you will have your driver’s licence reinstated and the number of points on your record will be reduced to seven. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach 15 points again, your licence will be suspended for six months.
- If you receive a conviction for an offence committed while a novice driver that is eligible for sanctions under the novice driver escalating sanctions program but you now hold a full class G driver’s licence, you will be required to serve the following:
- 30-day licence suspension for the first occurrence;
- 90-day licence suspension for the second occurrence; and
- 90-day licence suspension for the third occurrence.
Demerit Points for Out-of-Province Convictions
- Drivers convicted of a driving related offence in the State of New York, the State of Michigan or any Canadian province or territory, will have home jurisdictional penalties such as demerit points and/or suspensions applied to their Ontario driver record as if the offence occurred in Ontario.
- Examples of out-of-province convictions where Ontario demerit points and /or suspensions will be applied include:
| Traffic | Criminal |
|---|---|
|
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