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Drivers convicted of certain driving-related offences have demerit
points recorded on their records. It is a common misconception that drivers
"lose" points due to convictions for certain traffic offences. In fact, a
driver begins with zero demerit points and accumulates demerit points for
convictions. 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. Below
is a table outlining the demerit point penalties for driving offences:
| 7 Points |
| Failing to remain at the scene of a
collision |
Failing to stop when signaled/requested by a police
officer |
| 6 Points |
| Careless Driving |
Racing |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more |
Failing to stop for a school bus |
| 5 Points |
| Driver of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected
railway crossing |
| 4 Points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h |
Following too closely |
| 3 Points |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h |
Driving through, around or under a railway crossing
barrier |
| 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 |
Driving the wrong way on a divided road |
| Failing to report a collision to a police officer |
Improper driving when road is divided into lanes |
| Crowding the driver's seat |
Going the wrong way on a one-way road |
| Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road |
Crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is
provided |
| Failing to slow and carefully pass a stopped emergency
vehicle |
Failing to move, where possible, into another lane when
passing a stopped emergency vehicle |
| Improper passing |
Improper use of high occupancy vehicle lane |
| 2
Points |
| Improper opening of a vehicle door |
Prohibited turns |
| Towing people—on toboggans, bicycles, skis, etc. |
Failing to obey signs |
| Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing |
Failing to share the road |
| Improper right turn |
Improper left turn |
| Failing to signal |
Unnecessary slow driving |
| Reversing on a divided high-speed road |
Driver failing to wear a seat belt |
| 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 |
| Failing to lower headlamp beams |
Backing on a highway |
| Driver failing to ensure infant/child passenger
is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster
seat |
Demerit Points and New Drivers
Demerit Points and Fully Licensed Drivers
Demerit Points for Out-of-Province Convictions
- Drivers convicted of a driving related offence in the State of
New York, the State of Michigan or any Canadian province or territory, will
have home jurisdictional penalties such as demerit points and/or suspensions
applied to their Ontario driver record as if the offence occurred in Ontario.
- Examples of out-of-province convictions where Ontario demerit
points and /or suspensions will be applied include:
| Traffic |
Criminal |
- Speeding
- Fail to obey stop sign
- Fail to obey signal light
- Fail to stop for school bus
- Racing
- Fail to remain or return to the scene of a collision
- Careless driving
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- Motor manslaughter
- Criminal negligence
- Dangerous driving
- Failure to remain at scene of a collision
- Impaired Driving
- Driving while disqualified or prohibited
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The Ontario Registrar of Motor Vehicles is required to keep these
records under Section 205 of the Highway Traffic Act and may use them
for the purposes of administering the Ministry's Demerit Point System.
Inquiries should be directed to:
Licensing Administration Office
Ministry of
Transportation
Main Floor, Building A
2680 Keele Street
Downsview, ON
M3M 3E6
Tel: 416-235-2999 or 1-800-387-3445
For French enquiries, please call 1-800-387-3445.
See also:
Related Links*
 DriveTest:
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