Ontario G1 Traffic Violations: Demerit Points, Fines and 60-Day Suspension Rules (2026)

Ontario g1 traffic violations: demerit points, fines & 60-day suspension rules (2026) rules apply from the day your permit is issued. The key details are below.

A traffic ticket on a G1 licence carries the same demerit points as on a full licence, but suspension thresholds are lower. Six to 8 demerit points trigger a warning; 9 or more suspend your G1 for 60 days.

• A traffic ticket on a G1 licence carries the same demerit points as on a full licence, but the suspension thresholds are lower.
• Six to 8 demerit points result in a second warning letter.
• Nine or more demerit points suspend your G1 licence for 60 days.
• Any HTA conviction is recorded on your driving record.

What happens to your Ontario G1 licence when you get a traffic ticket?

Demerit points and the conviction are recorded on your driving record. G1 holders face suspension at lower thresholds than full licence holders: 6-8 demerit points trigger a warning letter, 9 or more suspend your licence for 60 days.

• Getting a traffic citation with a permit triggers immediate consequences.
• You face fines, demerit points, and potential licence suspension under Ontario's stricter rules for novice drivers.
• Paying the ticket is an admission of guilt and automatically applies penalties.

Fines, Points, and Common Violations

Yes, you get demerit points on your G1 licence. Points stay on your record for two years and transfer to your G2 and full G licence. Fines include a base amount plus a Victim Fine Surcharge.

You can get a ticket for tailgating. A conviction for following too closely carries 4 demerit points and triggers an automatic 30-day licence suspension under Escalating Sanctions.

• ⚠ Example: A G1 driver in Mississauga received a $110 ticket and a 30-day suspension for tailgating on Hurontario Street. The 4-point conviction paused their 8-month countdown to the G2 test.
• ⚠ Example: Driving alone and zero-alcohol violations are covered in their dedicated penalty and DUI guides.

Do parking tickets add demerit points to an Ontario G1 licence?

No. Parking tickets do not add demerit points to a G1 driving record. Demerit points are tied to convictions for specified driving offences.

Do speed-camera or red-light-camera tickets affect G1 demerit points?

Red-light-camera penalties are owner-based and do not add demerit points or trigger a driver's licence suspension. Ontario municipalities have not been permitted to issue municipal automated speed-camera penalties since November 14, 2025, so older speed-camera rules should not be treated as current 2026 rules.

G1 Licence Suspension and Cancellation

Yes, your G1 licence can be suspended in Ontario. Violations that lead to suspension include:

• Any single conviction carrying 4 or more demerit points (e.g., speeding 30+ km/h over, tailgating, careless driving).
• Violating G1 conditions: driving alone, driving on prohibited 400-series highways, having any blood alcohol, or driving between midnight-5 a.m.
• ⚠ Accumulating nine or more demerit points suspends your G1 licence for 60 days.

Under Escalating Sanctions, penalties increase with each offence:

Visit the Ontario learner's permit guide for step-by-step rules.

1. First Offence: 30-day licence suspension.
2. Second Offence: 90-day suspension.
3. ⚠ Third Offence: Licence cancellation. You must restart the G1 process, repay the $159.75 application fee, and re-serve all waiting periods.

• Example: A G1 driver in Ottawa had their licence cancelled after a third offence. They received a 30-day suspension for speeding 35 km/h over on the 417, a 90-day suspension for a subsequent distracted driving ticket, and cancellation for a third violation (driving unaccompanied). They had to retake the G1 knowledge test, prepare with free Ontario G1 practice tests at the Walkley Road DriveTest centre.

Impact on Your Future Driver's Licence

Yes, a G1 licence violation can affect your future driving record, but different record items have different retention periods. Demerit points remain for two years from the offence date.

• Points and Convictions Carry Over: Demerit points and convictions on your permit follow you to your regular driver's license record. They appear on your Ministry of Transportation (MTO) driver's abstract for three years.
• No Point Removal: You cannot take a defensive driving class to remove points from a permit or a full licence in Ontario. Points remain for two years from the offence date.
• Eligibility Delays: Time spent under suspension does not count toward the mandatory 8-12 month waiting period to take your G2 road test. Your graduation timeline is pushed back.
• Insurance Impact: Violations make you a high-risk driver, leading to significantly higher insurance premiums when you get your G2 or G licence.

Can an out-of-province traffic ticket affect an Ontario G1 licence?

Yes, certain convictions can follow an Ontario driver home. Ontario can record demerit points for equivalent offences committed in another Canadian province or territory and for specified offences in New York or Michigan.

Court and Reinstatement Process

After a ticket, you have 15 days to choose: pay the fine (plead guilty), request an Early Resolution meeting, or request a trial. Ignoring a ticket leads to an indefinite suspension.

To reinstate a suspended G1 licence:

1. Serve the full suspension period.
2. Pay all outstanding fines at the Provincial Offences Court.
3. Pay the $281 reinstatement fee to the MTO at ServiceOntario or online.

Before paying any ticket online, use the MTO's online licence check to confirm your licence status is 'valid'. Paying a fine while suspended will not lift the suspension, and you'll still need to pay the $281 reinstatement fee separately, causing a double payment and delay.

If you request an Early Resolution meeting at the Toronto Provincial Offences Court at 1530 Markham Road, bring a printed copy of your driving record (abstract) and any completed driver improvement courses. Prosecutors may consider a reduced charge if you demonstrate proactive steps, potentially avoiding a 4-point conviction and automatic suspension.

Can you take your G2 road test while a G1 traffic ticket is still before the court?

An unresolved charge is not the same as a conviction. You can take the road test only if your G1 remains valid and you otherwise meet the test requirements; any separate suspension or loss of eligibility would prevent testing.

What happens if you get a traffic ticket after booking your G2 test? A pending ticket does not automatically cancel the booking. If the matter later results in a suspension that is in effect on the test date, you cannot take the road test until your licence is valid again.