Speeding is not only dangerous—it’s illegal. Despite stricter laws and steeper fines, high speeds remain one of the most common traffic violations in Ontario. But it can significantly affect your auto insurance premiums beyond the risk of accidents and legal consequences.
In this comprehensive guide, we answer your most frequently asked questions about speeding in Ontario, including fines, demerit points, insurance rate increases, and how to fight a ticket.
What Counts as Speeding in Ontario?
Under the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), speeding is defined as driving faster than the posted speed limit for a given road or area.
- In urban areas, the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless otherwise posted.
- On highways and rural roads, limits vary and are clearly posted.
- Speed limits are strictly enforced in Community Safety Zones and school zones, where penalties for speeding are often more severe.
Types of Speeding Tickets in Ontario
There are two primary types of speeding tickets you can receive in Ontario:
1. Ticket with a Set Fine (Most Common)
- Includes the fine amount and demerit points.
- You can pay the fine, plead guilty with an explanation, or dispute the ticket in court.
2. Summons to Appear in Court
- Typically issued for serious offences like excessive speed (50+ km/h over the limit).
- Requires a mandatory court appearance.
- Judges may impose a license suspension and fines of up to $500 or more, especially in stunt driving cases.
How Speeding Affects Your Insurance in Ontario
Speeding tickets can have a direct impact on your car insurance rates. The effect on your premium depends on several factors:
- How much over the speed limit you were going.
- The severity of the offence: minor, major, or serious.
- Your previous driving record and number of existing tickets.
- Your insurance provider’s internal policies.
Common Rate Increases:
| Number of Minor Speeding Tickets | Average Insurance Increase |
|---|---|
| 1 Ticket | 0–10% |
| 2 Tickets | ~25% |
| 3 Tickets | Up to 100% or policy non-renewal |
Note: Major infractions or repeat offences may result in policy cancellation or require you to obtain high-risk auto insurance.
How Will My Insurer Find Out?
Insurance companies can discover speeding infractions in several ways:
- When you pay the ticket or are convicted in court.
- During policy renewal, insurers can access your driver’s abstract through the Ministry of Transportation.
Speeding Ticket Classifications and Demerit Points
Speeding in Ontario can result in demerit points on your driving record, depending on how much you exceed the limit:
| Speed Over the Limit | Demerit Points |
|---|---|
| 16–29 km/h | 3 points |
| 30–49 km/h | 4 points |
| 50+ km/h | 6 points |
About Demerit Points:
- Accumulate too many and your licence could be suspended.
- Points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction.
- Ontario uses the demerit point system to monitor driving behaviour.
How Long Do Speeding Tickets Stay on Your Record?
These types of convictions under the HTA will remain on your driving record for three years from the date you are convicted (i.e. the date you pay or are found guilty in court). You can view your driver’s history by requesting a record from ServiceOntario.
How Long Do You Have to Pay a Speeding Ticket?
You typically have 15 days to respond to a speeding ticket in Ontario. This includes:
- Paying the fine.
- Requesting a trial or meeting with a prosecutor.
- Pleading guilty with an explanation.
If you miss the 15-day window, you may lose the right to dispute it, and the court can convict you in absence.
Lost Your Ticket? Here’s What to Do
If you’ve lost your ticket, visit any Ontario courthouse with your driver’s licence. Staff can provide details on any outstanding fines associated with your record.
Do Speeding Tickets From Other Provinces Affect Ontario Drivers?
Yes. Out-of-province (OOP) tickets appear on your Ontario driving record due to reciprocal agreements between provinces.
Ontario also shares information with certain U.S. states like New York and Michigan, so infractions there can affect your driving record and potentially your insurance.
How to Pay a Speeding Ticket in Ontario
Yes, you can pay most tickets online, depending on where you received it.
Some common online payment portals:
How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Ontario
When issued a speeding ticket, you can choose from the following options:
- Pay the ticket (pleads guilty).
- Plead guilty with an explanation.
- Request a meeting with a prosecutor.
- Dispute the charge in court.
Fighting a ticket may cost $300 to $500 in legal fees. Consider hiring a paralegal or traffic ticket specialist, especially for major or repeat infractions.
Do Photo Radar Tickets Affect Your Insurance?
No. Photo radar tickets don’t result in demerit points or go on your driving record.
Why? Because photo radar cannot determine who was driving the vehicle. The ticket is sent to the registered owner, and is treated as a vehicle offence, not a driver offence.
How to Fight a Photo Radar Ticket
Even though they don’t affect your insurance, you still have options when dealing with photo radar or red light camera tickets:
- Pay the fine.
- Request a trial by mail.
- Identify the actual driver (if someone else was driving).
- In some cases, attend a defensive driving course.
Final Thoughts: The True Cost of Speeding
While going 10–15 km/h over the speed limit on a highway might seem harmless, it’s still illegal. But driving 50+ km/h over the limit, especially in school or community safety zones, is considered reckless and carries severe consequences.
Speeding not only increases your risk of accidents—it can also result in expensive fines, licence suspensions, higher insurance premiums, and even the need for high-risk insurance coverage.
Tip: If you’re unsure how a ticket may affect your coverage or need guidance on finding the right policy, reach out to your isure insurance broker for expert advice and support.
Still have questions about speeding and insurance in Ontario?
Contact isure today to speak with one of our knowledgeable brokers and get the peace of mind you deserve.
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