Stunt Driving Charge in Ontario: Penalties, Process and Defence Options
In Ontario, a stunt driving charge triggers consequences immediately, not after a conviction. Police can suspend your licence on the roadside and impound your vehicle on the spot. If the charge proceeds to conviction, penalties may include steep fines, lengthy licence suspensions, possible jail time, and long-term insurance fallout.
Stunt driving in Ontario is defined under section 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act and goes far beyond simply “doing a stunt”. The offence captures driving behaviour that represents a marked departure from the normal and lawful operation of a motor vehicle, including extreme speeding, racing, and other dangerous manoeuvres.
While exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or 50 km/h (depending on the road) is the most common trigger, stunt driving charges can also arise from how a vehicle is driven, not just how fast.
Knowing where Ontario draws that line matters, because this is one of the few traffic offences where penalties start at the roadside and escalate quickly if the charge moves forward.
What Happens When You Get Charged With Stunt Driving in Ontario?
When you are charged with stunt driving in Ontario, the consequences begin at the roadside.
Police can impose:
- a 30-day driver’s licence suspension
- a 14-day vehicle impoundment
These penalties apply immediately and do not depend on whether you are later convicted.
If the charge proceeds to conviction, further penalties may follow. These can include:
- a fine of $2,000 to $10,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge
- 6 demerit points
- a further licence suspension
- possible jail time
- a mandatory driver improvement course
Because stunt driving proceeds by summons, the matter must go through court. It is not an ordinary speeding ticket that can simply be paid and forgotten.
What Is Considered Stunt Driving in Ontario?
In Ontario, stunt driving is defined by specific speed thresholds and driving behaviours that go well beyond ordinary speeding or momentary mistakes. While extreme speed is the most common trigger, police can also lay a stunt driving charge based on how a vehicle is driven, particularly when the conduct shows a marked departure from safe and lawful driving.
Here’s a breakdown of the specific behaviours Ontario law classifies as stunt driving.
Speed-Based Stunt Driving
- Exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more where the posted limit is under 80 km/h;
- Exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more where the posted limit is 80 km/h or higher;
- Driving at 150 km/h or more, regardless of the posted limit.
Marked Departure in Speed
- Driving at a speed that constitutes a marked departure from the lawful rate of speed, where the driver’s ability to respond safely to traffic conditions is significantly compromised.
Racing and Competitive Driving
- Racing or attempting to race another vehicle;
- Rapid acceleration used to distance one vehicle from others;
- Driving side by side or in close proximity in a manner resembling a race.
Intentional Loss of Control or Dangerous Vehicle Use
- Intentionally causing tires to lose traction (burnouts, doughnuts);
- Performing wheelies on a motorcycle;
- Driving while not seated in the driver’s seat;
- Standing on a motorcycle or letting go of the steering wheel.
Other Conduct Commonly Alleged as Stunt Driving
- Chasing another vehicle in a manner that resembles racing;
- Carrying people in unsafe areas of a vehicle (such as a trunk or pickup bed);
- Using a vehicle in a way that demonstrates a clear disregard for traffic safety beyond ordinary carelessness (not to be confused with careless driving in Ontario).
Is Stunt Driving a Criminal Offence in Ontario?
No, stunt driving is not a criminal offence in Ontario. It is prosecuted under provincial law, not the Criminal Code. That said, the consequences can still be severe. A conviction may result in significant fines, lengthy licence suspensions, possible jail time, and mandatory driver improvement courses.
Stunt Driving Penalties
Stunt driving penalties in Ontario are severe and escalate with each conviction. Some consequences apply immediately at the roadside, while others are imposed if the charge results in a conviction.
Penalties for Stunt Driving First Offence in Ontario:
- immediate 30-day roadside licence suspension;
- 14-day vehicle impoundment;
- fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge;
- 6 demerit points
- possible jail time of up to six months;
- licence suspension upon conviction ranging from 1 to 3 years;
- mandatory driver improvement course.
Penalties for Stunt Driving Second Offence, Ontario:
- immediate 30-day roadside licence suspension;
- 14-day vehicle impoundment;
- fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge;
- 6 demerit points;
- possible jail time of up to 6 months;
- licence suspension upon conviction of up to 10 years;
- mandatory driver improvement course.
Third Offence and Subsequent:
- immediate 30-day roadside licence suspension;
- 14-day vehicle impoundment;
- fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, plus a 25% victim surcharge;
- 6 demerit points;
- possible jail time of up to 6 months;
- Lifetime driver’s licence suspension upon conviction;
- Mandatory driver improvement course.
