Speeding
Speeding
Exceeding the posted speed limit. Both the fine and demerit points generally scale with how far over the limit you were driving.
Learn more →Traffic Offences
Ontario Traffic Offences
Most Ontario traffic tickets are issued under the Highway Traffic Act. Offences range from minor, fine-only violations to serious offences that can suspend a licence immediately. Here’s a plain-language look at the offences drivers ask about most.
How Ontario traffic offences are generally structured
Most traffic tickets in Ontario come from the Highway Traffic Act, though some serious driving behaviour can also fall under the Criminal Code (impaired driving, for example, isn’t a provincial offence at all). A Highway Traffic Act conviction typically carries a fine and, for many offences, demerit points added to your driving record. Some offences — stunt driving and driving while suspended among them — carry additional consequences like an immediate roadside licence suspension, separate from anything a court later decides.
The fine, points, and any licence consequence depend on the specific offence, so it’s worth reading the exact wording on your ticket rather than assuming based on what a similar-sounding offence usually carries. See the Ontario demerit-point chart for point values by offence.
Common Ontario traffic offences
Serious Offence
Careless Driving
Driving without due care and attention. A broad offence that can carry 6 demerit points and a licence suspension.
Learn more →Serious Offence
Stunt Driving
Driving in a way the Highway Traffic Act defines as a stunt, including extreme speeding. Can carry an immediate roadside suspension.
Learn more →Distraction
Distracted Driving
Using a hand-held device or otherwise being distracted behind the wheel. Novice and fully licensed drivers are treated differently.
Learn more →Failure to Stop
Failure to Stop
Failing to stop when required, including for a police officer signalling you to pull over.
Learn more →Signals
Red-Light Offences
Entering an intersection after the light turns red. Officer-issued tickets carry demerit points; camera-issued tickets don’t.
Learn more →Following Distance
Following Too Closely
Driving too close to the vehicle ahead for road and traffic conditions.
Learn more →Insurance
Driving Without Insurance
Operating a vehicle without the mandatory insurance Ontario requires — one of the more heavily fined offences.
Learn more →Serious Offence
Driving While Suspended
Driving during a period when your licence is already suspended.
Learn more →Seatbelts
Seatbelt Offences
Failing to wear a seatbelt, or allowing a passenger to ride without one when required.
Learn more →Serious Offence
Failing to Remain
Leaving the scene of a collision without stopping to exchange information or provide assistance.
Learn more →Turns
Improper Turns
Making a turn in a way that isn’t permitted or safe at that location.
Learn more →Lane Changes
Unsafe Lane Changes
Changing lanes in a way that isn’t reasonably safe given traffic and conditions.
Learn more →School Zones
School-Bus Offences
Passing a stopped school bus with its upper lights flashing — one of the more heavily penalized offences.
Learn more →Serious Offence
Street Racing
Racing another vehicle on a public road — treated as a serious offence separate from stunt driving.
Learn more →Serious Offence
Commercial Vehicle Offences
Additional Highway Traffic Act rules for trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles, which can also affect a carrier’s safety rating.
Learn more →Signals
Failing to Signal
Not using a turn signal before changing lanes, turning, or stopping — a 2-point compliance offence.
Learn more →Right-of-Way
Failing to Yield
Proceeding when another vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian had the right-of-way — a common contributor to intersection collisions.
Learn more →Emergency Vehicles
Move Over Law
Slowing down and changing lanes for a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck — an increasingly enforced offence.
Learn more →Licensing
Unlicensed Driving
Driving without ever holding a valid licence for the vehicle — a distinct offence from driving while suspended.
Learn more →Licensing
Failing to Produce a Licence
Not having your licence on hand to show a police officer — a separate, narrower offence from being unlicensed.
Learn more →Passing
Improper Passing
Overtaking another vehicle without the roadway ahead being safely clear — distinct from an unsafe lane change.
Learn more →After a Collision
Failing to Report a Collision
Ontario's current $5,000 reporting threshold, and how this duty differs from failing to remain at the scene.
Learn more →Alcohol
Open Alcohol in a Vehicle
Governed by the Liquor Licence and Control Act, not the Highway Traffic Act -- separate driver and passenger fines.
Learn more →Equipment
Window Tint Violations
Ontario uses a functional visibility test rather than one darkness percentage, with stricter front-window rules.
Learn more →Lanes
HOV Lane Violations
Using a high-occupancy lane without meeting the occupancy requirement carries a fine and demerit points.
Learn more →Shoulder
Driving on the Paved Shoulder
Non-authorized shoulder driving is its own offence, with a narrow exception for passing a left-turning vehicle.
Learn more →Serious Offence
Careless Driving Causing Death or Bodily Harm
A distinct, far more severe offence added in 2018, with fines up to $50,000 and suspensions up to 5 years.
Learn more →Novice Drivers
G1/G2 Passenger Restrictions
Young G2 drivers face a late-night limit on under-20 passengers that loosens after six months.
Learn more →Equipment
Excessive Noise & Muffler Offences
A modified exhaust and unnecessary vehicle noise are separate rules -- neither needs a decibel reading to enforce.
Learn more →Equipment
Licence Plate Obstruction
A faded, dirty, or covered plate can be ticketed in Ontario -- intent to obstruct isn't required.
Learn more →Rules of the Road
Unnecessary Slow Driving
Ontario has no posted minimum speed, but driving unreasonably slowly can still obstruct traffic and draw a ticket.
Learn more →Equipment
Does Ontario Require Winter Tires?
No -- but worn, damaged, or underinflated tires are a real offence under section 70, in any season.
Learn more →Vehicle Classification
E-Bikes, Mopeds & Motor Scooters
Whether an electric two-wheeler needs a licence, plate, and insurance often comes down to whether it still has pedals.
Learn more →Equipment
Driving Without a Licence Plate
A vehicle with no plate attached at all is its own specific $85 offence, separate from an obstructed plate.
Learn more →Equipment
Insecure or Unsecured Load
A load that can shift, fall, or blow off carries a $130 fine for regular vehicles and $310 for commercial ones.
Learn more →Equipment
Obstructed Windshield & View
Uncleared snow, tinting, or a poorly placed dashcam can all count as an obstructed view in Ontario.
Learn more →Rules of the Road
Improper U-Turns
U-turns aren't banned everywhere, but curves, hilltops, railway crossings, and posted signs restrict them.
Learn more →Motorcycles
Motorcycle Helmet Law
Every rider and passenger needs an approved, fastened helmet -- a popular "21-and-over exemption" claim is false.
Learn more →Rules of the Road
Roundabout Right-of-Way
There's no dedicated roundabout law in Ontario -- violations fall under general failing-to-yield rules.
Learn more →Parking
Accessible Parking Permit Misuse
A court-set fine of $300 to $5,000 applies to fictitious, altered, or misused accessible parking permits.
Learn more →Impaired Driving
Cannabis & Drug-Impaired Driving
Federal per se THC limits, roadside oral fluid screening, and Ontario's zero-tolerance rule for novice drivers.
Learn more →Impaired Driving
Refusing a Breathalyzer
Refusal is its own Criminal Code offence, with penalties set to match a conviction -- plus a 90-day Ontario suspension.
Learn more →