Demerit points on your driving record don’t “go away.” Gaining points for being found guilty of breaking traffic laws starts you off with zero points.

After the offence date, demerit points remain on your record for two years. Losing your driver’s licence is a possibility if you accumulate enough demerit points.

When you break the following driving laws in Ontario, you could receive penalty points on your licence:

1. Other Canadian territories and provinces
2. The New York State
3. The Michigan State

Here are some ways you can avoid scoring demerit points on your Driver’s License.

• Failure to stay at the collision scene
• Refusing to stop when a police officer signals or requests it
• Exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more on roads with a speed limit of less than 80 km/h
• Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
• Failing to stop for a school bus
• Disregarding cautions
• Failing to share the road, failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing, and failing to see the signal
• Not properly fastening a small child or new-born in a child safety seat or booster seat when driving
• Driving without noting if a passenger under the age of 16 is fastening their seatbelt, inadequately securing a passenger weighing less than 23 kg, and failing to check to see if anyone under the age of 16 is wearing a seatbelt.
• Under Ontario’s escalating penalties programme, if you are a new driver and you have committed an offence that results in demerit points, you could also face a suspension or termination of your licence.
• If a driver disobeys the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario, they will all face consequences. For disobeying specific regulations, novice drivers may also face “escalating” penalties, which are punishments that increase harsher with each similar offence.
• If you are a novice driver and you have 2-4 points: You’ll receive a letter of warning.
• If you have 6.5 to 8.0 points: A second letter of warning will be delivered to you, urging you to alter your driving habits.
• If you have 9 demerit points: Your driving privileges will be revoked for 60 days.
• You will receive a letter from the Ministry of Transportation notifying you of the suspension of your licence. You will be informed of the date your licence must be returned and the effective date of your suspension.
• You risk losing your licence for up to two years if you don’t give it up.

Escalating Penalties for Demerit Points:

• Your driver’s licence is suspended for 30 days if it is your first offence.
• Your driver’s licence is suspended for 90 days if you commit a second offence.
• You will forfeit your beginner licence if you commit a third offence. You will have to reapply for your licence, take all new tests, and pay all new costs. Additionally, you will forfeit any time credits, discounts, or fees that you may have received.
• Verdict for violating the graded licencing requirements
• Convicted of an offence under the Highway Traffic Act that carries a penalty of four or more demerit points (e.g., street racing, careless driving)
• Subject to a court-ordered suspension for a violation of the Highway Traffic Act that would have earned them four or more demerit points otherwise.

Off-province demerit points

You will receive the same number of demerit points on your driving record as if the infraction had occurred in Ontario if you were found guilty of a driving offence in another Canadian province, the State of New York, or the State of Michigan.

Demerit points will be added for traffic violations outside of Ontario:

• Speeding over the limit
• Disregard for a stop sign
• Disregard for a signal light
• Disregard for a school bus
• Racing on public roads
• Neglecting to stay at or go back to a collision scene
• Reckless driving

You do not want demerit points to be put on your Ontario driver’s licence. To begin with, if you have any, it indicates that you have received a traffic ticket and that your Ontario auto insurance may be affected when it comes time for renewal.

Before getting on the road, it is recommended to ensure you have all the necessary car documents like insurance, License copy, and other important documents. Ensure your car has all the indicators working and that your car is serviced regularly, or it could cause major car trouble on the road and lead to demerit points further as well. Another way to avoid demerit points is by avoiding ticket violations for speeding or parking violations. Avoid demerit points as it can affect your car insurance.

To avoid demerit points, avoid speeding, avoid breaking school zone, hospital zone rules. Avoid tailgating. Avoid breaking yellow lights and always ensure that passengers are given right of way while taking a right turn.

At Hi-Tech Driver Education you can gain all kinds of information and knowledge about demerit points. If you are looking for any other information regarding getting a license, or preparing for a Driver’s test, we got all kinds of packages.

To know more, visit www.hitechdriver.com