Ontario Demerit Point System

A short guide to Demerit Point System in Ontario

What are demerit points?

Demerit points are penalty points added to your driving licence, if you are convicted of breaking certain driving laws.  For example if you are caught committing a traffic violation and convicted, the points will be added to your driving license history. If you accumulate too many points, your license may end up getting suspended or losing your license. Even if your points are low, having them may increase your costs of car insurance.

How long would demerit points stay on my record?

Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the offence date.

How do Demerit points work?

Table below show you how many demerit points will be added to your record for the type of violation you commit. Other tables below also show the penalties applicable on you for the demerit points you accumulate.

 

Demerit Points Violations
7 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
  • failing to remain at the scene of a collision
  • failing to stop when signaled or asked by a police officer
6 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
  • careless driving
  • racing
  • exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/hour or more
  • failing to stop for a school bus
5 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
  • failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing (for bus drivers only)
4 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
  • exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/hour
  • following too closely
3 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
  • driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communications or entertainment device
  • driving while viewing a display screen unrelated to the driving task
  • exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/hour
  • driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier
  • driving the wrong way on a divided road
  • driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road
  • failing to yield the right-of-way
  • failing to obey a stop sign, traffic control stop/slow sign, traffic light or railway crossing signal
  • failing to obey the directions of a police officer
  • failing to report a collision to a police officer
  • failing to slow and carefully pass a stopped emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its amber lights flashing
  • failing to move, where possible, into another lane when passing a stopped emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its amber lights flashing
  • improper passing
  • improper driving when road is divided into lanes
  • improper use of a high occupancy vehicle lane
  • going the wrong way on a one-way road
  • crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is provided
  • crowding the driver’s seat
2 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
  • improper right turn
  • improper left turn
  • improper opening of a vehicle door
  • prohibited turns
  • towing people — on toboggans, bicycles, skis
  • unnecessary slow driving
  • backing on highway
  • failing to lower headlamp beams
  • failing to obey signs
  • failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing
  • failing to share the road
  • failing to signal
  • driver failing to wear a seat belt
  • driver failing to ensure infant/ child passenger is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster seat
  • driver failing to ensure that a passenger less than 23 kg is properly secured
  • driver failing to ensure that a passenger under 16 years is wearing a seat belt

Penalties for demerit points.

Demerit Points Penalties if you are a driver with full license (like G)
2 to 8 points
  • You will be sent a warning letter.
9 to 14 points
  • Your licence could be suspended. You may have to attend an interview to discuss your driving record. At this meeting, you will need to provide reasons why your licence should not be suspended.
    If you have to attend an interview, you will get a letter (Notice of Interview) to notify you of the time, date and location of the meeting. If you do not attend, your licence could be suspended.
    The fee for a demerit point interview is $50 and must be paid in person at any ServiceOntario Centre. You can pay the fee when you receive the Notice of Interview or within 10 business days of attending the interview. Failure to pay the interview fee will result in the cancellation of your driver’s licence.
15+ points
  • Your licence will be suspended for 30 days.
    When your licence is suspended, you will get a letter from the Ministry of Transportation. It will tell you the date your suspension takes effect and that you need to surrender your licence.
    If you do not surrender your licence, you can lose your licence for up to two years.
Demerit Points Penalties if you are a new driver (like G1, G2, M1, M2, M1-L, M2-L)
2 to 5 points
  • You will be sent a warning letter.
6 to 8 points
  • Your licence could be suspended. You may have to attend an interview to discuss your driving record. At this meeting, you will need to provide reasons why your licence should not be suspended.
    If you have to attend an interview, you will get a letter (Notice of Interview) to notify you of the time, date and location of the meeting. If you do not attend, your licence could be suspended.
    The fee for a demerit point interview is $50 and must be paid in person at any ServiceOntario Centre. You can pay the fee when you receive the Notice of Interview or within 10 business days of attending the interview. Failure to pay the interview fee will result in the cancellation of your driver’s licence.
9 or more points
  • Your licence will be suspended for 60 days.
    When your licence is suspended, you will get a letter from the Ministry of Transportation. It will tell you the date your suspension takes effect and that you need to surrender your licence.
    If you do not surrender your licence, you can lose your licence for up to two years.

What is G1 Driving test and how to take it?

Read this article to understand about the eligibility conditions for G1, how to apply for the test, driving restrictions on G1 drivers and other basic details.

Read G1 basics

G1 Study Guide 1: Traffic signs

 

Spend some time looking at the various traffic signs used in Ontario to prepare for the G1 Test.

Study Traffic signs

Free G1 Practice Test 1: Traffic signs

Take the Traffic signs G1 Test to check your level of knowledge and to see how you may perform during the G1 Test. 

Take the Test

Free G1 Practice Test 2: Traffic signs

Take the Traffic signs G1 Test to check your level of knowledge and to see how you may perform during the G1 Test. 

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G1 Study Guide 2: Demerit Point System

Study the Demerit Point System used to penalise drivers which is tested in the G1 Exam.

Study Demerit Point System

Free G1 Practice Test 3: Traffic rules

Take the Traffic rules G1 Test to check your level of knowledge and how you may perform during the G1 Test.

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Free G1 Practice Test 3: Traffic rules

Take the Traffic rules G1 Test to check your level of knowledge and how you may perform during the G1 Test.

Take the Test