Is Excessive Speed the Same as Stunt Driving in Ontario?
Yes, they are identical charges. Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act covers what Ontario law defines as “driving at a marked speed” that qualifies as racing or stunt driving. Police officers, prosecutors, and courts sometimes use the phrase “excessive speed” instead of “stunt driving” when the charge is purely speed-based rather than involving aggressive manoeuvres like weaving or drifting.
The distinction is entirely informal. Whether your ticket says “stunt driving,” “racing,” or “excessive speed,” the charge is the same section of the same law, and the penalties are identical. This is a critical point because some drivers assume “excessive speed” is less serious than stunt driving. It is not. The penalties, the roadside consequences, and the insurance fallout are exactly the same.
Why Do Police Use the Term “Excessive Speed”?
Officers have discretion in how they describe the offence on your ticket and in their notes. When a charge results purely from high speed on a radar or lidar reading with no other driving behaviour involved, the officer may note it as excessive speed. In court, the prosecution refers to s.172 regardless of which label appears on the paperwork. For your defence, the terminology does not change the legal analysis. What matters is the speed reading, the posted limit, and the circumstances at the time.
What Speed Triggers an Excessive Speed Charge?
Ontario law sets three speed thresholds that trigger an excessive speed or stunt driving charge. If your speed exceeds any of these limits, the officer has grounds to lay a charge under s.172:
| Posted Speed Zone | Speed Over Limit | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Below 80 km/h | 40 km/h or more over | 100 km/h in a 60 zone |
| Above 80 km/h | 50 km/h or more over | 150 km/h in a 100 zone |
| Any road | 150 km/h absolute | 150 km/h on a 60 km/h road |
The 150 km/h absolute threshold is worth noting separately. Even on a highway posted at 110 km/h, hitting 150 km/h triggers a stunt driving charge. You do not need to be going a specific amount “over the limit.” The raw number on the radar is enough.
The 40 km/h Threshold in Urban Zones
This threshold catches many drivers off guard. In a 60 km/h residential zone, reaching 100 km/h qualifies as excessive speed. In a 50 km/h school zone, 90 km/h triggers the charge. These are speeds that can happen on a downhill stretch or when a driver misjudges the posted limit.
The 50 km/h Threshold on Highways
Highway charges typically involve the 400-series corridors where traffic often moves above the posted 100 km/h limit. Hitting 150 km/h in a 100 km/h zone triggers both the 50-over threshold and the absolute 150 km/h cap simultaneously. The OPP runs regular enforcement blitzes on these corridors.
What Happens the Moment You Are Charged with Excessive Speed?
The consequences begin at the roadside, before you ever see a courtroom. Under Ontario’s current rules (strengthened by Bill 282, effective July 1, 2021), the officer applies immediate administrative penalties:
- 30-day licence suspension: Effective immediately at roadside. You cannot drive for 30 days regardless of what happens with the charge later.
- 14-day vehicle impound: Your vehicle is towed and impounded at your expense. Towing, storage, and administrative fees typically total $1,800 or more.
These roadside penalties are administrative, not criminal. They happen before any finding of guilt. Even if the charge is ultimately withdrawn or reduced, the 30-day suspension and 14-day impound stand. This is one of the reasons acting quickly matters. You need a plan for how to manage the immediate disruption while preparing your defence.
Upon Conviction: The Full Penalty Breakdown
- Fine: $2,000 to $10,000 (first offence)
- Licence suspension: Up to 2 years (first offence), up to 10 years (second offence within 10 years)
- Jail: Up to 6 months (rarely imposed on first offence)
- Demerit points: 6 points on your driving record
- Mandatory driver improvement course
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
Going from a potential $10,000 fine to $423 illustrates what skilled legal representation can accomplish. This kind of reduction is not unusual when the right defence strategy is applied.
The True Financial Cost of an Excessive Speed Conviction
The courtroom fine is only a fraction of the total damage. When you add up every cost an excessive speed conviction creates over the following six years, the numbers are staggering. Industry analysis puts the total conservative financial fallout at $118,856, with opportunity costs pushing it toward $185,000 for commercial and professional drivers.
