A traffic ticket in Ontario can be for speeding, careless driving, following too closely, cellphone tickets, driving the wrong way, etc.
While they don’t seem too serious at first glance, a traffic ticket can stay on your record and affect your future insurance rates.
Of course, there are also the more serious offences that can lead to criminal charges such as Failing to Remain, Dangerous Driving, etc.
If you are facing multiple traffic offences, you could be in serious trouble.
A traffic ticket lawyer in Ontario is your best defence against hefty fines and a possible suspension of your driver’s licence.
Are you asking “how to find the right traffic ticket lawyer near me”? You are in the right place!
Traffic ticket lawyers in JuriGo help drivers across Ontario to fight all types of traffic violations.
Just fill out the short online form on this page to connect with a traffic ticket lawyer free of charge!
Types of Traffic Tickets in Ontario
Let’s start with the 3 types of traffic tickets in the province – Minor, Major, and Criminal.
Minor violations include:
- Crowding the vehicle with more people than seat belts
- Defective brakes
- Driver’s license issues
- Driving with an insecure load
- Driving with open alcohol in a vehicle
- Driving without an updated inspection sticker
- Failing to share the road
- Failing to signal
- Failure to use seat belts
- Failure to yield to another vehicle or pedestrian
- Failure to surrender your license to authority
- Failure to produce evidence of insurance to authority
- Driving without insurance
- Following too closely
- Headlight offences
- And many, many more!
Yes, the list of minor infractions is quite long. No wonder thousands of traffic tickets are issued in Ontario all-year round.
What to do if you get an Ontario traffic ticket?
It can happen to any driver- red and blue lights flashing in your mirror signalling the police want you to stop the vehicle. You will most likely get a ticket for a traffic offence.
You are given 15 days to pay the ticket which means a conviction or to fight it. If you win, you can get a potential conviction dismissed.
It may be worthwhile to fight a traffic ticket to avoid increases in your insurance premiums and maintain a clean driving record.
Would you like to fight a traffic ticket?
Connect with traffic ticket lawyers near you by filling out our online form free of charge.
Major traffic violations in Ontario
The following count as major traffic violations in the province:
- Distracted driving (texting and driving)
- False statement of insurance
- Failure to follow restrictions in a school zone or improper passing zone
- Failure to report an accident
- Failure to report damage to highway property
- Failure to stop for an emergency vehicle
- Failure to stop or improperly pass a school bus
- Producing false evidence of license or insurance
- Speeding in a construction zone
- Violation of license conditions (non-alcohol)
Accidents happen for a reason. The police try to determine the cause and someone is charged with a traffic offence.
A traffic conviction will stay on your driving record for 3 years after conviction. Demerit points stay for 2 years. If you get a major traffic ticket, you may have to pay large fines and receive a hefty demerit points.
Traffic Violations leading to Criminal Charges
In Ontario, some types of traffic tickets could lead to criminal charges which carry more serious consequences.
- Dangerous driving
- Criminal negligence
- Over 80
- Driving while under suspension
- Failure to obey the police
- Failure to remain at the scene of an accident
- Motor manslaughter
- Operating a motor vehicle without insurance
- Racing
- Speeding 50 km over the posted speed limit (or set limit in your province)
- Refusing a breathalyzer test
- Stunt driving
- Violation of license conditions related to alcohol
Driving violations considered serious or criminal are prosecuted under the Criminal Code. If you get a driving-related conviction, it will result in a criminal record.
Depending on the type of crime, a young offender may be able to get a criminal conviction sealed for 2 to 5 years without subsequent convictions. Adult offenders can also try to get their conviction sealed with a record suspension. In general, criminal convictions are not removed automatically from criminal records for many years.
Aside from getting a criminal record and possible fines, you can also get jail time for a criminal conviction.
Ontario’s Demerit Points System for Traffic Tickets
Demerit points reflect on your driver’s license if you break driving laws in Ontario. The rules differ if you have a full licence or if you are a new driver.
How does it work?
As a driver, you start with zero demerits points and get points for breaking traffic laws. They stay on your record for 2 years and if you gain many points, you could lose your licence.
You can get demerit points on your Ontario driver’s licence if you are guilty of traffic violations in other provinces in Canada, in the State of Michigan, and New York.
The number of demerit points to your driving record depends on the offence.
How many demerit points for Traffic Tickets?
Below you will find the number of demerit points for different violations.
| Type of Violation | Number of Demerit Points |
|---|---|
| Failing to remain at the scene of an accident | 7 |
| Failing to stop | 7 |
| Careless Driving | 6 |
| Racing | 6 |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more on roads with a speed limit of less than 80km/h | 6 |
| Failure to stop for a school bus | 6 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| Failure to stop at a crossover | 4 |
| Driving with a handheld device for communication or entertainment | 3 |
| Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29k/h | 3 |
| Driving the wrong way | 3 |
| Failure to yield to right of way | 3 |
| Crowding the driver’s seat | 3 |
| Improper left or right turn | 2 |
| Improper opening of a vehicle door | 2 |
| Failure to obey signs | 2 |
| Failing to signal | 2 |
There are over 550 types of driving violations so we can’t include all of them here. You can refer to the Ontario Traffic Act to find something specific to your situation.