The mandatory driver improvement course must be completed within 60 days of conviction. Failure to do so can result in further licence consequences.
Fully licensed and novice drivers are subject to the same stunt driving penalties in Ontario. However, novice drivers, including G2 drivers , may face additional licence consequences upon conviction.
Failure to pay fines associated with a stunt driving conviction will result in an automatic driver’s licence suspension.
A stunt driving conviction can have serious insurance consequences. Many drivers lose access to standard insurance markets and must seek coverage through high-risk insurers instead. Even where coverage remains available, premiums often become much more expensive after a conviction.
Current Stunt Driving Laws in Ontario (MOMS Act Explained)
Ontario’s current stunt driving laws were introduced under the Moving Ontarians More Safely Act (MOMS Act) and came into full effect between 2021 and 2022. These rules have remained unchanged since April 2022 and continue to apply in 2026.
The MOMS Act significantly increased the consequences for stunt driving in Ontario. Key changes included:
- Longer roadside licence suspensions for drivers charged with stunt driving;
- Extended vehicle impoundment periods;
- Harsher licence suspensions upon conviction, including lifetime suspensions for repeat offences;
- Introduction of a mandatory driver improvement course following conviction.
Also, since September 12, 2021, Ontario’s stunt driving laws have also applied to certain off-road locations, including parking lots and other areas not traditionally considered highways.
These locations can include:
- Public or private parking lots, garages, or parking structures;
- Commercial, industrial, or private lots, regardless of whether public access is permitted;
- Parking areas with or without paid access, even if a driver entered without permission.
Ontario’s stunt driving laws do not apply to designated facilities such as racetracks, motor speedways, or go-kart tracks intended for racing activities.
What To Do If You’ve Been Charged With Stunt Driving In Ontario?
After a stunt driving charge, the first goal is simple: do not make the situation worse.
- Do not drive while your licence is suspended.
- Recover your vehicle from impound as soon as you are legally allowed to.
- Keep track of your court date and any paperwork connected to the summons.
- Do not assume the matter will “sort itself out”.
Because the charge proceeds by summons, missing a court appearance can create additional problems. If no one appears for you, the court may proceed in your absence and, in some cases, issue a bench warrant.
Fighting Stunt Driving Charge in Ontario: Your Options
Fighting a stunt driving ticket in Ontario is not just about deciding whether to go to trial. The first question is how you want to deal with the case at all.
In practical terms, most drivers have three options:
- deal with the charge themselves;
- work toward a resolution in court;
- hire a stunt driving lawyer or licensed paralegal to review the evidence and handle the case.
Which route makes sense depends on the file. Some cases are worth pushing harder. Others are better approached through negotiation. That usually becomes clear only after the disclosure is reviewed.
Because stunt driving proceeds by summons and the penalties can be severe, many drivers decide to get legal advice before taking a position on the charge.
How to Fight Stunt Driving in Ontario: Step-By-Step Process
Fighting a stunt driving ticket in Ontario usually involves five stages:
- Attend the first court appearance listed on the summons
- Obtain and review disclosure from the prosecutor
- Assess how the allegation was established, including speed evidence or driving behaviour
- Attend a Crown pre-trial to discuss possible resolution
- Proceed to trial if no acceptable outcome is reached
That is the short version.
The longer version depends on the evidence. Some cases turn on radar or LIDAR records. Others turn on the officer’s notes, how the behaviour was described, or whether the file contains weaknesses that can be used in negotiation or at trial.
If you want the full defence process, see our separate article on how to fight stunt driving in Ontario.
Do You Need a Stunt Driving Lawyer in Ontario?
Legal representation is not mandatory. But many drivers get legal help because stunt driving cases can involve disclosure review, speed evidence, procedural issues, negotiations with the prosecutor, and trial preparation.
When the charge may affect your licence, insurance, employment, or driving record, having the case reviewed early can make a difference.
Stunt Driving Lawyer in Ontario: Why Drivers Call X-COPS
Drivers looking for a stunt driving lawyer in Ontario are usually not looking for general legal advice. They want to know whether the charge can be challenged, whether the case should be negotiated, and what the risks really are if it goes forward.
At X-COPS, stunt driving charges are part of what we handle regularly across Ontario. We review disclosure, examine police notes and speed evidence, and assess whether the case is better challenged, negotiated, or prepared for trial.
That matters because stunt driving charges often turn on details that are not obvious from the summons alone.
If you have been charged with stunt driving in Ontario, getting legal advice early can help you understand the strength of the case and the risks of conviction before the matter moves further through court.
Call X-COPS today for a free consultation about your stunt driving charge.