Part I vs. Part III Tickets Explained

Last reviewed: October 2026 Reviewed by: Editorial Team

Quick answer: Ontario's Provincial Offences Act sets out different ways a matter can be started. Part I proceedings begin with a certificate of offence -- the simple set-fine ticket most drivers picture, issued directly by the officer at the roadside, with the fine amount printed right on it. Part III proceedings begin with an information sworn before a justice, generally used for more serious or non-ticketable matters that require a formal court appearance rather than a simple pay-or-dispute set fine.

Key Takeaways

Part I covers certificate-of-offence tickets, with a fine amount set in advance and printed on the notice.
Part III covers matters started by an information sworn before a justice, generally for more serious offences.
Most everyday speeding and equipment tickets are Part I matters.
Offences generally requiring a mandatory court appearance, like stunt driving or careless driving, are typically handled as Part III matters.

What Part I covers

Part I of the Provincial Offences Act governs proceedings started by a certificate of offence -- the document an officer completes and hands to a driver at the roadside, paired with either an offence notice showing a fixed set fine or a summons. The set fine for Part I matters is established in advance by the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice or a regional senior judge, which is why a routine speeding or equipment ticket already has a dollar amount printed on it -- the recipient doesn't need to go to court to find out what they owe unless they choose to dispute it.

What Part III covers

Part III governs proceedings started by an information, sworn before a justice rather than simply issued at the roadside. This track is generally used for more serious, non-ticketable matters that require a formal court process -- a summons or, in some cases, a warrant -- rather than a simple certificate with a pre-set fine. Offences that carry penalties requiring a judge's discretion, rather than a flat amount, are more likely to proceed this way.

Which offences tend to go where

Most routine Highway Traffic Act tickets -- ordinary speeding, equipment violations, and similar matters with a fixed set fine -- are handled as Part I proceedings. Offences that generally require a mandatory court appearance and carry a court-determined penalty rather than a flat fine, such as stunt driving or careless driving, are typically handled through the Part III process instead. This lines up with why those more serious offences on this site are described as requiring a court appearance, while most other traffic tickets describe a straightforward pay-or-dispute set fine.

Why this distinction matters to a driver

Knowing which track a ticket falls under affects what to expect next. A Part I matter generally gives a driver the option to simply pay the set fine, request an early resolution meeting, or set a trial date on their own initiative. A Part III matter generally already involves a scheduled court appearance as part of how the process was started, which changes the practical timeline and the stakes involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a Part I and Part III ticket in Ontario?

Part I matters start with a certificate of offence and a pre-set fine, typically issued at the roadside. Part III matters start with an information sworn before a justice, generally for more serious offences requiring a court appearance.

Is a routine speeding ticket a Part I or Part III matter?

Generally Part I, since it carries a fixed set fine printed on the ticket itself.

Is stunt driving a Part I or Part III matter?

Stunt driving and similar serious offences that require a mandatory court appearance are typically handled through the Part III process rather than a simple set-fine ticket.

Sources

Provincial Offences Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.33