Demerit Points Related Posts

Senior Drivers & Licenses

Are you a senior driver looking for quick information about your licensing conditions? Look no more!

If you are 70 years of age or older and a G or M driver involved in a collision

Anyone who is 70 or older and holds a G or M class license and is involved in an collision will have to do an examination that includes:

• A written test regarding the rules of the road
• An in-car test
• Medical and physical exams, tests, and procedures to determine fitness to drive
• A vision test

Regardless of what happens with your ticket, or even if you weren’t issued a ticket, you will be facing a test if you are over 70 years of age and involved in a collision.

If you are 80 years of age or older and a G or M driver in general


Anyone who is 80 or older and holds a G or M class license will need to do an examination every two years to keep their license. You will have to:

• Take a vision test
• Undergo a driver record review
• Participate in a 45-minute Group Education Session (GES)
• During the GES, complete two, brief, non-computerized in-class screening assignments
• If necessary, take a road test

Note: There is no charge for any of the license-renewal requirements– you only have to pay the license-renewal fee.

If you are a commercial driver 65 to 80 years of age

Anyone who is 65 to 80 years of age and holds an A, B, C, D, E, or F class license and is involved in an accident or accumulates more than two demerit points will need to do an examination that includes:

• A written test regarding the rules of the road
• An in-vehicle test — in the vehicle that you are authorized to drive
• An in-vehicle test, in the vehicle that you are authorized to drive but is equipped with air brakes
• An examination of your knowledge of air brakes, their function, and safe operation of
• Medical and physical exams, tests, and procedures to determine fitness to drive
• A vision test

Anyone under the age of 80 who holds a class A, B, C, D, E, or F license will have to do the above mentioned examination every five years, but depending on your age will have to demonstrate that you continue to meet the qualifications at different years.

Anyone 80 years or older with a class A, B, C, D, E, or F license will have to do the above exam every year and demonstrate that you continue to meet the qualifications every year.

All of this information is located in sections 15 & 16 of Ontario Regulation 340/94 of the Highway Traffic Act.

Seat Belt On or OFF?

Driver Exemptions for Seat Belt

There are several exceptions that exist in law, which can exempt you from having to wear your seat belt. While, it is advisable to wear your seat belt, ( as it can protect you from serious injury )  some individuals are just not in the position to wear it for a variety of reasons. The following conditions may exempt you from wearing a seat belt. For example:

  1. If you have a medical condition that prohibits you from wearing it, or due to your build, size, and physical characteristics . (Backed up with a Doctor’s Note/certificate advising your inability to wear a seat belt)
  2. While you are in the course of business, making frequent deliveries while travelling under 40 km/hr
  3. While reversing your vehicle.
  4. Employment exemptions, as defined in the Regulations.

If you are unable to wear it for a valid medical reason, please ensure that you visit your doctor first to enquire  if you qualify for an exemption.

  1. 106(2) Driver – Fail to Properly Wear Seat Belt

Wearing it properly

Remember that you are required to wear the seat belt assembly “properly”. If you have a shoulder strap, you cannot tuck it away under your arm. You can be issued a seat belt ticket for not wearing it properly.

Passengers Under 16 years Old

Make sure that if you have any passengers under the age of 16 years old, travelling with you, that they are also wearing their seat belt. If you do not, don’t be surprised if you get a traffic ticket.

Passengers 16 years and Older

Anyone 16 years or older is responsible for their own seat belt being worn properly. Passengers 16 years and older can receive their own traffic ticket, as a result of not wearing a seatbelt properly, even if they don’t have a driver’s licence.

If you have any other questions or concerns regarding this post, or have a seat belt ticket, please contact us at Lighthouse Legal Services for a free consultation.

Why did I get a Careless Driving Ticket?

Why was I charged with Careless Driving?

Many people we encounter, don’t always understand why they were charged with Careless Driving, for a minor fender bender.

Careless Driving, after all is a very serious traffic ticket.  But it is best not to despair if you have received a Traffic Ticket charge for Careless Driving.

The following information may answer some of the questions you may have about Careless Driving.

To begin with, Careless Driving is laid against driver’s for a variety of reasons. From simple fender benders, to serious fatal collisions.

The charge can also be laid for a variety of minor to serious accident scenarios. But, it can also be laid against you even when you haven’t been involved in an accident.

So, now you may be wondering, how can that be?  How can a charge of Careless Driving be laid against a driver for everything from a serious, or a minor collision, to no accident at all?

The short answer is, the Police can charge drivers for accidents they perceive to have been caused by a lack of due care and attention. Or where they perceive you were driving without reasonable consideration for others using the highway, or for both reasons.

Think of Careless Driving as a blanket charge, that can be used in a variety of different scenarios. An accident does not need to occur, for you to be charged with this offence.

