Ontario suspends your license when you reach 15 demerit points within a two-year period
In Ontario, the demerit point system is how the province tracks driving violations. Every traffic offense carries a point value — from 2 points for speeding 16 to 29 km/h over the limit, up to 7 points for dangerous driving. When your total reaches 15 points within any rolling two-year window, the Ministry of Transportation automatically suspends your license for 30 days.
The suspension is not optional and does not require a court order. Once you hit 15 points, the Ministry sends you a notice in the mail, and your license becomes invalid on the date they specify. You cannot drive during this period, even for work or emergencies.
The two-year window is the key detail most people miss. Points do not disappear after two years — they drop off your record. If you received a ticket on January 15, 2023, that ticket's points stop counting on January 15, 2025. This means you can sometimes drop below 15 points straightforward by waiting, without paying anything or taking a course.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspends automatically when you accumulate 15 demerit points within any two-year rolling period.
- The suspension lasts 30 days, and you cannot drive at all during that time — no exceptions for work or medical appointments.
- Points expire two years after the offense date, not two years after you received the ticket in the mail.
- You can check your current demerit point balance through the Ministry of Transportation's online portal or by calling 416-235-2999.
- A second suspension within five years triggers a mandatory 60-day suspension; a third suspension within ten years means 90 days.
How demerit points are assigned to specific violations
Different offenses carry different point values. Speeding violations range from 2 to 6 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. Failing to stop at a red light or stop sign is 3 points. Improper passing is 4 points. Careless driving is 6 points. Dangerous driving — the most serious — is 7 points.
You receive points only if you are convicted of the offense. If you fight a ticket in court and win, no points are added. If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the points are added when ready, even if you have not yet paid the fine. The fine and the points are separate consequences.
Some violations do not carry demerit points at all — parking tickets, for example, or driving with an expired license plate sticker. You can look up the exact point value for any offense on the Ministry of Transportation website under "Demerit Point System."
What happens when you reach 15 points
The Ministry does not send a warning at 14 points. When you cross into 15 points, a suspension notice arrives by mail within a few weeks. The notice tells you the suspension date, which is usually 30 days after the letter is sent. You have no right to a hearing before the suspension takes effect — it is automatic.
During the 30-day suspension, your license is invalid. Driving during a suspension is a separate criminal offense that can result in fines up to $1,000, jail time, and a longer suspension. Even if you have a valid license in another province, you cannot drive in Ontario.
After the 30 days end, your license is reinstated automatically. 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 offense date.
How the two-year rolling window works
The two-year period is not a calendar year — it is a rolling window. If you received tickets on January 15, 2023, and March 10, 2023, those points expire on January 15, 2025, and March 10, 2025, respectively. You do not lose all your points on the same date.
This matters because you can sometimes drop below 15 points without doing anything. Imagine you have 18 points: 7 points from a ticket dated January 1, 2023, and 11 points from tickets dated January 2, 2023. On January 1, 2025, the 7-point ticket expires, leaving you with 11 points. You are no longer at risk of suspension, even though you have not paid anything or taken a course.
You can track when your points expire by checking your driving record online through the Ministry of Transportation's website. Your record shows the offense date for each ticket, so you can calculate when each one will drop off.
Checking your current demerit point balance
You can view your demerit points through the Ministry of Transportation's online service at ontario.ca/drivetest. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The online record updates within a few weeks of conviction, so if you were recently found guilty, your points may not appear when ready.
If you prefer not to use the online system, you can call the Ministry at 416-235-2999 (Toronto area) or 1-800-387-3445 (toll-free). A staff member can tell you your current point total and the expiration date of each offense. This call is free.
Your driving record also shows any suspensions you have received, including the dates they were in effect. This is useful if you are explore for insurance or need to prove your license status to an employer.
Multiple suspensions and longer penalties
If you receive a second suspension within five years of the first one, the second suspension lasts 60 days instead of 30. A third suspension within ten years lasts 90 days. These longer suspensions are automatic — there is no discretion or appeal process.
The five-year and ten-year periods are measured from the date your first suspension took effect, not from the date you received the notice. If your first suspension began on March 1, 2024, the five-year window runs until March 1, 2029.
These escalating penalties exist to discourage repeat violations. If you are approaching 15 points and worried about a second suspension, the only way to avoid it is to stay conviction-free for the remainder of the five-year window.
Options if you are close to 15 points
If you have 10 or more demerit points, you are at real risk. You cannot erase points by taking a defensive driving course — Ontario does not offer a point-reduction program. The only ways to reduce your point total are to wait for points to expire or to fight a ticket in court before you are convicted.
If you receive a new ticket and you are already close to 15 points, you have the right to contest it in court. You can represent yourself or hire a paralegal or lawyer. If you win the case, no points are added. If you lose, the points are added, but you will have had a chance to present your side.
Some people choose to pay the fine and accept the conviction rather than go to court, especially if the offense is minor. That is a personal decision, but it is worth knowing that contesting a ticket costs money upfront and takes time, while accepting it is faster but adds points when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive during a 30-day suspension if it is for work?
No. Ontario does not grant exceptions to license suspensions for work, medical appointments, or any other reason. Driving during a suspension is a criminal offense. If you need to drive for work, you must wait until the suspension ends.
Do points from other provinces count toward my Ontario suspension?
No. Only convictions in Ontario add demerit points to your Ontario record. If you have a conviction in another province, it does not appear on your Ontario driving record and does not contribute to a suspension. However, insurance companies may see out-of-province convictions.
What if I was convicted but the ticket was issued in error?
You can appeal a conviction through the Ontario court system, but this is separate from the demerit point system. If your appeal succeeds and the conviction is overturned, the points are removed. You would need to consult a lawyer about whether an appeal is worth pursuing in your situation.
How long do demerit points stay on my record after they expire?
Points stop counting toward a suspension after two years, but they remain visible on your driving record for up to three years from the offense date. Insurance companies can see them during this time, which may affect your premiums.
If I get suspended, do I need to pay a reinstatement fee to drive again?
No. Your license is reinstated automatically after the suspension period ends. You do not pay a fee or submit paperwork. However, if you were driving during the suspension and received a conviction for that, you would face separate fines and penalties.