Careless Driving in Ontario is a serious traffic offence that carries severe penalties if convicted, including six demerit points against your licence. But what exactly are demerit points and how could they impact your ability to drive? Let’s take a closer look at how careless driving demerit points in Ontario work.
What is Careless Driving in Ontario?
Under Section 130 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, careless driving involves operating a vehicle without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users.
This could include behaviours like:
- Driving while distracted by a cell phone, GPS, entertainment system, or passengers
- Speeding, aggressive driving, or street racing
- Failing to obey traffic signs and signals
- Making unsafe lane changes or turns without signalling
- Driving unpredictably or erratically
A careless driving conviction can result in stiff penalties, including:
- 6 demerit points against your driver’s licence
- Licence suspension for up to 2 years
- Fines from $400 to $2,000
- Possible jail time up to 6 months
How Do Demerit Points Work in Ontario?
Demerit points are a way the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario keeps track of driving offences.
Careless Driving carries 6 demerit points and these demerit points will stay active on your record for two years from the date of conviction.
After two years, the demerit points are removed but the careless driving offence remains on your record for one additional year.
Demerit points only apply if you are convicted of an offence in court. Simply being charged does not lead to demerit points against your licence.
How Many Demerit Points Trigger a Licence Suspension?
The number of points that can lead to a licence suspension depends on your type of driver’s licence:
- G1 or G2 licence: A careless driving conviction will result in an automatic 30-day driving suspension. Here’s why. With any novice driver, i.e. G1 or G2 licence, any conviction with 4 or more demerit points will automatically trigger a 30-day driving licence suspension. Because careless driving carries 6 demerit points, a careless driving conviction will trigger the 30-day licence suspension.
- Full G licence: A careless driving conviction will trigger a licence suspension in two scenarios.
Scenario #1: If the 6 demerit points puts your total demerit points at 15 or more, the G driver will get an automatic driving licence suspension.
Scenario #2: If the 6 demerit points puts your total demerit points at 9 to 14 demerit points, this will trigger an interview with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. The result of that interview may trigger a licence suspension.
How Long Do Careless Driving Points Stay on Your Record?
Careless driving demerit points stay on your record for 2 years from the date of conviction.
After 2 years, the 6 demerit points are removed but the careless driving conviction remains for one additional year.
During the time the demerit points are active, they will show up on your driver’s abstract – your official driving record. Insurance companies look at your abstract when deciding your premiums.
Will Careless Driving Demerit Points Increase Your Insurance?
Most likely, yes. Careless driving is considered a serious offence and can substantially raise your car insurance premiums.
Some insurers may even decline to renew your policy after a careless driving conviction. And if you need to change insurance providers, other companies may refuse coverage based on the offence showing up on your driving record.
How to Protect Your Driver’s Licence – Fight the Charge
The best way to avoid demerit points for careless driving and save you from a licence suspension and increased insurance fees is to fight the charge with an experienced lawyer. With the proper legal strategy and skilled skilled representation, you can potentially avoid a careless driving conviction.
Careless Driving Demerit Points: Key Takeaways
- Careless driving carries 6 demerit points in Ontario, one of the highest point penalties
- For G2 and G1 drivers, 6 demerit points leads to automatic 30-day licence suspension
- For G drivers, careless driving adds 6 points, risking suspension at 15+ points or an MTO interview (and potential suspension) at 9-14 points
- Demerit points stay on your record for 2 years, conviction remains for 3 years total
- Demerit points can increase your insurance costs significantly or lead to non-renewal
- An experienced lawyer can help you save your drivers licence and save you thousands of dollars in increased insurance premiums
Will careless driving demerit points trigger a licence suspension?
Yes, careless driving demerit points can trigger a licence suspension in Ontario. For novice drivers with a G1 or G2 licence, a careless driving conviction automatically results in a 30-day suspension since the offence carries 6 demerit points and any conviction with 4 or more points triggers this action. For full G licence holders, a suspension can occur in two scenarios: if the 6 demerit points from a careless driving conviction bring the total to 15 or more, or if they lead to a total of 9 to 14 points, which then triggers a mandatory interview with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, potentially resulting in a suspension.
How does a careless driving demerit points impact insurance in Ontario?
A conviction for careless driving in Ontario is likely to significantly increase car insurance premiums. Some insurers may choose not to renew your policy following such a conviction, and other companies might refuse coverage based on the offence recorded on your driving history.
