If you've received a traffic ticket in Ontario, understanding your rights and options is crucial. Speeding, using a phone while driving and failing to stop can all lead to fines, demerit points, higher insurance and even licence suspensions.
1. The most common offences
Ontario courts deal with well over a million Highway Traffic Act charges a year. Frequent offences include:
- Speeding (section 128): roughly 559,000 tickets a year
- Running red lights (section 144): about 128,000 tickets
- Driving without a valid licence or while suspended
- Failing to stop at a stop sign, and using a phone while driving
2. Fines and demerit points
Speeding fines
- Under 20 km/h over: $3 per km/h
- 20 to 29 km/h over: $4.50 per km/h
- 30 to 49 km/h over: $7 per km/h
- 50 km/h or more over: $9.75 per km/h, and a court appearance is required
Penalties are higher in community safety zones and in construction zones when workers are present.
Demerit points
Ontario's demerit system suspends a full licence at 15 points. Major offences such as failing to remain at a collision carry 6 or 7 points; minor ones like an improper turn carry 2 or 3. See our demerit point chart.
3. Stunt driving and street racing
- Driving 40 km/h or more over the limit on roads under 80 km/h
- Driving 50 km/h or more over anywhere in the province
- Intentional weaving, cutting off other vehicles or preventing passing
- Street racing or competitive driving
Since the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act (2021), this means a 30-day roadside licence suspension, 14-day vehicle impoundment, and towing costs on the driver, even if later found not guilty.
4. Myths about tickets
Many drivers think they "lose" points. In fact, Ontario drivers start at zero and points are added when convicted. And suspensions don't follow every minor ticket; they come at 15 points or after serious offences.
5. Your options to fight
You typically have 15 days to respond: pay, plead guilty with submissions, or fight it in court. A considered defence looks at:
- The strength of the prosecution's evidence
- The accuracy of speed detection and signage
- Procedural mistakes or contradictions
- The risk to your licence, insurance and demerit points
A paralegal experienced in Ontario traffic law can improve your chances of a reduced or dismissed charge.
6. Why it matters for your record
- Insurance: handheld device, stunt driving and careless driving convictions can cause premiums to spike.
- Suspension risk: points add up, and serious offences can bring suspensions or probation.
- Cost: early action and good representation can save money, points and stress.
