- Fully licensed (G) drivers face a licence review at 9 demerit points, and suspension at 15 points.
- New drivers (G1 and G2) face a much lower threshold — suspension review at just 2 demerit points for novice licence holders under the escalating system.
- Demerit points remain on your driving record for 2 years from the date of the offence, not the date of conviction.
- Points are assigned automatically upon conviction — paying a ticket is the same as pleading guilty and accepting the points.
- Fighting a ticket that carries demerit points can prevent points from being added at all, not just reduce a fine.
- A licence suspension from accumulated points is separate from — and in addition to — any suspension from a specific serious conviction like stunt driving.
How Ontario's Demerit Point System Works
Ontario's demerit point system, administered by the Ministry of Transportation, assigns points to your driving record upon conviction for specific moving violations under the Highway Traffic Act. The system exists to identify and address high-risk drivers before they cause serious harm, and it operates independently of the fines attached to any given ticket.
Crucially, demerit points are assigned only upon conviction — meaning if you simply pay a ticket (a guilty plea) or are found guilty at trial, the points are added automatically. If your ticket is withdrawn, dismissed, or reduced to a lesser offence, the associated demerit points are avoided.
Demerit Point Values by Common Offence
| Offence | Demerit Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–15 km/h over | 0 |
| Speeding 16–29 km/h over | 3 |
| Speeding 30–49 km/h over | 4 |
| Speeding 50+ km/h over (stunt driving territory) | 6 |
| Failing to stop for a school bus | 6 |
| Careless driving | 6 |
| Failing to remain at scene of an accident | 7 |
| Racing / stunt driving | 6 |
| Failing to stop for police | 7 |
| Driving through a level railway crossing | 3–7 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| Improper passing / lane change | 3 |
| Failure to yield right of way | 3 |
| Failing to signal | 2 |
| Failure to wear a seatbelt | 2 |
Suspension Thresholds for Fully Licensed Drivers
For drivers holding a full G licence, the Ministry of Transportation applies escalating consequences as points accumulate:
New Drivers Face a Much Lower Threshold
Drivers in Ontario's Graduated Licensing System (G1 and G2) are held to a significantly stricter standard than fully licensed drivers, reflecting their limited experience.
A novice driver (G1 or G2) can face a licence review with as few as 2 demerit points, and can face suspension well before accumulating anywhere near the 15-point threshold that applies to fully licensed drivers. New drivers should treat every ticket as a serious risk to their licence.
How Long Points Stay on Your Record
Demerit points remain on your driving record for 2 years from the date of the offence — not the date you were convicted or paid the fine. This distinction matters because there can be a gap of months between the offence date and the conviction date, particularly if you fight the ticket.
Because points are counted from the offence date, points from an older ticket may expire while you are still dealing with a more recent one — understanding your specific timeline can help you and your lawyer assess your risk of reaching a suspension threshold.
The Suspension Review Process
If you are called in for an interview or notified of a suspension, the Ministry of Transportation will review your complete driving record, including the nature and frequency of your convictions. Outcomes can include a formal warning, a probationary licence with conditions, additional driver testing, or a suspension of your driving privileges.
A driver accumulates 10 demerit points over 18 months from a combination of speeding tickets and a careless driving conviction. They are called in for an interview, where the Ministry places them on a probationary period with a requirement to remain conviction-free for a set time, rather than immediately suspending their licence.
How Demerit Points Affect Your Insurance
While insurance companies do not see your demerit point total directly, they do see the underlying convictions reported to them, and rate your policy accordingly. Convictions carrying higher demerit point values — such as careless driving or stunt driving — are typically classified as "major convictions" by insurers, often resulting in premium increases of 25% to well over 100%.
How to Avoid Accumulating Demerit Points
- Do not simply pay a ticket without considering your options. Paying is a guilty plea and results in automatic demerit points.
- Fight tickets that carry significant point values, particularly if you are close to a suspension threshold or hold a novice licence.
- Request disclosure and scrutinize the evidence — incomplete officer notes, uncalibrated equipment, and other issues can result in a withdrawal.
- Negotiate a reduction to a lesser offence carrying fewer or no demerit points, even if the underlying charge cannot be withdrawn entirely.
- Track your point total so you understand your proximity to a suspension threshold before deciding how to handle a new ticket.
Every ticket is an opportunity to protect your licence. Call our Toronto traffic ticket lawyers at 416-274-2222 for a free consultation before you pay your next ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fully licensed drivers face an interview requirement at 9 points and licence suspension at 15 points. Novice drivers (G1/G2) face a review at just 2 points, reflecting the stricter standards for new drivers.
Yes. Demerit points are removed from your record 2 years after the date of the offence (not the conviction date), provided you do not incur additional convictions in the meantime.
Yes. Paying a ticket is legally equivalent to pleading guilty, which results in a conviction and the associated demerit points being added to your record.
Yes. If your ticket is withdrawn, dismissed, or reduced to a lesser offence with fewer or no demerit points, you avoid some or all of the associated points — this is one of the primary reasons drivers choose to fight tickets rather than simply pay them.
It depends on how far over the limit you were travelling: 0 points for 1–15 km/h over, 3 points for 16–29 km/h over, 4 points for 30–49 km/h over, and 6 points for 50+ km/h over (which also triggers stunt driving provisions).
The Ministry of Transportation reviews your driving record and may impose a suspension, require additional testing, or place other conditions on your licence, depending on the number and nature of your convictions.
Not directly, but the underlying convictions that generate demerit points are reported to insurers and used to calculate your premiums — often resulting in significant increases, particularly for "major" convictions.
Yes, generally after the suspension period ends and you complete any required steps, such as an interview or additional testing, though repeated suspensions can result in longer or more restrictive terms.