Three charges. Three very different outcomes.
Careless driving in Ontario costs you a fine, demerit points and maybe your licence. Stunt driving takes your licence and your car at the side of the road. Dangerous driving can give you a criminal record and a prison sentence.
People often mix them up, and many search for “reckless driving”, which isn’t actually a charge in Ontario. This guide explains what each charge means, what the penalties are, and how they affect your licence, record and insurance.
In this guide12 sections
- Careless vs Stunt vs Dangerous Driving at a Glance
- What Is Careless Driving in Ontario?
- What Is Stunt Driving in Ontario?
- What Is Dangerous Driving in Ontario?
- Careless vs Stunt vs Dangerous: What’s the Difference?
- What About “Reckless Driving”?
- How These Charges Affect Your Licence, Record and Insurance
- Been Charged? What To Do Next
- How To Avoid All Three
- Learn Safe, Confident Driving in Barrie
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Careless vs Stunt vs Dangerous Driving at a Glance
| Careless driving | Stunt driving | Dangerous driving | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | Highway Traffic Act s. 130 (Ontario) | Highway Traffic Act s. 172 (Ontario) | Criminal Code s. 320.13 (Canada) |
| Criminal record? | No | No | Yes |
| At the roadside | Ticket or summons | 30-day licence suspension + 14-day vehicle impoundment | Charge or arrest |
| Fine | $400 to $2,000 | $2,000 to $10,000 | Set by the court |
| Jail | Up to 6 months | Up to 6 months | Up to 10 years (more if someone is hurt or killed) |
| Demerit points | 6 | 6 | Criminal conviction instead |
| Licence after conviction | Suspension of up to 2 years | 1 to 3 years for a first conviction, longer after | Court driving ban plus Ontario licence suspension |
What Is Careless Driving in Ontario?
Careless driving is a charge under section 130 of Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA). You can be charged if you drive “without due care and attention” or “without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway”.
In plain English, it means you weren’t paying enough attention, or you drove in a way that didn’t consider other road users. It doesn’t need to be on purpose.
Common examples:
- Rear-ending a car because you looked down at your phone.
- Turning left in front of an oncoming car you didn’t check for.
- Sliding through a stop sign on an icy Barrie street because you were going too fast for the conditions.
- Drifting out of your lane and sideswiping another vehicle.
Careless driving penalties
If you’re convicted of careless driving in Ontario, you face:
- a fine of $400 to $2,000
- 6 demerit points
- up to 6 months in jail
- a licence suspension of up to 2 years
Careless driving causing bodily harm or death
If someone is injured or killed, the penalties are much higher:
- a fine of $2,000 to $50,000
- up to 2 years in jail
- a licence suspension of up to 5 years
- 6 demerit points and a mandatory driver improvement course
Is careless driving a criminal offence?
No. Careless driving is a provincial offence under the HTA, not the Criminal Code, so a conviction doesn’t give you a criminal record. It does go on your Ontario driving record, adds 6 demerit points, and can seriously raise your insurance.
What Is Stunt Driving in Ontario?
Stunt driving and street racing fall under section 172 of the HTA. Most people think of stunt driving as drag racing or doing donuts, but in Ontario speed alone can make it stunt driving.
You can be charged with stunt driving for:
- driving 40 km/h or more over the limit on a road posted under 80 km/h
- driving 50 km/h or more over the limit on any road
- driving 150 km/h or more anywhere, even on a highway posted at 110 km/h
- deliberately stopping another vehicle from passing
- intentionally cutting off another vehicle
- deliberately following another vehicle too closely
So 105 km/h in a 60 zone on Essa Road is stunt driving. So is 150 km/h on Highway 400, even where the limit is now 110.
Roadside penalties: before you’ve even been to court
The moment police charge you with stunt driving, you face:
- an immediate 30-day licence suspension
- an immediate 14-day vehicle impoundment, even if the car belongs to your parents, your partner or your employer
Penalties if you’re convicted
- a fine of $2,000 to $10,000
- up to 6 months in jail
- 6 demerit points
- a mandatory driver improvement course
- a licence suspension that grows with every conviction:
| Conviction | Licence suspension |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1 to 3 years |
| 2nd | 3 to 10 years |
| 3rd | Lifetime (can be reduced after 10 years in some cases) |
| 4th or more | Lifetime |
Ontario toughened stunt-driving penalties again under the Safer Roads and Communities Act. See our guide to new Ontario driving laws for 2026 for the latest changes.
What Is Dangerous Driving in Ontario?
Dangerous driving is the most serious of the three. It’s a criminal offence under section 320.13 of the Criminal Code of Canada, not a traffic ticket.
