What Is Stunt Driving in Ontario?
Stunt driving is defined under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act as street racing, excessive speeding, or dangerous stunts that put lives at risk. When you’re convicted, Ontario law doesn’t let you choose—your vehicle must be impounded for 14 days under Bill 282 (effective July 1, 2021).
The worst part? You can’t get your car back early, no matter the circumstances. And the owner—that’s you—foots the entire bill, even if someone else was driving.
How Much Does Towing Cost After a Stunt Driving Charge?
A single tow after a stunt driving stop typically costs $300 to $600, depending on your location and whether it happens during business hours or after hours.
Toronto and Ottawa tend toward the higher end of that range. Rural areas and smaller towns may charge less. Night or weekend tows almost always cost more. The police don’t hire a tow truck company of your choosing—they use a city-contracted service, so you have no control over price or timing.
What Are the Daily Storage Fees for a 14-Day Impound?
After your car reaches the impound lot, you pay $25 to $50 per day for storage. Over the mandatory 14-day impound period, that’s $350 to $700 just in storage fees.
Some impound yards charge on the higher end if you vehicle is larger, if they need special storage space, or if it’s in a high-demand jurisdiction. Storage fees apply every single day—weekends, holidays, and court dates included. You cannot negotiate or shorten this period, no matter how quickly you resolve your case.
What Are Administrative and Release Fees?
Beyond towing and storage, you’ll face $50 to $150 in administrative and release fees when you finally pick up your vehicle. This covers paperwork, lot processing, and the physical release of your vehicle from impound.
Some yards charge a flat fee; others charge per item processed. Always ask before you get the news at the counter. This money must be paid before your keys are returned.
What’s the Total Cost of a 14-Day Stunt Driving Impound?
Here’s the full breakdown:
Towing fee: $300–$600
Daily storage (14 days): $350–$700
Administrative/release fees: $50–$150
Total impound-related costs: $700–$1,450
For many people, that’s a month’s rent or a car payment. And it’s only the beginning of the financial fallout from a stunt driving conviction.
What Happens Beyond the $1,300 Impound Cost?
A stunt driving conviction carries penalties far beyond towing and storage. Here’s what you’re looking at:
- Fines: $2,000 to $10,000
- Licence suspension: 1 year minimum (some cases up to lifetime)
- Demerit points: 6 points (taken off over 2 years)
- Criminal record: Yes, stunt driving is a criminal offence
- Legal representation: $5,000 to $15,000 (if you hire a legal representative to fight or negotiate your case)
- Insurance premium increase: 300–500% for 3 years ($16,200 to $35,100 total increase)
- Lost income: From suspension and court appearances
The total all-in cost of stunt driving? Between $25,000 and $75,000+. That’s life-changing money for most people.
Can You Get Your Car Back Before 14 Days?
No. Bill 282 made the 14-day impound mandatory. You cannot negotiate with the impound lot, ask a judge for early release, or appeal for an exception. Your vehicle will sit in that lot for exactly 14 days, and you’ll pay storage every single day.
The only exception? If you successfully have your stunt driving charge withdrawn before conviction, the impound may be lifted. That’s where fighting your charge with legal representation matters. But once you’re convicted, the clock is set, and your wallet bleeds daily.
What People Who’ve Faced Stunt Driving Charges Are Saying
Got clocked doing stunt driving, lost license for a month and had my car impounded for 14 days (you know the deal).
— Fabio
It’s been a long 7 months battle with the court and the prosecutor on April 18th I was caught doing 46km/h in a 50km/h speed limit zone the Cop was sitting in a Blackout unmarked Ford Explorer after I pass him it was too late once I saw his lights go on I was pulled over and charged with stunt driving plus a 14 day vehicle impoundment and my license was suspended on the roadside for 30 days
— Static_VIP_Camry
They got my stunt ticket removed. Highly recommend using Nextlaw to fight your ticket.
— Aiden Pritchard
Had a stunt and careless and they got it down to just careless with no demerit points, excellent firm and very nice people.
— Fletcher Dashper
Excellent Service. Decided to go with different lawyer after having a previous speeding charge before and it was the right decision! I had a stunt and a 70 over. The guys after 6 months in court got it down to a careless driving and 90 day probation that I could still drive my car to and from work and just a 1000$ over 2 years. This is a better result than I could have dream off. Now I can treat this as a true lesson and hopefully never speed again. Thank you guys
— Mike Ali
Jon and Dan @ NextLaw were amazing. Reduced my charge to a simple speeding ticket. No suspensions, just a fine to pay. Appreciate all their hard work making this stressful situation an easy process.
