Exceeding the speed limit is a common mistake that drivers, especially younger drivers, make, and it can lead to a stunt driving charge. Our team carefully reviewed section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act to determine what penalties Ontario drivers face when charged with stunt driving.
Keep reading to learn about the current speed thresholds, the roadside and on-conviction penalties, the reinstatement cost, and a realistic read on the insurance aftermath.
Stunt Driving Penalties in Ontario
The penalty you receive for stunt driving will depend on the severity of the damage caused and how many offences you have already incurred.
Drivers charged with stunt driving face an immediate 30-day licence suspension and a 14-day vehicle impoundment at the roadside, even before the case goes to court.
Take a closer look at the costs involved in stunt driving:
| Penalty (HTA s. 172) | 1st conviction | 2nd conviction | 3rd / subsequent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roadside licence suspension (at charge) | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Roadside vehicle impoundment (at charge) | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
| Fine on conviction | $2,000–$10,000 | $2,000–$10,000 | $2,000–$10,000 |
| Jail | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months |
| Demerit points | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Licence suspension on conviction | 1 to 3 years | 3 to 10 years | Lifetime (reducible after 10 years; 4th+ non-reducible) |
If you fail to settle any mandatory fines, you will automatically get your driver’s license revoked.
Plus, you’ll have to worry about these additional costs you have to pay for:
- Legal representation
- Towing
- Impound fees
- License re-application
- Employment fees if your job requires the use of a vehicle
Getting back on the road also means paying the province’s $281 driver’s-licence reinstatement fee once your suspension ends.
Insurance companies may also cancel your auto insurance policy or list you as a high-risk driver with high rates.
Stunt driving is a separate offence under Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act, distinct from careless driving.
What Is Classified as Stunt Driving?
Stunt driving involves excessive speeding, voluntarily disobeying traffic laws, and engaging in street racing or other contests. Vehicle modifications do not automatically qualify as stunt driving. They may contribute to illegal activity, but are not themselves a stunt-driving offence.
Other considerations by Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act include:
- Driving 40 km/h or more over the speed limit where the posted limit is under 80 km/h
- Driving 50 km/h or more over the speed limit where the posted limit is 80 km/h or higher
- Driving at a speed of over 150 km/h
- Driving to cause your tires to squeal, burn, or lose traction
- Cutting another driver off intentionally
- Driving too close to another driver
- Driving and drifting to spin a vehicle
- Driving with a person in the trunk of your vehicle
- Driving recklessly and without concern for road conditions or other drivers
- Driving to lift your tires off the ground
- Denying other drivers or cyclists right of way
Consequences for G2 Drivers
G2 (or Level 2) licence holders face stricter penalties for stunt driving than their more experienced counterparts. When a G2 driver surrenders their licence, they will also receive an additional 30-day suspension. This 30-day suspension automatically applies to G2 licence holders who have accumulated over four demerit points.
The financial stakes are higher for this group before any conviction: according to MyChoice’s quote database of more than 100,000 Ontario quotes collected since 2020, G2 drivers already average about $6,300 a year, well above the roughly $3,800 paid by fully licensed G drivers. A stunt conviction on top of that can make coverage genuinely hard to place.
Combatting a stunt driving ticket in court may be more challenging for G2 drivers, as prosecutors often consider them less experienced. As a G2 driver, you may have better luck with a stunt driving lawyer.
Updated Ontario Stunt Driving Laws
Since passing in 2021, the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act, 2021 (the MOMS Act) has introduced tougher measures against stunt driving. Here’s what changed:
| Measure | Current law (since the MOMS Act, 2021) | Previous law |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic stunt threshold on roads posted under 80 km/h | 40 km/h or more over the limit | 50 km/h or more over the limit |
| Roadside licence suspension (at the time of the charge) | 30 days | 7 days |
| Roadside vehicle impoundment | 14 days | 7 days |
You can incur these charges for stunt driving in parking lots, commercial lots, and private establishments. Learn more about how parking lot accidents can affect your insurance rates.
What to Do if You Receive a Stunt Driving Charge
If you receive a stunt driving charge and are requested to appear in court, the first thing you’ll do is not drive while your licence is suspended. Try to avoid getting your vehicle towed or stored as much as possible, as fees are often exorbitant.
Before appearing in court, try to get your licence reinstated if possible, as it increases the chances of resolving your case. Check the details about how to deal with a suspended licence in our guide.
Get your documents in order with an experienced lawyer, then appear in court to fight your case.
Some tips for combating your charge include:
- Refusing to plead guilty or pay the ticket
- Getting the best legal defence
- Preparing questions for officers and witnesses
How to Beat a Stunt Driving Charge in Ontario
While many drivers hire a licensed paralegal or lawyer to resolve their stunt driving conviction, some drivers opt to do so alone to avoid additional legal fees. If you choose to fight your ticket without legal assistance, keep these tips in mind:
- Reinstate your licence and present this to a prosecutor.
- Compile all the necessary documents and letters with accurate information.
- Appear in court on a specific date and arrange a trial.
- Review previously resolved cases, and take notes regarding what worked and what didn’t.
- Prepare questions for witnesses to prove that the situation was different from what the assigned officer might present.
Can You Go to Jail for Stunt Driving?
Yes, you can receive jail time for up to six months for stunt driving.
Can You Get Stunt Driving Charges Dropped?
Yes, you can fight to drop or reduce stunt driving charges by getting the right legal representation.
How Long Does a Stunt Driving Charge Stay on Your Record?
A stunt driving conviction can affect insurance rates for three years or longer, depending on the insurer. As a rule, a stunt driving conviction sits in the same “major conviction” tier insurers use for serious offences and typically influences your rate for at least three years from the conviction date, often placing you in a high-risk category during that window.
What’s the Difference Between Street Racing and Stunt Driving?
The main difference between street racing and stunt driving is what the driver attempts to do. Street racing occurs when a driver attempts to reach a destination before another driver or prevents another vehicle from passing them. On the other hand, stunt driving occurs when a driver purposely loses traction, drives into oncoming traffic, spins their tires, or drives too close to other vehicles.