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WHAT IS A DRIVER’S ABSTRACT?

by | Nov 3, 2023 | General Videos

Simply put, a driver’s abstract is your driving record. While the term ‘abstract’ might sound like legal jargon, it essentially refers to a summary of your driving activities. This record, accessible through Service Ontario, provides a snapshot of your driving history over the last three years.

The Importance of Your Driving Abstract

Your driving abstract plays a crucial role in various aspects of your driving experience, particularly when it comes to insurance. Insurance companies frequently review these records to assess your risk level and determine the policy limits applicable to you. A clean driving abstract can lead to more favorable insurance rates, while a record filled with infractions might increase your premiums.

Accessing Your Driving Abstract

Everyone has the right to access their driving abstract. By visiting a Service Ontario location, you can request a copy of your driving record for the past three years. For those interested in a more comprehensive view, you can also request your full driving history from the time you obtained your driver’s license. 

Legal and Court Perspective

It’s important to note that when you’re charged with an offense, the courts and police look beyond your driving abstract. They access your complete driving record through the CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) computer system, which includes all infractions from the moment you were licensed.

Have You Received a Traffic Citation?

If you’ve found yourself on the receiving end of a traffic citation in Ontario, OTD Ticket Defenders is here to help. We offer a free initial case review to explain your rights and options under the law. Contact us today to set up a no-cost consultation, or simply text a picture of your ticket or summons for a quick and free case evaluation.  Our team is dedicated to providing comprehensive defence services across Ontario, ensuring your driving record remains as clean as possible.

Video Transcription:

 What is a driver’s abstract? It’s best described as a record, your driving record. The word abstract, I call that legal jargon, legal phraseology, but it’s best described as your driving record. So your driving record in Ontario, if you were to go down to Service Ontario, you could apply to look at your driving record and they would give you a picture of what happened in the last three years of your driving. So if there was a speeding ticket that occurred in that time frame, you would see that particular record. It is an important document to monitor how you’re doing. It is something that your insurance company often reviews as they assess what policy limit they’re going to put on you for the number of vehicles or the vehicle that you have. So if you hear the word driving abstract, it simply means… What your driving record is. Now, it should be noted that your insurance company can look back three years, you yourself can look back three years. You could attend a Service Ontario location and request a full driving history from the time you started driving. Not generally necessary for the average person, but you may wish to know that and it’s certainly information that’s available. It is yours. When you’re charged with an offense, the courts and the police don’t really concern themselves with your driving abstract. They look at your driving record on a CPIC computer, a police computer. And they’re going to be able to look at all the driving infractions from your historic beginning when you did receive your driver’s license. But essentially to bring this to a conclusion, a driving abstract is your driving record.
<a href="https://www.otdlegal.ca/about-us/ron-harper/" target="_self">Ron Harper</a>

Ron Harper

Author, Owner of OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services and Licensed Paralegal

Ron Harper is a licensed paralegal, the founder of OTD Ticket Defenders, holds a BA in Psychology, a Certificate in Public Administration, and an Honours degree in Political Science, along with a Master’s in Judicial Administration. With over 40 years of experience in traffic law, including years of experience as a Prosecutor, Ron Harper leads one of Ontario's top traffic ticket defence firms.

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