Insurance: The Biggest Hidden Cost
A standard Ontario driver pays roughly $1,824 per year for auto insurance. After an excessive speed conviction, most standard-market insurers (Intact, Aviva, TD, and others) decline to renew the policy. The driver is pushed to the Facility Association, Ontario’s insurer of last resort, where annual premiums run $9,500 or more.
The annual premium difference is $7,676. Over six years (the typical lookback period for major convictions), that adds up to a $46,056 premium penalty on top of the fine, impound costs, and legal fees.
Six-Year Cost Comparison
| Scenario | 6-Year Insurance Cost | Lost Income | Total 6-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conviction (s.172) | $60,000 – $90,000 | $55,000 – $75,000 | $115,000 – $165,000 |
| Reduced to Speeding | $12,000 – $15,000 | $0 | $12,000 – $15,000 |
The ROI of a successful defence sits between 760% and 1,100%. Legal representation that costs $3,500 to $5,000 can prevent $100,000 or more in downstream consequences.
July 2026 Insurance Reform and the Accessibility Gap
Ontario’s auto insurance reform taking effect July 1, 2026 introduces an opt-in model for benefits like Income Replacement. Under the new system, drivers must proactively select coverage that was previously included by default. This creates what industry analysts call an Accessibility Gap: drivers convicted of excessive speed are already paying elevated premiums and are more likely to choose the cheapest policy available, unknowingly stripping away critical accident benefits.
For students, seniors, gig workers, and low-income earners, this gap is especially dangerous. A driver who opts out of Income Replacement Benefits to save $20 per month could face financial ruin if injured in a subsequent accident, regardless of fault.
Excessive Speed and Your Career: Who Is Most at Risk?
For many Ontario drivers, a licence is not just a convenience. It is the foundation of their income. An excessive speed conviction hits certain groups disproportionately hard.
Gig Economy Drivers (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Skip)
Platforms like Uber and Lyft use real-time background monitoring through services like Checkr. A “Major Conviction” or licence suspension triggers automatic and often permanent deactivation. Even the 30-day roadside suspension that happens before conviction can end a gig career. Uber’s 2026 policy states that any licence suspension within three years is grounds for disqualification, creating what amounts to a “Suspension Trap” where the roadside penalty itself kills the job.
Commercial Truck Drivers (AZ/DZ Licence Holders)
A single excessive speed conviction adds 5 CVOR points to a carrier’s record. For a small fleet of 1 to 5 trucks, those 5 points can immediately downgrade the company’s safety rating to “Unsatisfactory,” forcing their insurer to non-renew and pushing the entire fleet to the Facility Association. Major shipping clients include “Clean CSR” clauses in their contracts, allowing them to drop carriers that fall below safety thresholds.
Young and Novice Drivers (G1/G2)
Novice drivers face a “double suspension” scenario. The mandatory court-imposed suspension is layered on top of an additional 30-day sanction under Ontario’s Novice Driver provisions. If the total demerit points trigger Escalating Sanctions, the driver’s graduated licence can be cancelled entirely, forcing them to restart the licensing process from scratch. The financial impact of being locked out of the standard insurance market until their mid-to-late twenties is severe, with premiums staying above $500 per month for years.
Can Excessive Speed Charges Be Reduced or Dropped?
Yes. The provincial data is clear on this point. Of the 11,284 excessive speed and stunt driving charges laid across Ontario between October 2024 and September 2025, 4,422 were withdrawn before trial. An additional 1,029 were withdrawn at trial. That means nearly half of all charges did not result in a conviction as originally laid.
The most common positive outcomes include reduction to a regular speeding ticket (typically 29 km/h or 49 km/h over), withdrawal of the charge entirely, or a guilty plea to a lesser offence like “disobeying a sign.” Each of these outcomes avoids the mandatory licence suspension, eliminates the insurance catastrophe, and keeps the driver’s record in the standard market.
NextLaw is one of the best places to go for any sort of driving charge. I got charged with going double over the speed limit(160 on an 80)/ stunt driving which could have resulted in prison and loss of license for up to 3 years. With Jon Nextlaw on my side he got it dropped down to a speeding ticket with only a 300$ fine. No prison and I’m still able to drive. Great outcome overall compared to the points mentioned above. Tldr 160km on 80km stunt ticket got dropped down to 49km speeding ticket.
