Ontario Demerit Points System
Protect Your Licence and Your Record
Demerit Points Breakdown
In Ontario, every traffic conviction can impact more than just your wallet — it can add demerit points to your driving record. Too many points can result in higher insurance rates, licence suspensions, or even the complete loss of your driving privileges.
Many drivers believe they “lose” points after a ticket, but the truth is different: every driver starts at zero, and demerit points are added for each conviction. These points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence. Accumulating too many can lead to serious consequences, especially if you are a novice driver or have prior convictions.
We fight to keep points off your record. Our legal team knows how to challenge evidence, expose procedural errors, and negotiate for reduced penalties — giving you the best chance to protect your record and avoid costly consequences.
7 demerit points
- Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
- Failing to stop when signaled or asked by a police officer
6 demerit points
- Stunt Driving
- Careless driving
- Racing
- Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/hour or more
- Failing to stop for a school bus
5 demerit points
- Failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing (for bus drivers only)
4 demerit points
- Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/hour
- Following too closely
3 demerit points
- Driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communications or entertainment device (cellphone)
- 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 (move-over)
- 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
2 demerit points
- Improper right turn
- Improper left turn
- Improper opening of a vehicle door
- Prohibited turns
- Towing people — on toboggans, bicycles, skis (car surfing)
- 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
Penalties for demerit points
The consequences for gaining demerit points depend on how many you have added to your driving record.
As a driver with a full licence, if you have:
2 to 8 points:
- You will be sent a warning letter.
9 to 14 points:
- Your licence could be suspended. You may have to attend an interview to discuss your driving record. At this meeting, you will need to provide reasons why your licence should not be suspended.
- If you have to attend an interview, you will get a letter (Notice of Interview) to notify you of the time, date and location of the meeting. If you do not attend, your licence could be suspended.
- The fee for a demerit point interview is $50 and must be paid in person a any ServiceOntario Centre. You can pay the fee when you receive the Notice of Interview or within 10 business days of attending the interview. Failure to pay the interview fee will result in the cancellation of your driver’s licence.
15+ points:
- Your licence will be suspended for 30 days.
- When your licence is suspended, you will get a letter from the Ministry of Transportation. It will tell you the date your suspension takes effect and that you need to surrender your licence.
If you do not surrender your licence, you can lose your licence for up to two years.
Penalties for demerit points: new drivers
You are considered a novice – or new – driver if you have a G1, G2, M1, M2, M1-L or M2-L licence. As a new driver, you face different consequences for adding demerit points.
As a new driver, if you have:
2 to 5 points:
- You will be sent a warning letter.
6 to 8 points:
- Your licence could be suspended. You may have to attend an interview to discuss your driving record. At this meeting, you will need to provide reasons why your licence should not be suspended.
- If you have to attend an interview, you will get a letter (Notice of Interview) to notify you of the time, date and location of the meeting. If you do not attend, your licence could be suspended.
- The fee for a demerit point interview is $50 and must be paid in person at any ServiceOntario Centre. You can pay the fee when you receive the Notice of Interview or within 10 business days of attending the interview. Failure to pay the interview fee will result in the cancellation of your driver’s licence.
9 or more points:
- Your licence will be suspended for 60 days.
- When your licence is suspended, you will get a letter from the Ministry of Transportation. It will tell you the date your suspension takes effect and that you need to surrender your licence.
- If you do not surrender your licence, you can lose your licence for up to two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the demerit points system work in Ontario?
In Ontario, drivers start at zero demerit points. Points are added to your record when you are convicted of a traffic offence. These points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence and can lead to warnings, interviews, higher insurance premiums, or licence suspensions—especially for new or novice drivers.
How many demerit points can lead to a licence suspension?
For fully licensed drivers, accumulating 15 or more points results in a 30-day licence suspension. New drivers face stricter rules: 9 or more points leads to a 60-day suspension. In both cases, failing to surrender your licence can result in losing your driving privileges for up to two years.
What types of traffic offences carry the highest demerit points?
The most serious offences add 6–7 demerit points and include failing to remain at a collision, failing to stop for police, stunt driving, careless driving, racing, and exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more. These convictions can significantly impact your driving record and insurance rates.
Can a lawyer help reduce or avoid demerit points?
Yes. A traffic or provincial offences lawyer can challenge the evidence, identify procedural errors, negotiate with prosecutors, and work to reduce charges or eliminate demerit points. Strong legal representation can help protect your record, insurance rates, and driving privileges.
Other Traffic Tickets We Can Help With
Not facing this exact charge? We also defend clients against a wide range of traffic offences in Ontario:
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