ONTARIO DEMERIT POINTS: HOW DOES IT WORK The Ontario Ministry of Transportation uses the Demerit Point System in which drivers convicted of certain driving-related offences have demerit points recorded on their driving records. Drivers begin with 0 demerit points and accumulate demerit points for convictions. If you collect enough points, you could lose your driver's licence! Below are examples outlining offences and the number of demerit point penalties. 7 POINTS Failing to remain at the scene of a collision Failing to stop when signaled/requested by a police officer 6 POINTS Careless driving Racing Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more Failing to stop for a school bus 5 POINTS Driver of a bus failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing 4 POINTS Exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49km/h Following too closely 3 POINTS Exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h Driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier Failing to yield the right-of-way Failing to obey a stop sign, traffic light or railway-crossing signal Failing to obey the directions of a police officer Driving the wrong way on a divided road Failing to report a collision to a police officer Improper driving when road is divided into lanes Crowding the driver's seat Going the wrong way on a one-way road Driving or operating a vehicle on a closed roadm Crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is provided 2 POINTS Improper opening of a vehicle door Towing people -on toboggans, bicycles, skis, etc. Failing to obey signs Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing Failing to share the road Improper right turn Improper left turn Failing to signal Unnecessary slow driving Reversing on a divided high-speed road Driver failing to wear a seat belt Driver failing to ensure that a passenger less than 23kg is properly secured Driver failing to ensure that a passenger under 16 years is wearing a seat belt As a fully licensed driver, you could expect to receive a warning letter if you receive 6 or more demerit points. If you accumulate 9 or more points, you may have to attend an interview to discuss your record and even give reasons why your licence should not be suspended. You might even have to take a driver re-examination that could include an eye-exam, written test and/or road test. At 15 or more points, your licence will be suspended for 30 days from the date you surrender it to the Ministry of Transportation and if you fail to surrender your licence, you could lose it for up to two years. For further details on the demerit point system and for information on how the demerit point system affects drivers under the graduated licensing system, please visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca