The Fine for Driving With a Suspended License in Ontario
If you drive in Ontario while your license is suspended, you face a minimum fine of $490 and a maximum of $1,000 for a first offense. The court can also impose up to six months in jail, though jail time is uncommon for first-time suspensions related to child support or tax debt. A second offense within five years carries a minimum fine of $1,000 and a maximum of $2,000, plus possible jail time up to one year.
The fine amount depends on several factors: whether this is your first or repeat offense, the reason for the suspension (child support arrears, unpaid fines, tax debt), and the discretion of the judge. You will also face additional costs: a reinstatement fee to restore your license once the underlying debt is resolved, towing and impound fees if your vehicle is seized, and increased insurance premiums once you can drive legally again.
Ontario police can stop you for any traffic violation and will discover a suspended license through a records check. Even a minor infraction—a broken taillight, expired registration—can lead to the discovery of the suspension and a charge under the Highway Traffic Act.
Key Takeaways
- A first offense for driving with a suspended license in Ontario carries a fine between $490 and $1,000, plus possible jail time up to six months.
- A second offense within five years carries a fine between $1,000 and $2,000, plus possible jail time up to one year.
- You will also pay a license reinstatement fee once the underlying debt (child support, tax, or fines) is resolved, typically between $150 and $300.
- Your vehicle can be impounded and towed at your expense if you are stopped while driving suspended.
- The suspension remains in effect until the debt is paid or a payment arrangement is made with the creditor agency.
How License Suspension Works in Ontario
Your license is suspended automatically when you fall behind on child support payments, owe unpaid court fines, or have outstanding tax debt reported to the Ministry of the Attorney General. You do not receive a court order first; the suspension is administrative and takes effect once the debt is reported to the Suspended Driver Program.
The suspension notice is mailed to your address on file at ServiceOntario. If you have moved and did not update your address, you may not receive the notice before police discover the suspension during a traffic stop. The suspension remains in place until the debt is paid in full or you reach a payment arrangement with the agency holding the debt (the Family Responsibility Office for child support, the Ministry of the Attorney General for fines, or the Canada Revenue Agency for tax debt).
You can drive legally again only after the debt is resolved and you have paid the reinstatement fee. There is no grace period and no way to obtain a temporary driving permit while the suspension is active.
What Happens When You Are Stopped
If a police officer stops you and discovers your license is suspended, you will be charged under section 259 of the Highway Traffic Act. The officer will issue you a notice of suspension and may impound your vehicle on the spot. You are responsible for all towing and storage fees, which can range from $150 to $400 for towing alone, plus daily impound fees of $30 to $50.
You will be required to appear in court or before a justice of the peace. You cannot straightforward pay the fine without appearing; the court must impose the sentence. If you cannot afford to attend court on the scheduled date, contact the courthouse in advance to request an adjournment or to appear by phone or video.
A conviction for driving with a suspended license will appear on your driving record permanently and will be reported to your insurance company. This will increase your insurance premiums significantly, even after your license is reinstated.
Reinstatement Fees and Additional Costs
Once the underlying debt is paid or a payment arrangement is confirmed, you must pay a license reinstatement fee to ServiceOntario. This fee is typically between $150 and $300, depending on the reason for suspension and whether you have had previous suspensions. You cannot drive until this fee is paid and processed.
If your vehicle was impounded, you must also pay the towing company and the impound facility before you can retrieve it. Towing fees start at $150 to $400, and daily storage fees range from $30 to $50. If your vehicle remains impounded for several days, these costs can exceed $500 quickly.
You will also face higher insurance premiums. Once your license is reinstated, your insurance company will see the conviction on your record. Expect your premiums to increase by 25 to 50 percent for three to five years, depending on your insurer and driving history.
Payment Arrangements to Stop the Suspension
You do not have to pay the entire debt at once to have your suspension lifted. The agency holding the debt—the Family Responsibility Office, the Ministry of the Attorney General, or the Canada Revenue Agency—can negotiate a payment plan with you. Once a plan is in place and you make the first payment, the suspension is usually lifted within one to two business days.
Contact the agency directly to request a payment arrangement. For child support arrears, call the Family Responsibility Office at 1-800-668-0014. For unpaid fines, contact the Ministry of the Attorney General's Fines Management Office. For tax debt, contact the Canada Revenue Agency at 1-800-959-5525. Have your account number or case number ready when you call.
A payment arrangement does not erase the debt or the suspension history; it straightforward stops the active suspension while you pay. If you miss a payment, the suspension will be reinstated when ready.
Challenging a Suspension in Court
You can challenge the suspension itself only if there is an error in the records—for example, if the debt has already been paid but the suspension was not lifted, or if you are not the person who owes the debt. You cannot challenge the suspension straightforward because you disagree with the underlying debt; that is a separate matter handled by the agency that imposed it.
If you believe the suspension is in error, contact the agency that imposed it first. Provide proof of payment or evidence that the debt is not yours. If the agency does not correct the error within 10 business days, you can request a review by the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT), which is an independent body that hears disputes about license suspensions in Ontario.
To request a LAT review, you must file a written request within 30 days of the suspension. The request must include your name, driver's license number, and the reason you believe the suspension is in error. There is a filing fee of approximately $100 to $150. The LAT will schedule a hearing, usually within 30 to 60 days.
Avoiding a Second Offense and Escalating Penalties
Once your license is reinstated, do not drive again if a new suspension is imposed. A second offense within five years carries double the penalties: a fine of $1,000 to $2,000 and up to one year in jail. Courts treat repeat offenses seriously because they show disregard for the law and the underlying debt obligation.
If you are at risk of a new suspension due to unpaid child support, fines, or tax debt, contact the relevant agency when ready to arrange a payment plan. The cost of a second conviction—in fines, jail time, and insurance premiums—far exceeds the cost of negotiating a payment arrangement now.
Keep your address current with ServiceOntario and the agency holding your debt. If your address changes, update it within 15 days. This ensures you receive suspension notices and can respond before police discover the suspension during a traffic stop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a work permit or limited license while suspended?
No. Ontario does not issue work permits or limited licenses for suspensions related to child support, unpaid fines, or tax debt. Your license remains fully suspended until the debt is resolved or a payment arrangement is in place. Once a payment plan is confirmed, the suspension is lifted entirely, not partially.
What if I did not know my license was suspended?
Lack of knowledge is not a defense. The suspension notice is mailed to your address on file, and you are responsible for keeping that address current. If you did not receive the notice, the court will still find you guilty if you were driving suspended. Tell the judge that you did not receive notice; this may influence the sentence, but it will not prevent a conviction.
Will the fine be reduced if I pay the underlying debt before court?
Possibly. If you pay the child support arrears, fines, or tax debt before your court date and bring proof of payment, the judge may reduce the fine or impose a conditional discharge (no fine, but a conviction remains on your record). Contact the courthouse to ask whether you can resolve the underlying debt before your scheduled appearance.
How long does a conviction for driving suspended stay on my record?
The conviction stays on your driving record permanently in Ontario. However, it will have the greatest impact on your insurance premiums for three to five years. After that period, the conviction becomes less relevant to rate calculations, though insurers may still consider it.
Can I drive someone else's car while my license is suspended?
No. A suspended license means you cannot drive any vehicle, regardless of who owns it. Driving someone else's car while suspended carries the same fine and penalties as driving your own vehicle.