How Demerit Points Really Affect Your Licence in Ontario
What points really mean for your licence, insurance, and driving record
Demerit points in Ontario are more than a warning — they can pose a direct threat to your licence and insurance. Accumulating too many points may lead to licence suspensions, mandatory interviews, escalating penalties, and significant insurance increases — especially for G1 and G2 drivers.
Many traffic charges carry demerit points automatically, and drivers often don’t realize the impact until it’s too late. Understanding how points are applied — and when the underlying charge can be challenged — is critical to protecting your driving record.
Our Ontario-licensed paralegals help drivers across the province defend charges that carry demerit points. We assess your situation carefully, explain the risks clearly, and represent you through early resolution discussions or trial when appropriate — with the goal of protecting your licence and limiting long-term consequences.
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What Demerit Points Really Mean for Your Ontario Licence
Demerit points are a system used by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to track your driving behaviour over time.
As points accumulate on your record, you move closer to thresholds that can trigger warnings, mandatory driver interviews, or licence suspensions. For novice drivers, these consequences can arise even more quickly.
Demerit points are not fines, but they act as strikes against your driving history. Even after points expire, the underlying convictions can continue to affect your licence status, insurance rates, and driving privileges.
Understanding how points work — and how the charges that cause them can be challenged — is key to protecting your record.
Below is a general overview of demerit points associated with common Ontario traffic offences. If your licence or insurance is at risk, acting early can make a meaningful difference.
| Offence | Demerit Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 16–29 km/h over limit | 3 |
| Speeding 30–49 km/h over limit | 4 |
| Speeding 50+ km/h over limit | 6 |
| Stunt driving or racing | 7 |
| Careless driving causing property damage | 6 |
| Failing to remain at accident scene | 7 |
| Failing to yield to pedestrian | 3 |
| Disobeying traffic signals or signs | 3 |
This is not an exhaustive list. Always check the most current MTO/demerit point schedule or consult your notice of offence.
How Many Demerit Points Common Offences Carry — and Why It Matters
Many common traffic offences in Ontario carry automatic demerit points, and those points can accumulate quickly. For fully licensed drivers, points may trigger warnings or suspensions. For G1 and G2 drivers, even a single conviction can lead to immediate licence consequences.
While demerit points themselves are administrative, the real risk comes from the underlying conviction. Once a conviction is entered, points are applied automatically by the Ministry of Transportation — and they can affect your licence status, insurance premiums, and driving privileges long after the ticket is issued.
Understanding how many points an offence carries is important, but what matters most is whether the charge can be challenged before points ever reach your record. In many cases, early legal defence can prevent points entirely by reducing or resolving the charge.
What Happens When Demerit Points Put Your Licence at Risk
As demerit points accumulate, the consequences escalate quickly:
- 6–8 points: You may receive a formal warning letter from the Ministry of Transportation
- 9–14 points: You can be required to attend a driver interview and may be ordered to complete a driving improvement program
- 15 or more points: You face a licence suspension, often for 30 days or longer, depending on the circumstances
⚠️Important: New drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2): Subject to stricter limits, with fewer points tolerated before immediate consequences apply.
While demerit points themselves typically remain on your record for two years, the underlying convictions last much longer and can continue to affect your licence status and insurance well after the points are gone.
The earlier a charge is addressed, the more options you have to prevent points from ever reaching your record.
Why Demerit Points Matter (Beyond Suspension)
Demerit points affect far more than just your licence status:
- Insurance impact: Insurers closely review your driving record when setting rates. Accumulated points and convictions often result in significant premium increases — or difficulty obtaining coverage at all.
- Graduated licensing risk: G1 and G2 drivers face stricter limits. Even a small number of points can delay or jeopardize your progress toward a full licence.
- Cumulative risk: Demerit points stack across offences. What seems like a minor ticket can quickly become a serious issue when combined with existing points.
Protecting your driving record early can help prevent long-term financial and licensing consequences.
What You Can Do If You're At Risk
If you’re close to a demerit point threshold — or already facing warnings or interviews — early action matters. Once a conviction is registered, points are applied automatically, and your options become far more limited.
The most effective step is to address the underlying charge before it reaches your record. In many cases, a charge can be challenged, reduced, or resolved in a way that prevents points altogether. This is especially important for novice drivers, commercial drivers, and anyone whose licence or insurance is critical to their livelihood.
Our Ontario-licensed paralegals assess your situation, explain the risks clearly, and take timely steps to protect your driving record. The sooner a defence strategy is in place, the more control you have over the outcome.
Waiting can cost you your licence. Acting early gives you options.
“I've contacted several paralegals and they are the fastest and most informative. Damian has already given me clues in his initial counseling session. I will definitely retain him if the issue is not resolved.”
Kelly Y., Former Client
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Why Drivers Trust Cordaie to Protect Their Licence
- Licensed & Law Society of Ontario (LSO) regulated paralegals — qualified legal professionals, not ticket processors
- Flat-fee pricing — clear, upfront costs with no hourly surprises
- Courtroom-focused defence — we challenge cases strategically, not push quick pleas
- Ontario-wide representation — serving clients from Toronto to Ottawa to Thunder Bay
- Responsive, transparent, and strategic — your case is taken seriously from day one
When your licence, livelihood, and future are on the line, experience and preparation matter. Trust a defence team that treats your case with the attention it deserves.
Your Questions About Demerit Points — Answered Clearly
Understanding demerit points in Ontario is critical to protecting your driver’s licence and insurance rates. While not every ticket adds points, many common offences do — and accumulating too many can trigger warnings, licence suspension, or significant insurance increases.
In this FAQ section, we answer the most common questions about how demerit points work, how long they stay on your record, and what options may be available if you’re approaching a threshold. Our experienced Ontario paralegals help drivers challenge traffic charges and take early steps to prevent points from causing long-term damage to their driving record.
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1. How long do demerit points stay on your record?
Points stay on your record for 2 years after the offence date. But the conviction stays longer.
2. Can they suspend me with under 15 points?
Yes, especially for novice drivers or repeat offenders. Also, serious offences (e.g. stunt driving) have special rules.
3. Do demerit points apply in criminal charges?
No — demerit points are provincial (under the Highway Traffic Act).
Criminal charges like Dangerous Driving or Fail to Remain carry separate consequences.
4. Can I reduce or remove demerit points?
Not usually — points are tied to the specific offence.
But if the ticket is dismissed, reduced, or withdrawn, related points may be avoided.
5. What happens after a suspension?
You may face reinstatement fees, required courses, insurance rate impacts, and having to prove your driving fitness before regaining licence.
Get Clear Answers Before Points Put Your Licence at Risk
Demerit points can add up quickly and trigger licence or insurance consequences before you expect it. We explain how the system works, what risks you’re facing, and what can be done to protect your driving record.
Province-Wide Defence for Drivers Across Ontario
From major cities to smaller communities across Ontario, we help drivers understand how demerit points work — and how traffic charges can put their licence at risk. Points can be added for a wide range of offences, from speeding to more serious allegations, and many drivers don’t realize how quickly consequences can escalate.
Our Ontario-wide support focuses on clarity and practical guidance, not legal jargon. We review your charge, explain how many points may apply, how long they last, when suspensions can occur, and what options may be available to limit the impact. Whether you’re dealing with a single ticket or facing a potential suspension, we provide clear, honest information to help you protect your driving privileges across Ontario.
