Generally, an Ontario driver convicted of a driving offense in the State of New York will acquire points just as if the offense happened in Ontario. However, the reciprocity agreement only covers specific types of traffic violations.
1. Which NY Convictions Transfer to Ontario?
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the specific convictions from New York that will definitively add demerit points to an Ontario license are:
- Speeding
- Failure to obey a stop sign
- Failure to obey a signal light
- Failure to stop for a school bus
- Racing
- Failing to remain at or return to the scene of a collision
- Careless driving
2. Unsafe Lane Change & Following Too Closely
Based on the official list from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, it appears that a conviction for unsafe lane change or following too closely would not add points to an Ontario driving record.*
While avoiding demerit points is good news for the driver, points are not the only consideration. Before you decide to simply plead guilty to these NY tickets, you must account for the heavy financial penalties that still apply.
Hidden Financial Costs of Pleading Guilty in NY:
Pleading guilty to these tickets would incur substantial out-of-pocket costs from the New York court system and the NY DMV, plus potential insurance consequences back home.
| Penalty Element |
Estimated Cost / Consequence |
| Court Fines |
Up to $300 |
| New York Surcharges |
$186 |
| NY Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) |
$375 |
| Insurance Impact |
Premium hikes or dropped coverage |
Never Plead Guilty Without Understanding Your Options
Always call a lawyer first before pleading guilty to an out-of-state ticket. We offer free consultations, so you might as well take advantage of our expertise.
Call (315) 364-1155
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*Disclaimer: We are not licensed to practice law in Ontario and this is not intended to be legal advice regarding Canadian law. For a definitive interpretation of Ontario Ministry of Transportation regulations, please consult a Canadian lawyer.