Ontario creates administrative penalty scheme for road-safety violations under the Highway Traffic Act

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new regulation establishes a formal administrative penalty system for road-safety contraventions under the Highway Traffic Act. Commercial vehicle owners, operators, drivers, CVOR certificate holders, driving instructors and schools, vehicle inspection centre operators, and registered technicians can now be issued penalty orders of up to $5,000 per contravention — including for conditional or unsatisfactory safety ratings. Penalty orders must be paid within 30 days of service unless the recipient launches a free written appeal to a hearing officer, who can confirm, vary, or set aside the order; the hearing officer's decision is final and no fee applies to appeal. Non-payment can trigger refusal to issue or renew vehicle permits, number plates, CVOR certificates, driver's licences, driving instructor licences, or driving school licences. Penalty orders can be imposed within two years of the contravention, and records of penalties may be made public by the Registrar. Businesses and individuals operating commercial vehicles or licensed driving programs should review their compliance practices across the Highway Traffic Act provisions and related regulations now covered by this scheme.

Who this affects: commercial vehicle operators · truck and vehicle owners · CVOR certificate holders · driving schools and driving instructors · vehicle inspection centre operators and registered technicians