If you're from Ontario, you've probably driven through Quebec and noticed some things that are different. Maybe it was all the signage in French or your GPS system struggling to pronounce the street names. Do you know what else is different? The rules of the road. If you get a speeding ticket in Quebec be careful as the points may not transfer the same to each province.
QUEBEC DEMERIT POINTS
Quebec has entered into reciprocal agreements with several provinces and states, namely Ontario. This means that if you commit an offense that leads to the entry of demerit points in Ontario, that infraction will be entered on your driving record with the demerit points as if they had occurred in Quebec. The demerit points may vary in each jurisdiction and the points may not transfer in the same way, which is why you should consult a lawyer familiar with each jurisdiction before you pay a fine not to end up with an unpleasant surprise or worse, the loss of your license!
If you're found guilty of an offense under the Quebec Highway Safety Code, the SAAQ will enter a number of demerit points on your driving record .These points stay on your license for two years following the date of their entry. The number of demerit points is based on the offense, or in the case of speeding the number of kilometers driven above the speed limit. For example, if you were caught doing 130 km/h in a 100 km/h zone it is worth 2 points in Quebec and 4 points in Ontario.
ONTARIO DEMERIT POINTS
In Ontario, if you are convicted of an offense like speeding, demerit points will be added to your driving record from the date of offense and if you accumulate too many points your driving privileges can be suspended. Furthermore, a restricted license for work is not possible in Ontario as it would be in Quebec. It is also important to know that any G2 driver which receives a major violation will have his license suspended for 30 days as a first offense. Lastly, a first offense stunt driving ticket will carry a one year suspension of the driver’s license.
HOW DEMERIT POINTS TRANSFER
The demerit point in each province can vary, and while demerit points transfer from province to province, they may not transfer equally. If someone from Ontario is caught at 130km/h in a 100km/h zone, that's two demerit points in Quebec but that is equal to four in Ontario — which is a major violation there!
Furthermore, If someone from Ontario is caught at 116 km/h in a 100km/h zone, that is one demerit point in QC but three demerit points in Ontario! So if you're going to be driving in another province or state, make sure you are familiar with their traffic laws before setting off on your road trip, or that you hire a lawyer, in the event you receive a ticket!
If you've been pulled over and issued a ticket in the province of Quebec and are from Ontario, it's important to know how the ticket and points will transfer to your driving record before making a decision. If you are from Ontario, we highly recommend talking to a professional who can help you navigate the legal system. Traffic infractions differ between different provinces, so it's important to be aware of what could happen if you don't take action quickly. If you have a traffic violation in Quebec and live in Ontario, it's important to talk to a professional or risk losing your license.