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8 minute read Published on Sep 6, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
Have you ever wondered about the demerit points on your driving record? In Ontario, demerit points are added to your record when you’re convicted of certain driving offences and too many points can lead to warnings and even a licence suspension. They can also be a sign you’ve had convictions on your driving record, which can affect things like insurance pricing. Read on to learn how Ontario’s demerit point system actually works and how you can check your current total.
In Ontario, demerit points are part of a system that’s used to keep track of certain driving convictions. They’re meant to encourage safer driving and help protect others from drivers who repeatedly break traffic laws.
You start with zero demerit points in Ontario and then they will be added to your driving record if you’re convicted of a traffic offence. They then stay on your driving record for two years from the offence date (not the conviction date). If you accumulate enough demerit points, you will receive warning letters from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and if you accumulate too many within a two-year period, your driver’s licence may be suspended. You can still pick up demerit points for some traffic offences committed outside Ontario, including in other Canadian provinces and certain U.S. states like New York and Michigan.
Demerit points aren’t the same as criminal charges. They apply to specific Highway Traffic Act convictions, while Criminal Code driving offences, such as impaired driving or dangerous driving, typically result in immediate suspensions and other severe penalties instead of demerit points.
In Ontario, you can’t just simply log in and see your points. You have to check your current demerit point total by ordering your driver’s abstract (driving record) from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). Here are the exact steps you will need to take:
First things first, you’ll need to grab your Ontario driver’s licence. You’ll need your driver’s licence number to access your driving record.
You can order two types of driving records: uncertified or certified. Uncertified is the most common and the fastest method. Whether you order online or in person, you will receive an uncertified record immediately. But if you need to order a certified 3-year record (with a seal), the order will be processed within 15 business days and then sent to you via Canada Post. The cost for an uncertified driver’s abstract is $12 and for a certified version, it’s $18.
You’ve got a few options here. You can order a copy of your driving record online, in person or by mail. Each way is a bit different, so pick what feels right for you:
Go to Ontario.ca and choose “Get a driving record.”
Select a “3-year driver record (uncertified).”
Enter your driver’s licence information and pay the fee. You may be able to download it right away, depending on the product and method you choose.
If you prefer going through the Ministry of Transportation ordering portal, you may also see the “3-year statement of driving record” option.
Find the closest ServiceOntario centre.
Make sure you have your driver’s licence and another piece of ID.
Tell the person at the counter you want to order a copy of your driving record to see your demerit point total.
The person at the counter will provide your driving record, which should include your current demerit point total, depending on the record type you request.
Download and complete the driving record request form.
Include the required identification details and payment.
Mail it to the address listed on the form.
Because the request is processed manually, turnaround times are often much longer compared to online or in-person requests. Orders are processed within 15 business days and then sent to you via Canada Post, so this may not be ideal if you need your demerit point information quickly.
Once you have your record, take a moment to see how many points you’ve got. If your points are low, that’s great, but if they’re getting up there, it may be time to slow things down and reassess your driving habits.
In Ontario, the number of demerit points you get depends on how serious a Highway Traffic Act offence is that you commit. Each traffic offence carries between two and seven demerit points depending on the severity of the infraction. Here’s a look at some of the more common violations that can earn you demerit points:
Points
Examples of offences
2
Unnecessary slow driving, improper turns, failing to signal, failing to lower high beams and not wearing a seatbelt
3
Running a red light, failing to stop at a stop sign, improper passing, driving through/around/under a railway crossing barrier or failing to yield
4
Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover or following too closely
6
Careless driving, stunt driving/street racing or failing to stop for a school bus
7
Failing to remain at the scene of a collision or failing to stop for the police
The number of points you’re assigned for speeding will depend on how fast you were driving:
16–29 km/h over the limit: 3 demerit points
30–49 km/h over the limit: 4 demerit points
50+ km/h over the limit: 6 demerit points
In Ontario, the maximum number of demerit points varies from 9 to 15 depending on the type of driver’s license you have. Novice drivers (G1/G2/M1/M2) face stricter demerit point thresholds than fully licensed drivers, with 9 points leading to a 60-day suspension, while full G (or M) licence holders can accumulate up to 15 demerit points before facing a suspension. Here’s how the warning and suspension process typically works for both:
What happens
Novice drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2)
Fully licensed drivers (G or M)
First warning letter from the MTO
2 or more points
6 points
Second warning letter from the MTO (may include a mandatory interview)
9 points
First licence suspension
9 points (60-day suspension)
15 points (30-day suspension)
Another possible mandatory interview with the MTO
Any new points after your first suspension
Second licence suspension (6 months)
If you reach 9 points again
If you reach 15 points again
Mandatory interviews are used to review your driving record and may result in conditions or a suspension, depending on the outcome. After your first suspension, your demerit point total is reduced to four for novice drivers and seven for fully licensed drivers.
