Ontario starts you with zero points, and you lose your license at 15

When you get your Ontario driver's license, you begin with a clean record — zero demerit points. Every traffic violation that Ontario recognizes adds a set number of points to your record. Once you reach 15 points within a two-year period, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) automatically suspends your license for 30 days. If you accumulate 30 points, the suspension becomes six months.

The point system exists to track dangerous driving patterns. A single speeding ticket might add three points; a careless driving conviction might add six. The more serious the violation, the more points it costs. Points stay on your record for two years from the conviction date, which means older violations eventually drop off and stop counting toward your total.

You do not receive a warning before suspension. The MTO tracks your points automatically through the court system. Once you hit 15 points, you will receive a notice in the mail telling you your license is suspended, and you cannot drive legally until the suspension period ends.

Key Takeaways

  • Ontario suspends your license for 30 days when you reach 15 demerit points, and for six months at 30 points.
  • Points stay on your record for two years from the date of conviction, then expire automatically.
  • Different violations carry different point values — speeding is typically three to six points, while careless driving is six points.
  • You can check your current point total by contacting the MTO or logging into your online account if you have one set up.
  • Suspensions are mandatory and automatic; the MTO does not issue warnings before reaching the threshold.

Common violations and their point values

The point value depends on what you were convicted of, not just whether you were pulled over. A conviction is what counts — if you pay a ticket without going to court, that is a conviction. If you fight the ticket in court and win, no points are added.

Speeding carries three points if you were going 16 to 29 km/h over the limit, four points for 30 to 49 km/h over, and six points for 50 km/h or more over the limit. Failing to obey a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign is three points each. Careless driving — the charge police use when your driving endangered someone — is six points. Dangerous driving, which is more serious and usually involves criminal court, is also six points but can lead to license suspension even before the demerit point threshold.

Driving with a suspended or prohibited license adds six points. Improper passing is three points. Failure to remain at an accident scene is seven points. These are the violations you will encounter most often; less common offences like stunt driving (racing, excessive speeding) carry six points and can trigger an when ready 12-month license suspension on top of the demerit system.

How the two-year window works

Points do not stay on your record forever. Ontario uses a two-year rolling window, which means points expire two years after the conviction date, not two years after you received the ticket or were pulled over. If you were convicted on March 15, 2023, those points drop off on March 15, 2025, even if you received the ticket months earlier.

This matters because you can accumulate points, let some expire, and avoid suspension. If you got a six-point conviction on January 1, 2023, and a nine-point conviction on January 1, 2024, your total would be 15 points on January 1, 2024 — triggering a suspension. But on January 1, 2025, the first conviction expires, leaving you with nine points and no suspension. The MTO tracks this automatically; you do not need to do anything for points to expire.

However, if you are suspended and then convicted of another violation while suspended, the new points still count toward your record. Suspensions and point accumulation are separate consequences that can overlap.

What happens when you reach 15 or 30 points

At 15 points, the MTO mails you a notice of suspension. Your license is suspended for 30 days starting from the date on the notice. You cannot drive legally during this period — doing so is driving with a suspended license, which is itself a six-point conviction and can result in criminal charges.

After the 30-day suspension ends, your license is reinstated automatically, but your points remain on your record. You can accumulate more points and reach 15 again, triggering another suspension. If you reach 30 points within two years, the suspension becomes six months instead of 30 days.

To drive again after a suspension, you do not need to retake a test or pay a reinstatement fee in Ontario — your license straightforward becomes valid again when the suspension period ends. However, you will need to pay any outstanding fines or court costs before you can renew your license or obtain certain documents.

Checking your current point total

You can find out how many points are on your record by contacting the MTO directly. Call the MTO at 416-235-2999 (Toronto area) or 1-800-387-3445 (toll-free). Have your driver's license number ready. They will tell you your current total and the date each conviction expires.

If you have set up an online account through the MTO's ServiceOntario portal, you can also check your driving record there. You will need your license number and date of birth to log in. The online record shows all convictions, points, and suspension history.

You can also request a certified copy of your driving record in person at a ServiceOntario office or by mail. This document is useful if you need to show your record to an insurance company or employer, and it will list every conviction and point value.

How points affect your insurance

Insurance companies in Ontario can see your demerit points and conviction history. Even if you have not been suspended, points on your record usually increase your insurance premium. A single three-point speeding conviction might raise your rate by 10 to 15 percent; a six-point careless driving conviction can raise it by 25 percent or more, depending on your insurer.

When you renew your insurance policy, the company will check your driving record. If new points have been added since your last policy, your premium will reflect that. Some insurers offer discounts for drivers with clean records, so points cost you twice — once through the higher base rate and again by losing any discount you might have had.

A license suspension also affects insurance. Some insurers will not renew your policy if you have been suspended; others will renew but at a much higher rate. If your policy lapses during a suspension, you will need to find a new insurer when you are reinstated, and that new insurer will charge you more because of the suspension history.

Fighting a ticket to avoid points

Points are only added if you are convicted. If you receive a ticket and believe it is unfair or incorrect, you can request a trial in traffic court. If you win, no conviction is recorded and no points are added. If you lose, points are added as usual.

You have the right to request disclosure of the evidence against you before trial — this includes the officer's notes and any radar or camera evidence. Many people find that reviewing this evidence helps them decide whether to proceed to trial or negotiate with the Crown prosecutor.

Some people choose to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for fewer points. For example, you might plead guilty to a lower speeding range to reduce the point value. This requires negotiation with the Crown, and success depends on the specific circumstances and the prosecutor's willingness to negotiate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do points from other provinces count toward my Ontario total?

No. Ontario only counts convictions from Ontario courts. If you were convicted in another province or country, those points do not appear on your Ontario record. However, if you move to Ontario and have a suspension from another province, Ontario will honor that suspension and you cannot drive in Ontario until it is lifted in the original province.

Can I get points removed early if I take a driving course?

Ontario does not have a point reduction program for taking a defensive driving course. Points expire automatically after two years; there is no way to remove them sooner. However, some insurance companies offer discounts if you complete an approved driving course, which can help offset the insurance increase from points.

What happens if I get suspended and then get another ticket?

If you are convicted of a new violation while suspended, those points are added to your record when ready. When your suspension ends, your points total might already be high enough to trigger another suspension. You can be suspended multiple times in a short period if you accumulate points quickly.

Do I have to tell my employer about points on my license?

That depends on your job. If you drive as part of your work, your employer may require you to report convictions or suspensions. Some employers check driving records regularly. If your job requires a clean driving record and you are suspended, you may not be able to work until the suspension ends. Check your employment contract or ask your employer about their policy.

Can I appeal a suspension?

No. Once you reach 15 or 30 points, suspension is automatic and mandatory. You cannot appeal it. However, if you believe the conviction itself was wrong, you can appeal the conviction in a higher court, and if you win, the conviction and its points are removed. This is a legal process that requires a lawyer and is different from appealing the suspension itself.