If you’re facing a stunt driving charge in Ontario, it’s important to understand what lies ahead—the law, the steep penalties, and the steps you must take to defend yourself.

Stunt driving isn’t just another traffic ticket. It’s a serious offence under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA), with immediate and harsh consequences.

Don’t face this alone. With a proven track record in fighting stunt driving charges, OTT Legal has the expertise with over 20 years of experience defending drivers in traffic court.  Here’s what you need to know. When you’re ready — give us a call and let’s discuss your defence.

Stunt driving in Ontario is a serious offence with severe consequences that can significantly impact your life.

The charge involves a range of driving behaviours that the Highway Traffic Act considers dangerous and likely to put others on the road at risk. According to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, stunt driving includes:

• Driving 40 km/h or more above the speed limit in zones with limits under 80 km/h.
• Driving 50 km/h or more above the speed limit in zones with limits above 80 km/h.
• Engaging in street racing or competitive driving.
• Intentionally causing a vehicle to spin, drift, or lose control.
• Preventing other vehicles from passing or deliberately chasing another vehicle.

If you’ve been charged with stunt driving, you’re likely already dealing with the immediate consequences—your license has been suspended for 30 days, and your vehicle has been impounded for 14 days.

These swift and severe penalties are applied on the spot, emphasizing how seriously the police and traffic courts view stunt driving charges.

If convicted of stunt driving in Ontario, the consequences are severe and can have a lasting impact on your life. Here’s what you’re facing for penalties:

• Fines: A stunt driving conviction can result in a fine ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. These fines are among the steepest under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, and they can place a significant financial strain on individuals already dealing with other costs associated with the charge.

• Jail Time: For serious cases, particularly where the offence is deemed especially dangerous or if it’s a repeat occurrence, the court may impose a jail term of up to six months. A jail sentence disrupts your life, career, and relationships, with lasting consequences even after time is served.

• Impact on Insurance: A stunt driving conviction is classified as a major offence by insurance companies, often resulting in a substantial increase in your premiums. Many insurers will label you as a high-risk driver, leading to much higher rates, and in some cases, they may refuse to insure you altogether, making it difficult to drive legally.

• Licence Suspensions: A first conviction leads to a suspension of your driver’s license for 1 to 3 years.
  • A second conviction can result in a suspension of 3 to 10 years.
  • For a third or subsequent offence, the licence suspension can become indefinite, making it nearly impossible to regain your driving privileges.
  • This loss of mobility can impact your ability to work, manage daily responsibilities, and maintain your independence.

• Demerit Points: A stunt driving conviction adds 6 demerit points to your driving record, which can stay on your record for two years from the date of the offence. Accumulating demerit points can trigger further actions from the Ministry of Transportation, such as a mandatory interview or even additional license restrictions.

The Additional Impact on Novice Drivers

For novice drivers, the 6 demerit points from a stunt driving conviction can push novice drivers, (class G1 and class G2 drivers) over their demerit point threshold, leading to an automatic secondary license suspension. This means a further loss of driving privileges, adding to the challenges and restrictions already faced.

Novice drivers must not exceed 4 demerit points.  Novice drivers must to everything possible to have the charge dropped or even reducing the charge to avoid the license suspensions and insurance implications.

★★★★★ Amazing job, and amazing result by OTT Legal. I’m very happy with the result. No ticket, no charge, and no demerit points. I’m a satisfied client. Thank you so much! I will definitely recommend OTT. Gene Santiago

OTT Legal brings extensive experience in all areas of traffic law and legal representation. We have a proven track record of successfully defending drivers charged with stunt driving. Our goal is to win and have the charge against you dismissed in court. Where the charge is not dismissed we want to reduce the charges to avoid the serious penalties such as:

• Avoiding any jail time: In serious and extreme cases of stunt driving, the court may impose a jail sentence of up to six months. This rarely happens but is possible.  Where the charge is not dropped, ensuring that you are not sentenced to jail is a primary concern.
• License suspensions: In most cases of stunt driving the prosecution will be seeking a period of licence suspension up to 5 years.  As this would be a huge problem for most people, ensuring that your licence is not suspended for an extensive period of time is paramount to our defence.
• Protecting your demerit points: Stunt driving can add 6 demerit points to your record, which could push you closer to further  license suspensions, especially for novice drivers. Our aim is to prevent these points from being added, while reducing the long-term impact on your driving record.
• Exploring the possibility of reduced charges, that carry less severe penalties: If a complete dismissal isn’t possible, we work to negotiate a reduction in charges from stunt driving to a lesser offence like a speeding ticket. A reduced charge can help you avoid the high fines, severe insurance consequences, and lengthy suspensions associated with a stunt driving conviction.

