Ontario’s demerit-point system is designed to encourage safer driving behaviour and protect everyone who uses the road. When a driver is convicted of certain driving offences, demerit points are added to their driving record.
Demerit points remain on a driver’s record for two years from the date of the offence. Accumulating too many points can lead to warning letters or licence suspension. Understanding these rules is especially important for new drivers working toward safe, confident driving and successful Ontario road-test preparation.
Demerit-point rules for new drivers
These rules apply to Level One and Level Two drivers, including drivers with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence.
Two to five demerit points
A new driver who accumulates two or more demerit points will receive a warning letter.
Six demerit points
At six points, a new driver will receive a second warning letter encouraging them to improve their driving behaviour.
Nine or more demerit points
A new driver’s licence will be suspended for 60 days after the driver accumulates nine or more demerit points within a two-year period.
The suspension begins on the date the licence is surrendered to the Ministry of Transportation. A driver who fails to surrender the licence may lose it for up to two years.
After the 60-day suspension, the number of demerit points on the driver’s record will be reduced to four. If the driver reaches nine points again, the licence may be suspended for six months.
The Ontario handbook also notes that novice drivers may receive a Novice Driver Escalating Sanction for violating a novice-driver condition, being convicted of an offence associated with four or more points, or receiving certain court-ordered suspensions. This sanction is separate from the accumulated demerit-point total. In these cases, the associated demerit points are recorded as zero and do not count toward that total.
Demerit-point rules for fully licensed drivers
Six demerit points
A fully licensed driver will receive their first warning letter at six demerit points. The letter recommends improving their driving skills.
Nine demerit points
At nine points, the driver will receive a second warning letter encouraging better driving behaviour.
15 demerit points
When a fully licensed driver reaches 15 demerit points, their licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date it is surrendered to the Ministry of Transportation.
Failing to surrender the licence can result in losing it for up to two years. After the 30-day suspension, the number of demerit points on the fully licensed driver’s record will be reduced to seven. If the driver reaches 15 points again, the licence will be suspended for six months.
Ontario demerit points chart
The following chart lists the driving offences and demerit points provided in the Ontario Driver’s Handbook source material.
| Points | Driving offence |
|---|---|
| 7 | Failing to remain at the scene of a collision |
| 7 | Failing to stop for police |
| 6 | Careless driving |
| 6 | Racing |
| 6 | Exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more on a road with a speed limit below 80 km/h |
| 6 | Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more |
| 6 | Failing to stop for a school bus |
| 5 | Bus driver failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing |
| 4 | Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h |
| 4 | Following too closely |
| 4 | Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover |
| 3 | Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h |
| 3 | Driving through, around or under a railway-crossing barrier |
| 3 | Holding or using a hand-held wireless communication or entertainment device while driving |
| 3 | Viewing a display screen unrelated to driving |
| 3 | Failing to yield the right-of-way |
| 3 | Failing to obey a stop sign, traffic light or railway-crossing signal |
| 3 | Failing to obey a traffic-control stop or slow sign |
| 3 | Failing to obey a school-crossing stop sign |
| 3 | Failing to obey the directions of a police officer |
| 3 | Driving the wrong way on a divided road |
| 3 | Failing to report a collision to a police officer |
| 3 | Improper driving where a road is divided into lanes |
| 3 | Crowding the driver’s seat |
| 3 | Driving the wrong way on a one-way road |
| 3 | Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road |
| 3 | Crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is provided |
| 3 | Failing to slow down and carefully pass a stopped emergency vehicle |
| 3 | Failing to move into another lane, where possible, when passing a stopped emergency vehicle |
| 3 | Driving a vehicle equipped with a radar detector |
| 3 | Improper use of a high-occupancy vehicle lane |
| 3 | Improper opening of a vehicle door |
| 2 | Failing to lower the headlight beam |
| 2 | Making a prohibited turn |
| 2 | Towing people on toboggans, bicycles or skis |
| 2 | Failing to obey signs |
| 2 | Failing to share the road |
| 2 | Making an improper right or left turn |
| 2 | Failing to signal |
| 2 | Unnecessary slow driving |
| 2 | Reversing on a highway |
| 2 | Driver failing to wear a seatbelt |
| 2 | Driver failing to ensure an infant, toddler or child passenger is properly secured |
| 2 | Driver failing to ensure a passenger under 16 is wearing a seatbelt |
| 2 | Driver failing to ensure a passenger under 16 is seated in a seat equipped with a seatbelt |
Frequently asked questions
If a fully licensed driver accumulates 15 or more demerit points, how long will the licence be suspended?
The driver’s licence will be suspended for 30 days, beginning on the date the licence is surrendered to the Ministry of Transportation.
What is the possible result of two to five demerit points for a new driver?
A new driver with two or more demerit points will receive a warning letter.
At how many demerit points will a new driver’s licence be suspended for 60 days?
A Level One or Level Two driver’s licence will be suspended after accumulating nine or more demerit points within two years.
As a fully licensed driver, when will you receive your first warning letter?
A fully licensed driver receives the first warning letter at six demerit points.
After a 30-day suspension at 15 points, how many points remain on a fully licensed driver’s record?
After the suspension, the number of demerit points will be reduced to seven.
Build safer driving habits with WDS
Knowing the demerit-point rules is part of becoming a responsible, confident driver. Whether you are preparing for an Ontario road test or building your skills as a new driver, professional driving education can help you understand safe decisions on the road.
Contact or book with WDS Driving School in Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Scarborough and Newmarket to take the next step toward confident, safety-focused driving.
Source: The Official Ministry of Transportation Driver’s Handbook — “Keeping Your Driver’s Licence.”
One detail that’s easy to miss is that demerit points stay on the record for two years from the offence date, while a suspension starts when the licence is surrendered. Which part of Ontario’s novice-driver rules would you like to see explained with an example?