Mario
From 160 in an 80 zone to a $300 speeding ticket. That is the kind of gap between “worst case” and “actual outcome” that legal representation creates.
Absolutely amazing, highly recommend, I got a 163 ticket in a 100, they were able to save me all the trouble and reduce my ticket to a normal speeding ticket. That saved me a one year suspension. And all the fines to come with it. Thank you Dan and Jon at Next law!!
Donovan Shaw
Happy I decided to go with NextLaw, they were very up front about my stunt driving charges and what the outcome could be, however they achieved a greater outcome than anyone expected and had my 93km over stunt driving charge reduced to just a speeding ticket. Would highly recommend to use NextLaw for your tickets and charges
Project Saabrina
How Defence Works for Excessive Speed Cases
The defence process follows a structured approach. Your legal representative requests full disclosure from the prosecution, which includes officer notes, radar or lidar calibration records, speed reading data, and any cruiser GPS information. Ontario law requires the prosecution to provide this evidence in accordance with your Charter rights.
Common defence strategies include challenging the accuracy of the speed-measuring device, identifying procedural errors in the roadside process (the MOMS Act requirements are complex), leveraging disclosure gaps, and negotiating based on the strength of the evidence. Stunt driving is a “strict liability” offence, which means the prosecution only needs to prove the act occurred. However, this also opens the door to “due diligence” and “necessity” defences that do not apply to absolute liability offences.
Excessive Speed Charges by Region: Where Enforcement Is Highest
Enforcement intensity varies dramatically across Ontario. The following table shows which jurisdictions processed the most excessive speed and stunt driving charges during the most recent 12-month reporting period.
| Region | Charges Received | Withdrawn Before Trial | Withdrawal Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| York Region | 1,226 | 142 | 11.6% |
| Brampton | 1,000 | 475 | 47.5% |
| Mississauga | 778 | 476 | 61.2% |
| Toronto | 718 | 373 | 51.9% |
| London | 670 | 43 | 6.4% |
| Barrie | 660 | 520 | 78.8% |
| Waterloo | 656 | 573 | 87.3% |
| Ottawa | 496 | 22 | 4.4% |
| Halton (Burlington/Oakville) | 427 | 201 | 47.1% |
| Durham | 400 | 269 | 67.3% |
Source: Ontario Provincial Offences Act data, October 2024 to September 2025.
The withdrawal rates vary widely. In Waterloo, 87.3% of charges were withdrawn before trial. In Ottawa, just 4.4% were. This reflects differences in prosecution practices, court volume, and the effectiveness of legal representation in each jurisdiction. Knowing your local court’s tendencies is part of building an effective defence strategy.
Real Results: What Our Clients Say About Fighting Excessive Speed Charges
These are real reviews from Ontario drivers who faced excessive speed and stunt driving charges. Every quote is taken directly from our Google reviews.
I would recommend anyone who has gotten stunt driving to hire NextLaw. as soon as i hired them i felt at ease because of their professionalism and confidence. i was charged with stunt driving going 117 in a 60. they got it reduced to just a speeding ticket. I didn’t even have to attend court. I cant be more thankful. If you are looking for a good lawyer NextLaw is the place you should go.
Zain Kalaq
Going 117 in a 60 zone means 57 km/h over the limit, well into excessive speed territory. The reduction to a regular speeding ticket eliminated the licence suspension, the major insurance consequences, and the demerit point load.
Outstanding work from these 2 gentlemen…you can believe in miracles but I also tend to believe as to how smart these 2 gentlemen are, know the law and how to navigate it…a stunt driving ticket was erased to excessive speed, the fine was reduced from $600 to $300 and a loss of only 4 demerit points…Awesome result from someone that was looking to be in real trouble…A warm thanks again to these 2 gentleman and forever indebted…
George Dounias
This result demonstrates the progression from stunt driving down to a reduced charge with half the fine and significantly fewer demerit points.
Next Law was incredible. John Cohen handled my case and got multiple serious tickets reduced to just a $300 speeding ticket (originally over $2,000 in fines). Professional, efficient, and delivered way better results than I expected. Highly recommend!
