Demerit Points Explained
Demerit points are how provincial governments track dangerous drivers. Accumulate too many, and your driver's licence will be suspended.
The Biggest Myth: You don't "lose" points
Many drivers think they start with a certain number of points and lose them when they get a ticket. It's actually the opposite. You start with zero points, and you gain demerit points when you are convicted of a traffic offence.
Licence Suspension Thresholds
Every province has a maximum number of points you can accumulate before your licence is automatically suspended. Novice drivers (like G1/G2 in Ontario or N in BC) have much lower thresholds.
| Province | System Name | Suspension Limit (Full Licence) |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | Demerit Points | 15 Points |
| British Columbia | Driver Penalty Points (DPP) | 15 Points |
| Manitoba | Driver Safety Rating | -10 Points |
| New Brunswick | Demerit Points | 10 Points |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Demerit Point System | 12 Points |
| Nova Scotia | Demerit Points | 10 Points |
| Northwest Territories | Demerit Points | 15 Points |
| Nunavut | Demerit Points | 15 Points |
| Ontario | Demerit Points | 15 Points |
| Prince Edward Island | Demerit Point System | 12 Points |
| Quebec | SAAQ Demerit Point Bracket | 15 Points |
| Saskatchewan | Safe Driver Recognition | -20 Points |
| Yukon | Demerit Points | 15 Points |
How long do demerit points stay on your record?
In almost every Canadian province, demerit points stay on your driving record for exactly 2 years (24 months) from the date the offence was committed.
However, it is critical to understand the difference between your provincial driving record and your insurance record. While the Ministry of Transportation erases the points after 2 years, insurance companies keep the conviction on your record for 3 years.
What happens if you get a ticket in another province?
If you are driving out-of-province and get a speeding ticket, the conviction and the points will usually transfer back to your home province via the Canadian Driver Licence Compact (CDLC).
You can use our Interprovincial Transfer Checker to see exactly which provinces share data with each other.