How fast is too fast in Ontario? The speed that turns a ticket into a stunt driving charge
For drivers in Ontario. As of October 2026.
Most speeding tickets end with a fine. Above certain speeds, Ontario law treats it very differently: it becomes stunt driving, your licence is taken at the roadside and your vehicle is towed away, before any court date.
When speeding becomes stunt driving
Under Ontario Regulation 455/07 (made under the Highway Traffic Act), driving at any of these speeds counts as a stunt:
- 40 km/h or more over the limit, where the speed limit is less than 80 km/h.
- 50 km/h or more over the limit, where the speed limit is 80 km/h or more.
- 150 km/h or more, on any road.
For example: 90 km/h on a 50 km/h street, 130 km/h on an 80 km/h road, or 150 km/h on any highway.
It is not only about speed
The same regulation lists other driving that counts as a stunt, including:
- driving in a way that shows an intention to lift tires off the road, such as a wheelie on a motorcycle;
- making tires lose traction while turning, or spinning or circling a vehicle without control;
- driving side by side with another vehicle while one of them stays in the oncoming lane longer than reasonable;
- driving with a person in the trunk, or driving while not sitting in the driver’s seat.
What happens at the roadside
Section 172 of the Highway Traffic Act says that if a police officer believes on reasonable and probable grounds that you drove in a race, contest or stunt:
- You must surrender your driver’s licence, and it is suspended for 30 days from that day.
- The vehicle is detained and impounded for 14 days.
- This happens right away, separate from any trial.
If you are convicted
- A fine of $2,000 to $10,000, up to six months in jail, or both.
- A licence suspension of at least 1 year on a first conviction, at least 3 years on a second, and an indefinite suspension on a third or later conviction.
- A conviction more than 10 years after the previous one is treated as a first conviction.
What you can do
- Know the numbers: 40 over below 80, 50 over at 80 or more, and 150 anywhere.
- If you are charged, read your papers carefully and note your court date. Do not ignore it.
- Plan for the roadside penalties: the 30-day suspension and 14-day impoundment start at once.
- Get help early from a licensed paralegal or lawyer, or a legal clinic, before you decide how to respond to the charge.
The point to remember
In Ontario, 40 over on a road under 80, 50 over on a road of 80 or more, or 150 anywhere is stunt driving. Your licence and vehicle are taken at the roadside, and a conviction can mean a fine of at least $2,000 and a suspension of a year or more.
Check the official pages before you act:
- O. Reg. 455/07, Races, Contests and Stunts (e-Laws, current to October 8, 2026)
- Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, section 172 (e-Laws, current to October 8, 2026)
Join the conversation
Have a question about stunt driving rules? Share it in the comments. Please do not post details of an open case, names or documents.
This article is general information on Canadian law, as of October 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create a representative relationship. Always consult a licensed legal professional for your specific situation.
