DEMERIT POINTS ONTARIO 

ESSENTIAL TIPS AND EFFECTIVE WAYS TO BEAT YOUR CHARGES AND KEEP A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD

DEMERIT POINTS ONTARIO

What is a Demerit Points?

Demerit points system which can also be called penalty point is a traffic offense ticket which is often issued to drivers who are the convict of a traffic violation under the High way traffic act or the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, in the case of Ontario. The essence of the demerit point system is not to punish the drivers or impair their driver’s license. The demerit point system is set up to ensure drivers adhere to the traffic rules, which in the long run will make the road safe for everyone. 

Demerit points have their date of expiration, which often varies from two to three years, especially in Ontario. Demerit Points can also attract some other penalties like fines, suspension of driver’s license, jail term, etc.

Ontario Ministry of Transportation

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is the agency in charge of monitoring demerit points in Ontario.  Once a driver is guilty of an offence that warrants demerit point, the police or the traffic enforcement agency will issue the demerit point ticket to the driver. 

The Ontario demerit point system also extends to other provinces in Canada. If an Ontario driver is guilty of a traffic offence within or outside Ontario, the demerit point will be applied to his driving abstract just as they would have done if he or she has breached the law in Ontario. Ontario demerit point is also applicable in the state of New York and the State of Michigan.

“If you have been convicted of a driving offence in another Canadian province, the State of New York or Michigan, demerit points will be added to your driving record just as if the offence happens in Ontario” Ontario Ministry of Transportation website.

Do the Police Write Demerit Point on Your Ticket?

No, the police officers force is not the agency in charge of issuing demerit points in Ontario. Issuing demerit point is the duty of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and the police force has no affliction or relationship with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation as regard issuing of demerit point ticket. This means the demerit point would not, by any means show on your ticket. But you can always check your demerit points by requesting a copy of your driving abstract from Service Ontario.

How can you check your demerit points in Ontario? 

Some drivers do not know where or how they can check the amount demerit point they have accumulated on their driving record. The answer is pretty simple. You can always drive to any Service Ontario Centre in your area and request for your driver’s abstract and any other related document that has to do with your driving record. You can also request for your driving record on the Service Ontario website or write a mail to them requesting for a soft copy of your driving record, which will be forwarded to your email. This service cost $12 to $18, depending on the kind of driving record you are requesting.

HOW ONTARIO DEMERIT SYSTEM WORKS

Ontario uses a 15-demerit point system, and if a driver accumulates more than 15 demerit points, his driver’s license will be suspended. The demerit points are added, not subtracted, as in the case of some countries. You start your driving career with zero, and you accumulate demerit points when you are guilty of driving offence – which gathers till you reach 15-demerit point which will result in the suspension of your driver’s license. 

It is essential you understand that there are cases whereby your demerit points would not be recorded on your ticket. This is because the police and the courts are not affiliated to the Ontario Ministry of transportation; thus it is not compulsory they inform you or write it on your ticket the number of demerit points you get for the offence.

How long can a demerit point stay in Ontario  

The maximum number of years a demerit point can remain on your driver’s license in Ontario is two years. The counting of the date starts from the day of conviction until it reached the exact day of the second year of your sentence. Once the two years have elapsed, the system removes demerit ticket automatically from your driver’s record.

Do Demerit points affect auto insurance?

Does demerit points affect the insurance rate? To an extent, I’ll say YES and NO. Demerit point does not affect your insurance rate directly. However, it tells that you have been convicted of some traffic tickets which, of course, will affect your auto insurance rate. The question is, is it possible for the police or other traffic enforcement agents to issue your demerit point without committing any traffic offence? The answer is NO. This means the two works together. The severity of the fault you commit decides the amount of demerit point you will get, and at the same time determines the kind of traffic ticket you get, which in the long run will have either minor or severe impact on your driving license.

Also, suspension of driver’s licenses often has a severe effect on your auto insurance rate. It portrays you as a dangerous high driver and will cost you more to renew your auto insurance and installment of your driver’s license. Don’t forget your driver’s license will be automatically suspended once you have accumulated up to 15 demerit points in Ontario.

Break down of demerit points before license suspension:

We have already established that any driver who accumulates up to 15 demerit points will lose his driver’s license. That means, his driver’s license will be suspended. However, it is also crucial for you to know the stages for the amount of demerit point you accumulated.

• 2 to 8 demerit point: Driver who has collected 2 to 8 demerit points should be expecting a letter of warning. This is to inform him to be more careful and responsible when driving.
• 9 to 14 demerit point: Okay, you are almost there. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation will call you for a meeting to defend your driving license and asked for your opinion as regards if your driver’s license should be suspended or not. If you couldn’t defend yourself well enough, your driver’s license might be suspended. They might also give you some orientation on traffic rules, as stated in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Highway traffic rule. However, a fine of $500 applied for the demerit point meeting applies.
• 15 or more demerit point: There will no more warning once a driver accumulates 15 or more demerit points, he or she should be expecting an automatic driver’s license suspension. This suspension lasts for 30 days, counting from the day of suspending the driver’s license.

