How to Remove Demerit Points from Your Ottawa Licence
Understanding the demerit point system
If you drive in Ottawa, you’re part of Ontario’s demerit point system. This is how the Ministry of Transportation tracks your driving behaviour. When you break certain traffic rules, you don’t just pay a fine. You also get a set number of points added to your driving record.
These points are not rewards, they’re warnings. The more serious the offence, the more points you get. If you collect too many, you risk losing your licence.
The system applies to all drivers in Ontario, including those in Ottawa. It doesn’t matter if you drive for work, for errands, or just occasionally. The rules are the same.
How points are given
Demerit points are assigned based on the type of traffic offence. Here’s a general idea:
- Two points – Minor offences such as failing to signal or driving in the wrong lane.
- Three points – Moderate offences such as driving with a handheld device or failing to obey a stop sign.
- Four points – Serious offences such as following too closely or failing to stop for a school bus.
- Six points – Very serious offences such as careless driving, racing, or speeding over 50 km/h above the limit.
Even if an offence happens outside Ontario, in another province or territory, the points can still appear on your Ontario record.
Why points matter
Some people think demerit points don’t matter unless they reach the maximum. That’s not true. Here’s why:
- Insurance impact – Even a few points can make your insurance rates go up. Insurance companies see them as a sign of risk.
- Warning letters – The Ministry sends warning letters when you’re getting close to the limit.
- Licence suspension – If you reach the limit, your licence can be suspended for 30 days or more.
- Permanent record of offences – Even after points are removed, the record of the offence can stay for years.
How many points before action is taken
The limit depends on your driving experience:
- New drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2 licences): At nine points, you may face a suspension.
- Fully licensed drivers: At 15 points, your licence will be suspended.
If you hit the limit, you’ll get a notice in the mail telling you when your suspension starts and how to get your licence back.
How long do demerit points last
Demerit points are not permanent. They stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the offence. After that, they are automatically removed.
But this doesn’t mean the offence disappears. For example, a speeding ticket can stay on your record for three years, even though the points drop off after two.
How to remove demerit points
While there’s no magic way to erase points instantly, there are proven ways to have them removed over time or avoid getting more.
1. Wait out the two-year period
The simplest method is to let time pass. Each offence has its own two-year timer. Once two years are up, the points for that offence are gone.
Example:
If you got a three-point ticket for running a red light in March 2023, those points will be removed in March 2025, if you haven’t added more points from other offences.
During this time, drive safely. Adding more offences can make it harder to keep your record clean.
2. Avoid new offences
This sounds obvious, but it’s the most effective prevention. Avoiding new tickets means no new points.
Some quick tips:
- Always check your speed, especially in school zones.
- Avoid distractions, put your phone away.
- Keep a safe following distance.
- Make complete stops at stop signs.
Safe driving also saves money on fines, fuel, and insurance.
3. Take an approved driving course
While a driving course won’t directly remove existing points, it can help in other ways:
- It may encourage a prosecutor to reduce a charge in court.
- It shows insurance companies you are serious about improving your driving.
- It gives you new skills to prevent future offences.
Look for courses approved by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
4. Fight the ticket in court
If you believe you didn’t commit the offence, you can dispute it. If the charge is withdrawn or reduced, you may avoid the points.
For example, a six-point careless driving ticket could be reduced to a three-point lesser offence. In some cases, it could be dismissed entirely.
You can represent yourself or hire a traffic ticket paralegal. In Ottawa, many drivers choose professional help to increase their chances.
5. Negotiate a plea deal
Sometimes, even if you know you made a mistake, you can negotiate. Prosecutors may agree to lower the charge in exchange for a guilty plea to a lesser offence with fewer or no points.
This keeps the fine but reduces the impact on your driving record and insurance.
6. Check your driving record regularly
You can order a copy of your record online or in person through ServiceOntario. This helps you:
- See how many points you have.
- Know when points will be removed.
- Spot errors that could be fixed.
Local Ottawa context
Common offences that lead to points in Ottawa
From what we see locally, these are some of the most common reasons Ottawa drivers get points:
- Speeding in school zones, especially during morning drop-off.
- Failing to stop at red lights or stop signs.
- Using a phone while driving on busy roads like Bank Street or Carling Avenue.
- Not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks.
How weather plays a role
Ottawa winters create extra challenges. Snow, ice, and poor visibility can lead to mistakes like sliding through a stop or following too closely. Being extra cautious in bad weather helps you avoid tickets and points.
Police enforcement areas to watch
While you should always follow the rules everywhere, drivers often notice more active enforcement in:
- School zones in the Glebe and Orleans.
- Highway 417 speed traps.
- Downtown red-light cameras.
Knowing these doesn’t mean you can bend the rules elsewhere. But awareness helps you stay alert.
Preventing future points
Practice defensive driving
Defensive driving means thinking ahead. Keep space around your vehicle, watch for hazards, and expect the unexpected.
For example, if you see a ball roll into the road, expect a child to follow. Slowing early avoids sudden braking that can lead to rear-end collisions and tickets.
Plan your trips
Leaving early reduces the urge to speed. Stress and rushing often lead to tickets.
Keep your car in good shape
Working brakes, clear lights, and good tires reduce the risk of being pulled over for equipment violations that can add points.
Stay updated on the rules
Traffic laws can change. For example, distracted driving penalties have become stricter in recent years. Knowing the current rules helps you avoid surprise tickets.
What happens after a suspension
If you do reach the point limit and get suspended:
- You must surrender your licence by the date shown on the notice.
- You cannot drive during the suspension.
- After the suspension, you’ll pay a reinstatement fee to get your licence back.
- The points that caused the suspension will drop to seven for fully licensed drivers, or four for new drivers, so you’re already closer to the limit.
This is why prevention is better than letting it reach that point.
How we help at Ottawa Drivers
We focus on helping Ottawa drivers understand the rules, avoid costly mistakes, and keep a clean driving record. Our goal is to give you practical tools and knowledge so you can keep your licence in good standing.
We can:
- Share safe driving tips for local roads.
- Guide you on taking the right driving courses.
- Connect you with legal professionals if you want to fight a ticket.
Key takeaways
- Demerit points are added for traffic offences and stay for two years.
- Too many points can mean warnings, higher insurance, or suspension.
- The only guaranteed way to remove points is to wait out the two-year period without new offences.
- Safe driving, courses, and fighting tickets can help reduce or avoid points.
- In Ottawa, watch for common ticket areas and be extra careful in winter.