Red Light Tickets in Ontario: Questions Drivers Ask
Questions about officer-issued red-light charges in Ontario? ParaCan represents drivers facing these charges. We review your ticket and available evidence, explain your options and fight to protect your driving record. Call for your free, no-obligation case review.
- General information only
- Official Ontario source linked
- Free case review available
GUIDE
Potential consequences
The Consequences That Can Change Your Next Step
Read the notice closely
The wording on the notice identifies the allegation and the response instructions that apply to it.
Demerit points follow conviction
Demerit points are recorded after conviction for an applicable offence, not simply when a ticket is issued.
Review your defence options
The allegation and available evidence should be reviewed before you decide how to respond.
Preserve the details
Keep the ticket, photographs, any notices and a record of what you remember about the intersection and traffic signal.
Officer-issued red-light charge? Review the allegation, response deadline and available evidence before choosing your next step.
Frequently asked questions
Clear Answers, Before You Decide
Does an officer-issued red-light ticket go on your driving record in Ontario?
A conviction for an officer-issued red-light charge is recorded against the driver and carries three demerit points. The points follow conviction, not simply the issue of a ticket. A conviction can also affect insurance. Contact ParaCan for a free review of your ticket and available options.
What does ParaCan review when fighting an officer-issued red-light ticket?
ParaCan reviews the allegation and available evidence, explains your options and quotes your fee before you retain us. Send a clear copy of your officer-issued ticket for a free, no-obligation case review. The facts of your case determine the available options; no particular result can be promised.
How much is a red light ticket in Ontario?
For an officer-issued ticket for running a red light (red light - fail to stop, Highway Traffic Act section 144(18)), the standard set fine is $260, plus a $60 victim fine surcharge and court costs. The total payable and fine can differ with the allegation or zone. Read your notice; the court penalty is separate from ParaCan's representation fee. Rates start from just $399, quoted before you retain us.
Do points apply the moment I receive a red-light ticket?
No. Ontario demerit points are recorded after conviction for an applicable offence, not merely because a ticket was issued.
What should I keep?
Keep the original ticket or notice, any photographs and a written record of details you recall. Do not alter the documents.
What should I do next?
Follow the response instructions and deadline on the document, then get the specific allegation reviewed before deciding how to respond.
Source: Ontario Highway Traffic Act. Additional sources: Ontario Court of Justice Highway Traffic Act set-fine schedule; Ontario Demerit Point System regulation. This page is general information only and is not legal advice. The facts of each matter can change the available options. Content updated: October 22, 2026.
Before deciding how to respond, what to do after receiving an Ontario traffic ticket and find the court listed on your ticket or summons.
Published by ParaCan Legal Services Professional Corporation. General Ontario information; contact ParaCan for a review of your own ticket or summons.
Free case review
Want a Review of Your Own Ticket?
Send ParaCan Legal Services a photo of your ticket or summons. We will review the document, explain the possible consequences and discuss the available options for your situation before you decide how to respond.