The Consequences of Driving With a Suspended License in Ontario

You may not drive, under any circumstances, when your license is suspended. Convictions for driving with a suspended license in Ontario can result in a number of serious consequences.

Ontario Highway Traffic Act

Section 53.1 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act defines “driving while driver’s license suspended” as follows:Every person who drives a motor vehicle or streetcar on a highway while his or her driver’s licence is suspended under an Act of the Legislature or a regulation made thereunder is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable,(a) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $5,000; and(b) for each subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $5,000,or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 53 (1); 1997, c. 12, s. 7 (1).But the hefty fine and potential of serving time in jail are not the only consequences of driving under a driver’s licence suspension.

• Additional Suspension - You can face an additional six-month licence suspension if you are convicted of a first offence of driving under suspension
• Car Insurance Rate Increases - A conviction of driving under a license suspension will likely result in you being considered a high-risk driver, which means you should be prepared for major increases in your insurance premiums for the next several years.

The consequences of driving with a suspended license are serious, costly and potentially life-altering. The best way for you to defend your rights and get the best possible outcome in court is to have a qualified, professional legal team, like one at X-Copper, on your side.If this post was helpful, check out our recent article “The True Cost of Hiring a Traffic Ticket Lawyer”.