| 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 licence. Below is a table outlining the
demerit point penalties for driving offences:
7
Points |
- Failing to remain
at the scene of a collision
|
- Failing
to stop when signaled/requested by a
police officer
|
6
Points |
| |
|
- Exceeding
the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
|
- Failing
to stop for a school bus
|
5
Points |
- Driver
of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected
railway crossing
|
4
Points |
- Exceeding
the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h
|
|
3
Points |
- Exceeding
the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h
- Failing
to yield the right-of-way
- Failing
to obey the directions of a police officer
- Failing
to report a collision to a police officer
- Crowding
the driver's seat
- Driving
or operating a vehicle on a closed road
|
- Driving
through, around or under a railway crossing
barrier
- Failing
to obey a stop sign, traffic light or
railway crossing signal
- Driving
the wrong way on a divided road
- Improper
driving when road is divided into lanes
- Going
the wrong way on a one-way road
- Crossing
a divided road where no proper crossing
is provided
|
2
Points |
- Improper
opening of a vehicle door
- Towing
people - on toboggans, bicycles, skis,
etc.
- Failing
to stop at a pedestrian crossing
- Reversing
on a divided high-speed road
- Driver
failing to ensure that a passenger less
than 23 kg is properly secured
|
- Failing
to share the road
- Driver
failing to wear a seat belt
- 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 licence 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.
-
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.
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