How to check tickets on my car

5 minute read Published on Dec 13, 2023 by BrokerLink Communications

Young girl sitting inside of a car and reading fine papers, looking frustrated and shocked.

Want to know how to check tickets on your car? Whether you want to know the truth about parking tickets or find out how many speeding tickets in Ontario you’ve racked up, you must first learn how to check the number of tickets on your driving record. We explain this process below.

Why check for traffic tickets?

Checking for traffic tickets in Ontario or any province gives drivers access to valuable information relating to a certain ticket or fine, such as a careless driving ticket or red camera light ticket learn what to know about red light camera tickets by contacting BrokerLink.

Specifically, by checking your tickets, you can find out how much money you owe, how you can pay it, the deadline you need to pay to buy it, and how to request a meeting with a prosecutor before a court trial, if it comes to that. At the end of the day, checking an open traffic ticket online will give you an idea of what your options are.

Alternatively, if you’re checking tickets that are no longer open, meaning you’ve paid the fine or they’ve been settled in court, then checking tickets can give you an idea of what your driving record looks like, which is useful information to have when applying for car insurance.

Checking traffic tickets online in Ontario

The easiest way to check for tickets in Ontario is online. The provincial government has an online system whereby drivers can simply enter the information on the ticket or notice they received. From there, they will gain access to all kinds of information about the ticket, including whether it is still outstanding and how to pay for it or take it to court.

It is important to note that only fines or tickets issued under the Provincial Offenses Act can be tracked down using the Government of Ontario’s website. This means that you will not be able to access information about the following types of tickets or fines:

  • Criminal offences
  • Parking tickets
  • Appeals
  • Publication-banned cases
  • Charges involving anybody under the age of 16

What information do I need to check traffic tickets online?

To successfully check your traffic tickets online, you will need to provide a range of information. This information includes personal details about yourself, such as your date of birth and licence plate number, as well as information about the ticket that you were issued and the offence that you were responsible for. A list of information you should be prepared to provide includes:

  • Date of birth
  • Licence plate number
  • Vehicle make and model
  • Vehicle colour
  • Vehicle year
  • Offence number on the ticket
  • Date of the offence

As soon as the above information has been provided and entered online, click Submit, and you should be taken to a webpage where you can see the details of your traffic ticket.

Some of the information you may find on this page includes a complete description of the offence, including the date and location of the offence, as well as the fine amount. You will also be able to see how many demerit points were incurred due to the offence and, if so, how many.

If something looks off to you, you can always contact the Ontario Court of Justice for help.

Paying for a traffic ticket online in Ontario

If you’re ready to pay the fine incurred while driving, you can do so online in Ontario. Below is a step-by-step guide to paying for a traffic ticket online.

  1. Visit the Ontario government’s online payment system.
  2. Click Continue.
  3. Carefully read through the terms and conditions and click the I Agree button to proceed.
  4. Input the information that is required, including your date of birth, ticket number, and more. When the information has been entered correctly, click Continue.
  5. Review the information you submitted to ensure it is accurate.
  6. Enter your payment information, such as your credit card or debit card number, and the amount you wish to pay.
  7. To complete the transaction, click Submit Payment.
  8. Your payment will be processed, and once it is complete, you will receive a confirmation number and a receipt. Write down this information and keep it somewhere safe in case you need it in the future.

Please note that the fines owed by drivers varied, even among the same types of tickets. For example, speeding tickets can result in a wide range of fines as they are often dependent on how many kilometres over the speed limit you were travelling at the time of the incident. To learn more about speeding tickets and driving education, contact BrokerLink.

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The benefits of checking traffic tickets online

There are so many benefits that come with checking traffic tickets online in Ontario. We break down a list of the top advantages of doing so below:

It’s convenient

Checking for tickets online is extremely convenient. You can do so from the comfort of your own home using your laptop or smartphone, or even on the go. You should never have to visit a courthouse or ServiceOntario centre simply to find out about a traffic ticket.

It saves you time

Another benefit of checking traffic tickets online is that it will save you a lot of time. Rather than having to stand in line or take a number at ServiceOntario, or even waiting on hold on the phone, you can check the status of your tickets instantly online.

You can check that all information is accurate

Since checking tickets online is so easy and gives users a vast range of information, you can make sure that all information is accurate. Mistakes happen, so it’s important to carefully review the information provided, including the date, location, and details of the offence, to ensure it is accurate and correct.

It can save you money

Checking tickets online may even save you money, especially if you’re prone to forgetting about deadlines. Since paying online is so easy, you can quickly make payments on the Government of Ontario website. This will prevent you from missing a deadline and having to pay extra fees.

How tickets impact car insurance

Depending on the type of traffic ticket you incurred, it could impact your car insurance policy. Generally speaking, photo radar tickets and parking tickets will not impact how much you pay for car insurance, but speeding tickets and careless driving tickets will. To learn more about how much car insurance costs per month in Ontario or how insurance companies calculate car insurance rates, contact BrokerLink.

A BrokerLink insurance advisor can explain how much different types of coverage, such as third party liability car insurance, will cost you according to factors like the number of tickets on your driving record.

Contact BrokerLink for more information on checking tickets on your car

If you want to learn more about checking tickets on car insurance, contact BrokerLink today. All of BrokerLink’s insurance advisors are fully licensed and will be happy to explain how to check the status of a traffic ticket online, how to pay a ticket online, and the importance of keeping up to date with traffic tickets.

Of course, since we are an insurance brokerage, we can also help you find quality auto insurance coverage, including but not limited to:

As auto insurance experts, we will help you find a policy that includes the coverages above and more, all while working within your budget. Affordable car insurance is our specialty, which is why we shop around on behalf of our clients to find them the most competitive rates. We also unlock discounts and outline strategies that policyholders can employ if they want to save money on car insurance. For instance, by driving safely and maintaining a clean driving record that is free from traffic tickets, you can benefit from a cheaper premium and possibly even qualify for a safe driver discount. To help you get started, contact BrokerLink for safe driving tips.

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