DEMERIT POINTS

The demerit point system is covered under Regulation 339 of the Highway Traffic Act. Contrary to popular belief, you don't lose demerit points, you gain them. Demerit points stay on your driving record for two years. The conviction remains on your driver's abstract for three years. For information about the insurance implications, click here.

PointsWhat happens
Licensed Drivers
6 to 8Warning letter
9 to 14Meet with Ministry of Transportation and give reasons why your license shouldn't be suspended
15Automatic 30 day suspension
Novice Drivers (M1, M2, G1, G2)
2 to 5Warning letter
6 to 8Meet with Ministry of Transportation and give reasons why your license shouldn't be suspended
9Automatic 30 day suspension

Demerit Points

Offence Section

Points

Offence

Section 200 of the Highway Traffic Act

7

Failing to remain at scene of accident

Section 216 of the Highway Traffic Act, except where a suspension order is made under subsection 216 (3)

7

Driver failing to stop when signalled or requested to stop by a police officer

Subsections 175 (11) and (12) of the Highway Traffic Act

6

Failing to stop for school bus

Section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act

6

Careless driving

Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act

6

Racing

Speeding: Section 128 of the Highway Traffic Act; subsection 13 (3) of Regulation 829 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990; any provision of the National Capital Commission Traffic and Property Regulations CRC 1978, c. 1044 made under the National Capital Act (Canada) fixing maximum rates of speed and any municipal by-law fixing maximum rates of speed where the rate of speed is exceeded by:

      (a) 50 km/h or more

6

Exceeding speed limit by 50 km/h or more

      (b) 30 km/h or more and less than 50 km/h

4

Exceeding speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h

      (c) more than 15 km/h and less than 30 km/h

3

Exceeding speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h

Subsections 174 (1) and (2) of the Highway Traffic Act

5

Driver of public vehicle or school bus failing to stop at railway crossings

Section 158 of the Highway Traffic Act

4

Following too closely

Section 164 of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Driving through, around or under railway crossing barrier

Subsections 135 (2) and (3), clause 136 (1) (b), subsection 136 (2), subsection 138 (1), subsection 139 (1), subsection 141 (5) and subsections 144 (7), (8) and (21) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to yield right of way

Clause 136 (1) (a), subsections 144 (14), (15), (16), (17), (18) and (21), subsections 146 (3) and (4) and section 163 of the Highway Traffic Act, any municipal by-law requiring a driver to stop for a stop sign or signal light, and the National Capital Commission Traffic and Property Regulations CRC 1978, c. 1044 made under the National Capital Act (Canada) requiring a driver to stop for a stop sign

3

Failing to obey a stop sign, signal light or railway crossing signal

Subsection 134 (1) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to obey directions of police constable

Subsection 134 (3) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed highway

Subsections 199 (1) and (1.1) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to report an accident

Subsection 148 (8), sections 149, 150 and 166 of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Improper passing

Section 154 of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Improper driving where highway divided into lanes

Section 162 of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Crowding driver’s seat

Clause 156 (1) (a) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Drive wrong way – divided highway

Clause 156 (1) (b) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Cross divided highway – no proper crossing provided

Section 153 of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Wrong way in one way street or highway

Subsections 140 (1), (2) and (3) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Pedestrian crossover

Subsection 159.1 (1) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to slow down and proceed with caution when approaching stopped emergency vehicle

Subsection 159.1 (2) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to move into another lane when approaching stopped emergency vehicle – if safe to do [so]

Subsection 79 (2) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Motor vehicle equipped with or carrying a speed measuring warning device

Subsection 154.1 (3) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Improper use of high occupancy vehicle lane

Subsection 146.1 (3) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to obey traffic control stop sign

Subsection 146.1 (4) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to obey traffic control slow sign

Subsection 176 (3) of the Highway Traffic Act

3

Failing to obey school crossing stop sign

Subsection 157 (1) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Backing on highway

Subsections 148 (1), (2), (4), (5), (6) and (7) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Failing to share road

Subsections 141 (2) and (3) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Improper right turn

Subsections 141 (6) and (7) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Improper left turn

Subsections 142 (1), (2) and (8) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Failing to signal

Section 132 of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Unnecessary slow driving

Section 168 of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Failing to lower headlamp beam

Section 165 of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Improper opening of vehicle door

Section 143 and subsection 144 (9) of the Highway Traffic Act and any municipal by-law prohibiting turns

2

Prohibited turns

Section 160 of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Towing of persons on toboggans, bicycles, skis, etc., prohibited

Subsection 182 (2) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Failing to obey signs prescribed by regulation under subsection 182 (1)

Subsection 106 (2) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Driver failing to properly wear seat belt

Subclause 106 (4) (a) (i) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Driving while passenger under 16 fails to occupy position with seat belt

Subclause 106 (4) (a) (ii) of the Highway Traffic Act

2

Driving while passenger under 16 fails to properly wear seat belt

Subsection 8 (2) of Regulation 613 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990

2

Driver failing to ensure infant passenger is secured as prescribed

Subsection 8 (3) of Regulation 613 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990

2

Driver failing to ensure toddler passenger is secured as prescribed

Subsection 8 (4) of Regulation 613 of the Revised Regulations of Ontario, 1990

2

Driver failing to ensure child passenger is secured as prescribed