Seatbelts, child seats and phone laws in Ontario
Seatbelts and correct child seats are the simplest way to survive a collision, and Ontario makes drivers responsible for younger passengers. Distraction from phones and screens is one of the biggest causes of crashes in the province.
Novice drivers face tougher penalties for distracted driving than fully licensed drivers, so this topic matters a lot during G1 and G2.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can explain who is responsible for each passenger's seatbelt or child seat.
- You can choose the right restraint for a child based on weight, height and age.
- You can list what counts as illegal device use while driving in Ontario.
- You can describe the penalties for distracted driving at G1 and G2.
What you need to know and understand
- Every person must wear a seatbelt; a driver without one gets two demerit points.
- The driver must make sure passengers under 16 are properly buckled or in the right child seat.
- Novice drivers must have a working seatbelt for every passenger.
- Children may move from a booster to a seatbelt once they turn eight, weigh 36 kg or more, or are 145 cm or taller.
- Holding a phone while driving is illegal, even when stopped at a red light.
- A G1 or G2 driver convicted of distracted driving gets a 30-day suspension for a first conviction.
The right seat for each child
Your local public health unit or a car seat clinic can check your installation.
- Under 9 kg: rear-facing child car seat, never in front of an active airbag.
- 9 to 18 kg: child car seat secured by seatbelt or universal anchorage strap, with the tether strap attached.
- Under eight, 18 to 36 kg and under 145 cm: booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
- Children under 13 are safest in the back seat.
What the distracted driving law covers
While driving, including when stopped in traffic, it is illegal to use a hand-held phone to text or dial, use a hand-held entertainment device, have a screen unrelated to driving visible, or program a GPS except by voice. You may use a hands-free device, and you may touch a securely mounted phone only to start or end a call. You may call 911 in an emergency, though pulling over first is safer. Eating, grooming or reaching for things are not covered by this law, but they can still lead to a careless driving charge.
Penalties compared
A licence reinstatement fee applies after each suspension. Our guide on Ontario stunt, distracted and careless driving penalties explains the wider rules.
- Full licence, first conviction: $615 if settled out of court (up to $1,000 in court), three demerit points and a 3-day suspension.
- Novice licence (G1, G2, M1, M2): the same fines but no demerit points; instead a 30-day suspension for a first conviction, 90 days for a second, and cancellation of the licence for a third.
- Careless driving: six demerit points, fines up to $2,000, up to six months in jail and a suspension of up to two years.
Common mistakes
- Checking a text at a red light. You are still 'driving' under the law.
- Putting a booster seat child in a lap-only belt. Boosters need a lap and shoulder belt.
- Carrying more passengers than seatbelts at G2. Novices must have a working belt for each person.
- Programming the GPS by hand while moving. Set your route before you leave or use voice commands.
Test yourself: Seatbelts, child seats and phone laws in Ontario
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Sources: The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver's Handbook, Ministry of Transportation Ontario (ontario.ca); Distracted driving, Government of Ontario (ontario.ca). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.