How a single police stop can take you off the road for a month—and what you can do about it.
I hired NextLaw to help me with what would have been a certain conviction on my driving record. Jon’s team explained everything in detail, always answered my calls, and ultimately had my stunt driving charge withdrawn. The process was stress free and worth every penny. I highly recommend them to anyone in a similar situation (but hopefully won’t ever need their services in the future).
— Google review
1. The Legal Foundation of the 30‑Day Suspension
Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act §172(1) empowers police to issue an immediate 30‑day roadside licence suspension to anyone charged—not convicted—with stunt driving [1]. The officer seizes your driver’s licence and hands you a pink suspension notice. A simultaneous 14‑day vehicle impound also begins on the spot [2].
The statute defines “stunt driving” broadly, capturing 40 km/h+ over the limit on roads posted ≤ 80 km/h, 50 km/h+ over on faster roads, as well as burnouts, doughnuts, and other show‑off manoeuvres. Because the suspension is regulatory rather than criminal, you receive no bail hearing. The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) enters the suspension automatically; you cannot drive any motor vehicle in Ontario for the full 30 days.
Nextlaw has monitored late‑night traffic blitzes on the 401, QEW, and Highway 11 for years. According to Jon Cohen, legal representative, officers often complete the paperwork in under ten minutes—quicker than many routine speeding stops—leaving drivers stunned at the sudden severity.
2. What Really Happens at the Roadside
- Traffic Stop & Speed Reading – Radar/LIDAR evidence or police visual estimation prompts the stop.
- Charge Served – The officer issues a Part III summons to Provincial Offences Court.
- Licence Seized – Your plastic card stays with police; the pink notice is not a temporary licence.
- Tow & Impound – A contracted tow truck removes your vehicle for a mandatory 14‑day hold. Average 2023 cost: $1 024.
- Stranded Driver – You must arrange alternate transportation immediately.
Many callers to Nextlaw admit, “I was only 50 over—everyone does it.” Speed alone is enough for a stunt charge; no reckless weave or burnout is needed. Jon Cohen, legal representative stresses that roadside behaviour matters: swearing or refusing to surrender your licence often adds an Obstruct Police charge.
3. Life Without a Licence: 30‑Day Survival Guide
3.1 Work & Commuting
- Carpool or Rideshare – Buy transit passes or schedule carpools before court costs accumulate.
- Company‑Vehicle Hold – Employers with fleet insurance must suspend your driving privileges for 30 days.
- Commercial Drivers – Class A/D holders usually face immediate job suspension; unions may offer income protection.
3.2 Family Logistics
Parents juggling daycare can add a spouse or relative to the policy without penalty, but must report the change within seven days or risk cancellation.
3.3 Novice Drivers
Any G1, G2, or M2 licence caught stunt driving is instantly cancelled, not merely suspended. Re‑testing—knowledge and road—is mandatory after the 30 days.
3.4 Reinstatement Countdown
The suspension ends at 12:01 a.m. on Day 31 if MTO fees (currently $281) are paid. Keep proof; clerical errors sometimes leave “suspended” tags active.
3.5 Emotional Toll
A 2023 survey of 312 firm clients showed 71 % feared job loss during the suspension; 49 % reported moderate‑to‑severe anxiety. Jon Cohen, legal representative suggests calendar reminders for fees and court dates to reduce stress.
4. Court, Insurance & Long‑Term Fallout
4.1 Court Timeline
Median time from charge to first appearance in Ontario POA courts during 2024 was 76 days. Full resolution—withdrawal, reduction, or trial—often takes 5 to 12 months, extending uncertainty long past the initial 30 days.
4.2 Statutory Penalties on Conviction
| Penalty | First Offence | Second (≤ 10 yrs) | Third + |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | 1 – 3 yrs | 3 – 10 yrs | Lifetime (review after 10 yrs) |
| Fine | $2 000 – $10 000 | Same | Same |
| Jail | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months |
| Demerit Points | 6 | 6 | 6 |
4.3 Insurance Shock
After conviction, mainstream insurers often refuse coverage, pushing drivers into the Facility Association pool. In 2024 a 35‑year‑old male with one stunt conviction paid \$11 400 / yr for basic coverage—triple Ontario’s average.
4.4 Non‑Driver Repercussions
- US Border – Expect secondary inspection; some travellers are refused entry until the charge is settled.
- Civil Liability – Insurers may deny collision claims tied to stunt allegations.
- Professional Licences – Realtors, tradespeople, and healthcare workers relying on driving face regulatory scrutiny.
5. How Nextlaw Responds—Five Proven Strategies
- Speed‑Gun Calibration Audits – Nextlaw secures radar and LIDAR logs; missing certificates can collapse the Crown’s case.
- Charter §10(b) Challenges – Jon Cohen, legal representative confirms you received timely counsel access; delays can void roadside statements.
- Disclosure Gap Analysis – Missing officer notes or video statements often drive withdrawal negotiations.
By appearing in Newmarket POA Court every Monday and Brampton every Wednesday, Jon Cohen, legal representative maintains rapport with prosecutors, accelerating favourable resolutions for clients.
6. Key Facts Recap
- Suspension starts when you’re charged, not convicted.
- Police seize your licence for 30 days and impound your car for 14 days.
- No temporary licence exists; driving is prohibited during the 30 days.
- Speed thresholds: 40 km/h+ (≤ 80 km/h roads) or 50 km/h+ (higher‑speed roads).
- Novice licences are cancelled; full re‑testing is required.
- MTO reinstates at 12:01 a.m. on Day 31 after fees are paid.
- Median first‑appearance delay is 76 days; trials may run 12 months.
- Facility premiums can exceed $11 000 per year post‑conviction.
- Early Nextlaw evidence review often reveals calibration or disclosure defects.
- Jon Cohen, legal representative attends multiple POA courts weekly to keep cases moving.
