3601 Highway 7 East, Suite 506
Markham, Ontario L3R 0M3​
Demerit Points
What Are Demerit Points?
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Demerit points are added to your driver’s licence, if you are convicted of breaking certain driving laws. The rules are different depending on if you are a new driver or have a full licence.
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You don’t “lose” demerit points on your driving record. You start with zero points and gain points for being convicted of breaking certain traffic laws.
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Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the offence date. If you collect enough points, you can lose your driver’s licence. ​
You can also get demerit points on your Ontario’s driver’s licence when you violate driving laws in:
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Other Canadian provinces and territories
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The State of New York
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The State of Michigan ​
As a driver with a full G licence, if you have:
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2 to 8 points:
You will be sent a warning letter
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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.
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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.
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As a new (G1, G2, M1 or M2) driver, if you have:
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2 to 5 points:
You will be sent a warning letter.
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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.
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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.
All drivers face penalties if they violate the laws of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. Novice drivers can also receive “escalating” penalties – consequences that get stiffer with each similar offence – for breaking certain laws.
Escalating penalties can apply if you are:
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Convicted of breaking graduated licensing rules
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convicted of a Highway Traffic Act offence that results in four or more demerit points (e.g., street racing, careless driving)
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subject to a court-ordered suspension for a Highway Traffic Act offence that would have otherwise resulted in four or more demerit points
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For a first offence: your driver’s licence is suspended for 30 days
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For a second offence: your driver’s licence is suspended for 90 days.
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For a third offence: you will lose your novice licence. You will need to re-apply for your licence and start all over, taking all tests and paying all fees. You will also lose any time discount you earned, any time you were credited, and any fees you have paid.
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If you hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence, and are convicted of distracted driving, you’ll face the same fines as drivers with A to G licences. But you won’t receive any demerit points.
Instead of demerit points you’ll face:-
a 30-day licence suspension for a first conviction
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a 90-day licence suspension for a second conviction
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cancellation of your licence and removal from the Graduated Licensing System (GLS) for a third conviction
To get your licence back you’d have to redo the GLS program
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