Ontario Demerit System
Understanding Your
Ontario Ticket
Your ticket doesn't tell you everything. Here's what you actually need to know about demerit points, convictions, and what's really at stake.
Demerit Point Thresholds — Ontario
9 pts
Warning Letter
Fully licensed (G)
15 pts
Licence Suspended
Fully licensed (G) — 30 days
6 pts
Warning Letter
Novice driver (G1/G2)
9 pts
Licence Suspended
Novice driver — 60 days
Points stay on your record for 2 years from the date of conviction — not the ticket date.
Demerit Points by Offence
Based on Ontario Regulation 339/94 under the Highway Traffic Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything Ontario drivers ask after getting a ticket.
How does Ticket Relief determine demerit points?
We look up the HTA section number printed on your ticket against Ontario Regulation 339/94 — the official provincial demerit point schedule under the Highway Traffic Act. For speeding charges (s.128), points depend on how far over the posted limit you were alleged to be driving: 16–29 km/h over = 3 points, 30–49 km/h over = 4 points, 50+ km/h over = 6 points. For all other offences the points are fixed by the section number alone. You can view the full official schedule on the Ontario government website.
Why doesn't my ticket show how many demerit points I'm getting?
Ontario tickets (POA Form 1) don't list demerit points because points are only added to your record after a conviction — not when the ticket is issued. The number of points is determined by the Ontario Regulation 339/94 based on the specific section of the Highway Traffic Act you're charged under. Ticket Relief looks up your section number and calculates them automatically.
How long do demerit points stay on my driving record?
Demerit points remain on your Ontario driving record for 2 years from the date of the conviction (not the date the ticket was issued). The conviction date is typically when you pay the fine or when the court makes a ruling — so if you delay your court date, you also delay when the points clock starts.
What happens when I accumulate too many points?
For fully licensed (Class G) drivers: at 9 points the MTO sends a warning letter; at 15 points your licence is suspended for 30 days and you must attend a mandatory interview. For novice (G1/G2) drivers the thresholds are lower: warning at 6 points, 60-day suspension at 9 points. After a suspension you start fresh at 0 points.
How do demerit points affect my car insurance?
Insurance companies pull your driving abstract when you renew your policy. Even 2–3 demerit points from a single conviction can increase your premium 10–25% annually. A 6-point conviction (like careless driving) can spike rates 50–100% or result in cancellation. Since these increases last 3–6 years, the real cost of a ticket is almost always several times the fine amount.
What's the difference between paying the fine and a conviction?
Paying the fine is the same as pleading guilty — you receive a conviction on your record, demerit points are added, and your insurance company is notified at renewal. Many people don't realize this. If you pay without fighting, there is no appeal. Fighting the ticket (even for a reduction) can mean fewer or zero points and no insurance impact.
What is the 15-day rule?
Once you receive a ticket, you have 15 days to choose one of three options printed on the back: (1) pay the fine and plead guilty, (2) request an early resolution meeting with the prosecutor, or (3) request a trial. If you miss the 15-day deadline without responding, you are deemed not to dispute the charge and a conviction is registered automatically — without a court date.
What is stunt driving (s.172) and why is it so serious?
Stunt driving under s.172 of the HTA covers racing, exceeding 40 km/h over the limit in a 80+ zone (or 50 km/h over in any zone), and other aggressive driving behaviours. It carries 6 demerit points, an automatic roadside 30-day licence suspension, and a 14-day vehicle impoundment on the spot — before any trial. A conviction can result in a licence suspension of up to 10 years.
Can I fight a ticket without a lawyer?
Yes — you can represent yourself at a trial or early resolution meeting. However, paralegal and traffic lawyers know the local court system, often have relationships with prosecutors, and know which procedural defences work (officer fails to appear, errors on the ticket, improper speed measurement). For tickets involving 4+ demerit points or over $300 in fines, the cost of a paralegal ($150–$400) is almost always worth it given the insurance savings.
What is an early resolution meeting?
An early resolution meeting (sometimes called a 'first appearance') is an informal meeting between you and the Crown prosecutor — before a trial is set. The prosecutor has discretion to reduce the charge to a lesser offence with fewer (or zero) demerit points, or reduce the fine. Most traffic paralegal firms secure reductions at this stage without ever going to a full trial.
Does a ticket from another province affect my Ontario licence?
Ontario has reciprocal agreements with most Canadian provinces and some US states. Convictions from Quebec, for example, do not transfer demerit points to an Ontario licence — but they are still visible on your abstract and can affect insurance. US convictions (e.g. from New York or Michigan) are reported to Ontario but points are not always transferred. Always verify with the MTO if you receive an out-of-province ticket.
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