What Changed with Ontario’s Stunt Driving Laws?
Ontario’s stunt driving laws were significantly toughened through Bill 282 (the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act), which took effect on July 1, 2021. If you’re comparing what you’ve heard from friends or what you read online a few years ago to what you’re facing now, the penalties are noticeably harsher.
Here’s what changed:
Roadside Licence Suspension: 7 Days → 30 Days
Before Bill 282, police could suspend your licence for 7 days at the roadside. Now it’s 30 days—effective immediately when you’re charged. That means 30 days without driving before you’ve even been to court, before any conviction, and before you’ve had the chance to tell your side of the story.
For people who depend on driving for work—delivery drivers, sales reps, tradespeople, parents doing school runs—this 30-day suspension alone can cause serious financial and personal disruption.
Vehicle Impound: 7 Days → 14 Days
Your vehicle gets impounded at the roadside for 14 days (up from 7). You’re responsible for all towing and storage costs regardless of the outcome of your case. Even if the charges are later withdrawn, you don’t get those fees back. Typical costs run $500 to $1,500+ depending on the tow distance and storage facility.
Conviction Penalties Got Significantly Worse
If convicted of stunt driving, the penalties now include:
First offence: Fines from $2,000 to $10,000. Licence suspension of 1 to 2 years. Up to 6 months in jail. 6 demerit points. Mandatory driver improvement course.
Second offence (within 10 years): Same fine range. Licence suspension of 3 to 10 years. Up to 6 months in jail. Possible vehicle forfeiture.
Third offence: Lifetime licence suspension (with limited review eligibility after 10 years).
Speed Thresholds for Stunt Driving
Bill 282 also lowered the speed threshold that triggers a stunt driving charge in lower-speed zones. Currently, you can be charged with stunt driving for:
40 km/h or more over the limit in zones posted at below 80 km/h (previously 50 km/h over).
50 km/h or more over the limit in zones posted above 80 km/h.
This lower threshold in residential and urban areas catches more drivers than ever. Going 90 in a 50 zone—which many people wouldn’t think of as “stunt driving”—now triggers the full weight of these penalties.
What Does This Mean for Your Insurance?
This is where the real financial damage hits. A stunt driving conviction doesn’t just affect your licence—it devastates your insurance rates for years.
The average Ontario driver pays roughly $1,800 per year for auto insurance. After a stunt driving conviction, rates typically jump to $8,000 to $15,000+ per year—an increase of 300 to 500%. Some drivers see increases of 700% or more. Others become completely uninsurable through standard markets and are forced into Facility Association coverage at even higher rates.
Over three years, the excess insurance cost alone runs $16,200 to $35,100+. Add that to fines, impound fees, legal costs, and lost income during suspension, and the total financial impact of a stunt driving conviction reaches $25,000 to $75,000+.
Can These Charges Be Fought?
Yes—and the data backs this up strongly.
Ontario court statistics from October 2024 to September 2025 show that 5,451 out of 11,284 stunt driving charges (48.3%) were withdrawn before or during trial. That’s nearly half of all charges. The withdrawal rate varies significantly by court location—Waterloo withdrew 87.3% of stunt driving charges, Barrie withdrew 78.8%, while York Region withdrew just 11.6%.
Common outcomes from successful defence include reduction to careless driving (which avoids the mandatory licence suspension), reduction to a lesser speeding offence, or complete withdrawal of charges. These outcomes typically come through negotiation with Crown prosecutors, where an experienced legal representative identifies weaknesses in the evidence or presents circumstances that support a resolution short of trial.
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you’ve just been charged, here’s what matters in the short term:
Don’t panic. The charge is serious, but it’s not a conviction. Nearly half of these charges don’t result in conviction.
Don’t plead guilty. The penalties are too severe to accept without exploring every option. Even if you were speeding, the specific charge of stunt driving can often be reduced.
Get legal advice quickly. The sooner a legal representative reviews your case, the more options you have. They can assess the evidence, identify weaknesses in the Crown’s case, and develop a strategy for your specific situation.
Arrange alternative transportation. Your 30-day roadside suspension has already started. Plan for how you’ll get to work, appointments, and daily obligations during this period.
Retrieve your vehicle. After the 14-day impound period, you’ll need to arrange pickup and pay the towing and storage fees. Don’t let additional storage days accumulate.
What Real Clients Say About Fighting Stunt Driving Charges
I was at the speed of 136 in the zone of 80. Dan Joffe and Jon Cohen, Next law did an awesome job. They reduced the fine to only 423 from 10,000. Thank you so much Next law.
