Immediate 30 Day Licence Suspension & 14 Day Impound – Act Now to Protect Your Future
If you’ve been stopped for stunt driving, your licence has been taken on the spot and your car is sitting in an impound lot. Under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, roadside penalties include a 30 day licence suspension and a 14 day vehicle impound plus fines that can reach $10,000.00 and a mandatory minimum 1 year licence suspension. We specialize in defending stunt driving charges and getting clients back on the road.
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Why Acting Quickly Matters
Many drivers assume there is nothing they can do until their court date. In reality, early action can make a significant difference. Acting quickly allows you to properly understand the charge, avoid mistakes, and begin building a defence strategy before important opportunities are missed. When a client retains us for their Stunt Driving case, we start working on it that same day.
The longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence goes unreviewed, deadlines are misunderstood, or decisions are made without proper guidance. Stunt driving is a serious offence, and taking the right steps early can help protect your licence and your future. We also recognize the psychological impact that having something like this hanging over you has. Even though these cases often take many months to complete, we will do our best to determine how the case will likely play out as fast as possible to alleviate some of your stress.
A strong defence starts before court. The right approach can change everything.
How your case unfolds often depends on early decisions. Ticket Shield provides clear, case-specific guidance before you proceed.
Immediate Consequences & Costs
Roadside Penalties:
- Licence Suspension: Police immediately suspend your licence for 30 days. You cannot drive during this time; doing so is an additional offence.
- Vehicle Impoundment: Your car is towed and held for 14 days, even if it isn’t registered in your name. You will need to pay daily impound fees of approximately $50–$80 per day plus towing.
- Reinstatement Fee: After 30 days, you must pay $281.00 at Service Ontario to get your licence reinstated.
- Fines & Demerit Points: If convicted, fines range from $2000.00 to $10,000.00, six demerit points and a possible jail sentence up to six months.
Important: Driving while your licence is suspended can result in additional charges and significantly more serious consequences.
Long Term Consequences:
- Mandatory 1 Year Licence Suspension (Minimum): Your licence will be automatically suspended for at least 1 year if you are found guilty of Stunt Driving. This is a non-negotiable suspension that can only be avoided by not getting convicted of the offence. This is where we can help.
- Insurance Impact: Insurance companies classify stunt driving as a high risk offence. Premiums can double or more and coverage may be cancelled.
- Record Duration: A stunt driving conviction stays on your record for three years.
- Employment & Family Impact: Losing your licence may jeopardize employment and your ability to care for family. Acting quickly can avoid extended suspension.
Concerned About the Automatic 1 Year Suspension for a Stunt Driving Charge?
A conviction carries a mandatory 1 year suspension (minimum) and can dramatically increase your insurance rates or result in cancellation. In many cases, the long-term cost is far greater than legal fees.
Take a look at some of our Stunt Driving success stories…
What Qualifies as Stunt Driving?
Definition: Under s. 172(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, stunt driving includes racing or performing a stunt. The 2021 MOMS Act expanded the definition.
Other Stunt Behaviours: Chasing or racing vehicles, driving too closely/cutting off others, drifting or spinning (donuts), wheelies, burnouts, having a passenger in the trunk, driving from the passenger seat, intentionally blocking vehicles.
Tip: Even “minor” behaviours like intentionally preventing another vehicle from passing can result in a Stunt Driving or Careless Driving charge.
Mistakes That Can Make Your Situation Worse
- Waiting too long to get advice from a traffic ticket lawyer or paralegal
- Assuming there is no defence available
- Failing to properly review disclosure and evidence
- Misunderstanding court procedures or deadlines
- Treating the charge like a minor speeding ticket
Stunt driving charges are serious and should be handled accordingly. Avoiding these mistakes can make a meaningful difference in your case.
What Happens After You’re Charged?
- Immediate Licence & Vehicle Seizure: Officer issues a summons and seizes your driver’s licence; your vehicle is towed to an impound lot.
- 30 Day Waiting Period: You cannot legally drive until your licence is reinstated. On day 30 you must pay the $281.00 reinstatement fee at Service Ontario.
- 14 Day Vehicle Release: After 14 days the impound lot will release your car once towing and storage fees (roughly $50–$80 per day) are paid. A police release form is often required.
- Court Summons: The summons indicates a court date. Failing to attend may result in a default conviction.
- Disclosure & Defence Preparation: Prior to the trial, you must request the officer’s notes and radar calibration records (if relevant). This is critical for building your defence. Our team handles disclosure requests and identifies procedural errors that can get charges withdrawn or dismissed.
Let us take care of the paperwork and court dates – call now.
Can a Stunt Driving Charge Be Reduced or Fought?
