What Exactly Is Stunt Driving Under Ontario Law?
Before we dive into penalties, it’s important to understand what Ontario law defines as stunt driving. Stunt driving isn’t simply driving fast — it’s driving at speeds that far exceed the posted limit or road conditions.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, stunt driving occurs when you drive more than 40 kilometres per hour over the speed limit in zones posted at below 80 km/h, or more than 50 kilometres per hour over the speed limit in zones posted above 80 km/h. For example, driving 121 km/h in a 80 km/h zone, or 136 km/h in a 100 km/h zone, qualifies as stunt driving.
The law also captures other dangerous behaviours like racing, stunting (wheelies, burnouts), aggressive honking, intentionally blocking traffic, and removing a licence plate. However, the speed-based charges are the most common.
What Happens at the Roadside? The 30-Day Suspension and 14-Day Impound
One of the harshest aspects of a stunt driving charge is what happens immediately — before any conviction. If a police officer charges you with stunt driving, your consequences begin on the spot.
First, your driver’s licence is suspended for 30 days. You cannot drive during this period, period. Second, your vehicle is impounded for 14 days. You’ll need to pay towing and storage fees, which typically range from $400 to $600 or more, depending on the impound lot.
These roadside penalties apply whether you’re eventually convicted or not. This is why many drivers feel immediate panic after being charged — the consequences start right away, even before court proceedings begin.
If You’re Convicted: The Fines and Financial Penalties
If you’re convicted of stunt driving, the financial penalties are substantial and depend on factors like your driving history and the severity of the offence.
On a first conviction, you face a fine of between $2,000 and $10,000. On a second or subsequent conviction within 10 years, the fine increases to between $4,000 and $20,000. These aren’t small amounts, and they don’t include court costs, legal fees, or insurance premium increases that will come later.
The courts have discretion within these ranges, and factors like your speed above the limit, your prior record, and your cooperation all play a role in where your fine lands. A driver going 50 km/h over the limit will typically face a harsher fine than someone going 41 km/h over, for example.
How Long Will Your Licence Be Suspended?
Beyond the immediate 30-day roadside suspension, a stunt driving conviction results in a significantly longer licence suspension. The length depends on whether this is your first offence or a repeat charge.
First offence: Licence suspension for 1 to 3 years. Courts typically impose 1 year for drivers at the lower end of the speed range and 2–3 years for those driving significantly faster.
Second offence within 10 years: Licence suspension for 3 to 10 years. A second conviction is treated very seriously, and suspension periods in the 5–10 year range are common.
Third or subsequent offence: Licence suspension for life, with no discretion. A third stunt driving conviction results in a permanent licence suspension. You would need to apply for reinstatement after a minimum period, and approval is not guaranteed.
During any suspension period, you cannot legally drive in Ontario or most other jurisdictions. An absolute driving prohibition is a life-altering consequence.
Can You Go to Jail for Stunt Driving?
Yes. A stunt driving conviction can result in jail time, though it’s not the most common outcome for first-time offenders who cooperate with the court.
You can face up to 6 months in jail on a first conviction. On a second or subsequent conviction, you can face up to 2 years less a day of imprisonment (which is a provincial jail sentence). Jail is more likely if you have a prior criminal record, showed extreme speeds, caused an accident, or refused to cooperate.
In many cases, especially for first offenders, jail is avoided through negotiation with the Crown or through a conviction for a lesser charge. However, the threat of jail time is real and is a reason to take these charges seriously from day one.
The 6 Demerit Points and Your Driving Record
In addition to fines, suspension, and potential jail time, a stunt driving conviction adds 6 demerit points to your Ontario driving record.
Ontario’s demerit point system works on an accumulation basis. You start with a zero balance, and different traffic offences add points. If you accumulate 15 or more demerit points within a 2-year period, your licence is automatically suspended for 30 days. If you accumulate 25 or more points within a 2-year period, your licence is suspended for 6 months.
For a stunt driving conviction, the 6 demerit points are significant, and they can push a driver with other recent tickets into automatic suspension territory.
What Is the Mandatory Road Safety Course, and Why Does It Matter?
