The demerit point system - Driver Education

The demerit point system encourages drivers to improve their behaviour and protects people from drivers who abuse the privilege of driving. Drivers convicted of driving-related offenses have demerit points recorded on their records. Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence. If you collect enough demerit points, you can lose your driver’s licence.

New drivers

As a Level One or Level Two driver, you will have your licence suspended if you collect nine or more demerit points during a two-year period.

You will be sent a warning letter after two or more demerit points. At six points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record. If you don’t go to the interview, your licence may be suspended. At nine points, your licence will be suspended for 60 days.

After the suspension, the number of points on your record will be reduced to four. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach nine points again, your licence can be suspended for six months.

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Probationary drivers

Drivers who got their licences before April 1, 1994 must complete two years of probation before becoming fully licensed. Probationary drivers are automatically suspended if they collect six demerit points. You will be reminded of this by letter the first time you get demerit points. Your licence is suspended for 30 days from the time you hand it over to the Ministry of Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to hand over your licence.

When the suspension is over, all points are removed from your driver’s record and a new probationary period begins. You will stay on probation until you complete two one-year periods without being suspended. If your probationary period lasts more than three years you may be asked to complete a Level Two road test to become a fully licensed driver.

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Fully licensed drivers

If you collect six demerit points, you will be told about your record and urged to improve your driving habits.

At nine points, you may have to go to an interview to discuss your record and give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. You may also have to complete a driver re-examination. If you fail this test, your licence can be cancelled. If you fail to attend an interview, or fail to give good reasons for keeping your licence, your licence may be suspended.

At 15 points, your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you hand over your licence to the Ministry of Transportation. You can lose your licence for up to two years if you fail to hand over your licence.

After the suspension, the number of points on your driver’s record will be reduced to seven. Any extra points could again bring you to the interview level. If you reach 15 points again, your licence will be suspended for six months.