What happens when you get demerit points?
Accumulated demerit points on your driving record will result in penalties.
If you have a full license:
- 6-8 points: Warning letter
- 9-14 points: 2nd warning
- 15 points or more: 30-day suspension
If your licence is suspended, you will receive a letter from the Ministry of Transportation informing you of the date of suspension and ask you to surrender your licence. You could lose your licence if you fail to comply.
Demerit Points for Novice Drivers
A new driver or one with a G1, G2, M1, M2, M1-L, or M2-L licence is considered a novice driver.
If you get demerit points on your record, you will get the following penalties:
- 2 to 5 points: Warning letter
- 6 to 8 points: 2nd Warning
- 9 or more points: 60-day suspension of your licence.
You will receive a letter from the Ministry informing you of the date of effectivity of the suspension and ask you to surrender your licence. Failure to comply could result in the loss of your licence.
If you are a new driver and have committed an offence with demerit points, you can also get a licence suspension or cancellation based on Ontario’s Program for escalating penalties with consequences that get more serious for repeat offences.
- **First offence:**30-day suspension of your licence
- **Second offence:**90-day suspension of your licence
- Third offence: Loss of your novice license. You must re-apply to get your licence, take tests and pay the fees.
Traffic convictions and your Car Insurance
A serious or criminal conviction, or two or more convictions will likely cause your insurance premiums to go up. The cost of your premiums will depend on the insurance company and your driving record.
The following offences are most likely to increase your car insurance premiums:
- Dangerous driving
- Driving under the influence
- Careless driving
- Speeding 40k/h over limit
- Tailgating
- Improper passing
Parking tickets and red light camera tickets don’t affect car insurance premiums.
Would you like to avoid hefty increases on your insurance premiums because of traffic tickets? Find the right traffic lawyer in Ontario to help you with just one short form right here.
Why hire a traffic ticket lawyer in Ontario?
Many drivers in Ontario will get a speeding ticket on their record at some point. Depending on your location and the speed limit, fines will vary.
Did you know that in Ontario, paying a traffic ticket is tantamount to accepting guilt? You can also plead not guilty and request for a trial date. At this point, you can get legal representation.
Your traffic ticket lawyer can request for disclosure, pretrials, or a Stay of Proceedings. The goal is to defend your case as strongly as possible.
If you have caused injury and the details of the case make a plea bargain the best option, your lawyer can assist you by presenting your remorse and good intentions such as restitution to get leniency from the court.
Keep in mind that a conviction in Ontario will remain on your record for 3 years. From hefty fines, a criminal record, and more expensive car insurance rates, it is worth it to fight a traffic ticket with a lawyer.
Are you charged with a traffic violation? Get legal advice before paying the fine.
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Most Serious Traffic Violations in Ontario & the Penalties
Serious traffic violations in Ontario result in demerit points, licence suspensions, and legal proceedings due to criminal charges.
The most severe driving charges in Ontario include:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Ontario has a zero-tolerance policy for drunk driving under 21 and commercial drivers with alcohol or drugs in their systems.
- Careless and dangerous driving
- Criminal negligence
- Vehicular manslaughter
- Failure to obey the police including refusal to take a breathalyzer test.
The consequences of serious driving convictions can be a combination of demerit points, licence suspension, fines, and prosecution under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.
For instance, a stunt driving conviction can result in a prison sentence of 6 months.
If you are found guilty of vehicular manslaughter while impaired, the penalty can be up to 15 years in prison.
Yes, the consequences of serious traffic violations can be terrifying but there is still hope! But you must act quickly.
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How much does a traffic ticket lawyer near me cost?
If you want to keep your driving record clean by fighting a traffic ticket, you will need an experienced traffic ticket lawyer in Ontario.
It is natural to worry about the lawyer’s fees but keep in mind that you will be paying hefty fines and higher insurance premiums if you lose.
There are lawyers that would offer a flat fee or block fee to represent you. The fees could be anywhere from $200 to $600. The result can save you a lot of money from fines and increased insurance premiums. This means you are saving money.
There are paralegals offering assistance with traffic tickets and they charge less than lawyers. You can save money by hiring paralegals for simple traffic violations.
But for more serious and major traffic offences, your best defence is a traffic ticket lawyer or a criminal defence lawyer!
Lawyers charge different rates for their services. If you are facing criminal charges, you need a lawyer to mount the best defence.
Compare multiple quotes to find a traffic ticket lawyer with the right price.
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