— Peter Smits
Ontario Court Locations for Stunt Driving Cases
If you’ve been charged with stunt driving, your case will be heard at one of these provincial courts across Ontario:
- Toronto Court of Justice — 2201 Finch Avenue West, North York
- Brampton Court of Justice — 5 Ray Lawson Boulevard
- Mississauga Court of Justice — 950 Burnhamthorpe Road West
- Hamilton Court of Justice — 50 Main Street East
- Ottawa Court of Justice — 100 Constellation Crescent
- London Court of Justice — 824 Dundas Street
- Barrie Court of Justice — 75 Mulcaster Street
- Kitchener Court of Justice — 77 Queen Street North
- Oshawa Court of Justice — 605 Rossland Road East
- Newmarket Court of Justice — 50 Eagle Street West
Stunt Driving Statistics in Ontario (Oct 2024–Sep 2025)
Here’s what’s happening in Ontario’s stunt driving cases right now:
| Category | Number of Charges | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Total charges received | 11,284 | 100% |
| Withdrawn before trial | 4,422 | 39.2% |
| Withdrawn at trial | 1,029 | 9.1% |
| Total withdrawn | 5,451 | 48.3% |
| Guilty plea before trial | 305 | 2.7% |
| Total disposed | 7,313 | 64.8% |
| Charges pending | 7,120 | 63.1% |
Stunt Driving Charges by Jurisdiction
Some Ontario cities see more stunt driving charges than others. Here’s how major jurisdictions stack up:
| Jurisdiction | Total Charges | Withdrawn Before Trial | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | 718 | 373 | 52.0% |
| Brampton | 1,000 | 475 | 47.5% |
| York | 1,226 | 142 | 11.6% |
| Mississauga | 778 | 476 | 61.2% |
| Waterloo | 656 | 573 | 87.3% |
Notice something? In Waterloo, 87.3% of charges are withdrawn before trial. In Mississauga, it’s 61.2%. That’s not luck—that’s representation. The jurisdiction you’re charged in, and whether you have a legal representative fighting your case, makes a massive difference.
What NextLaw Can Do for Your Stunt Driving Case
At NextLaw, we’re a law firm that specializes in fighting stunt driving charges. We don’t just negotiate—we win withdrawals and reductions that save our clients tens of thousands of dollars.
Here’s what we’ve accomplished for people facing exactly what you’re facing:
- Charge withdrawal before trial: We review police procedures, equipment calibration, officer training, and Charter violations that give us grounds to ask the Crown to withdraw your charge.
- Charge reduction: If withdrawal isn’t possible, we negotiate your stunt driving charge down to a lesser offense like careless driving—saving you licence suspension, criminal record, and years of insurance hikes.
- Minimal penalties: We’ve secured outcomes where clients pay a small fine or probation without losing their licence or facing criminal conviction.
- Impound release: If we secure a pre-trial withdrawal, the impound may be lifted, saving you thousands in storage fees.
Jonathan Cohen, our Legal Representative at NextLaw, has guided over 4,000 people through stunt driving charges. We know how police detect alleged stunt driving, where they make mistakes, and how to exploit those mistakes legally to get charges withdrawn.
Frequently Asked Questions About Stunt Driving Towing and Impound Costs
Can I get my car out of impound early if I pay extra?
No. The 14-day impound under Bill 282 is mandatory and cannot be shortened by paying additional fees. The only way to lift the impound early is to have your stunt driving charge withdrawn—which requires strong legal representation.
Who pays for the towing and storage if someone else was driving my car?
You do. Ontario law holds the vehicle owner responsible for impound costs, regardless of who was driving. If your friend or family member gets caught doing stunt driving in your car, you’ll owe the $650–$1,300 in impound costs plus potential liability for the charges themselves.
Do I have to pay the impound lot before my court date?
It depends on the impound facility and your agreement with them. Most require you to pay storage fees as they accrue. If you don’t pay, they may place a lien on your vehicle, preventing you from selling or refinancing it even after release. Always ask about payment terms upfront.
Will my insurance cover the impound and towing costs?
Most insurance policies do not cover impound and towing after a stunt driving charge. This is typically classified as legal penalty, not accidental damage. Check your policy, but expect to pay out of pocket.
How long does it take to get my car released from impound?
Once you’ve paid all fees (towing, storage, administrative), release typically takes 24–48 hours. However, you can’t get your car back until all 14 days have passed. If you’re charged on a Friday, the 14 days still includes Saturday and Sunday.
Can I have my car serviced or repaired while it’s in impound?
Most impound lots do not allow vehicle maintenance. If your car needs repairs before the 14 days are up, you’ll likely need to wait until release or pay for the lot to authorize repairs—which adds cost.
What if I can’t afford the impound fees?
Contact the impound lot about payment plans. Some facilities accept installments. However, your vehicle will not be released until all costs are paid in full. This is another reason fighting your charge with legal representation can be worth it—if you win a withdrawal, you avoid impound costs entirely.
Are there additional costs I’m not thinking about?
Yes. Beyond impound, you’ll face fines ($2,000–$10,000), insurance increases (300–500% over 3 years), and potentially legal fees. The total financial impact of a stunt driving conviction can exceed $75,000. That’s why early legal intervention—before you’re convicted—saves money in the long run.
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
A stunt driving charge is serious. The impound costs are real. The fines are steep. But 48.3% of Ontario stunt driving charges are withdrawn—which means you have options.
At NextLaw, we’ve helped thousands of people reduce or eliminate their stunt driving charges. Jonathan Cohen and our team know exactly how to challenge police procedures, expose calibration errors, and find Charter violations that give you a path forward.
The sooner you act, the more options you have. Every day the impound sits, you’re losing money. Every day closer to trial is a day you’re at risk of conviction.
Book your free consultation with NextLaw today. Let’s find out what we can do for you.
