One of the most pressing concerns for drivers in Ontario is understanding how long traffic tickets remain on their records. Whether the offence is a minor infraction or a more serious charge, the duration that these violations stay on your record can lead to significant consequences from higher insurance rates to licence suspensions.
Here’s how long traffic tickets stay on your record and how to seek legal support.
How Long Do Tickets Stay on Your Record?
Tickets stay on your driving record permanently but can be visible for three years for insurance purposes. In Ontario, a conviction under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), such as a speeding ticket, remains on your motor vehicle record for three years from the date of conviction.
Some insurance providers may consider driving convictions for up to six years, depending on the severity of the ticket or conviction. After this period, the violations will be removed from your driving abstract and will no longer be visible to companies.
Types Of Ontario Traffic Tickets
Traffic tickets are classified into three categories: minor, major, and serious convictions. Each type can impact your records, regardless of the demerit points or the severity of the fine associated with the traffic violation.
Minor traffic violations: A minor violation is not the most serious offence, but it can still lead to fines and demerit points on your license. They can stay on your record for up to three years. Examples include:
- Speeding
- Not stopping at a stop sign
- Carrying more passengers than seatbelts
- Improper brake use
Major traffic tickets: Major traffic convictions in Ontario are serious due to the risks they pose to other drivers and pedestrians. They can stay on your record for six years. Examples include:
– Not reporting a car accident
– Passing a school bus
– Distracted driving (ex: texting, using navigation)
– Dangerous or careless driving
– Speeding in a school zone or playground
– G1 drivers not accompanied by a fully licenced driver
Criminal offences: In Ontario, receiving a criminal conviction can lead to significant fines, jail time, and other serious consequences, depending on the severity of the offence. Common criminal behaviours include:
– Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
– Driving without valid insurance
– Failure to remain at an accident
– Refusing to take a breathalyzer test when requested by a police officer
– Operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s licence
How Long Demerit Points Stay on Your Record
Traffic tickets and demerit points play an important role in your driving record since tickets can be associated with demerit points. Demerit points remain on your record for two years from the date of the offence. Accumulating enough demerit points may result in losing your driver’s licence.
For instance, a single minor conviction typically has minimal impact on insurance costs, but multiple minor offences can result in higher rates.
Major convictions, such as serious traffic violations (stunt driving or DUI), often lead to significant increases in premiums.
If a driver accumulates enough points to face a licence suspension, their insurance rates will rise substantially.
How Do Tickets Impact on Insurance Rates
Traffic tickets can significantly affect your car insurance rates. Your driving record is crucial in determining these rates, and multiple convictions usually lead to higher premiums. While increases can vary, most drivers see a 10% to 25% rise after a ticket. As you accumulate more violations, your rates may continue to climb, and excessive infractions could even result in your insurer dropping your coverage.
Insurance companies consider these violations for three years from the date of conviction when determining your premiums.
If you are involved in an accident, even if no tickets are issued, it can affect your insurance rates for up to six years.
How to Check Tickets Online
You can check the status of tickets or fines issued under the Provincial Offences Act by visiting ServiceOntario Provincial Offences Act website. You cannot check the status of tickets or fines for criminal matters, parking tickets, cases under appeal, cases with publication bans, or charges involving individuals under 16 years of age.
How To Clean Up Your Driving Record From Traffic Tickets
Even if you have a ticket on your record, there are a few ways to minimize the impact. You can either wait three to six years for the ticket to come off your record, or you can choose to fight the ticket in court. Here is a look at some of your options:
- Build your case with legal support: Hiring a traffic lawyer can improve your chances of a favourable outcome, as they help evaluate evidence and prepare your case. However, be aware that if you don’t win, you may still face penalties such as fines and demerit points.
- Maintain a clean driving record: Being a mindful driver and avoiding further violations is one of the best ways to reduce the impact of demerit points.
- Attend a driver training course: Attending a ministry approved driver training course can help lower your rate and the impact of tickets.
When to Get Legal Help For Traffic Tickets
Consulting with a traffic lawyer who specializes in this field can provide you with personalized strategies tailored to your unique situation to limit the impact of licence suspensions, demerits, and minor infractions. Here’s how legal help can help defend you against traffic tickets:
- Negotiate a reduced charge: An attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce your charge to a lesser offence that carries fewer or no demerit points.
- File an appeal: If you believe a conviction was unjust, filing an appeal may be an option. A qualified attorney can guide you through the process and ensure your arguments are effectively presented.
- Defending against minor infractions: Minor violations can impact your record – lawyers defend against unjust or questionable tickets to keep your driving record clean.
- Ticket defence: Specializing in fighting traffic tickets in Ontario, experts like JusticeJolt examine the traffic stop, road conditions, and procedural details to contest the ticket’s validity and aim to have it dismissed or to reduce the penalties.
- Minimizing demerit points: Accumulating demerit points can result in serious consequences, but lawyers provide expert advice on managing them and challenging tickets to help you maintain a clean driving record.
- Limiting suspensions: Legal support can help to minimize licence suspensions by negotiating alternative penalties or demonstrating the undue hardship a suspension would cause.
If you’re facing a traffic ticket, JUSTICEJOLT is ready to assist you. We take the time to investigate the details of your case and develop tailored defence strategies, whether through negotiations, court challenges, or alternative solutions. Our goal is to maximize your chances for the best possible outcome, such as reduced fines or the dismissal of traffic tickets.
Don’t leave your future to chance, contact us today for a consultation and ensure the strongest defence for your case.