Home-link Reading Materials Day 1
1) In your own words explain the demerit point system.
Understanding demerit points, Demerit points are added to your driver’s licence, if you are convicted of breaking certain driving laws. The rules are different depending on if you are a new driver or have a full licence. This information will explain how the demerit points system works. You don’t “lose” demerit points on your driving record. You start with zero points and gain points for being convicted of breaking certain traffic laws.
Demerit points stay on your record for two years from the offence date. If you collect enough points, you can lose your driver’s licence.
You can also get demerit points on your Ontario’s driver’s licence when you violate driving laws in:
other Canadian provinces and territories
the State of New York
the State of Michigan
2. How many demerit points do you get for the following offences?
How demerit points are applied
The number of points added to your driving record depends on the offence. Here are the number of points that will be recorded for certain violations.
7 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
failing to remain at the scene of a collision
failing to stop when signaled or asked by a police officer
6 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
careless driving
racing
exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more on roads with a speed limit of less than 80 km/h
exceeding the speed limit by 50 km/h or more
failing to stop for a school bus
5 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
failing to stop at an unprotected railway crossing (for bus drivers only)
4 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
exceeding the speed limit by 30 to 49 km/h
following too closely
failing to stop at a pedestrian crossover
3 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
driving while holding or using a hand-held wireless communications or entertainment device
driving while viewing a display screen unrelated to the driving task
exceeding the speed limit by 16 to 29 km/h
driving through, around or under a railway crossing barrier
driving the wrong way on a divided road
driving or operating a vehicle on a closed road
failing to yield the right-of-way
failing to obey a stop sign, traffic control stop/slow sign, traffic light or railway crossing signal
failing to obey the directions of a police officer
failing to report a collision to a police officer
failing to slow and carefully pass a stopped emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its amber lights flashing
failing to move, where possible, into another lane when passing a stopped emergency vehicle or a tow truck with its amber lights flashing
improper passing
improper driving when road is divided into lanes
going the wrong way on a one-way road
crossing a divided road where no proper crossing is provided
crowding the driver’s seat
driving a vehicle equipped with a radar detector
improper use of a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane
2 demerit points will be added if you are convicted of:
improper right turn
improper left turn
improper opening of a vehicle door
prohibited turns
towing people — on toboggans, bicycles, skis
unnecessary slow driving
backing on highway
failing to lower headlamp beams
failing to obey signs
failing to stop at a pedestrian crossing
failing to share the road
failing to signal
driver failing to wear a seat belt
driver failing to ensure infant/ child passenger is properly secured in an appropriate child restraint system or booster seat
driver failing to ensure that a passenger less than 23 kg is properly secured
driver failing to ensure that a passenger under 16 years is wearing a seat belt
driver failing to ensure that a passenger under 16 years is sitting in a seat that has a seatbelt
3) What is a safety certificates, and what are they used for?
Safety standards certificate inspections
You will need a safety inspection anytime you:
register a rebuilt motor vehicle
transfer a used motor vehicle to a new owner as fit
register a motor vehicle in Ontario that was previously registered in another province or country
change the status of a vehicle from unfit to fit
If your vehicle passes the inspection you will be given a safety standards certificate and a vehicle inspection report as proof.
What an inspection covers
Ontario has strict requirements for safety inspections that are based on Canada’s National Safety Code (Standard 11, Part B). Inspections include:
power train
suspension
brake systems
hydraulic brakes
air brakes
steering
instruments and auxiliary equipment
lamps
electrical system
body
tires and wheels
coupling devices
Failed inspections
If your vehicle doesn't pass an inspection, you will be required to repair it and have it re-inspected before a safety standards certificate is issued. You don't need to repair the vehicle at the facility you had it inspected at.
You can return the repaired vehicle to the same inspection station for re-inspection within 10 days. An extra charge may apply if the wheels need to be removed to have the brakes re-inspected.
4. What is the consequences for drinking and driving in Ontario under the CCC and the HTA?
Zero tolerance for young, novice or commercial drivers
Just like alcohol, you are not allowed to have any cannabis in your system (as detected by a federally approved drug screening device) if you are driving and you:
are 21 or under
have a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence
are driving a vehicle that requires an A-F driver’s licence or Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR)
are driving a road-building machine
The penalties for violating Ontario’s zero tolerance law include licence suspensions and financial penalties. Repeat offenders face longer suspensions and additional consequences such as mandatory education and treatment programs.
Medical cannabis users
You will not be subject to the zero tolerance drug requirements. You may still face penalties and criminal charges if your ability to drive has been impaired.
Enforcement and penalties
Police have tools and tests to detect impaired drivers, including roadside drug screening equipment and sobriety tests.
If a police officer finds that you are impaired by any drug or alcohol, you will face serious penalties, including:
an immediate licence suspension
financial penalties
possible vehicle impoundment
possible criminal record
possible jail time
Learn more about Ontario’s drug-impaired driving penalties.
5.Name 3 different types of auto insurance, and which is mandatory?
In order to legally drive your car on the road in Ontario, drivers must have a valid licence and auto insurance. If you are in the auto insurance market but are unsure what types you need, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Let’s look at the 3 most common types of car insurance in Ontario.
There are mainly three types of car insurance in Ontario: liability, collision and comprehensive. Let’s start with a basic understanding of each.
Third-party liability coverage is your basic level of car insurance coverage. It is mandatory all across Canada. Liability protects drivers from legal responsibility in the event that they cause property damage or bodily injury to a third party. If a driver is in an at-fault collision and kills or injures a person, such as a passenger, another driver or a pedestrian, their liability coverage would kick in to cover any legal fees or associated medical costs (up to the policy limit).
Collision coverage is a popular optional coverage. It helps cover the cost of repairing your car if you hit another vehicle, a stationary object or a person. Keep in mind that if you lease or finance your vehicle, this coverage will also be mandatory. It is only optional if you own your vehicle.
Comprehensive is another popular optional coverage. It protects your vehicle from everything else, such as fire, severe weather, flooding, vandalism and theft. Basically, it protects you from a broad range of perils that can damage your vehicle while parked. Furthermore, it includes coverage if you hit an animal, such as a deer, that causes damage because you are not at fault. Generally, comprehensive coverage is sold alongside collision coverage. Also, if someone does not have liability because they are not driving their car, they often still purchase comprehensive coverage to protect the vehicle even while not in use.