It covers driving that is dangerous to the public: a marked departure from how a reasonable, careful driver would drive. Examples include weaving at high speed through heavy traffic, racing through a school zone, or driving aggressively to escape police.
Penalties can include:
- up to 10 years in prison
- up to 14 years if someone is injured
- up to life in prison if someone is killed
- a criminal record
- a court-ordered driving prohibition, plus an Ontario licence suspension
Careless vs Stunt vs Dangerous: What’s the Difference?
The easiest way to remember it:
- Careless driving is about inattention. You weren’t careful enough.
- Stunt driving is about extreme speed or deliberate risky moves, measured by clear thresholds.
- Dangerous driving is about driving that’s a marked departure from safe driving and puts the public at risk. It’s a crime.
The same incident can lead to more than one charge, and the outcome in court can differ from the original charge.
What About “Reckless Driving”?
Ontario has no offence called “reckless driving”. It’s a common term from American TV and news. In Ontario, what people call reckless driving is usually charged as one of the three offences above, depending on how serious it was.
How These Charges Affect Your Licence, Record and Insurance
- Demerit points: careless and stunt driving convictions each add 6 demerit points. Fully licensed drivers can face a suspension once points build up.
- G1 and G2 drivers: novice drivers face extra consequences under graduated licensing, and a suspension can delay your road tests. Know your G2 restrictions in Ontario.
- Your record: all three convictions go on your driving record. Dangerous driving also creates a criminal record.
- Insurance: insurers treat these as serious convictions. Expect much higher premiums, or difficulty getting coverage at all. New drivers are hit hardest. See our guide to car insurance for G2 drivers.
Been Charged? What To Do Next
This is general information, not legal advice. If you’ve been charged:
- Read your ticket or summons carefully and note any court date.
- Don’t ignore it. Missing deadlines can lead to a conviction without you being heard.
- Get advice from a licensed paralegal or a criminal defence lawyer, especially for stunt or dangerous driving charges. They can explain your options and the risks of each.
How To Avoid All Three
None of these charges happen by accident. They come from habits. The habits that keep you safe are simple:
- Drive for the conditions, not just the posted limit. Snow on Highway 400 changes everything.
- Keep a safe following distance of at least 2 seconds, more in bad weather.
- Put the phone away. Distraction is one of the most common causes of careless driving charges. Read our guide to distracted driving in Ontario.
- Let others merge and pass. Blocking someone on purpose can count as stunt driving.
- Learn defensive driving. See the benefits of defensive driving.
Learn Safe, Confident Driving in Barrie
Good habits start with good training. Our G2 driving lessons in Barrie and online driving classes teach the speed, space and attention skills that keep you clear of all three charges.
Call 705-300-5570 or book a lesson online.
Conclusion:
Careless driving in Ontario is about inattention: a fine, 6 demerit points and a possible suspension. Stunt driving is about extreme speed or deliberate risks, and it costs you your licence and car on the spot. Dangerous driving is a crime, with a criminal record and possible prison.
The good news: all three are avoidable with the right habits. That means speed for the conditions, space around your car, and full attention on the road.
At Road Safety Canada, our MTO-approved instructors help drivers across Barrie and Simcoe County build those habits from the very first lesson. Call 705-300-5570 or book your lesson today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is careless driving a criminal offence in Ontario?
No. Careless driving is a provincial offence under the Highway Traffic Act, so a conviction does not give you a criminal record. It does add 6 demerit points and goes on your driving record.
What is the penalty for careless driving in Ontario?
A fine of $400 to $2,000, 6 demerit points, up to 6 months in jail and a licence suspension of up to 2 years. If someone is hurt or killed, the fine rises to $2,000 to $50,000.
How fast is stunt driving in Ontario?
Driving 40 km/h or more over the limit where the limit is under 80 km/h, 50 km/h or more over on any road, or 150 km/h or more anywhere.
What happens at the roadside for stunt driving?
Police can immediately suspend your licence for 30 days and impound the vehicle for 14 days, even if you don’t own it.
Is reckless driving a charge in Ontario?
No. Ontario has no offence called reckless driving. Depending on what happened, police may charge careless driving, stunt driving or criminal dangerous driving.
What is the difference between careless and dangerous driving?
Careless driving is a lack of due care and attention under the Highway Traffic Act. Dangerous driving is a Criminal Code offence for driving that is a marked departure from safe driving, and it can lead to a criminal record and jail.
Can a careless driving ticket be fought?
Yes. You can dispute the charge in court. A licensed paralegal or lawyer can explain your options, since penalties after a trial can be higher.
Ready to practise with an MTO-approved instructor?
Build real confidence in traffic with G2 lessons and Full G road test preparation in Barrie and across Simcoe County.
