What Each Driver Needs to Know about Demerit Points in Ontario
- Emily Situ
- Jul 20, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
If you drive in Ontario, understanding demerit points is essential. Whether you’re a new driver with a G1 or G2 licence, or a fully licensed driver, accumulating too many demerit points can lead to licence suspension, higher insurance rates, and long-term consequences for your driving record.
At Situ Legal Services we help clients fight traffic tickets and protect their licences. In this article, we explain how Ontario’s demerit point system works, what penalties you could face, and how a paralegal can help you reduce the impact on your driving record.
What Are Demerit Points in Ontario?
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t lose demerit points—you start with zero points and gain points for traffic violations.
Demerit points stay on your Ontario driving record for two years from the date of the offence. If you collect too many, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) can suspend your licence.
You can even get Ontario demerit points for offences committed in:
✅ Other Canadian provinces and territories
✅ The State of New York
✅ The State of Michigan
How Demerit Points Are Applied
The number of demerit points depends on the seriousness of the offence.
7 points – e.g., failing to remain at the scene of a collision, failing to stop for police
6 points – e.g., careless driving, racing, exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
5 points – e.g., failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing (bus drivers)
4 points – e.g., following too closely, exceeding the speed limit by 30–49 km/h
3 points – e.g., distracted driving, failing to yield, improper passing
2 points – e.g., improper turns, failing to signal, driver not wearing a seatbelt
[Click here for the full list of Ontario traffic offences and demerit points]
Penalties for Demerit Points: Full Licence vs. New Drivers
The consequences depend on your driver’s licence class.
✅ If You Have a Full Licence (G, M, etc.):
6–8 points – You’ll receive a warning letter
9–14 points – A second warning letter
15+ points – Licence suspended for 30 days
✅ If You’re a New or Novice Driver (G1, G2, M1, M2):
2–5 points – You’ll receive a warning letter
6–8 points – A second warning letter
9+ points – Licence suspended for 60 days
Novice drivers also face escalating penalties, meaning repeat offences can result in longer suspensions or restarting the licensing process.
What Happens During a Suspension?
When your licence is suspended, you’ll get a notice from the MTO with the effective date. You must surrender your licence either at a Service Ontario centre or by mail.
After the suspension:
✅ You may need to retake your vision, written, or road tests
✅ Your points will be reduced but not erased (7 for full licence, 4 for novice drivers)
✅ Any new offences can quickly lead to another suspension.
Out-of-Province Demerit Points
Did you get a ticket outside Ontario? In most Canadian provinces, New York, or Michigan, the offence will still affect your Ontario driving record.
For example, speeding or failing to stop for a school bus in Quebec or New York will add demerit points just as if the offence happened in Ontario.
Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Traffic Ticket
Many drivers simply pay their traffic tickets, but this can have serious consequences:
Demerit points on your driving record for 2 years
Possible licence suspension if you already have points
Higher insurance premiums
Potential employment impact if you need a clean driving record
