Photo: Raysonho, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
For Ontario G1 and G2 drivers, 2 demerit points bring a warning letter, 6 a second warning, and 9 or more a 60-day suspension. Serious offences also trigger Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions: 30 days, then 90 days, then cancellation of your licence. This guide shows how the two systems work together and how many points each offence carries.
Demerit point thresholds: novice vs fully licensed
| Points | G1, G2, M1, M2 (novice) | Full licence |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 5 | Warning letter | None |
| 6 to 8 | Second warning letter | Warning letter |
| 9 to 14 | 60-day suspension | Second warning letter |
| 15 or more | 60-day suspension | 30-day suspension |
- Points stay on your record for two years from the offence date.
- You start at zero and gain points. You don’t “lose” points.
- After a novice suspension, your points are reduced to 4. Reach 9 again and you can be suspended for six months.
- The suspension runs from the date you surrender your licence. If you don’t surrender it, you can lose it for up to two years.
Novice Driver Escalating Sanctions
Escalating sanctions apply on top of the normal penalty if you are convicted of:
- breaking any graduated licensing condition (for example a G1 driving without an accompanying driver, or a G2 with alcohol in their blood)
- a Highway Traffic Act offence worth 4 or more demerit points, such as careless driving, street racing or speeding 30 km/h or more over
- an offence with a court-ordered suspension that would have carried 4 or more points
| Occurrence | Sanction |
|---|---|
| First | 30-day suspension |
| Second | 90-day suspension |
| Third | Novice licence cancelled. You reapply and start again, retaking every test and paying every fee. You lose any time discount and credited time. |
The handbook says escalating sanctions count occurrences within a five-year period.
Points recorded as zero
When an offence triggers an escalating sanction, the handbook says the points are recorded as zero and do not count toward the 9-point total. You get the suspension instead.
Worked example
A G2 driver is convicted of following too closely (4 points). That triggers a 30-day escalating suspension, and the 4 points are recorded as zero. Six months later they are convicted of failing to signal (2 points): a warning letter, because 2 points is the novice warning level. A year later, a conviction for driving 35 km/h over (4 points) is their second escalating occurrence: a 90-day suspension.
How many demerit points? Ontario offences table
| Points | Examples |
|---|---|
| 7 | Failing to remain at the scene of a collision; failing to stop for police |
| 6 | Careless driving; racing; 40 km/h or more over on roads under 80 km/h; 50 km/h or more over; failing to stop for a school bus |
| 5 | Bus driver failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing |
| 4 | 30 to 49 km/h over; following too closely; failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover |
| 3 | 16 to 29 km/h over; hand-held device or unrelated display screen; failing to yield; running a stop sign, light or railway signal; failing to slow and move over for a stopped emergency vehicle or tow truck; improper passing; wrong way on a one-way road; radar detector; HOV lane misuse |
| 2 | Improper turns; failing to signal; failing to lower high beams; failing to obey signs; failing to share the road; unnecessary slow driving; improper opening of a door; driver without a seatbelt; failing to secure a child or a passenger under 16 |
Distracted driving works differently for novices: no demerit points, but a 30-day suspension for a first conviction, 90 days for a second and cancellation for a third. See distracted, careless and stunt driving in Ontario.
Points from outside Ontario
Convictions in another Canadian province or territory, New York or Michigan add points to your Ontario record as if the offence happened in Ontario. These include speeding, running a stop sign or signal light, failing to stop for a school bus, racing, leaving a collision scene and careless driving.
Surrendering your licence and getting it back
- Surrender in person at any ServiceOntario centre or by mail to the Ministry of Transportation, Driver Control Section. You cannot surrender at a DriveTest centre.
- After a suspension you may have to retake the vision, written and road tests.
- A reinstatement fee applies every time your licence is suspended.
Common questions
How many demerit points can a G2 have in Ontario?
You are suspended for 60 days at 9 points. A warning letter starts at 2.
Do demerit points affect insurance?
Ontario.ca says convictions for aggressive, careless or stunt driving bring a substantial insurance increase or can make you uninsurable. Ask your insurer about other convictions.
How long do demerit points last in Ontario?
Two years from the offence date.
Do points from a distracted driving ticket count for a G2?
No points are recorded for novice drivers convicted of distracted driving. You get a suspension instead: 30 days for a first conviction.
Does a speeding ticket in Quebec count?
Yes. Convictions in other provinces and territories add points to your Ontario record.
Back to learning to drive in Ontario. Related: G1 rules, G2 rules.
Sources
- Government of Ontario, “Understanding demerit points” (ontario.ca)
- Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Keeping your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
- Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Other ways to lose your licence” (ontario.ca)
- Government of Ontario, “Distracted driving” (ontario.ca)
- Government of Ontario, “Speeding and aggressive driving” (ontario.ca)