Adam Gtr
Ontario Courts That Handle Excessive Speed Cases
Your excessive speed case will be heard at the Provincial Offences Court closest to where you were charged. NextLaw represents clients at courts across Ontario. Here are some of the busiest courts for s.172 matters:
Greater Toronto Area
Brampton Provincial Offences Court
5 Ray Lawson Blvd, Brampton, L6Y 5L7
1,000 excessive speed charges received (Oct 2024 – Sep 2025)
Mississauga Provincial Offences Court
950 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga
778 charges received | 61.2% withdrawal rate
Toronto Provincial Offences Courts
Multiple locations across the city
718 charges received | Handles the highest trial volume in the province
Central Ontario
Barrie Provincial Offences Court
45 Cedar Pointe Drive, Barrie, L4N 5R7
660 charges received | 78.8% withdrawal rate
Durham Region (Whitby)
605 Rossland Road East, Lower Level, Whitby, L1N 0B3
400 charges received | 67.3% withdrawal rate
Southwestern Ontario
London Provincial Offences Court
670 charges received
Waterloo Region Provincial Offences Court
656 charges received | 87.3% withdrawal rate (highest in Ontario)
No matter which Ontario court your case is assigned to, NextLaw can represent you. We handle cases across the province and understand how each court operates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Excessive Speed in Ontario
Is excessive speed the same as stunt driving in Ontario?
Yes. Excessive speed and stunt driving are the same charge under Section 172 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act. Police and courts may use either term, but the penalties are identical regardless of which label appears on your ticket.
What speed triggers an excessive speed charge in Ontario?
You can be charged with excessive speed if you drive 40 km/h or more over the limit in zones posted at below 80 km/h, 50 km/h or more over the limit in zones posted above 80 km/h, or at 150 km/h or faster on any road regardless of the posted limit.
What are the penalties for excessive speed in Ontario?
Immediate roadside penalties include a 30-day licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impound. Upon conviction, fines range from $2,000 to $10,000, with a licence suspension of up to 2 years, up to 6 months in jail, and 6 demerit points. Insurance rates typically increase by 300% to 500% for at least six years.
Can excessive speed charges be reduced in Ontario?
Yes. Provincial data shows that 39.2% of all s.172 stunt driving and excessive speed charges in Ontario were withdrawn before trial between October 2024 and September 2025. Many more were reduced to regular speeding tickets through negotiation. A legal representative can review disclosure and negotiate for a lesser charge.
How much does excessive speed cost with insurance in Ontario?
The total financial impact of an excessive speed conviction can reach $118,856 conservatively and up to $185,000 when factoring in opportunity costs. Insurance alone accounts for the largest portion, with annual premiums jumping from roughly $1,824 to $9,500 or more through the Facility Association, Ontario’s insurer of last resort.
Will I lose my licence for excessive speed in Ontario?
You face a 30-day roadside licence suspension immediately when charged. If convicted, the court can suspend your licence for up to 2 years on a first offence and up to 10 years on a second offence within 10 years. Novice drivers on G1 or G2 licences face additional sanctions including potential cancellation of their graduated licence.
Should I fight an excessive speed charge or pay the fine?
Fighting the charge is almost always worth it. The difference between a conviction and a reduction to a regular speeding ticket can save you over $100,000 in insurance, fines, and lost income over six years. Legal fees of $3,500 to $5,000 represent a fraction of the total financial exposure from a conviction.
Talk to NextLaw About Your Excessive Speed Charge
An excessive speed charge in Ontario is one of the most consequential traffic offences you can face. But facing the charge does not mean accepting the worst-case outcome. Provincial data shows that thousands of these charges are reduced or withdrawn every year, and the financial difference between a conviction and a successful defence is measured in tens of thousands of dollars.
Jonathan Cohen and the team at NextLaw have represented Ontario drivers through every variation of this charge. We handle the disclosure, the negotiation, and the court appearances so you can focus on everything else.
Book your free consultation with NextLaw today and let us review your excessive speed charge. There is no obligation, no pressure, and no cost for the initial call.
Phone: 1-833-639-8529
Online: https://stunt-call.nextlaw.ca
