How Long Does a Distracted Driving Violation Stay on Your Record?

If you’ve received a distracted driving violation in Ontario, typically related to using a handheld device like a cell phone, you might wonder how long it stays on your driving record. Understanding the duration of this violation on your record is crucial for various considerations, including insurance rates.

The Three-Year Period

• In Ontario, the visibility of a distracted driving violation on your driving record, also known as a driver’s abstract, is generally limited to a three-year period. This means that the violation will appear on your abstract for three years.

Demerit Points

A noteworthy detail to consider is the duration of demerit points associated with the violation:

• First Two Years: During the initial two years following a distracted driving conviction, your driver’s abstract will display both the conviction and the associated demerit points.
• End of Second Year: After two years, the demerit points will be forgiven, but the conviction will still be visible on your abstract.
• Third Year: Once the third year has passed, the distracted driving conviction will no longer be visible on your driver’s abstract.

Implications for Insurance

• Understanding the timeframe of a distracted driving violation on your record is essential, especially when it comes to dealing with insurance providers. It can influence your insurance rates and coverage.
• If you have any questions or concerns about how a distracted driving violation may affect your driving record and insurance, feel free to reach out to OTD Legal for professional advice and assistance.

Additional Resources

• Learn more about distracted driving laws and penalties in Ontario on the official Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Distracted Driving page.
• Explore the Ontario Highway Traffic Act for in-depth information on traffic regulations in the province.
• For expert guidance on legal matters related to distracted driving or other traffic violations, contact the professionals at OTD Legal.
• Ontario Driver’s Guide To Cell Phone Tickets and Distracted Driving
• How To Fight An Ontario Cell Phone Ticket

Video Transcription:

How long does a distracted driving violation stay on your record? First of all, a distracted driving violation in Ontario is referring to a handheld device, usually a cell phone. The answer to the question is if that conviction were on your record in Ontario you need to look at the matter in terms of whether or not it is on your abstract. And in most cases, an abstract simply means a three year period.

So the violation of distracted driving or cell phone ticket will actually be visible on your abstract for three years. After two years the Demerit points with respect to that particular violation will be forgiven. So in the third year, you will not see any demerit points for distracted driving and in the fourth year, so at the end of that three year term, you will not see any conviction whatsoever for that offense.