What Is Stunt Driving in Ontario?

Ontario's Highway Traffic Act defines stunt driving broadly. The most common trigger is speed, but several other behaviours qualify.

Unlike a regular speeding ticket, stunt driving consequences start immediately at the roadside. The police officer does not need to wait for a court conviction. The driver receives an immediate 30-day licence suspension and the vehicle is impounded for 14 days at the driver's expense (impound fees plus storage charges apply and can total several hundred to over a thousand dollars).

After the initial roadside consequences, the driver must go to court. Upon conviction for stunt driving, penalties include a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, up to 6 months in jail, 6 demerit points, and a licence suspension of up to 2 years for a first conviction. A second conviction within 10 years brings a suspension of up to 10 years.

A stunt driving conviction is treated as a major conviction by insurance companies. It can result in your policy being cancelled entirely and being categorized as high-risk. High-risk insurance in Ontario is significantly more expensive and the record stays with you for years. New drivers should understand that one stunt driving charge can cost tens of thousands of dollars in total when all factors are counted.