Ontario suspends your license when you reach 15 demerit points within a two-year period

In Ontario, the demerit point system tracks traffic violations on your driving record. Each violation carries a point value — from 2 points for a minor infraction to 7 points for serious offences like stunt driving. When your total reaches 15 points within any two-year rolling window, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) automatically suspends your license for 30 days.

The suspension is not optional and not negotiable. The MTO sends you a notice by mail, and your license becomes invalid on the date stated in that notice. You cannot drive legally during the suspension period, even with a valid license card in your wallet. Driving while suspended carries criminal charges and much steeper penalties than the original violation.

Points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence, not from the date you paid the fine or appeared in court. This means a violation from January 2023 drops off your record in January 2025, but only if no new violations are added in the meantime.

Key Takeaways

  • Fifteen demerit points within two years triggers an automatic 30-day license suspension from the MTO.
  • Common violations like speeding 16–30 km/h over the limit cost 3 points; careless driving costs 6 points.
  • Points expire two years from the violation date, but a new violation restarts the clock on all your points.
  • A second suspension within five years becomes a 60-day suspension; a third becomes 90 days.
  • You can request a review of the suspension if you believe the MTO made an error in calculating your points.

How demerit points are assigned to common Ontario driving violations

The point value depends on the specific offence, not how fast you were going or how serious you think it was. A speeding ticket for 16–30 km/h over the limit costs 3 points whether you were going 46 in a 30 or 66 in a 50. Speeding 31–49 km/h over costs 4 points. Speeding 50 km/h or more over the limit costs 6 points and usually triggers a court appearance.

Other common violations and their point values include: failing to yield (3 points), improper lane change (2 points), following too closely (3 points), running a red light (3 points), and careless driving (6 points). Stunt driving — defined as excessive speed, racing, or dangerous stunts — costs 6 points and carries criminal consequences beyond the demerit system.

Parking violations and red-light camera tickets do not add demerit points in Ontario, though they still result in fines. Violations that occur outside Ontario may or may not transfer to your Ontario record depending on reciprocal agreements with other provinces and states; the MTO handles this automatically.

What happens when you reach 15 points: the suspension process

The MTO tracks your points automatically through the court system and the Provincial Offences Act database. You do not need to report violations yourself. When your total hits 15 points, the MTO generates a suspension notice and mails it to the address on file with your license. The notice includes the suspension start date, the 30-day duration, and instructions for what to do when the suspension ends.

The suspension becomes effective on the date stated in the notice, typically 7 to 14 days after you receive it. You must stop driving on that date. If you are caught driving during the suspension, you face a charge of driving while under suspension, which carries a fine of $1,000 to $50,000, possible jail time, and a mandatory additional license suspension of at least one year.

After the 30-day suspension ends, your license is automatically reinstated — you do not need to reapply or pay a reinstatement fee. However, your demerit points remain on your record for the full two-year period from each violation date. If you accumulate 15 points again within two years, you face a second suspension, which lasts 60 days.

Multiple suspensions and escalating penalties

Ontario's system penalizes repeat suspensions more heavily. A second suspension within five years of the first lasts 60 days instead of 30. A third suspension within five years lasts 90 days. These longer suspensions reset the clock: you cannot drive at all during the suspension period, and driving while suspended carries the same criminal charges regardless of suspension length.

The five-year window is measured from the date your first suspension became effective, not from when it ended. So if your first suspension started on March 1, 2024, and you accumulate 15 points again by March 1, 2029, the second suspension is 60 days. After March 1, 2029, a new suspension would be treated as a first suspension again (30 days).

Multiple suspensions also affect your insurance. After a suspension, insurers typically classify you as high-risk, which raises your premiums significantly. Some insurers may refuse to renew your policy or may require an SR22 certificate (called a Certificate of Insurance in Ontario) to prove you are carrying minimum coverage.

How to check your current demerit point balance

You can view your demerit points through the MTO's online driver record service or by visiting a ServiceOntario office in person. To check online, go to the MTO website, select "View Your Driving Record," and log in with your Ontario driver's license number and date of birth. The record shows all violations from the past two years and their point values.

Your driving record is also available to insurance companies and police officers, so any violation you receive is visible to your insurer within days of the court date. This is why insurers often know about violations before you do.

If you believe a violation on your record is incorrect — for example, if you paid a fine but the violation still appears, or if you were acquitted in court — contact the MTO directly with proof of the error. Errors are rare but do happen, and the MTO can correct them.

Requesting a review of your suspension

If you believe the MTO made an error in calculating your demerit points or in issuing the suspension notice, you can request a review. You have 30 days from the date on the suspension notice to submit a written request to the MTO's Driver and Vehicle Licensing office. Include your license number, the suspension notice number, and a clear explanation of why you believe the suspension is incorrect.

Common grounds for review include: a violation that was withdrawn or dismissed in court but still appears on your record, a violation that was recorded twice by mistake, or a violation that should not have transferred from another province. The MTO will investigate and respond in writing. If the review finds an error, the suspension may be cancelled or shortened.

A review does not stop the suspension from taking effect while you wait for a decision. You must still comply with the suspension dates on your notice. If the review is successful, the MTO will notify you and may issue a new notice reflecting the corrected points.

Reducing demerit points through a driver improvement course

Ontario does not offer a formal way to erase demerit points by taking a defensive driving course, unlike some other provinces. However, if you are charged with a minor violation (typically 2 or 3 points), you may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to withdraw the charge in exchange for completing an approved driver improvement course. This must happen before you are convicted, not after.

The course itself does not remove points, but if the charge is withdrawn, no points are added to your record in the first place. This is different from paying a fine and keeping the conviction — once you are convicted, the points are locked in and cannot be removed by any course.

Some insurance companies offer small premium discounts if you complete a defensive driving course, even if it does not affect your demerit record. Check with your insurer to see if they recognize any approved courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive with a suspended license if I have a special work permit?

No. Ontario does not issue work permits or hardship exemptions during a demerit-based suspension. If you are suspended, you cannot drive for any reason, including work. Your only option is to wait out the suspension period or request a review if you believe an error was made.

Do demerit points from other provinces count toward my Ontario suspension?

Yes, if you hold an Ontario license. Violations from other Canadian provinces and some U.S. states are reported to the MTO and added to your Ontario record under reciprocal agreements. The point values may differ slightly by province, but the MTO converts them to Ontario equivalents.

What happens to my demerit points if I let my license expire?

Your points remain on your record even if your license is not active. If you renew your license while points are still within the two-year window, those points are still counted. The two-year expiry date is based on the violation date, not on whether your license was valid at the time.

If I get a suspension, will my insurance automatically drop me?

Not automatically, but most insurers will increase your premiums significantly or may choose not to renew your policy when it comes up for renewal. Some will require proof of continuous coverage (an SR22 or Certificate of Insurance) before they will insure you again. Contact your insurer as soon as you receive a suspension notice to understand your options.

How long does a suspension stay on my record after it ends?

The suspension itself does not have a separate expiry date — it is tied to the demerit points that caused it. Once all the points that triggered the suspension have expired (two years from each violation date), the suspension is no longer relevant to your driving record. However, insurers may still see the suspension in your history for several years.