Ontario Demerit Point System

Get the point, save your points!

It is important to fight your ticket to avoid the accumulation of demerit points.

Gaining or Loosing Demerit Points?

Drivers convicted of driving related offences have demerit points recorded on their record.

It is a common misconception that drivers "lose" points due to convictions.  In fact, a driver begins with zero demerit points and accumulates demerit points for convictions.  The more you get, the worse it is.

Demerit points stay on your record for a period two years from the offence date. If you accumulate enough points, your drivers licence will be suspended.

Below is a table outlining the demerit point penalties for driving offences :

2 Demerit Points

  • Improper right turn

  • Improper left turn

  • Improper opening of a vehicle door

  • Prohibited turns

  • Towing people — on toboggans, bicycles, skis

  • Unnecessary slow driving

  • Backing on highway

  • Failing to lower headlamp beams

  • Failing to obey signs

  • Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing

  • Failing to share the road

  • Failing to signal

  • Driver failing to wear a seat belt

  • Driver failing to ensure infant/child passenger is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster seat

  • 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

3 Demerit Points

  • Driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communications or entertainment device

  • Driving while viewing a display screen unrelated to the driving task

  • Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/hour

  • Driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier

  • Driving the wrong way on a divided road

  • Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road

  • 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

  • Failing to report a collision to a police officer

  • Failing to slow and carefully pass a stopped emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its amber lights flashing

  • Failing to move, where possible, into another lane when passing a stopped emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its amber lights flashing

  • Improper passing

  • Improper driving when road is divided into lanes

  • Improper use of a high occupancy vehicle lane

  • Going the wrong way on a one-way road

  • Crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is provided

  • Crowding the driver's seat

4 Demerit Points

  • Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h

  • Following too closely

5 Demerit Points

  • Driver of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing

6 Demerit Points

  • Careless Driving

  • Racing – Stunt driving

  • Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more

  • Failing to stop for a school bus

7 Demerit Points

  • Failing to remain at the scene of a collision

  • Failing to stop when signaled/requested by a police officer

How Do I Avoid Gaining Demerit Points?

The best way, irreproachable driving habits! Even then, things do happen...

Another way to keep your demerit points, is to fight YOUR ticket ! 

Reasons to Fight my Traffic Ticket?

Find out why it is important to fight a traffic ticket.

 

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