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Fight Your Seat Belt Ticket In Ontario

Were you charged with a seat belt ticket in Ontario? We can help you! Under the Highway Traffic Act seat belt law applies to the driver of the vehicle and all passengers. If you are found guilty of not wearing or improperly wearing a seat belt, it can result in a court fine, demerit points, CVOR points, and impact your insurance costs. This is one of the reasons why it is important for your seat belt to always be securely fastened and worn properly. Don’t let not wearing a seat belt cause your driving record and insurance rates to suffer!

What Types of Failure To Wear A Seat Belt Charges Are There?

The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) deals with seat belt offences under Section 106. There are seven main areas of seat belt law:

HTA Section Offence Wording
106(1) Drive With Seat Belt Inoperative
106(2) Driver – Fail to Properly Wear Seat Belt
106(3)(a) Passenger – Fail to Occupy Position with Seat Belt
106(3)(b) Passenger – Fail to Properly Wear Seat Belt
106(4)(a)(i) Drive While Passenger Under 16 Fails to Occupy Position with Seat Belt
106(4)(a)(ii) Drive While Passenger Under 16 Fails to Properly Wear Seat Belt
106(4)(b) Drive While Child Passenger Not Properly Secured

How Am I Supposed to Legally Wear a Seat Belt?

The proper, legal use of a seat belt is defined under Section 106(5) Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act as follows:

A seat belt assembly shall be worn so that,

  1. the pelvic restraint is worn firmly against the body and across the hips;
  2. the torso restraint, if there is one, is worn closely against the body and over the shoulder and across the chest;
  3. the pelvic restraint, and the torso restraint, if there is one, are securely fastened; and
  4. no more than one person is wearing the seat belt assembly at any one time. 2006, c. 25, s. 1.


What Are the Penalties for a Seat Belt Ticket?

Generally, a conviction will result in three types of penalties: court penalties, license penalties, and insurance costs. When the court convicts a defendant and issues a fine, there are two components to that fine. The first is the fine prescribed by law for the specific offence, which in the case of seat belt tickets is a set fine of $200.00. On top of the set fine is a $5.00 court cost and the victim fine surcharge, which in these cases would be $35.00. This results in a total payable fine of $240.00:

Set Fine Court Cost VFS Total Fine
$200.00 $5.00 $35.00 $240.00

In very exceptional cases, a seat belt conviction can exceed the $200.00 set fine and go up to a maximum of a $1,000.00 court fine, for a total payable fine of $1,250.00. For licensing penalties, regular drivers can face a demerit point penalty, and commercial motor vehicle drivers (such as transport truck drivers) can also face a CVOR penalty as follows:

HTA Section Demerit Points CVOR POINTS
106(1) 0 1
106(2) 2 1
106(3)(a) 0 0
106(3)(b) 0 0
106(4)(a)(i) 2 1
106(4)(a)(ii) 2 1
106(4)(b) 2 1

It is important to note that even when an offence carries no demerit points, it will still show as a record of conviction on your driving record. Third parties, such as an employer or insurance company, will generally see convictions for three years from their conviction dates, even for charges with no demerit points. Oftentimes, the additional insurance costs of a conviction can quickly exceed the original fine issued by the court. Your insurance broker can help assist you in understanding the long-term costs due to an increase in your risk assessment and insurance rate.

Are There Any Exemptions to Wearing a Seat Belt in Ontario?

Yes. There are some exemptions to Ontario’s legal requirement to wear a seat belt. However, these exemptions may need to be carefully argued at trial if you have already been charged by the police. 

Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to a person:

  • Who is driving a motor vehicle in reverse
  • Who holds a certificate signed by a legally qualified medical practitioner certifying that the person is: (a) for the period stated in the certificate, unable for medical reasons to wear a seat belt assembly, or (b) because of the person’s size, build or other physical characteristic, unable to wear a seat belt assembly
  • Who is actually engaged in work which requires him or her to alight from and re-enter the motor vehicle at frequent intervals, and the motor vehicle does not travel at a speed exceeding 40 km/h.

Subsection (4)(a) does not apply if the passenger holds a certificate signed by a legally qualified medical practitioner certifying that the passenger is:

  • For the period stated in the certificate, unable for medical reasons to wear a seat belt assembly
  • Because of the person’s size, build or other physical characteristic, unable to wear a seat belt assembly.

What Should I Do If I’m Charged By the Police For Failing To Wear a Seat Belt?