However, it is a charge that is regularly laid against the majority of drivers, whenever they are involved in collisions in Ontario.

I do not think I was Driving Carelessly!

Sometimes accidents are just accidents, and no one is to blame. In other situations, accidents may well have been caused by a driver. But that doesn’t automatically make you guilty of Careless Driving.

There are so many factors and variables to consider in each situation or accident, and those factors will need to be assessed & considered to the most relevant & leading Case Law in Ontario and Canada.

So while you may have been involved in an accident, and you may think you could be found to be at fault. You may not actually be at fault, for violating the Highway Traffic Act, relevant to a charge of Careless Driving.

It really comes down to a case by case analysis, but you would be wise to consult with a an experience & Licensed Paralegal.

Lighthouse Legal Services would be pleased to offer you a *FREE consultation, so that you can learn more about your options.

Should I Speak to the Police?

That is entirely your hoice. You have a Charter Right to Remain Silent, but if you choose to speak to the police, you should know that anything you say can be used against you in Court.

So if you are charged for instance with Careless Driving, your statement can be used against you at Trial.

In my experience, the majority of Defendants who give a statement, without first obtaining advice from a trained and licensed Paralegal, can end up receiving a ticket for Careless Driving.

The Officer told me to fight my Ticket?

It can be a confusing process if a Police Officer hands you a ticket, and also advises you to go to Court fight it.  I can’t give you an explanation as to why this occurs, but in my opinion, I believe that the Police Officers understand the seriousness and potential consequences of laying a Careless Driving charge.

And simply paying the amount on the ticket, and not successfully defending against the charge could result in you being dropped by your insurance provider, and also possibly placed into high-risk category for future vehicle insurance.

During most traffic stops, the Police Officers do take the time to explain to you the options laid out on the back of the Traffic ticket. But be mindful, that no Defendant should be taking legal advice from the Police, since they are in the business of law enforcement and will be trying to convict you if they charged you.

It is important that you Seek proper legal advice if you have been charged with Careless Driving to explore what your legal options are available.

Why should I Hire You if I’ve been charged with Careless Driving?

Your Traffic Ticket charge(s) could be quashed, stayed, acquitted, or dismissed by the Court, depending on a variety of factors.

You are going to have a much better chance of successfully defending, or winning at Trial, against the very serious charge of Careless Driving,  if you have retained an experienced and qualified legal representative.

Knowing how to get a positive result can be the key to preparing, presenting & achieving a successful defence against a charge of Careless Driving, or appealing a conviction.

At Lighthouse Legal Services, Brian Morris is considered the Best Advocate for Careless Driving Trials, and Appeals. His defence arguments and successful Trial decisions in Traffic Court have previously led to the Court creating case law for Careless Driving cases throughout Ontario.

Those case law decisions are binding on the lower Courts to follow in the appropriate circumstances.

At Lighthouse Legal Services

  • We know the laws, procedures, and rules of the Court
  • We know how to develop the best possible strategies to achieve success
  • We know what questions to ask, & how to ask those questions
  • We have Case Law expertise, and will thoroughly research all major rulings that relate to Careless Driving, and the case law that relates to Provincial Offences Trials
  • We strive to capably represent & protect your  Charter of Rights
  • We competently identify case issues

If you have been charged with Careless Driving,

Contact us today for a Free consultation.

Methods of Speed Enforcement

Speeding Tickets

One of the most common traffic ticket violations given to drivers is Ontario is speeding. Speed enforcement conducted by the police can include radar device, laser speed device, aircraft speed enforcement of pacing.

Local and Provincial Police, commonly use radar devices to conduct speed enforcement. Generally, these devices can be used by police in a stationary position, or while in motion.

So, if you see a police cruiser approaching you from the other direction, chances are they may have an active radar device in “approach” or “away” mode, which can register your speed. It is also important to note, that these devices have testing procedures.   The procedures guide & instruct the operator in how to properly work the device, and how to ensure that the device is in proper working order.

Laser Device

Unlike radar, Laser speed enforcement is used in stationary positions only. Similar to radar devices, the laser speed devices also have setup procedures to ensure the Police officer is using the device properly, and to see if the device is properly functioning.

Aircraft Speed Enforcement

You often see road signs warning motorists on 400 series highways about aircraft speed enforcement. It’s true that the police do patrol and enforce speeding laws by aircraft. The process of speed enforcement with aircraft is not too sophisticated. The police officer simply uses a stop-watch to time a motor vehicle between highway road markers. Then simple math is used to calculate speed through distance over time.

Pacing

This method of speed enforcement is the least familiar to drivers and defendants.

The police can charge you with a speeding offence, if they are able to pace you at a constant speed for a given period of time.  This method of speed enforcement has been known to happen primarily on 400 series highways, but can also occur on regional roads. Unmarked cruisers are more suited and used for this type of speed enforcement for obvious reasons.