Keeping your driver's licence

Demerit points, suspensions, impaired and stunt driving, and the other ways to lose your licence.

Demerit point system

• A novice driver with 9 or more points has their licence suspended for 60 days. Fully licensed drivers are suspended at 15 points.
• After a novice driver's demerit suspension, the points are reduced to 4. Getting more points can lead to an interview or a longer suspension.
• Convictions in other Canadian provinces and territories, New York State and Michigan add demerit points to your Ontario record.
• Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence.
• A driver who does not wear a seatbelt gets 2 demerit points. Seatbelts greatly reduce injuries in a collision.
• Novice drivers are sent a warning letter at 2 to 5 points, a second warning at 6 to 8 points, and are suspended at 9 or more.
• A fully licensed driver gets a warning letter at 6 to 8 points, a second warning at 9 to 14, and a 30-day suspension at 15 or more.
• Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover (PXO) gives 4 demerit points, because a pedestrian may already be stepping into the road.
• Following too closely (tailgating) gives 4 demerit points. Keep a safe following distance so you have time to stop.
• Speeding by 16 to 29 km/h gives 3 points; 30 to 49 km/h gives 4 points; 50 km/h or more gives 6 points.
• A suspension runs from the date you surrender your licence. Failing to surrender it can lead to losing your licence for up to two years.
• Careless driving brings 6 demerit points, one of the highest totals, because it puts other people in danger.
• Failing to slow down and move over for a stopped emergency vehicle brings 3 demerit points. Slow down, and change lanes if it is safe.
• Leaving the scene of a collision gives 7 points. Following too closely gives 4, a red light 3, and failing to signal 2.
• Failing to stop for police is one of the most serious offences: 7 demerit points, the same as failing to remain at the scene of a collision.
• After a demerit suspension, a fully licensed driver's points drop to 7 (a novice driver's drop to 4). Those points stay for two years.
• Reaching 15 points a second time brings a six-month suspension, much longer than the first 30-day suspension.
• Driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier brings 3 demerit points. A train can need up to 2 km to stop, so never try to beat one.

Speeding and aggressive driving

• 100 km/h on a 60 km/h road is 40 km/h over. On roads posted under 80 km/h, 40 km/h or more over is stunt driving, with an immediate licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
• Driving 150 km/h or more is stunt driving anywhere in Ontario, including freeways posted at 110 km/h. So on a 110 km/h freeway, 150 km/h is already stunt driving.
• 125 km/h is 45 km/h over. The 40 km/h stunt rule is only for roads posted under 80 km/h; on an 80 km/h road it starts at 50 km/h over. Speeding 30 to 49 km/h over costs 4 demerit points.
• Driving in a way that prevents another vehicle from passing is listed as stunt driving. It carries the same tough penalties as extreme speeding.
• Intentionally cutting off another vehicle is listed as stunt driving. Penalties include an immediate 30-day licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment.
• Stunt driving or street racing brings an immediate 30-day licence suspension at the roadside. The vehicle is also impounded for 14 days.
• The vehicle is impounded for 14 days, whether or not it belongs to the driver. The driver's licence is also suspended for 30 days.
• Novice drivers convicted of speeding 30 km/h or more over the limit face a licence suspension of at least 30 days, and the licence may be cancelled.
• A stunt driving conviction carries a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, plus 6 demerit points and possible jail time of up to 6 months.
• A first stunt driving conviction brings a licence suspension of 1 to 3 years. Later convictions bring longer suspensions, up to a lifetime ban.
• 82 km/h is 32 km/h over. Novice (G1 and G2) drivers convicted of speeding 30 km/h or more over face a licence suspension of at least 30 days, and the licence may be cancelled.
• The rate rises with the speed: $3.00 per km/h under 20 km/h over, $4.50 for 20 to under 30, $7.00 for 30 to under 50, and $9.75 for 50 or more. At 25 km/h over, $4.50 applies.
• A first stunt driving conviction brings a 1 to 3 year suspension, and a second brings 3 to 10 years. A third conviction brings a lifetime suspension.
• A third stunt driving conviction brings a lifetime suspension that may be reduced after 10 years under certain criteria. A fourth or later conviction brings a lifetime suspension with no reduction.
• Speeding increases your braking and stopping distances and reduces your field of vision. That leaves you less time and room to react to hazards.
• Street racing includes chasing another vehicle, two or more drivers competing, and weaving through traffic at high speed. It brings the same penalties as stunt driving.

Other ways to lose your licence

• G1, G2, M1 and M2 drivers and all drivers 21 and under must have no alcohol and no drugs, including cannabis, in their system when driving.
• Zero alcohol applies to all G1 and G2 drivers of any age and to every driver 21 or under. A fully licensed driver over 21 is not held to zero, but any alcohol affects driving.
• Impoundment applies even to borrowed or rented vehicles, and the owner pays the towing and storage costs. Lend your car only to drivers you trust.
• A BAC of 0.08% or more, or refusing a test, brings an immediate 90-day licence suspension and a 7-day vehicle impoundment.
• A BAC from 0.05% to just under 0.08% is the warn range. It brings an immediate roadside licence suspension, and penalties grow with each occurrence.
• Breaking any G1 or G2 condition leads to a 30-day licence suspension. Repeat violations bring longer suspensions and can cancel the licence.
• On roads posted below 80 km/h, driving 40 km/h or more over the limit is stunt driving. It brings an immediate licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
• Refusing a test is treated like a BAC of 0.08% or more: a 90-day licence suspension and a 7-day vehicle impoundment.
• Novice escalating sanctions count repeat events within five years, including offences worth 4 or more points: 30 days, then 90 days, then cancellation.
• Failing to stop for police brings a licence suspension of at least five years, plus 7 demerit points, because fleeing police puts everyone at risk.
• On any road, driving 50 km/h or more over the limit is stunt driving. The 40 km/h rule applies only where the limit is under 80 km/h.

Demerit points

• Unnecessary slow driving is an offence worth 2 demerit points. Drive at about the speed of traffic without going over the limit, and slow down when conditions require it.
• Speeding 16 to 29 km/h over the limit costs 3 demerit points. The points rise to 4 for 30 to 49 km/h over and 6 for 50 km/h or more over.
• Speeding 50 km/h or more over the limit costs 6 demerit points. It is also stunt driving, with an immediate licence suspension and vehicle impoundment.
• 90 km/h is 20 km/h over the limit. Speeding 16 to 29 km/h over costs 3 demerit points.
• Speeding 30 to 49 km/h over the limit costs 4 demerit points. On roads posted under 80 km/h, 40 km/h or more over is stunt driving and costs 6 points.
• Speeding demerit points start at 16 km/h over the limit (3 points for 16 to 29 km/h over). Speeding by less than that still brings a fine.
• Improper opening of a vehicle door costs 2 demerit points, plus a fine. Check your mirrors and blind spot (the Dutch reach helps) before opening a door.

• You must notify the Ministry of Transportation within six days of changing your name or address. There is no charge for the change.
• An Ontario driver's licence is valid for five years and must be renewed before it expires. Drivers 80 and over renew every two years.
• You must carry your driver's licence, the vehicle permit (ownership) and the pink liability insurance card for that vehicle, and show them to police when asked.
• Lending your licence, using someone else's, or altering a licence is illegal. Every driver must carry their own valid licence.
• Graduated licensing must be finished within five years. If your G2 is about to expire, you can requalify by passing a test and paying the fee for another five years.
• If you do not finish or requalify before your novice licence expires, you must reapply for a Level One licence and pay the test fees again.

Read this part of the official handbook on Ontario.ca →