Demerit points don't set your premium — convictions do
The two systems run separately. Demerit points are the Ministry of Transportation's system: they stay on your licence for 2 years from the offence date, and enough of them triggers warning letters, interviews, or suspensions. Insurance ignores the point count entirely — insurers classify each conviction as minor, major, or serious, and rate you on that for 3 years from the conviction date.
That's why a 2-point seatbelt ticket and a 4-point follow-too-close ticket can hit your premium identically (both minor), while 3-point distracted driving — same points as a stop sign — hits far harder, because most insurers class it as major.
Common Ontario tickets: points and insurance class
| Offence | Demerit points | Insurance class |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 16–29 km/h over | 3 | Minor |
| Speeding 30–49 km/h over | 4 | Minor at most insurers |
| Speeding 50+ km/h over / stunt driving | 6 | Serious — licence suspension & vehicle impound apply |
| Careless driving | 6 | Serious |
| Distracted driving (handheld device) | 3 | Major at most insurers — plus licence suspension |
| Follow too closely | 4 | Minor |
| Red light (police-issued) | 3 | Minor |
| Red light camera (mailed to owner) | 0 | No insurance impact |
| Stop sign | 3 | Minor |
| Fail to yield | 3 | Minor |
| Improper passing | 3 | Minor |
| Seatbelt | 2 | Minor |
| Fail to stop for school bus | 6 | Major/serious |
| Fail to remain at scene | 7 | Serious |
Many insurers don't surcharge your first minor conviction — one clean minor ticket often costs nothing at renewal. A second minor, or anything major or serious, is when premiums move.
Three things worth knowing before you pay the ticket
- Paying the fine is a conviction. The 3-year insurance clock starts that day. Fighting a ticket and losing a year later starts the clock a year later — sometimes useful, sometimes not.
- A dropped or withdrawn charge never touches your insurance. Only convictions reach your driving record.
- Serious convictions can mean non-renewal. Careless driving, stunt driving, or fail-to-remain can push you out of the standard market entirely — talk to a broker before renewal, not after.