Every driver starts with zero demerit points on their record. But, unfortunately, even the best drivers among us can slip up and end up with a speeding ticket or two, which means a demerit point increase. Right? But by how much and for how long? Here’s how to check your demerit points in Ontario and the impact that they can have on your license and insurance rates.
How do I check my demerit points in Ontario?
In Ontario, you can check your demerit points by ordering a driver’s record online, in person at a ServiceOntario location, by mail or by fax.
Demerit points only count towards penalties for two years. So an uncertified 3-year driver record that costs $12 is the most affordable option for checking your demerit point total. If you order online or in-person: You will get your uncertified record immediately after your order.
A certified 3-year record costs $18. This document will take 15 business days to process and be mailed through Canada Post. If ordered by mail or fax, uncertified driver records will also take 15 days to process.
Uncertified and certified 5-year driver records cost the same as 3-year records, and both take 15 days to process. The 5-year record will include your:
- Demerit point total.
- Three-year history of convictions and penalties for Highway Traffic Act infractions.
- Five-year history of driving offences covered under the Criminal Code of Canada.
A complete driver record costs $48 or $54, depending on whether it’s certified. It will include your demerit point information as well as a full history of driving convictions, license suspensions and reinstatements in addition to collision records.
A driver’s licence history will not include your demerit point total.
Do demerit points in Ontario affect my car insurance?
The number of demerit points associated with your driving record doesn’t directly affect what you pay for insurance. The Ontario government exclusively uses the demerit point system to track driving offences for the purpose of license suspensions.
Driving convictions that result in demerit points can also affect what you pay for insurance. However, not all offences that earn demerit points affect your insurance rate. Likewise, not all violations that affect your insurance or result in legal consequences will add demerit points to your driving record.
Driving Offences that don’t Earn Demerit Points:
- Driving without insurance won’t increase demerit points, but a conviction will come with a fine and make future insurance premiums more expensive.
- Red light camera tickets result in a fine for a vehicle’s owner. Still, they can’t be attached to a demerit increase because the driver can’t be reliably identified.
- Impaired driving charges result in more severe penalties than demerit points, including fines, immediate license suspension, enrollment in education/treatment programs and incarceration.
How many demerit points come with an Ontario speeding ticket?
The number of demerit points received with a speeding ticket depends on the severity of the offence, i.e. the number of km/hour driving over the speed limit for a conviction.
- 2 Demerit points: Driving inappropriately slow on a roadway.
- 3 Demerit points: Driving 16-29 km/hour over the speed limit.
- 4 Demerit points: Exceeding the speed limit by 30-49 km/hour.
- 6 Demerit points: Driving 50 km/hour or more over the speed limit or exceeding the limit by 40 or more km/hour where the limit is 80 km/hour or less.
Read How demerit points are applied on the Government of Ontario’s website for the complete list of demerit point penalties for driving offences.
When do insurance companies find out about my speeding ticket?
If you receive a speeding ticket in Ontario, your insurance company won’t immediately recalculate your rates.
If you challenge your ticket in court and successfully have your charges dropped, your insurance premiums will remain unchanged.
After a speeding conviction, your insurer may increase your rates when your insurance renews after they re-check your driving records. Any quotes you receive from other insurers will also access the speeding ticket conviction information to determine your policy price.
Like with demerit points, the more severe the speeding incident on your record, the more your insurance premiums can increase. However, a speeding violation charge will only be used to calculate how much you pay for insurance for three years.
What is the maximum amount of demerit points you can have in Ontario?
The maximum amount of demerit points you can receive before a license suspension varies depending on the class of your driver’s license.
Newer drivers with a G1, G2, M1, M2, M1-L or M2-L class licence will have their license suspended for 60 days once they reach 9 demerit points.
In contrast, fully-licensed drivers will be subject to a 30-day license suspension if they receive 15 or more demerit points.
Demerit Points for Fully-Licensed Drivers |
Demerit Points for New Drivers |
Additional Penalties |
| 6-8 points | 2-5 points | 1st warning letter |
| 9-14 points | 6-8 points | 2nd warning letter |
| 15+ points | N/A | License suspension for 30 days |
| N/A | 9+ points | License suspension for 60 days |
Surrendering a License
In both cases, a driver’s license can be revoked for two years if they refuse to surrender their license for suspension. It’s possible to surrender your license in two ways:
- In-person at a ServiceOntario location
- By mailing your license to the Ministry of Transportation:
Ministry of Transportation
Driver Control Section
77 Wellesley Street West, Box 671
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1N3
Ontario’s escalating penalties program for Novice Drivers
New drivers can lose their license after three offences that violate Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, which includes convictions for:
- Breaking the rules of Ontario’s graduated license system.
- A Highway Traffic Act offence and receiving a penalty of four or more demerit points.
- Receiving a court-ordered suspension for a Highway Traffic Act offence worth four or more demerit points.
Drivers will receive a 30-day license suspension for their first offence and a 60-day suspension for their second offence. A third offence will result in the loss of the license. Drivers will have to re-apply for a G1 license, pay for all relevant fees and retake all tests after their third penalty.
Can I earn demerit points outside of Ontario?
Yes! A charge for breaking the rules of the road in any Canadian province or territory, in addition to the U.S. states of New York and Michigan, can add demerit points to your license. Criminal driving convictions will also be penalized by a license suspension in these jurisdictions.
How long do demerit points stay on your record in Ontario?
If you receive demerit points for a driving offence, they will stay on your record for two years. That’s good news for your demerit point tally and reducing the chances of license suspension.
However, your insurance company will consider 3-5 years of your driving history from your driver’s abstract (motor vehicle record) when setting your auto premiums.
In addition, driving convictions prosecuted under the Criminal Code of Canada can affect your insurance rates for 6-8 years. These include impaired driving offences and failing to stop for police or to remain at the scene of a collision, which can be penalized with seven demerit points and a one-year licence suspension.
The presence of a criminal conviction on your driving record will likely cause your insurer to cancel your policy and require you to purchase high-risk “Facility” insurance. In that case, you would need to work towards more affordable insurance premiums by rebuilding your reputation as a safe driver.
When it comes to saving money on insurance, a long history of safe, responsible driving is always your ticket (or lack of tickets) to affordable rates. Knowing how to check your demerit points and other information on your driving record makes your auto insurance prices more transparent. Get a 3-minute quote from us to find out if we can help you save on the coverage you need.
