| |
Demerit Point System Drivers convicted of certain driving
Demerit Point System
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 license. Below is a table outlining
the demerit point penalties for driving offences:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 Points for the following offences:
Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
Failing to stop when signaled/requested by a police officer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 Points for the following offences:
Careless Driving
Racing
Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
Failing to stop for a school bus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Points for the following offence:
Driver of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 Points for the following offences:
Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h
Following too closely
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Points for the following offences:
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 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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Points for the following offences:
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demerit Points and New Drivers
As a Class G1, G2, M1 or M2 driver, if you get two or more demerit points, you
will be sent a warning letter.
At six points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record. If you
don't attend, your license may be suspended.
At nine points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days. After the
suspension, the number of points on your record will be reduced to four. Any
additional points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach
nine points again, your licence can be suspended for six months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Demerit Points and Fully Licensed Drivers
As a fully licensed driver, if you get six demerit points, you will be informed
about your driving record.
At nine points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and
give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. You may also have to
complete a driver re-examination (vision, knowledge and road tests). If you
fail, your licence will be cancelled.
If you fail to attend an interview, or fail to give good reasons for keeping
your licence, your licence may be suspended.
At 15 or more points, your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date
you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation for the first suspension. You
can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to surrender your licence.
A driver's licence may be surrendered at any Driver & Vehicle Licence Issuing
Office or mailed to:
Ministry of Transportation
Driver Improvement Office
Building A, Main Floor
2680 Keele Street
Downsview, ON M3M 3E6
After the suspension, the number of points on your record will be reduced to
seven. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you
reach 15 points again, your licence will be suspended for six months.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 other Canadian jurisdiction, 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
Speeding
Fail to obey stop sign
Fail to obey signal light
Fail to stop for school bus
Criminal
Criminal negligence causing death
Dangerous driving
Failure to remain at scene of accident
Impaired Driving
Driving while disqualified or prohibited
|
|