As of April 1, 2022, Ontario introduced a new requirement: anyone convicted of stunt driving must complete a remedial road safety course. This is a mandatory condition of your sentence, not optional.
The course is designed to address dangerous driving behaviours and educate offenders about road safety. It typically costs between $150 and $400, depending on the provider. You must complete it within a set timeframe (usually 12–18 months after conviction).
Here’s the critical part: if you fail to complete the course, your licence can be cancelled outright. Even if your licence suspension has ended, skipping the course means losing your legal driving privileges entirely. You would need to reapply for a licence and start from scratch.
The course is also designed to be thorough — it’s not a quick online tick-box. Many courses require in-person attendance and actual engagement with the material. This is one reason many first-time offenders are shocked by the scope of what a stunt driving conviction entails.
How Will Stunt Driving Affect Your Insurance?
If you’re convicted of stunt driving, your insurance rates will skyrocket. This is one of the most painful long-term financial consequences of a stunt driving conviction.
A stunt driving conviction will result in a 100–300% increase in your insurance premium for at least 3 years, often longer. Some drivers see their premiums triple or even quadruple. A driver who previously paid $100 per month in insurance may suddenly pay $300–$400 per month.
Some insurance companies will actually drop you entirely after a stunt driving conviction. You may be forced to switch to a high-risk insurer that charges even higher premiums. Over 3–5 years, the cumulative insurance cost from a single stunt driving conviction can easily exceed $10,000 or more.
This is why insurance impacts are sometimes more painful than the fine itself. The legal consequences are acute and time-limited, but the insurance consequences compound over years.
What Changed with the MOMS Act and the Escalating Penalty System?
The MOMS Act was introduced to make stunt driving penalties harsher, and the changes were significant. The MOMS Act introduced escalating penalties for repeat offenders.
Under the MOMS Act framework, the penalties for a first offence include the fines and suspensions mentioned above, plus the mandatory road safety course. However, the real escalation occurs with second and subsequent offences.
A second offence within 10 years triggers automatic additional penalties: higher minimum fines ($4,000 vs. $2,000), longer licence suspensions (3–10 years vs. 1–3 years), and enhanced jail exposure. The system is explicitly designed to be much harsher for repeat offenders.
Additionally, the MOMS Act created provisions allowing courts to order longer impound periods (up to 12 months for repeat offences, compared to the standard 14 days for a first offence). This creates an additional financial burden on repeat offenders who must pay extended storage fees.
The intent is clear: Ontario wants to deter stunt driving through graduated, escalating penalties. A first offence is serious. A second offence is very serious. A third offence can end your driving privileges permanently.
How Do Stunt Driving Penalties Compare to Regular Speeding?
It’s useful to understand how stunt driving sits in the hierarchy of traffic offences. Regular speeding, by comparison, is far less serious.
If you’re speeding but not at stunt driving speeds — say, 20 km/h over the limit — you’ll typically face a fine of $40–$100 and 2–3 demerit points. No licence suspension, no impound, no jail time, and minimal insurance impact.
Stunt driving, by contrast, involves fines of $2,000–$10,000+, licence suspension for 1–3 years on a first offence, a 14-day impound, 6 demerit points, and a mandatory course. The leap from regular speeding to stunt driving is dramatic.
This is why Ontario treats stunt driving as a quasi-criminal offence. The law recognizes that driving 40+ km/h over the limit represents a qualitatively different level of danger than regular speeding. The legal system reflects that distinction in penalties.
How NextLaw Has Helped Ontario Drivers Fight Stunt Driving Penalties
At NextLaw, we’ve represented hundreds of Ontario drivers facing stunt driving charges. Here’s what some of our clients have told us about their experience:
I can’t say enough about the positivity of my experience with this law firm. From the beginning to the end of my matter it was handled with the utmost professionalism. All my calls and emails were answered promptly and I was constantly updated. I have no problem whatsoever in recommending this firm to anyone.
— Michael Morey, FULLCORE STUDIOS INC
Michael faced a stunt driving charge that could have derailed his business. Our team worked to negotiate a reduced charge, and Michael avoided the harshest penalties.
Thank you very much Dan Joffe professional help to resolve my case. The result would not be the same without Dan’s help. Deeply appreciated.
