Ontario Fines
Complete reference for Highway Traffic Act penalties and demerit points.
Ontario treats speeding with extreme severity under the Highway Traffic Act. If you get caught speeding, the Ministry of Transportation imposes strict penalties. Small infractions start at three dollars per kilometre over the limit. You also pay a 20 percent Victim Fine Surcharge on every ticket. The province utilizes Automated Speed Enforcement cameras in school zones and community safety zones. These cameras send tickets directly to the vehicle owner. They skip demerit points but carry hefty fines. Ontario targets extreme speeders with stunt driving charges. You trigger these charges at just 40 kilometres per hour over the limit on roads under 80 kilometres per hour. Stunt driving brings immediate roadside penalties. Police seize your car for 14 days and suspend your license for 30 days right on the spot. Fines for stunt driving begin at two thousand dollars and can reach ten thousand dollars upon conviction.
Overview of Speeding in Ontario
The speeding ticket system in Ontario operates on a tiered structure. Fines increase directly with your speed. From one to 15 kilometres over the limit, you pay three dollars per kilometre. From 16 to 29 over, the rate jumps to four dollars and fifty cents per kilometre. At 30 to 49 over, you pay seven dollars per kilometre. Demerit points apply once you reach 16 kilometres over the limit. Three points hit your record. At 30 over, four points apply. At 50 over, six points apply alongside serious stunt driving charges. The Ministry of Transportation suspends fully licensed drivers at 15 demerit points. Novice drivers face suspension at just nine points. Points stay on your driving record for two full years from the date of the offence. The province doubles fines in school zones, construction zones, and designated community safety zones. Ontario shares your driving record across borders. Points transfer automatically from other Canadian provinces, plus New York and Michigan through bilateral agreements. The province bans photo radar on major highways but allows municipalities like Toronto to use automated speed enforcement cameras heavily to control local traffic speeds.
Ontario Fine Calculator
Select your speed to estimate penalties.
Estimated Liability
Fine Tiers & Demerits
| Speed Over (km/h) | Total Fine | Points | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - 15 km/h | $25.00 | 0 | Fine Only |
| 16 - 29 km/h | $50.00 | 3 | Demerit Impact |
| 30 - 49 km/h | $150.00 | 4 | Demerit Impact |
| 50+ km/h | $2000.00 | 6 | Stunt Driving |
Demerit Points System
Stunt & Excessive Speeding
Driving 40 km/h or more over the speed limit triggers extreme penalties under the Highway Traffic Act.
Insurance Impact
A minor ticket stays on insurance record for 3 years. Major convictions (stunt driving) can increase rates by 100% or result in cancellation.
Automated Enforcement
Photo radar was banned provincially, but Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) operates in designated safety/school zones municipality by municipality.
Paying vs. Fighting Your Ticket
You have 15 days to respond to an Ontario speeding ticket. You can pay the fine, request an early resolution meeting, or fight the ticket at trial. To pay quickly, use the Provincial Offences Act Online Services portal at paytickets.ca. Paying the ticket means you plead guilty. The conviction goes on your record immediately. The Ministry of Transportation applies the demerit points right away. If you dispute the charge, you must select the trial option on the back of your ticket and submit it to the municipal court office listed. Many drivers choose the early resolution option. This allows you to meet with a municipal prosecutor. The prosecutor might offer a reduced speed, which lowers your fine and demerit points. However, a conviction still appears on your abstract. If you proceed to a full trial, you can hire a paralegal or traffic lawyer to represent you. They can cross-examine the police officer about radar calibration and line of sight. If the officer fails to appear in court, the justice of the peace usually dismisses the charge. Always request disclosure before your trial to review the officer's notes and the radar manual.
Hidden Costs & Long-Term Impacts
The true cost of an Ontario speeding ticket lies in your auto insurance premiums. Insurance companies check your Ministry of Transportation abstract upon renewal. A single minor ticket stays on your insurance record for three full years. Expect your premiums to jump by 15 percent for a standard speeding conviction. If you get a major conviction like stunt driving under the Highway Traffic Act, the financial impact turns catastrophic. Insurers often categorize stunt driving as a serious risk. They can increase your rates by 100 percent or cancel your policy outright. You will likely spend years in the costly high-risk facility market. Furthermore, paying multiple tickets pushes you toward the 15-point suspension threshold. If the MTO suspends your license, you must pay a reinstatement fee of 281 dollars. Towing and impound fees for stunt driving typically exceed a thousand dollars before you even face the judge.
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