In many cases, stunt driving charges can be challenged or reduced depending on the circumstances. This may include negotiating to a lesser offence, identifying weaknesses in the evidence, or addressing procedural issues. Avoiding the 1 year licence suspension can be difficult, but we are successful with it often.
Every case is different, but it is often worth having the situation reviewed by a ticket lawyer or paralegal before assuming the outcome is fixed.
Stunt Driving Outcome Calculator See what your charge could really mean.
Get a fast estimate of what a stunt driving charge could mean for your licence, record, and insurance. A clearer picture can help you decide what to do next.
How We Defend You
Strict Liability & Evidence: Stunt driving is a strict liability offence; prosecutors only need to prove your actions fell under the definition, not that you intended to stunt drive.
- Challenging Evidence: questioning radar calibration, witness credibility, and officer observations.
- Procedural Errors: examining whether the officer served the summons correctly, whether proper signage was posted, and whether your charter rights were infringed.
- Negotiation: using our relationships with prosecutors to negotiate reduced charges or secure withdrawals. People underestimate the amount of leverage a good, respect-based, relationship with the prosecutor has on the outcome of a case.
Discover your best defence strategy – request your free case review.
Why Choose Us?
- Specialized Focus: We are a Stunt Driving-focused firm that has nearly 15 years of experience doing exclusively cases like yours. Stunt Driving laws came into effect in 2007 and we have been defending them for almost that entire time.
- Proven Track Record: Thousands of traffic cases handled and high success rate in reducing or dismissing stunt driving charges.
- Trusted by Media: Featured in major publications and news outlets (CTV, CBC, etc.) as experts on Stunt Driving.
- Personalized Attention: Your case is handled by a skilled representative from start to finish; we keep you informed every step.
- Transparent Fees: Flat‑rate pricing and payment plans to ensure access to justice.
FAQs
- Is stunt driving a criminal offence? No. Stunt driving is prosecuted under the Highway Traffic Act, not the Criminal Code, so a conviction does not create a criminal record.
- What are the roadside penalties? Police impose an immediate 30‑day licence suspension and 14‑day vehicle impound. After 30 days, you must pay a $281.00 reinstatement fee at a Service Ontario location.
- What are the fines? If convicted, fines range from $2000 to $10,000 plus Victim Fine Surcahrge (25%). There are also six demerit points and possible jail up to six months.
- How long does stunt driving stay on my record? Three years from the conviction date.
- How long can my licence be suspended after conviction? For a first offence, at least one year up to three years; for subsequent offences, longer suspensions of up to ten years or lifetime.
- What is the 40kmph rule? Under the 2021 MOMS Act, exceeding the speed limit by 40kmph on a road with a limit less than 70kmph qualifies as stunt driving.
- Can I get insurance after a stunt driving conviction? Insurance companies treat stunt driving as high‑risk; premiums may double or triple if the policy isn’t cancelled entirely.
- Do I need a lawyer or paralegal? While you can represent yourself, experienced representatives understand provincial offences court procedures and may achieve better outcomes through evidence challenges and negotiations.
Don’t Let One Mistake Ruin Your Future
The sooner you act, the better your chances of reducing penalties, avoiding that 1 year suspension and successfully fighting your stunt driving charge. It is strongly recommended that you speak to a traffic ticket lawyer or paralegal about your case. We start working on the case the same day we are hired.
Call now or request your free, no obligation, case assessment.
Our passion to help stems from an understanding that for most people, a 1 year suspension is simply not an option. This is not “just a ticket”. It could cost you your job, your family’s well-being or the ability to put food on the table. Your insurance rates could double or triple, which will cost you thousands of dollars. This is something we hope to help you avoid and with the help of an experienced traffic offence lawyer or paralegal, you probably can. For more details about why we are the best choice for fighting your Stunt Driving charge, we would encourage you to take a look at our “Why Choose Us” page or indulge us by checking out some Reviews by our wonderful clients.
Ticket Shield begins preparing your customized defence strategy as soon as we are hired. If you would like more detail about the process of hiring us, please check out our “How It Works” page. We know that you will be impressed with what we are able to do for you. We also have a “What You Need To Know About Stunt Driving” page available if you want a more thorough breakdown of how your case will go.
Our reputation in Ontario has meant that we have been consulted as experts in our area of practice by multiple journalists and news sources. We have been featured on various CTV News television broadcasts as well as CBC’s Ontario Today radio show to speak specifically about Stunt Driving as an expert guest on the subject. Feel free to listen to it here:
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We are available to speak with you for a FREE consultation at 1-855-561-3699 toll-free, email us at info@ticketshield.ca OR Request a quote online.