Ontario Demerit Points for New Drivers
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Demerit points are how Ontario tracks bad driving, and the limits are lower for G1 and G2 drivers. This guide explains the system, the offences that cost the most and what a new driver risks.
How demerit points work
When you're convicted of a driving offence, points are added to your driving record. They stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence. Points are separate from the fine. A fine is money you pay, and the points count towards warnings and suspensions. The same offence can carry both.
The limits are lower for new drivers
The thresholds below come from Ontario.ca.
Novice drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2)
- 2 to 5 points: warning letter
- 6 to 8 points: second warning letter
- 9 or more points: licence suspended for 60 days
Fully licensed drivers
- 6 to 8 points: warning letter
- 9 to 14 points: second warning letter
- 15 or more points: licence suspended for 30 days
Extra penalties for novice drivers
New drivers also face escalating sanctions that don't depend on points alone. Break a novice licence condition or be convicted of certain serious offences and you can expect:
- a 30-day suspension for a first offence
- a 90-day suspension for a second offence
- the loss of your novice licence for a third, so you start over
Conditions you have to follow include a blood-alcohol level of zero. See the G1 rules for the full list.
Common offences and their points
6 points
- Careless driving or racing
- Speeding 50 km/h or more over the limit
- Failing to stop for a school bus
4 points
- Speeding 30 to 49 km/h over the limit
- Following too closely
- Failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover
3 points
- Speeding 16 to 29 km/h over the limit
- Failing to obey a stop sign or a traffic light
- Using a hand-held device while driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
2 points
- Improper turns
- Failing to signal
- Not wearing a seat belt
This is a summary, not the whole list. Ontario.ca lists every offence, and the points for a speeding offence depend on the speed limit and how far over it you were.
Why this matters for the G1 test
Questions about penalties, points and what a new driver can lose come up in the rules section, so it pays to know the numbers: 9 points and 60 days for novices, two years on the record, and zero blood alcohol. Fines are set by the court and change, so the test focuses on points and suspensions rather than dollar amounts.
Check Ontario.ca for the current rules before relying on this page for a real ticket.
Frequently asked questions
How many demerit points suspend a G2 licence?
Novice drivers (G1, G2, M1 and M2) have their licence suspended for 60 days at 9 or more demerit points. Fully licensed drivers are not suspended until 15 points.
How long do demerit points stay on my record?
Two years from the date of the offence, not the date of conviction.
When do new drivers get warning letters?
Novice drivers get a warning letter at 2 to 5 points and a second one at 6 to 8 points. Fully licensed drivers get theirs at 6 to 8 and 9 to 14 points.
Do new drivers face other penalties besides demerit points?
Yes. Under the escalating sanctions for novice drivers, certain offences bring a 30-day suspension for a first offence, 90 days for a second, and loss of the novice licence for a third.
Is the amount of the fine the same as the demerit points?
No. A fine is money you pay and is set by the offence and the court. Demerit points are recorded against your licence. The same offence can carry both.
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