Driving While Under Suspension in Ontario

Knowledge and notice are frequently live issues in these cases, particularly where the suspension arose administratively or from an unpaid fine. How the case is approached depends on what disclosure shows about notice, so tell us your full history with the licence at the outset.

Suspensions come from several sources, including unpaid fines, demerit point accumulation, medical reporting, administrative measures and court orders. Part of our review is confirming exactly which applied to you and what has to happen to clear it.

Impoundment can apply depending on the nature of the underlying suspension. Not every driving-while-suspended stop results in impoundment, but where it does, towing and storage costs fall to the owner.

Reinstatement depends on clearing the reason for the original suspension and meeting the Ministry's requirements, which is a separate track from the court case. In some situations both can be pursued at the same time.

Imprisonment is among the available sentencing options, and it becomes a more serious consideration where there are repeat findings. We will give you a frank assessment based on your record and the specific allegation.

Some matters resolve through discussion with the prosecutor, sometimes after the underlying reason for the suspension has been addressed. Whether that is available is case-specific and cannot be promised.

The distance driven does not by itself take the conduct outside the offence, though the circumstances can be relevant to how the matter is dealt with overall. Set out exactly what happened when we review the case.

The ticket or summons, any suspension notice you received, correspondence from the Ministry, proof of any fine payments, and your current driver's abstract if you can obtain one.