— Loveneesh Kumar
Dan and Jon at NextLaw are just what you need in times of uncertainties. They were able to get the charges dropped which is the best case scenario. They were excellent right from the beginning, and explained what to expect every step of the way. They were very responsive and attentive, and most of all they put me at ease with their expertise and extensive experience. Definitely recommend them for any of your traffic related needs.
— Subhesh Baral
Thanks to NextLaw, I got the best result I could imagine. They’re really well organized, and also gave me detailed updates for the entire time. In the whole process, there was nothing to worry about, and they handled everything perfectly. I highly recommend NextLaw for stunt driving cases.
— Jake R.
Ontario Courts That Handle Stunt Driving Cases
Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
- Toronto Provincial Offences Court — Old City Hall, 60 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
- Brampton Provincial Offences Court — 5 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton, ON
- Mississauga Provincial Offences Court — 950 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON
- Newmarket (York Region) Provincial Offences Court — 465 Davis Dr, Newmarket, ON
- Oshawa (Durham Region) Provincial Offences Court — 605 Rossland Rd E, Oshawa, ON
Central Ontario
- Barrie Provincial Offences Court — 75 Mulcaster St, Barrie, ON
- Hamilton Provincial Offences Court — 50 Main St E, Hamilton, ON
- St. Catharines (Niagara) Provincial Offences Court — 59 Church St, St. Catharines, ON
Southwestern Ontario
- London Provincial Offences Court — 824 Dundas St E, London, ON
- Kitchener (Waterloo Region) Provincial Offences Court — 77 Queen St N, Kitchener, ON
- Guelph Provincial Offences Court — 36 Wyndham St S, Guelph, ON
Eastern Ontario
- Ottawa Provincial Offences Court — 100 Constellation Dr, Ottawa, ON
- Kingston Provincial Offences Court — 426 Princess St, Kingston, ON
Stunt Driving Statistics: October 2024 to September 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total charges received | 11,284 |
| Charges withdrawn before trial | 4,424 (39.2%) |
| Total charges withdrawn | 5,451 (48.3%) |
| Charges resulting in conviction | 3,897 (34.5%) |
| Average fine on conviction | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Highest withdrawal rate by court | Waterloo — 87.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the new stunt driving laws take effect in Ontario?
The current penalties came into effect on July 1, 2021, through Bill 282 (the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act). The bill increased roadside suspensions from 7 to 30 days, doubled vehicle impound periods from 7 to 14 days, and increased conviction penalties including licence suspensions up to lifetime for repeat offenders.
Can I drive during the 30-day roadside suspension?
No. The 30-day suspension takes effect immediately at the roadside. You cannot legally drive for any purpose during this period, including getting to work. Driving while suspended is a separate criminal-level offence with its own severe penalties.
What speed triggers a stunt driving charge?
Going 40 km/h or more over the posted limit in zones of below 80 km/h, or 50 km/h or more over in zones above 80 km/h. This means 90 in a 50 zone, 120 in an 80 zone, or 150 on a 100 km/h highway all qualify as stunt driving.
Can stunt driving charges be reduced?
Yes. Court data shows 48.3% of stunt driving charges were withdrawn between October 2024 and September 2025. Charges are commonly reduced to careless driving or a lesser speeding offence through negotiation with Crown prosecutors.
What happens to my insurance after a stunt driving conviction?
Insurance rates typically increase by 300 to 500%, jumping from roughly $1,800 per year to $8,000 to $15,000+ per year. Some drivers see increases of 700% or more. The impact lasts a minimum of 3 years on your record, though insurers often rate the conviction for 6+ years. Total excess insurance costs over three years can reach $16,200 to $35,100+.
Is stunt driving a criminal offence?
No. Stunt driving under section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act is a provincial offence, not a criminal offence. It will not appear on a criminal record. However, it does appear on your driving abstract and has severe consequences for your licence, insurance, and finances.
Talk to NextLaw About Your Stunt Driving Charge
The new penalties are harsh, but the charge is not a conviction. At NextLaw, Jonathan Cohen and our team have handled thousands of stunt driving cases under these tougher laws. We know what works and what doesn’t—because we’re in these courts every week. Our results speak for themselves, and so do our 764 five-star Google reviews.
Your next step is simple: call us or book online. We’ll review your charge, explain your options, and tell you exactly what we can do. No pressure, no obligation—just honest answers from people who do this every day.
Phone: 1-833-639-8529
Online: https://stunt-call.nextlaw.ca
Your future is worth fighting for. Let us help.
