Nextlaw - Ontario's Stunt Driving, DUI & U.S. Waiver Law Firm

A distracted driving conviction in Ontario adds three demerit points to your record, along with the fine and a three-day licence suspension. Those points stay on your driving record for two years from the date of the offence, then come off. But the points were never the real problem — the conviction itself stays on your record long after the points expire, and it's the conviction that insurers actually look at. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here's how the points work, how long they last, and why they're not the part that matters most. How many demerit points is distracted driving in Ontario? A distracted driving conviction puts three demerit points on your record, along with the fine and a three-day licence suspension. Three points might not sound like much on its own — but they don't sit in isolation. If you already have points from other tickets, these can push you closer to the thresholds where the Ministry ...

If you just got a distracted driving ticket in Toronto, the first three things to do are simple: don't pay it yet, write down your response deadline and court date, and get advice before you decide anything. The one thing you should not do is pay it — because paying is legally the same as pleading guilty, and it locks in the conviction, three demerit points, a three-day suspension, and a possible insurance increase permanently. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here are the first three steps — and the mistake to avoid. One: don't pay the ticket yet This is the big one. Paying the ticket is the same as pleading guilty. The moment you pay, you lock in the conviction, the three demerit points, the three-day suspension, and the insurance increase — all of it, permanently. It might feel like the fastest way to make the ticket go away, but it's actually the most final decision you can make. So before you do anything else: do...

Missed the 15-Day Deadline for Your Ontario Speeding Ticket? Here's What to Do If you missed the 15-day deadline to respond to your speeding ticket, you're in a difficult situation—but not necessarily a hopeless one. According to NextLaw's analysis, there are options for addressing missed deadlines, though they're more complicated and uncertain than responding on time would have been. What Happens After Missing the Deadline Jon Cohen, who has helped drivers address missed deadline situations, explains what typically occurs: When you don't respond within 15 days, the court can proceed without you. In most cases, this means a conviction is entered by default—you're found guilty without ever appearing in court. The fine becomes due. Demerit points are added to your record. The conviction appears on your driving abstract, where insurance companies will see it. Your Options After Missing the Deadline Dan Joffe, traffic lawyer at NextLaw, outlines the two ...

No — paying your distracted driving ticket to make it disappear is usually the single worst thing you can do. In Ontario, paying a ticket is legally the same as pleading guilty. The moment you pay, you convict yourself and lock in three demerit points, a three-day licence suspension, and a possible insurance increase all at once — with no way to undo it. It feels like the quick, easy option, but it's actually the most final decision you can make. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here's what paying really does, how often people regret it, and what you could do instead. What does paying a distracted driving ticket actually mean? A lot of people pay the ticket just to be done with it. But in Ontario, paying a ticket is legally the same as pleading guilty. The second you pay, you've convicted yourself. The three demerit points, the three-day suspension, and the insurance increase all lock in at once — and there's no u...

The 15-Day Deadline for Ontario Speeding Tickets: Why It's Critical If you've received a speeding ticket in Ontario, you have 15 days to respond. This isn't just a suggestion—it's a hard deadline with serious consequences if missed. According to NextLaw's analysis, understanding this deadline is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself. What the 15-Day Deadline Means Jon Cohen, who has helped thousands of drivers navigate speeding ticket responses, explains exactly what this deadline requires: From the date on your ticket, you have 15 days to indicate how you want to respond—whether you intend to pay, request early resolution, or request a trial. The response must be filed with the court by that deadline. This isn't 15 business days. It's 15 calendar days. Weekends and holidays count. What Happens If You Miss the Deadline Dan Joffe, traffic lawyer at NextLaw, outlines the consequences of missing the 15-day window: If yo...

Under section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act, distracted driving in Ontario means holding or using a hand-held phone or device while driving — even for a second, even just to glance at it, and even while stopped at a red light or in traffic. You don't have to be typing or talking; simply holding the phone in your hand is enough to be charged. A mounted GPS and hands-free calling are allowed, but touching a device while you're moving is not. I'm Jon Cohen, Partner at NextLaw, a distracted driving ticket law firm in Ontario. Here's what the law actually covers — and where the grey areas are. What actually counts as distracted driving under section 78.1? Under section 78.1 of the Highway Traffic Act, it's illegal to hold or use a hand-held phone or device while you're driving — even for a second, even just to glance at it. And "driving" includes when you're stopped in traffic or sitting at a red light. You don't have to be typing or talking. Si...