Stunt Driving Ontario – 30-day suspension & 14-day impound

Wait!  What just happened at the roadside with my license and my car?

With Stunt Driving charges, the police actually have a legal obligation to immediately impound your car for 14 days. They can even arrest you if the deem it necessary. Also, the law dictates that you get an immediate 30-day driving suspension. These steps are actually very unusual under the law because, generally, with any charge, due process needs to be followed. Which that the government – with any charge – need to prove their case against you. And only if the case is proven or you agree to a plea agreement – and only then – are penalties imposed. However, with Stunt Driving, you get these immediate penalties such as this 30-day license suspension, a 14-day car impoundment, without any legal due process. 

How can I get a suspension and impound if I haven’t been proven guilty?

In other words, the facts of your case have not even been proven in a court but you still get these immediate penalties which is really unusual. But the reason why is important to understand. This happens because of the core nature of the charge itself. I mean when you’re speeding over that 50 kilometer threshold, the law now considers you a “public safety” threat, and the risk to the public is actually killing someone, putting someone in a wheelchair, or causing property damage,. That risk is so severe that the law says “Look it’s okay to remove due process for a very short period of time seven days because we want to protect the public from you from your irrational actions”. 

So in other words  -let’s remove the public safety threat right now in the midst of your bad judgment that you’re driving really fast. So, in effect, these 14-day and 30-day penalties really force you to “cool down”. They force you to think straight again and what’s very important to understand in this seven-day period if you’re in that right now during this seven day driving suspension period that you don’t drive. If you get caught driving during the seven day driving period there are very very serious consequences in addition to the Stunt Driving charge which has been imposed against you.

What’s up with the automatic 30-day driver’s license suspension?

Your driver’s license is automatically suspended for 30 days. So, even if you have access to a different vehicle, you can’t drive it because your drivers license will be suspended. And, even if you do NOT get convicted of your Stunt Driving or Racing charge, this 30-day suspension stays on your drivers record.  However, it shows as a 30-day administrative suspension, and does not mention the stunt charge.

How can I reinstate my driver’s license after the 30 days?

Your can call Service Ontario to have them assist you with re-instating your driver’s license.  Since COVID, Service Ontario has made it easier to accomplish this online.  The link is below.

Click here to reinstate your driver’s license.

The bottom line…get legal advice.  You have a long legal battle ahead of you.

You are hiring a legal representative because you “feel” that they will do a better job defending your charges than you could do yourself.  Treat this very seriously and ask all the right questions.  This is your license.  This is your life.