— Ocean Kwan
Ocean was worried about the impact on his family and future. With professional representation, we achieved a resolution that allowed him to move forward.
Jon was incredibly helpful in ensuring my minor son’s lack of judgment won’t horribly affect him for the rest of his life, while also helping to enforce an understanding of the traffic laws through recommended additional driver training. Highly recommend.
— Alisha Wilson
Alisha’s son faced a stunt driving charge as a young driver. We worked to minimize the permanent damage while ensuring he understood the seriousness of the offence. Education and legal strategy together made all the difference.
Jon is a true professional. The system they use is fantastic and very efficient. Jon successfully negotiated with the prosecutor and now my stunt driving charge (114km/h in a 70km/h zone) is just a simple speeding ticket. This experience has taught me a valuable lesson: don’t speed! Thank you so much, Jon! You saved my life!
— Fencesitter
This client was driving at clearly stunt-driving speeds (44 km/h over the limit). Through negotiation with the Crown and thorough case preparation, we achieved a reduction to a simple speeding ticket. The difference in consequences — both legal and financial — was enormous.
Next law’s professional representation of my case in traffic court significantly improved what could have been a very serious judgement with much higher fines and longer license suspensions. Their fees are very reasonable and are modest in comparison with what the uninitiated driving public might expect for all the representations they made on my behalf. I would not hesitate to recommend NextLaw to anyone faced with the needs for competent, professional and personable legal representation.
— Marc Bourdeau
Marc recognized that the outcome he received — reduced fines and a shorter suspension — would not have been possible without professional legal guidance. The cost of representation was far less than the cost difference between the harsher and lighter outcomes.
Great Law Firm, very easy to talk to and super upfront and knowledgeable on ALL driving related charges. Definitely recommend and have no doubts about thier work.
— Aayush Tiwari
Aayush appreciated that we were upfront about his situation from day one and knowledgeable about all driving-related charges. Transparency and expertise matter when your driving future is at stake.
Ontario Courts Where Stunt Driving Cases Are Decided
Stunt driving charges are prosecuted in Ontario’s Provincial Offences Courts. Depending on where the offence occurred, your case will be handled at one of several locations across the province. Here are the primary courts:
- Toronto (North York) Provincial Offences Court — 1000 Finch Avenue West, Toronto, ON
- Brampton Provincial Offences Court — 5 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton, ON
- Caledon Provincial Offences Court — 6311 Old Church Road, Caledon, ON
- Brantford Provincial Offences Court — 102 Wellington Square, Brantford, ON
- Ottawa Provincial Offences Court — 100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON
- Sudbury Provincial Offences Court — 199 Larch Street, Sudbury, ON
- Thunder Bay Provincial Offences Court — 125 Brodie Street North, Thunder Bay, ON
- Newmarket (York Region) Provincial Offences Court — 50 Eagle Street West, Newmarket, ON
Your case will be assigned to the court closest to where the alleged offence occurred. If you’re charged with stunt driving in York Region, for example, your case goes to Newmarket. Toronto charges are handled in North York. Each court has its own Crown prosecutors, justices, and procedural practices, which is why local legal representation is valuable.
Stunt Driving in Ontario: The Latest Numbers
Understanding the volume and trends in stunt driving charges helps contextualize why the penalties are so harsh. Ontario takes this seriously because the problem is significant.
In the most recent reporting period (October 2024 to September 2025), Ontario recorded comprehensive stunt driving statistics:
| Category | Number of Charges |
|---|---|
| Total Provincial Charges | 11,284 |
| Total Disposed | 7,313 |
| Total Pending | 7,120 |
| York Region (highest) | 1,226 |
| Brampton | 1,000 |
| Toronto | 718 |
| Ottawa | 496 |
| Caledon | 355 |
Several things stand out from these numbers. First, 11,284 charges in a year demonstrates that stunt driving is a widespread issue in Ontario, not a rare occurrence. Second, the fact that 7,120 cases are still pending shows a significant court backlog. If you’re facing charges, be prepared for a potentially lengthy process. Third, York Region leads the province with 1,226 charges, followed by Brampton with 1,000 charges. These regions see the most aggressive enforcement and the most serious court approaches to stunt driving.
