Ontario Traffic Offences & Penalties
Understanding Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) penalties is essential for all drivers. Traffic violations not only result in fines and demerit points, but they can also impact your insurance premiums, driving privileges, and even your freedom in severe cases. Below you’ll find a breakdown of the most common offences under the HTA, including their penalties, fines, and other important details.
1. Demerit Points Information
Demerit points are part of Ontario’s system to monitor and encourage safe driving behaviour. Every time you’re convicted of certain traffic offences, points are added to your driving record. Too many points can lead to warnings, interviews with the Ministry of Transportation, or even suspension of your licence. While demerit points don’t directly cause insurance increases, the conviction that leads to them often does.
Common Offences & Demerit Points:
- Fail to Remain at the Scene of an Accident — 7 Points
- Stunt Driving (50 km/h or more over limit) — 6 Points
- Careless Driving — 6 Points
- Fail to Stop for School Bus — 6 Points
- Speeding (16–29 km/h over limit) — 3 Points
- Speeding (30–49 km/h over limit) — 4 Points
- Seatbelt Offences — 2 Points
- Fail to Obey Stop Sign/Traffic Signal/Railway Signal — 3 Points
- Improper Use of HOV Lane — 3 Points
- Hand-held Device (1st Offence) — 3 Points
- Hand-held Device (2nd or Subsequent) — 6 Points
2. Penalties for Speeding Tickets (HTA Section 128)
Speeding is one of the most frequently issued traffic violations in Ontario. The penalties increase depending on how much over the limit you were driving. Minor speeding tickets may only carry small fines and minimal points, but excessive speed can lead to licence suspension, stunt driving charges, and steep insurance rate hikes. The law aims to reduce accidents and fatalities caused by excessive speed.
| Speed Over Limit | Demerit Points | Additional Penalties |
|---|---|---|
| 0–15 km/h | 0 | None |
| 16–29 km/h | 3 | Minor ticket, potential insurance impact |
| 30–49 km/h | 4 | Higher fines, likely insurance increase |
| 50+ km/h | 6 | 30-day licence suspension, possible stunt driving charge |
3. Penalties for Careless Driving
Careless driving refers to operating a vehicle without due care or attention, or in a way that endangers others. It’s a serious offence that doesn’t require intent—just unsafe conduct. Conviction can result in large fines, loss of your licence, jail time, and dramatic increases in insurance premiums that can last for years.
Penalties:
- 6 demerit points
- Fine between $400 and $2,000
- Possible licence suspension (up to 2 years)
- Possible jail time (up to 6 months)
- Significant increase in insurance premiums for at least 3 years
4. Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign
Failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign is considered a moving violation that can lead to a conviction on your driving record. Even rolling stops are treated as offences. These convictions can affect your insurance and are visible to law enforcement and insurers for three years.
Penalties:
- 3 demerit points
- $85 fine
- Conviction remains on record for 3 years
5. Hand-Held or Entertainment Device Charges
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of collisions in Ontario. The law strictly prohibits using hand-held devices—such as phones or tablets—while driving. Penalties escalate with each conviction and can include fines, suspensions, and demerit points. These offences are viewed very seriously by insurance companies and can lead to significant premium increases.
G-Class Drivers:
- 1st offence: Fine $500–$1,000 + 3-day suspension
- 2nd offence: Fine $500–$2,000 + 7-day suspension
- 3rd or subsequent: Fine $500–$3,000 + 30-day suspension
Novice Drivers (G1/G2/M1/M2):
- Subject to escalating suspensions and additional sanctions for each conviction.
6. Driving While Under Suspension
Driving while your licence is suspended is a serious offence that demonstrates deliberate disregard for the law. The penalties include hefty fines, additional suspensions, and even jail time. Conviction can also make reinstating your licence more complicated and expensive.
Penalties:
- Fine between $1,000 and $5,000
- Mandatory 6-month licence suspension
- Possible jail time up to 6 months
7. Driving Without Insurance
Operating a vehicle without valid insurance is not only illegal but financially risky. If you cause an accident, you could be personally responsible for damages or injuries. The fines are steep, and convictions can lead to licence suspensions and long-term increases in insurance costs—or even denial of coverage.