Please note that you are required to surrender your driver’s license at any of the Service Ontario Centre. Failure to comply with this might aggravate the punishment and result in two years suspension. 

It is very likely that they ask you to do a vision, written, and road test after your suspension is over before you can get, you can be able to reinstall your driver’s license. If you pass, your driver’s license will be reinstalled, and the demerit point on your driver’s abstract will be reduced to seven.

Demerit point for novice drives in Ontario

The Canadian driver’s license can be classified into two, the professional and the novice. The novice driver is the one who is being referred to as G1 and G2 drivers. The consequences, of course, are entirely different. Here is a breakdown of the demerit point in the G1 and G2 drivers.

•   2 to 5 demerit point: Young and new drivers who have accumulated 2 to 5 demerit points will be issued a letter of warning by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. This will serve as a warning for him or her to be mindful of the traffic laws.
•   6 to 8 demerit points: You need to be more careful, and it is likely that your driver’s license will be suspended soon. You might also be summoned to a meeting with the Ontario Ministry of transportation to discuss your driving abstract. They might even give you some orientation on traffic rules, as stated in the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Highway traffic rule. However, a fee of $50 applies.
•   9 or more demerit point: Once a novice driver accumulates up to 9 demerit points, his driver’s license will be automatically suspended.  The suspension will last for 30 days, counting from the day of conviction. Drivers must also surrender his driver’s license at any Service Ontario Centre. Failure to do this might result in 2 years suspension.

It is however very likely that you will need to do another vision, written and road test before you can reinstall your driver’s license back. After this, your license will, and your demerit points will be reduced to 4. Please note that any demerit point after this will require you to go back for an interview with the Ministry of Transportation Ontario.

Types Of Demerit Point In Ontario And Their Ticket

It is vital for all Ontario drivers to know the types the traffic ticket and the demerit points in Ontario.

Speeding Ticket

DEMERIT POINTS ONTARIO

Speeding ticket or stunt driving ticket is an act of driving at more than 50 km per hour over the maximum speed limit. It was added to the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario in 2007. It goes hand in hand with racing driving ticket, as the case may be if a driver is caught trying to over speed another driver. The speeding driving ticket can also be applicable in circumstances whereby a driver is found guilty of performing a stunt, squealing your tires or doing a dangerous maneuver on the road. 

Breakdown of demerit points for speeding ticket 

• 3 demerit points: Exceeding the maximum speed limit by 16 to 29 kilometers per hour. 
• 4 demerit points: Exceeding the maximum speed limit by 30 to 49 kilometers per hour.
• 6 demerit point: Exceeding the maximum speed limit by 50 kilometers per hour or more.

Note that the higher your speed, the more the demerit points you will acquire.

Distracted Driving And Its Demerit Points

Distracted driving, just like careless driving, is one of the most common traffic violations in Ontario. The phenomenon of Distracted Driving is getting severe as there is always a record of an accident as a result of distracted driving. Drivers who are the convict of distracted driving will pay a fine of nothing less than $400. Of course, you might be charged for more than that.

Novice drivers, young and drivers that are drivers with G1 or G2, M1, M2, M1-L or M2-l driver’s license) are not subjected to demerit point in Ontario.

However, drivers who are the convict of both distracted driving and the careless driving charge will aggravate their penalties.

The Ministry of Ontario explains this as “Drivers who endanger others because of any distraction, including hand-held and hands-free devices, may still be charged with Careless Driving under the Highway Traffic Act or even Dangerous Driving under the Criminal Code in Canada.

Break down of demerit point for distracted driving

• 4 Demerit point: For Ontario drivers who are guilty of distracted driving within any of the Canadian provinces. Please don’t forget demerit points is not applicable for novice drivers
• 6 demerit point: For drivers who are also found guilty of both distracted driving and careless driving.

Drug-Impaired Driving In Ontario

Drug-impaired driving is an act of driving while still under the influence of alcohol. This does not attract any demerit point because it is a criminal offense that is recorded under the Criminal Code of Canada. It is considered as dangerous driving, and its penalty is very severe compared to other traffic violation. However, you might be lucky to beg the police officer to issue you a careless driving ticket instead – which is 6 demerit points. Please note that this is a very uncommon occurrence.

Seat Belt Violation In Ontario And Its Demerit Point 

Ontario is the first province to pass seat belt regulation into law in Canada on January 1, 1976, to reduce the rate of death and injuries during a road accident. The Ministry added the bill to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, and any driver or passenger who refuses not to adhere by the seat belt registration you’ll receive fined $240, and removal of two points from the driver’s record.  Drivers are held responsible for the use of seat belts for children, and the driver’s culprit of this will pay the $240 fine and two demerit points from his driving record.

Demerit Point For Seatbelt Violation

• Two demerit point for any driver who fails to wear a seat belt 
• Two demerit points for any driver who carries a child below 16 years and not ensures he wears a seatbelt.

