If you get a ticket, get off the hook!

Drivers convicted of certain driving-related offences in Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent, and all of Ontario, including speeding, stunt driving and careless driving, 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 obtain enough points, you can lose your driver's licence. The list below outlines the demerit point penalties for some driving offences :

 

7 Demerit Points

• Failing to remain at the scene of a collision

• Failing to stop when signaled/requested by a police officer

• Failing to remain at the scene of a collision

• Failing to stop when signaled/requested by a police officer

 

6 Demerit Points

• Careless Driving

• Racing – Stunt driving

• Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more

• Failing to stop for a school bus

• Careless Driving

• Racing – Stunt driving

• Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more

• Failing to stop for a school bus

 

5 Demerit Points

• Driver of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing

• Driver of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing

 

4 Demerit Points

• Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h

• Following too closely

• Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h

• Following too closely

 

3 Demerit 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 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

• 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

 

2 Demerit Points

• Improper opening of a vehicle door

• 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

• Improper opening of a vehicle door

• 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