Penalties for Stunt Driving Charges as a G2 Driver in Ontario

If you have a G2 driving license and you’re charged with stunt driving in Ontario, it’s important to take the matter very seriously.

Under the MOMS Act (Moving Ontarians More Safely Act 2021), new measures were introduced to combat dangerous and reckless driving. Consequently, more people are being stopped and charged with stunt driving, with stiff penalties enforced.

Whether you have a G2 or a full G license, you can expect the penalties for a stunt driving (even a first offence) to be serious.

It’s important to consult with a qualified stunt driving lawyer to defend the charge. Otherwise, you could be facing serious financial penalties and even a jail sentence.

Learn More → How to beat a stunt driving charge in Ontario

Stunt driving is a charge related to racing on any road or highway in Ontario. This means excessive speeding, street racing, driving contests and other reckless driving practices that put other road users in danger.

This is what the stunt driving laws state in section 172 (1) of the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario:

“No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway in a race or contest, while performing a stunt or on a bet or wager.”

Driving a vehicle at a rate of speed that is a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed accounts for the majority of stunt driving charges in Ontario. This usually involves one of the following:

• Speeding at 50 km/h or more over the speed limit where the limit is above 80 km/h
• Speeding at 40 km/h or more over the speed limit where the limit is 80 km/h or less

However, many other offences are classified as stunt driving…

As well as speeding at 40km/h or 50km/h over the speed limit, other types of stunt driving tickets in Ontario include the following:

• Driving at 150 km/h or more on any road
• Chasing or racing another motor vehicle
• Tire squealing, burnouts, or driving in a way that causes some or all tires to lose traction
• Cutting off another driver intentionally or driving too closely
• Repeatedly changing lanes close to other vehicles
• Doing doughnuts, drifting or attempting to spin the vehicle
• Purposely preventing other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians to pass, change directions or have the right of way
• Driving your vehicle while not in the driver’s seat (“ghost riding the whip”)
• Driving with a person in the trunk of your vehicle or an extra seat
• Driving without regard for road conditions and driving circumstances
• Doing wheelies or attempting to lift some or all your tires from the surface

Any careless driving without reasonable concern or attention for others on the roads can lead to a stunt driving charge.

As a G2 driver arrested for stunt driving, you will receive an immediate and mandatory 30-day licence suspension and vehicle impoundment for 14 days.

These roadside punishments apply also for full G licence-holders, but what follows with a conviction for G2 drivers may be harsher. Inexperience with driving will make it hard to argue that a previous “clean” driving record should be taken into account when punishments are handed down.

Upon conviction, as a G2 class licence holder, you will automatically face more than three demerit points on your licence and an additional 30-day license suspension after your case is over.

The full range of penalties you can face are:

• Six demerit points on your license
• A total mandatory licence suspension of 1-3 years
• A fine of $2,000 – $10,000
• A 100% increase or cancellation of your insurance policy
• A mandatory driver education course
• A possible jail sentence of up to six months

Even though stunt driving is not a criminal offence, you should still consider taking legal advice and defending the charge in court because of these harsh potential penalties. Many Ontario jurisdictions have imposed jail sentences on drivers convicted of high-speed stunt driving. Fines of over $5,000 are frequently dished out.

Rather than risking the harshest consequences, consider representation by one of the seasoned driving offence lawyers at Affordable Defence.

A stunt driving conviction will stay on your driving record for three years from the date of conviction.

However, the court can view your driving record for the past 10 years for this type of charge. If you face future charges under the Highway Traffic Act or the Criminal Code, your conviction for stunt driving will be visible to the court.

Stunt driving is not a criminal offence. It is a charge under the Highway Traffic Act rather than the Criminal Code.

However, bear in mind that you can still be sentenced to jail for up to six months for a conviction.

If you are convicted of stunt driving, you can expect it to have a major impact on your insurance.

When your insurance company pulls up your driving record at the renewal time for your policy, your stunt driving conviction will be visible. One of two things is likely to happen:

1. Your insurance company will drop you as a client or
2. Your insurance premiums will increase immediately (up to 100 percent)

If you are under the age of 25, the consequences are usually more severe than if you are a more mature driver.

You might think that it’s best to simply accept a stunt driving charge and move on rather than fight it.

But let’s look at the immediate costs of fighting the ticket:

• A reinstatement fee of $281 to get your driver’s licence back
• Impoundment fee of $500-$1,000 to get your vehicle back
• Your legal fees, which will depend on the lawyer you hire

If you don’t fight the charge and are found guilty, you pay the first two costs, plus a substantial fine and the extra insurance cost — on top of other penalties.

Our lawyers make defending the charge affordable for most people. Contact us for a free case evaluation.