G Drivers & Speeding

Class G drivers face the following penalties for speeding, on top of any fine:

Class G drivers receive the following penalties per km of speed:

• 0-15km/h
  • no demerit points
  • possible insurance increase
• 16km/h to 29km/h
  • 3 demerit points
  • warning letter
  • possible insurance increase
• 30km/h to 49km/h
  • 4 demerit points
  • 25% insurance increase
• more than 50 km/h
  • 6 demerit points
  • vehicle seizure for 7 days
  • 7 day licence suspension
  • mandatory court appearance
  • possible 2 year licence suspension
  • possible jail up to 6 months
  • fine up to 10,000 dollars

Where a Class G Driver is convicted of any traffic ticket the insurance maybe affected for three (3) years or more.

The Ministry of Transportation keeps records of a driver’s driving history.  The Ministry refers to your driving record as a “Driving Abstract”.

The driver’s history, including all speeding tickets and driving convictions are kept forever by the ministry.  The public, including your insurance company only have access to your drivers abstract and history for the last 3 years.

Speeding tickets do not appear on the driving record/abstract until:

• driver pays the ticket
• the ticket has gone through the court system and the driver has been found guilty

Where the driver disputes the ticket, the ticket and any conviction is not registered until after any final court date.  Whilst awaiting the court date the ticket does not appear on the drivers record/abstract.

Should the driver’s insurance renew during that time, as no conviction has been registered, the insurance cannot and will not increase the rates.

Where a Class G driver receives a speeding ticket, the effect for most people is minimal.  What drivers need to consider is the effect on insurance of any subsequent offence.

Class G drivers are encouraged to:

• dispute any speeding ticket
• do everything to either have the ticket removed completely,
• delay any conviction as long as possible
• save demerit points where possible

It’s important for drivers to keep driving records clear of convictions that can affect insurance rates.

Convictions for traffic tickets are kept on the driving record for 3 years from the date of conviction. Should the driver receive any subsequent conviction or be involved in an accident, the insurance would be affected dramatically.

As the first speeding ticket was a surprise, what guarantee is there, that in the next 3 years it wouldn’t happen again.

Class G drivers in Ontario need to be aware of the specific conditions that can lead to licence suspensions, especially in relation to speeding offences. Recognizing these circumstances can help drivers avoid the severe consequences of losing their driving privileges.

• Demerit Point Accumulation: A licence suspension can occur if a Class G driver accumulates more than 8 demerit points. These points are added to the driver’s record for various traffic violations, including speeding.
• Court Suspension for Excessive Speeding: If a driver exceeds the speed limit by more than 50 km/h, it can lead to a court-ordered suspension. This is a serious infraction, and courts treat cases of excessive speeding with considerable severity.

• Stunt Driving Charges and Convictions: A stunt driving charge results in an immediate 7-day suspension. If the driver is then convicted of stunt driving, the suspension can be extended to up to 2 years. Stunt driving is a major offence due to its potential danger to public safety.
• Conviction for Speeding without Paying the Fine: If a driver is convicted of speeding but fails to pay the fine, this can also lead to a licence suspension. It’s important to address any fines promptly to avoid additional penalties.

When a Class G driver’s licence is suspended, the repercussions extend beyond the loss of driving privileges. One of the most significant long-term effects is the increase in insurance rates. Following a suspension, insurance rates can rise considerably, often affecting the driver for 3 years or more. This is due to the increased risk associated with drivers who have committed serious traffic violations.