Unsafe Turn Ticket in Ontario and Its Demerit Points

Unsafe turn ticket is one of the most common traffic violations in Ontario.  This could be associated with ignorant about turning rules, as stated in the Ontario Ministry of transportation. The frequent turning violation includes an improper left or right turn, failing to avoid a collision, etc. Unsafe turn ticket is the same thing with improper driving, an act of turning in prohibited areas or on the wrong lane.

Unsafe Turn Ticket Demerit Point

• Two demerit point for any driver who is guilty of unsafe turn ticket

Careless Driving in Ontario And Its Demerit Point

Section 130 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act defines Careless driving as, “Every person is guilty of the offence of driving carelessly who drives a vehicle or streetcar on a highway without due care and attention or reasonable consideration for the other person using the road.

• Driving carelessly without due care and attention.
• Without thoughtful consideration for the other person using the highway.

Careless Driving Demerit Point In Ontario

• Two demerit point for any driver who is a culprit of reckless driving in Ontario

List Of Demerit Points And Traffic Tickets In Ontario

Here is the full list of demerit points and traffic tickets in Ontario as started by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

7 Demerit Points in Ontario

• Failing to stop for police
• An act of failing to remain at the scene of a collision

6 Demerit Points in Ontario

• Racing
• Careless driving
• Failing to stop for a school bus
• A scenario when a Police Officer finds you driving more than the posted speed limit by 50 km per hour and beyond

5 Demerit Points in Ontario

• An instance where a bus operator failed to stop at an unprotected railway crossing

4 Demerit Points in Ontario

• Operating a motor vehicle beyond the speed limit by 30 to 49 km per hour
• Following another automobile too closely behind

3 Demerit Points

• Going over the posted speed limit by 16 to 29 km per hour
• Attracts 3 demerit points when you Drive under, through, or around a railway crossing barricade
• Caught in the act of Distracted Driving such as operating a motor vehicle while holding or using a hand-held wireless device 
• When an officer finds you breaching the law by not yielding the right-of-way to other motorists
• Failure to obey a stop sign, railway crossing signal or traffic light 
• Failing to follow traffic control stop sign.
• When you’re not obeying traffic, slow sign.
• A typical instance where a driver refuse to obey school crossing stop sign
• Breaching the law by disobeying the directions of a Traffic Police officer
• When a driver fails the responsibility to report a collision 
• Driving incorrectly on a divided or separated street
• Driving without following road instructions where there’s road separation into lanes
• Overloading by overcrowding your driver’s seat with passengers
• Operating your motor vehicle on the wrong road on a one-way street
• Refusing to stop for pedestrians at a pedestrian crossing
• Going over a demarcated lane where there’s no proper provided road crossing
• Ignoring regulations to slow and cautiously pass a stopped emergency vehicle on the side of a road
• Operating an automobile on a closed road lane
• Refusing to move, where possible, into another path when passing a stopped emergency vehicle.
• Inappropriate use of an (HOV) high-occupancy motor vehicle lane
• Operating a vehicle that is equipped with or carrying a speed measuring warning device (such as a radar detector).

2 Demerit Points in Ontario

• When you fail to minimize headlight beam
• Opening of a vehicle door improperly
• A situation where you make Prohibited turns
• When you Tow people – on bicycles, toboggans, skis, for example.
• Failure to obey posted road signage
• Ignoring to share a divided road
• Incorrectly making a right turn
• Improper left turn.
• Failing to signal.
• Unnecessary slow driving
• Trying to Reverse or Reversing your vehicle on a motorway
• As a Driver, when you refuse to ensure infant passenger is suitably secured
• When a driver fails to take the responsibility of safeguarding toddler passenger appropriately 
• Driver forgetting or refusing to take the necessary precaution to make sure a child is properly secured.

Major Effective Ways To Beat Your Charges And Keep A Clean Driving Record

Fighting a traffic ticket is not always easy, and the chances of winning the case are quite minimal, especially if the driver does not understand how to fight a traffic ticket. It’s critical to follow and be sure you are not guilty of the offense before you conclude that you want to fight to overcome that stress. Also, what if you are sure you are not convicted of the overspeeding or any infractions but still ignorant of how to fight the ticket? Instances such as this will have been severe if the system does not support the involvement of third parties like a paralegal team like trafficticketsexpert.ca to help you fight your ticket. Such is the primary reason why we exist, to help you fight your traffic ticket and ensure you keep a clean driving record.

You have the right to employ someone to appear for you in court to defend traffic tickets. You could also appear yourself to defend your charges. Whichever the case may be, we at traffictickseperts.com are always available to guide you and support you, to help you win the case and if there is any application of punishment, we help you negotiate and ensure there is a reduction in the sentence. We can enlighten you on how Ontario traffic tickets work. 

Our paralegals’ team is very competent and reliable with a high success rate of fighting traffic tickets. We help you handle your charges, starting from filling the tickets, requesting disclosure documents, and preparing related litigation support. With trafficticketsexperts.ca, your proven means of saving money and maintaining a clean driving record.