Did you just receive a careless driving ticket from a police officer, and are you searching the web to see what kind of trouble you got into? Our team reviewed section 130 of the Highway Traffic Act for penalties and fines for careless driving and checked our quote database to see what insurance pricing implications careless driving may have for drivers in Ontario.
Keep reading to learn about the fines, demerit points and how they affect your rates.
What Happens If I Am Charged With Careless Driving?
According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, there are two types of careless driving.
Not Causing Bodily Harm
Per section 130(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, careless driving that does not cause bodily harm carries a fine of $400 to $2,000, jail time of up to six months and a licence suspension of up to two years.
Causing Bodily Harm
Per section 130(3) of the Highway Traffic Act, careless driving causing bodily harm or death carries a fine of $2,000 to $50,000 and jail time of up to two years. Drivers can also have their licence suspended for up to five years.
Under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, careless driving occurs when someone drives without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users.
Penalties and Fines in Ontario
Careless driving carries some of the heaviest penalties for breaking Ontario road laws.
Demerit Points
A careless driving conviction carries six demerit points. Six is one of the highest demerit-point totals assigned for a traffic conviction in Ontario.
At 9 to 14 points, a fully licensed driver is sent a warning letter and may be required to attend an interview with the Ministry of Transportation to explain why the licence should not be suspended. The interview fee is $50.
At 15 or more points, the licence is suspended for 30 days on a first suspension.
Ticket Fines
| Offence | Fine | Jail | Demerit points | Licence suspension |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Careless driving, no bodily harm (HTA s. 130(1)) | $400– $2,000 | Up to 6 months | 6 | Up to 2 years |
| Careless driving causing bodily harm or death (HTA s. 130(3)) | $2,000– $50,000 | Up to 2 years | 6 | Up to 5 years |
How It Affects Your Insurance
Careless driving tickets can significantly affect your insurance premiums. Even on your first offence, premiums may rise sharply, and insurers may place you in a high-risk category.
According to MyChoice’s quote database of more than 100,000 Ontario quotes collected since 2020, drivers with a careless driving ticket on their record see an average premium increase of 85%.
A careless driving conviction is more serious than a routine ticket and can place drivers in a high-risk insurance category.
Is Careless Driving a Criminal Offence in Ontario?
Careless driving is not a criminal offence in Ontario, and you won’t receive a criminal record if found guilty. However, a non-criminal charge can still carry serious consequences, such as hefty fines, a driver’s licence suspension and possible jail time.
A careless driving conviction generally remains on your driving record for three years from the conviction date.
If you received one recently, see how to deal with a traffic ticket in Ontario.
How to Respond to a Careless Driving Ticket
You have the legal right to go to trial, review the evidence and plead your case.
Follow the instructions shown on the ticket and respond within the required time. If you dispute the charge, you may request disclosure, including the officer’s notes.
Consider hiring a licensed paralegal or traffic-ticket lawyer. In Ontario, paralegals can represent you in Highway Traffic Act proceedings.
If a conviction stands, re-shop at renewal rather than automatically accepting your current insurer’s price.