11 illegal things you might be doing while driving in Ontario that have fines of up to $20K
Driving in Ontario involves a mix of well-known rules and a few that might catch you off guard. Staying alert and mindful of these regulations is key to avoiding fines, demerit points, and unnecessary trouble.
For instance, highways make getting around faster, but they also come with lots of regulations that every driver should be aware of before hitting the road. For example, did you know there are specific rules around overtaking a vehicle? Or that using the wrong headlights could land you a hefty fine?
These are just a few of the essential regulations Ontario drivers should be aware of before buckling up. So, make sure to brush up if you want to avoid demerit points, costly penalties, or even dangerous situations!
Driving too slowly
In Ontario, going too slow on the highway is an offence, just like speeding.
The Highway Traffic Act prohibits drivers from moving at a speed that causes traffic to back up or slows down the flow of vehicles.
Of course, slowing down for safety or poor road conditions is perfectly acceptable.
However, if you're driving sluggishly without a valid reason, you could face fines ranging from $150 to $1,000.
Using the wrong lane
Have you ever been stuck behind a slow driver in the fast lane? In Ontario, that driver is likely breaking the law.
The Highway Traffic Act says that any vehicle moving slower than the normal flow of traffic must stay in the right-hand lane or as close to the right-hand edge of the road as is safe.
There are a few exceptions: drivers can move out of the right lane to pass another vehicle, to prepare for a left turn at an intersection, driveway, or private road, or if they're operating a road service vehicle or a bicycle in a designated lane travelling in the opposite direction.
Violating this law can result in a fine ranging from $150 to $1,000.
Going too early at a crosswalk
Slowing down and rolling through a pedestrian crosswalk as soon as someone moves out of the way isn't allowed.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, drivers must come to a complete stop before the crosswalk, wait patiently, and only proceed once the pedestrian has safely crossed the road.
Overtaking a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk is also prohibited. Violating these rules can result in fines ranging from $300 to $1,000 for the first offence, with even higher penalties for repeat offences.
Not carrying your licence
If you're driving in Ontario, it's essential to always have your physical driver's licence with you.
While discussions have been held about digital licenses, the traditional card remains the official form of identification.
According to the Highway Traffic Act, Ontario drivers must carry a valid licence whenever they're behind the wheel and show it to police or enforcement officers if requested.
Failing to produce your licence when asked can result in an $85 fine.
Passing a snow plow
It's not something you'll need to worry about just yet, but once Ontario's winter weather arrives, this law will come into effect.
It's illegal to pass snow plows when they're operating in formation, when driving on a highway with a speed limit of 80 km/h or higher.
The only exception is if your lane is entirely free of the plow, including all parts of its blade and any attachments.
Under the Highway Traffic Act, violating this rule can result in a fine ranging from $150 to $1,000.
Crowding the driver's seat
It's a rare sight, but not completely unheard of. In Ontario, "crowding the driver's seat" is illegal. This means you can't have anything or anyone sitting in the driver's seat area in a way that interferes with safe vehicle control.
Yes, that includes having your pet Chihuahua on your lap while driving down the highway! However, it also includes groceries or let's say... a stack of books. Violating this rule can result in a fine of at least $85.
In 2021, a driver in Caledon was fined $110 and received three demerit points after being caught by the Ontario Provincial Police driving with their dog on their lap.
Passing a cyclist
In Ontario, when overtaking a cyclist, drivers must leave at least one metre of space between their vehicle and the cyclist whenever possible.
Failing to do so can lead to a fine of $60 to $500 and two demerit points on your driving record. Whenever it's safe, the best practice is to change lanes to pass a cyclist.
Drivers should also avoid following too closely behind cyclists, as they don't have brake lights to signal slowing.
Additionally, use your horn sparingly when overtaking; startling a cyclist could cause them to lose control of their bike. If you must use the horn, tap it quickly and lightly from a safe distance.
Tailgating
Tailgating is a common and stressful experience on Ontario highways. There's nothing more nerve-wracking than a vehicle breathing down your neck. The thing is, you're not in the wrong — tailgating is illegal in Ontario.
The Highway Traffic Act states, "The driver of a motor vehicle or street car shall not follow another vehicle or street car more closely than is reasonable and prudent having due regard for the speed of the vehicle and the traffic on and the conditions of the highway."
In simple terms, this means keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, especially considering traffic, speed, and weather conditions.
Failing to renew
Ontario's automatic licence plate renewal system has been in place for over a year, simplifying the yearly renewal process for millions of drivers. However, not every vehicle is covered by this update.
Since its launch in July 2024, the system automatically renews plates for most cars, motorcycles, mopeds, and light-duty trucks weighing under 3,000 kg, provided your insurance is up to date and you have no outstanding fines or tolls.
Owners of motorhomes, commercial trucks, snowmobiles, or buses are still required to manually renew their plates. Driving with expired plates can be costly: for most vehicles, fines range from $100 to $1,000, while commercial vehicle owners could face penalties up to $2,500 under the Highway Traffic Act.
Wrongly overtaking
In Ontario, the general rule is that drivers should overtake other vehicles on the left side of the road.
Passing on the right is only permitted in specific situations, such as using a paved shoulder to pass a vehicle that is signalling or turning left, overtaking a road service or construction vehicle when a worker has indicated it is safe, or when operating an emergency vehicle like an ambulance, fire truck, or police car.
Incorrect use of headlights
When driving on a highway, there are some regulations that you have to follow when it comes to the use of your headlights.
According to Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, you must have your lights on 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise.
You should also have them on when visibility is poor, such as in fog, heavy rain, snow, or other weather conditions that make it difficult to see people or vehicles at a distance of 150 metres or less.
You must have two lights at the front (white or amber), one on each side, and a red light at the back. Your lights must be clearly visible from a distance of 150 metres.
This doesn't apply if your vehicle is parked on a highway with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less and the street lighting is sufficient to clearly see your vehicle from a distance of 60 metres. In this case, you aren't required to keep your vehicle's lights on.
This rule applies to all vehicles, except for motorbikes.
It's also illegal to cover or tint front lights or add attachments that reduce light output.
Conversely, your lights aren't allowed to be too bright. You're allowed no more than four lamps at the front that can project more than 300 candela (a unit of light intensity).
A commercial vehicle can be fined between $200 and $20,000 if it's convicted of breaking these rules.
In a standard vehicle, you could be fined at least $85, according to the Ontario Court of Justice.
Next time you're driving in Ontario, keep these rules in mind!