What NextLaw Can Do to Help
At NextLaw, Jonathan Cohen and our team have represented drivers in hundreds of stunt driving cases across Ontario. We understand the full scope of penalties, and we know how to navigate the Crown’s office, the courts, and the system.
We can’t make your charge disappear, but we can fight for the best possible outcome. In many cases, we negotiate with the Crown to reduce charges from stunt driving to regular speeding. In other cases, we prepare vigorous defences, challenge the evidence, and present compelling mitigation to the court to minimize fines, suspensions, and insurance impacts.
The difference between conviction outcomes in stunt driving cases can be enormous. A conviction with a 2-year suspension, a $5,000 fine, and jail time is fundamentally different from a conviction with a 1-year suspension and a $2,500 fine — even though both are convictions. Professional legal representation focuses on staying at the lower end of penalty ranges and, when possible, achieving charge reductions.
We handle your case from start to finish: reviewing disclosure, analyzing police evidence, meeting with you to understand your situation, negotiating with the Crown, preparing for trial if necessary, and advocating for you in court. We also guide you through post-conviction obligations like the mandatory road safety course.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ontario Stunt Driving Penalties
What are all the penalties for stunt driving in Ontario?
On a first offence, penalties include a 30-day roadside licence suspension, a 14-day vehicle impound, a fine of $2,000–$10,000, a 1–3 year licence suspension, up to 6 months jail time, 6 demerit points, and a mandatory road safety course. Insurance rates will increase by 100–300% for at least 3 years. On subsequent offences, penalties escalate significantly.
What is the mandatory road safety course, and when did it start?
The mandatory road safety course became a requirement on April 1, 2022, for anyone convicted of stunt driving. It costs $150–$400 and must be completed within 12–18 months of conviction. Failure to complete it can result in your licence being cancelled.
What happens if I don’t complete the road safety course?
If you don’t complete the course by the deadline, your driving licence can be cancelled outright by the Ministry of Transportation. You would need to reapply for a licence and start the testing process from scratch, even if your suspension period has ended.
How much will my insurance go up after a stunt driving conviction?
A stunt driving conviction typically results in a 100–300% increase in insurance premiums for at least 3 years. Drivers may be forced into high-risk insurance pools at even higher costs. Over 3–5 years, the cumulative cost can easily exceed $10,000.
Can stunt driving penalties be reduced or avoided?
In some cases, yes. Crown prosecutors have discretion and may negotiate to reduce charges to regular speeding if circumstances warrant it. Courts also have discretion within penalty ranges. Professional legal representation can significantly improve outcomes, though conviction or a finding of guilt is always a possibility.
What is the MOMS Act, and how does it affect stunt driving penalties?
The MOMS Act introduced escalating penalties for repeat offenders. It created higher minimum fines for second offences ($4,000 vs. $2,000), longer licence suspensions, and provisions for extended vehicle impounds. The system is designed to be much harsher for repeat offenders.
Are penalties different for a first offence versus a repeat offence?
Yes, significantly. A first offence results in fines of $2,000–$10,000 and a 1–3 year suspension. A second offence within 10 years results in fines of $4,000–$20,000 and a 3–10 year suspension. A third offence results in lifetime licence suspension. Jail exposure also increases with repeat offences.
Is jail time likely for a first-time stunt driving offence?
Jail is possible but not automatic for first-time offenders. Courts have discretion to impose up to 6 months jail time, but many first offenders avoid jail through guilty pleas, cooperation with the court, and professional representation. Factors like speed, driving history, and whether you caused an accident influence whether jail is imposed.
Don’t Face These Penalties Alone — Talk to NextLaw Today
A stunt driving charge is serious, and the consequences can affect your life for years. The financial impact, the licence suspension, the insurance costs, and the legal consequences are all real.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Jonathan Cohen and the team at NextLaw have guided hundreds of Ontario drivers through stunt driving charges. We know how to fight for you, negotiate with prosecutors, and minimize the impact on your life.
If you’ve been charged with stunt driving, contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and tell you what we can do to help. The sooner we get involved, the better positioned we are to achieve the best possible outcome.
Call NextLaw at 1-833-639-8529 or visit us online to schedule your free consultation. We’re here to help.
