What is Driving Without Insurance?
- Justice
- Equality
- Trust
Driving without insurance in Ontario (Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, s. 2(1)) is treated as a major offence because the penalties and insurance consequences can be severe, even for a first offence.
- Demerit points: No demerit points are assigned, but consequences are far more serious than most demerit point offences.
- Fine range (first offence): $5,000 to $25,000 (plus 25% victim surcharge, bringing total to $6,250–$31,250).
- Fine range (subsequent offence): $10,000 to $50,000 (plus 25% victim surcharge, bringing total to $12,500–$62,500).
- Vehicle impoundment: Up to 3 months at your expense.
- Licence suspension: Up to 1 year on conviction.
- Insurance consequences: Conviction makes you high-risk, resulting in dramatically increased premiums or policy cancellation. The conviction stays on your record for 3 years.
- Personal liability: If involved in an accident while uninsured, you are personally liable for all damages, injuries, and costs—potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The consequences can jeopardize your finances, licence, and ability to obtain insurance.
- Why you should call: This charge carries the highest fines of any traffic offence in Ontario and can devastate your financial situation. Defences often turn on whether insurance was actually in effect, confusion over policy status, or administrative errors. Getting representation early matters and can save you thousands of dollars.