Penalties:
- 1st conviction: Minimum fine $5,000 + 25% surcharge = $6,250
- 2nd conviction: Minimum fine $10,000 + 25% surcharge = $12,500
- Possible licence suspension up to 1 year
8. Stunt Driving
Stunt driving includes extreme speeding (50 km/h or more over the limit), street racing, or aggressive maneuvers such as drifting. It’s among the most severe traffic offences in Ontario and comes with immediate roadside suspensions, impoundment of your vehicle, and long-term insurance impacts that can cost thousands of dollars annually.
Penalties:
- 1st offence: Licence suspension 1–3 years
- 2nd offence: Suspension 3–10 years
- 3rd offence: Lifetime suspension (may be reduced later)
- 4th offence: Permanent lifetime suspension
- Insurance: Possible denial of coverage or extremely high premiums
9. Driving Without a Licence
Driving without a valid licence means operating a vehicle when you’ve never been licensed or your licence has expired or been suspended. It’s treated as a significant infraction, with fines, possible jail time, and an insurance record that can harm your premiums for years.
Penalties:
- Fine between $200 and $1,000
- Conviction remains on record for 3 years
- Possible demerit points
- Higher insurance rates
- Potential jail time
10. Failing to Remain at the Scene
Failing to remain at the scene of an accident (often called “hit and run”) is one of the most serious HTA offences. It demonstrates a failure to take responsibility for your actions after a collision. Even in minor accidents, leaving the scene can lead to heavy fines, loss of your licence, and imprisonment.
Penalties:
- Fine between $400 and $2,000
- 7 demerit points
- Possible licence suspension up to 2 years
- Possible jail time up to 6 months
11. Improper Use of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane
HOV lanes are designated for vehicles carrying multiple passengers to promote carpooling and reduce congestion. Using an HOV lane improperly can result in fines and demerit points, even if traffic is light or you believe it’s safe to enter.
Penalties:
- 3 demerit points
- Conviction recorded on your driving record
- Possible fines for disobeying posted signs
12. Failing to Stop for a School Bus
Failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights puts children’s lives in danger. Ontario has strict penalties for this offence to ensure the safety of students getting on and off the bus. Even one conviction can seriously affect your insurance and driving record.
Penalties:
- Fine up to $2,000 (first offence)
- Fine up to $4,000 (subsequent offences)
- 6 demerit points
- 30-day suspension (G2 drivers)
- Conviction stays on record for 3 years
13. Failure to Yield
Failing to yield the right of way can cause collisions and disrupt traffic flow. This offence typically occurs when entering a roadway, turning at intersections, or merging into lanes without properly allowing others to proceed.
Penalties:
- 3 demerit points
- Conviction on driving record
- May increase insurance premiums
14. Failing to Yield to Pedestrians
Drivers must always yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing the road. Failure to do so can result in serious injury or death, which is why Ontario imposes significant fines and demerit points for this offence. Enforcement has increased in recent years to improve pedestrian safety.
Penalties:
- Fine up to $1,000
- 4 demerit points
15. Following Too Closely
Following another vehicle too closely, or “tailgating,” is a common cause of rear-end collisions. The offence demonstrates aggressive or inattentive driving and carries both fines and demerit points. A conviction can remain on your record and impact insurance premiums.
Penalties:
- Fine between $110 and $500
- 4 demerit points
- Possible 30-day licence suspension
- Conviction recorded on your driving record
16. CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration) Tickets
Commercial drivers and transport companies are held to high safety standards under the CVOR system. Violations can lead to point accumulation, audits, and serious consequences for both drivers and carriers. Maintaining a good CVOR rating is essential to remain compliant and operational in Ontario.
Possible Consequences:
- Accumulation of CVOR points similar to demerit points
- Warning letters for excessive points
- Facility audits or logbook inspections
- Conditional safety ratings
- Show-cause hearings before the MTO
- Potential fleet limitations, plate seizure, or suspension of operating privileges
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