However, if you receive any new points after that, they can quickly trigger another interview or suspension. Suspension lengths may also increase if you continue to accumulate points or have repeated suspensions. According to Ontario’s MTO driver’s handbook, if your licence is suspended, you must hand it over to the MTO. If you refuse, you could lose your licence for up to two years.
Your car insurance rates may increase if you receive demerit points on your driving record in Ontario, but it’s not because of the demerit points themselves. Insurance companies don’t care about demerit points. However, having them on your record is a sign that you’ve been convicted of something that insurance companies likely do care about and those convictions are what insurers actually look at. When insurers assess risk, they focus on things like:
Driving convictions
At-fault accidents
Licence suspensions/status
In general, a record with more or more serious convictions or a suspended licence will put a driver into a higher risk category, which can lead to higher premiums. Some insurers also offer conviction-free or safe-driving discounts. If a conviction shows up on your record, you may lose that discount on your car insurance policy until your driving record clears. Let's take a closer look:
Unsure how your driver record is affecting your insurance premiums? Here's how you can keep track of where you stand:
Order and review your driver record once a year to see what insurers are seeing
Keep your record clean for the next two to three years and ask your broker whether your policy can be re-rated once convictions or points drop off
Consider telematics or usage-based programs, which can help demonstrate safe driving habits over time
That’s why it can be helpful to order your driving record once in a while, especially before you start shopping around for insurance or renewing a policy.
The simplest way to avoid demerit points is to avoid situations that lead to tickets in the first place. Take a look:
Speed limits can change quickly, especially near schools, playgrounds and construction zones. Giving yourself a small buffer helps account for missed signs and sudden drops in speed limits.
Ontario’s distracted driving rules are strict and handheld phone use can lead to both demerit points and significant fines. Even a quick glance can add risk. If you need directions or music, set them up before you start driving and use hands-free features only when necessary.
Driving defensively can protect your driving record and help keep you safe when you follow the basics, like:
Leave enough following distance
Come to complete stops
Signal early
Scan intersections before moving through them
While driving courses won’t remove existing demerit points, they can help sharpen skills and reduce the chances of future tickets, especially if you haven’t reviewed the rules in a while.
Leaving a few minutes earlier can lower stress and reduce risky decisions like speeding, rolling stops or aggressive lane changes.
You can’t directly “erase” demerit points in Ontario by taking a course or applying for their removal. Once added, demerit points remain on your record for two years from the offence date. However, there are a couple of ways you can try to reduce the impact before a conviction is registered:
If you receive a traffic ticket and you think it wasn’t fair, you can contest it in court. If you’re not convicted because the ticket was withdrawn or you were not found guilty, you can avoid the points that would have been added.
Sometimes, a charge can be resolved as a lesser offence with fewer (or no) demerit points. This depends on the situation and the evidence.
If the charge is serious or your licence is at risk, getting advice from a qualified paralegal or lawyer can help you understand options and consequences. The most reliable “point reduction” is time plus a clean record. Once two years have passed from the offence date, those points should drop right off your record.
Are you looking for an affordable Ontario car insurance policy? Contact BrokerLink today! Our licensed brokers can help you look at coverage and pricing based on how you actually drive, not just the type of car you own.
You can reach us by phone, email or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. You can also try out our free online quote tool from the comfort of your own home to find a competitive quote in minutes!
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