If you are charged by the police with a seat belt related offence, contact OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services as soon as possible. Our staff can assist you with a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation to go through your case history and details with you. A few minutes on the phone with our team trained in defending Provincial Offences can help avoid or mitigate the consequences of an unnecessary conviction.

 

Seat Belt Ticket FAQs

Do I really need to fight my seat belt ticket?

Absolutely. While it might be tempting to pay the fine, fighting the ticket can help you avoid demerit points, fines, and insurance increases. Professional assistance can make the process smoother.

How many demerit points and fines for a Seat Belt Ticket in Ontario?

If convicted, you will face a fine between $200 and $1,000 and two demerit points.

How long does a seat belt ticket stay on your record in Ontario?

A seat belt ticket remains on your driving record for three years. During this time, it may impact your insurance premiums and affect your driving record.

What's the most effective way to fight a seatbelt ticket in Ontario?

The most effective way is to consult with professionals like OTD Legal. We can review your case, identify potential defenses, and help build a strategy to challenge the seat belt violation.

What if I can't be present in court during a hearing associated with my traffic violation?

You can have a representative, such as a paralegal from OTD Legal, appear on your behalf. They can handle legal proceedings and argue your case, saving you time and stress.

Do you really intend to go to court and fight my ticket? Or do you just plan to plead guilty on my behalf?

Professional services like OTD Legal are committed to fighting your ticket. They will assess your case, develop a defense strategy, and represent you in court to challenge the seat belt violation.

How to get a seat belt ticket dismissed in Ontario?

Getting a ticket dismissed involves a thorough examination of your case. OTD Legal can help by identifying defenses, preparing evidence, and presenting a strong case in court.

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Seatbelt Ticket Videos

Demerit Points: Not Wearing A Seatbelt In Ontario

OTD Legal Services

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Speeding tickets, common offenses, addressed in Ontario, Quebec, and various locations. If ticketed, understand legal rights, consequences, and options. Avoid simply paying; we can often reduce charges or find legal grounds for dismissal. Make informed decisions to safeguard rights and insurance rates.

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Driver distraction causes numerous preventable accidents annually, treated seriously under Canadian law. If you face a distracted driving ticket or court summons, OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services can advocate for you.

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Driving on a suspended license is a serious offence, potentially leading to jail time and hefty fines. If you’ve received a ticket or court summons for this in Ontario, OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services can assist.

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Failing to remain at a collision scene is a grave offence with severe consequences. Conviction may lead to hefty penalties, license loss, and increased insurance costs for high-risk drivers. Safeguard your interests with our experienced team.

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Accidents can unexpectedly disrupt life, causing immediate inconveniences and long-term consequences. If you’ve received a ticket or court summons related to a crash, OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services is here to assist.

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If you’ve been convicted of a civil traffic offense, you can appeal the decision to mitigate consequences. OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services aids in preparing your appeal, safeguarding your driving privileges and record.

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Failure to stop for emergency vehicles is a serious offense. If cited, seek help from OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services. Get Your Free Consultation With Us Today!

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Don’t underestimate the impact of failing to obey a stop sign. Before paying your ticket, consult with OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services for a confidential and free consultation.

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While cannabis is legal, criminal charges related to its unlawful sale, distribution, or driving offenses can still occur. Safeguard your interests with OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services.

Driving While Disqualified

Driving while disqualified is a severe criminal offense with potential jail time and vehicle impoundment. If you face charges, OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services is here to help.

Failure to Wear Seat Belt

If you’ve been ticketed for not wearing your seatbelt, avoid steep fines, points, and insurance hikes. Before admitting guilt, consult with OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services.

Failure To Yield Ticket

Entrust OTD Ticket Defenders Legal Services to contest your traffic tickets and pursue appeals, including “failure to yield” charges. From right-of-way issues to stop sign violations, our seasoned team is committed to protecting your rights and ensuring fair treatment under the law.

CVOR / Commercial Tickets

For commercial motor vehicle drivers dealing with a CVOR ticket, understanding the consequences is crucial before deciding on a course of action.

Have You Been Charged With Failing To Wear A Seat belt In Ontario?

If you’ve been charged with failure to wear a seat belt in Ontario, you should contact us as soon as possible. We have skill and experience in helping people who have been charged with a seatbelt violation and provide free, confidential consultations to empower you to fight your charges. We help drivers throughout Ontario including Kitchener,  GeorgetownLondonWindsor and from our home office in CambridgeContact us online, call us directly at 1-844-647-6869, or text a copy of your ticket to 226-240-2480.
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