We offer our services at a flat fee, with no hidden or unexpected charges, ensuring transparency and peace of mind throughout the process.

When disputing your stunt driving charge, we take a meticulous approach. Our team will request and thoroughly review the officer’s notes, investigate every detail of the case, and develop a solid strategy to prepare for trial.

On your trial date, an experienced paralegal, highly skilled in stunt driving defence, will represent you in court, presenting a well-prepared argument to challenge the charges against you. In many cases, you won’t even need to appear in court yourself—we handle the entire process.

When we defend against a stunt driving charge, we take a comprehensive approach, examining multiple aspects of the case to identify weaknesses or errors that could lead to a favorable outcome for you. Here are the key areas we focus on in building a strong defense:

• Did the Defendant Actually Commit the Alleged Offence?
  Our first line of defence is to scrutinize whether the actions that led to the stunt driving charge actually align with what the police officer claims occurred. This involves a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the accuracy of speed readings, witness statements, and any available video evidence, such as dashcams. We aim to determine if the facts truly support the charge of stunt driving, or if there may be grounds to challenge the officer’s account of events.

• Did the Police Officer Follow Proper Procedures?
  The next step is to assess the actions of the police officer during the traffic stop and subsequent investigation. Law enforcement must adhere to specific protocols when issuing a stunt driving charge, including proper calibration and use of speed measurement devices, accurate documentation, and respecting your legal rights throughout the process. If any mistakes or procedural errors occurred, we can challenge the validity of the evidence, which could weaken the case against you.

• Did the Prosecutor’s Office Handle the Case Correctly?
  The prosecution is responsible for presenting a clear and compelling case against you. We closely examine whether the prosecutor’s office followed the required legal procedures in handling your stunt driving charge. This includes ensuring that all evidence was disclosed in a timely manner, that the right legal standards were applied, and that your right to a fair trial was upheld. Any missteps by the prosecution can be grounds for having the charges reduced or dismissed.

• Did the Court System Follow Proper Procedures?
  We also analyze the actions of the court to ensure that your case was handled fairly and in accordance with the law. This includes checking if the court scheduled hearings properly, respected your right to due process, and adhered to legal standards during the trial. Any administrative errors or misapplications of the law can be challenged as part of your defense, potentially leading to a more favorable outcome.

• Are There Any Legal Arguments to Challenge the Charge?
  In many cases, there are legal arguments that can be used to challenge the validity of a stunt driving charge. These might include questioning whether the actions meet the legal definition of stunt driving under the Highway Traffic Act, or arguing that certain evidence should be excluded because it was obtained improperly. Additionally, we may present mitigating factors, such as a clean driving record or extenuating circumstances that led to the incident, to advocate for reduced charges or penalties. Legal arguments can be a powerful tool in challenging the charge, potentially leading to a reduction from stunt driving to a lesser offence, like a speeding ticket, which has far fewer consequences.

Why These Lines of Defence Matter

Each of these areas is crucial because even a single error in the handling of a stunt driving charge can lead to a dismissal. By thoroughly reviewing every aspect of your case, we can identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s approach and leverage those in your defence.

A dismissal not only spares you from the harsh penalties associated with a stunt driving conviction but also protects your driving record, insurance premiums, and overall future.

Traffic court paralegal Eddie Cho | Retired OPP Officer

A stunt driving charge can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

At OTT Legal, we’re here to guide you through the complexities of your case, build a strong defence, and work tirelessly win your case. Whether it’s fighting for a dismissal, reducing the charge, or protecting your license and insurance, our experienced team knows how to help you.

Don’t wait—call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.