What counts, what police can do on the spot, and what a conviction costs.
Based on Ontario e-Laws and the Ontario Court of Justice · Last checked September 2026
What Counts as Stunt Driving
The Highway Traffic Act bans driving in a race or contest, on a bet or wager, or while performing a stunt. A regulation then spells out exactly what a "stunt" is. You can be charged for any of these.
Speed
| Speed limit on the road | When it becomes stunt driving |
|---|---|
| Under 80 km/h | 40 km/h or more over the limit (for example, 100 km/h or faster in a 60 zone) |
| 80 km/h or higher | 50 km/h or more over the limit (for example, 130 km/h or faster in an 80 zone) |
| Any road | 150 km/h or more, whatever the posted limit |
Other driving that counts
- Lifting some or all of the tires off the road, or driving a motorcycle on one wheel.
- Making the tires lose traction on purpose while turning, such as a burnout or drift.
- Spinning or circling the vehicle without keeping control of it.
- Driving side by side with another vehicle while one of you is in the oncoming lane longer than you need to pass.
- Driving with a person in the trunk, or with the driver not sitting in the driver's seat.
- Trying to prevent another vehicle from passing, or cutting off another vehicle to make it slow or stop.
- Driving as close as possible to another vehicle, a pedestrian or an object without justification.
- Racing: driving two or more vehicles at a marked departure from the lawful speed in a way that suggests a competition, or chasing another vehicle.
- A specific left-turn move at a red light, timed to beat oncoming traffic when the light turns green.
Sources: Highway Traffic Act, section 172; Ontario Regulation 455/07: Races, Contests and Stunts.
What Happens at the Roadside
If an officer believes on reasonable grounds that you are stunt driving or have just done so, the law requires them to act right away:
- Your licence is suspended for 30 days. The suspension starts the moment the officer asks for your licence.
- Your vehicle is impounded for 14 days, at the owner's cost and risk. You must pay the towing and storage costs before it is released.
- There is no appeal and no hearing. The law says you cannot appeal or be heard on the roadside suspension or impound, though you can still deal with the charge in court.
- The owner can sue the driver. If you were driving someone else's vehicle, the owner can bring an action against you to recover their impound costs and other losses.
- Interfering with the officer is an offence. Obstructing an officer doing this carries a fine of $200 to $5,000, up to six months in jail, or both.
Penalties if You Are Convicted
These come on top of the roadside suspension and impound.
| What the law says | |
|---|---|
| Fine or jail | A fine of $2,000 to $10,000, or up to six months in jail, or both. |
| Licence, first conviction | Suspended for at least one year. The court can extend this up to three years. |
| Licence, second conviction | Suspended for at least three years. The court can extend this up to 10 years. |
| Licence, third conviction or more | Suspended indefinitely. |
| Demerit points | 6 demerit points, according to Ontario's demerit point regulation. |
| The 10-year rule | A conviction more than 10 years after the previous one counts as a first conviction again. |
Sources: Highway Traffic Act, section 172; O. Reg. 339/94: Demerit Point System.
Is stunt driving a criminal offence?
No. Stunt driving is charged under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, which is a provincial law, so it is not a Criminal Code offence. But the same driving can also be charged under the Criminal Code as dangerous operation of a conveyance, which covers operating a vehicle "in a manner that, having regard to all of the circumstances, is dangerous to the public". That charge is criminal and can be laid separately. Which charge, if any, the police lay depends on the facts of what happened. A lawyer or paralegal can tell you what applies to your situation.
Source: Criminal Code, section 320.13.
What a Stunt Driving Charge Does to Your Insurance
There is no fixed figure in the law, because each insurer sets its own rates. In practice, insurers treat a stunt driving conviction as a serious mark on your record. Expect your premium to rise sharply, or your insurer to decline to renew, and expect to shop around for a company willing to cover you. A licence suspension of a year or more also means you cannot drive at all, so you will need to arrange other transport for that time. Ask your insurer or broker how it treats stunt driving, and compare insurance options before your current policy renews.
If You Have Been Charged: Your Options
You may receive a ticket or a summons. The Ontario Court of Justice's guide for defendants sets out the basics:
- You have 15 days. If you get a ticket and don't take one of the available steps within 15 days of receiving it, you may be found guilty without a hearing.
- You have three main choices. Plead guilty by paying, plead guilty in court and speak to the penalty, or ask for a trial. On some tickets you can also ask to meet the prosecutor, which doesn't give up your right to a trial.
- A summons means you must show up. If you receive a summons, you or someone acting for you must attend court at the time and place shown. If you don't, you can be convicted without being there, and an arrest warrant is possible.
- Get advice early. The court strongly urges people to get legal advice from a lawyer or paralegal. The Law Society of Ontario's referral service offers a free initial consultation.
Source: Ontario Court of Justice — Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases.
Paying the ticket counts as pleading guilty, and a conviction brings the suspension and points described above, so think carefully before you pay, and get advice first.
Common Questions
What speed counts as stunt driving in Ontario?
40 km/h or more over the limit where the limit is under 80 km/h, 50 km/h or more over where the limit is 80 km/h or higher, and 150 km/h or more on any road.
What is the penalty for stunt driving?
A 30-day licence suspension and 14-day vehicle impound on the spot. On conviction, a fine of $2,000 to $10,000 or up to six months in jail (or both), a licence suspension of at least one year, and 6 demerit points.
Can I be charged for stunt driving in a parking lot?
Yes. Since 2021 the rules also apply in parking lots, beaches, parks, bike paths and trails, farm fields and sports fields.
How many demerit points do you get for tailgating?
Following too closely (section 158 of the Highway Traffic Act) carries 4 demerit points under Ontario's demerit point regulation. Deliberately driving as close as possible to another vehicle to intimidate it can be treated as stunt driving instead.
Is stunt driving charged as dangerous driving?
They are two different laws. Stunt driving is a provincial Highway Traffic Act offence. Dangerous operation is a Criminal Code offence. The same incident can lead to either charge, depending on the facts.
Can I appeal the 30-day suspension or 14-day impound?
The law says there is no appeal and no right to a hearing for the roadside suspension or impound. It does not stop you from dealing with the charge itself in court.
Who pays for the impound if I was driving a friend's car?
The owner pays at first, since the costs must be paid before the vehicle is released, but the law allows the owner to sue the driver to recover their costs and other losses.
Official Sources
- Ontario e-Laws — Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8 (section 172)
- Ontario e-Laws — O. Reg. 455/07: Races, Contests and Stunts
- Ontario e-Laws — O. Reg. 339/94: Demerit Point System
- Justice Laws — Criminal Code, section 320.13 (dangerous operation)
- Ontario Court of Justice — Guide for Defendants in Provincial Offences Cases
Last checked September 2026. Laws and penalties change, so confirm the current rules with the official sources above or a licensed paralegal or lawyer. This article is general information and not legal advice.
