1.Speed limits
- Where there are no posted speed limits, the maximum speed is 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages, and 80 km/h elsewhere.
- Obey the maximum speed limit posted on signs, but always drive at a speed that will let you stop safely — that means driving below the maximum in bad weather, in heavy traffic or in construction zones.
- School zones and construction zones often have lower speed limits. In a school zone the limit is lower during school hours: observe the speed limit shown when the yellow lights are flashing.
- Fines for speeding in a construction zone are doubled when workers are present. In a community safety zone, traffic-related offences committed within the zone are subject to increased fines.
- Some sections of Ontario freeways have limits of 110 km/h, but drivers caught driving 150 km/h or more anywhere in the province are subject to stunt driving charges.
- Unnecessary slow driving adds 2 demerit points, and you must not block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic.
Signs in this section
Official source: Driving along ↗ · Signs ↗ · Dealing particular situations ↗ · Speeding and aggressive driving ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗
2.The risks of speed, and stunt driving
- Speeding increases braking and stopping distances. It also reduces your field of vision, which makes it harder to react quickly to changing road conditions.
- The risk of fatality or serious injury is 11 times higher in collisions at 50 km/h or more over a speed limit of 100 km/h than in collisions while driving at or below the posted limit.
- If you are convicted of speeding you may receive demerit points in addition to fines: 3 points for 16 to 29 km/h over the limit, 4 points for 30 to 49 km/h over, and 6 points for 50 km/h or more over.
- Six demerit points are also added for exceeding the speed limit by 40 km/h or more on roads with a speed limit of less than 80 km/h.
- Stunt driving includes driving 50 km/h or more over the speed limit, or 40 km/h or more over on a road with a limit less than 80 km/h. It brings an immediate 30-day licence suspension, an immediate 14-day vehicle impoundment at roadside (whether it is your vehicle or not) and six demerit points.
- Novice drivers face at least a 30-day licence suspension and possible licence cancellation for any conviction for speeding 30 km/h or more over the limit, following too closely, careless driving, failing to remain at the scene of a collision, or stunt driving.
Official source: Speeding and aggressive driving ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗
3.Passing other vehicles
- Most passing is done on the left. You may pass on the right on multi-lane or one-way roads and when overtaking a streetcar or a left-turning vehicle.
- You may drive on the right shoulder only to pass a vehicle turning left, and only if the shoulder is paved. You may not pass on the left shoulder, paved or not.
- A solid line at the left of your lane means it is unsafe to pass; a broken line means you may pass if the way is clear. Do not attempt to pass when approaching the crest of a hill or on a curve where your vision of oncoming traffic is obstructed.
- Passing within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossover is not permitted. Passing left of a centreline is not permitted 30 metres from a bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
- After overtaking, signal that you want to move back into the lane you started from, and make the lane change when you can see the entire front of the vehicle you are passing in your inside mirror. Be careful not to cut off a vehicle by suddenly moving in front of it.
- When faster traffic wants to pass you, move to the right and let it pass in safety. Do not speed up when another driver is trying to pass you — it is unlawful and dangerous.
- Never overtake and pass another vehicle unless you are sure you can do so without danger to yourself or others, and do not pass moving snow plows under any conditions. If in doubt, do not pass.
- Improper passing adds 3 demerit points, and a "do not pass" sign means you may not pass on that road.
Signs in this section
Official source: Changing positions ↗ · Pavement markings ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗ · Signs ↗
4.Lane changes, HOV lanes and special lanes
- To change lanes: check your mirrors for a space in traffic, check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder, signal, check again that the way is clear, then steer gradually into the new lane without slowing down.
- Avoid unnecessary lane changes or weaving from lane to lane, and do not change lanes in or near an intersection. Never make sudden lane changes by cutting in front of another vehicle, including bicycles.
- Keep to the right of the road or in the right-hand lane on multi-lane roads unless you want to turn left or pass another vehicle. Slow traffic on multi-lane roads must keep right.
- HOV lanes on provincial highways are reserved for vehicles carrying at least two people, buses, licensed taxis, green-plate vehicles, airport limousines, motorcycles, High-Occupancy Toll permit holders (where permitted) and emergency vehicles. HOV lanes are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and large trucks are not permitted in them.
- The HOV lane is separated from the general traffic lanes by a striped buffer zone, and it is illegal and unsafe to cross the striped buffer pavement markings. Improper use of an HOV lane adds 3 demerit points, and you can be stopped and ticketed by a police officer.
- A two-way left-turn lane sign, above the road or on the ground, means that lane is only for two-way left turns.
- A "keep right" sign means keep to the right of the traffic island. Driving the wrong way on a divided road adds 3 demerit points.
- On many high-speed roads with three or more lanes in each direction, trucks are not allowed to drive in the far left-hand lane, so the lane next to it is the truck passing lane. If you are in that lane and a truck wants to pass, move into the right-hand lane as soon as you can.
Signs in this section
Official source: Changing positions ↗ · Driving along ↗ · Signs ↗ · Freeway driving ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗
5.Entering and leaving a freeway
- A freeway entrance usually has two parts: an entrance ramp and an acceleration lane. On the ramp, look ahead and check your mirrors and blind spots; in the acceleration lane, signal and increase your speed to the speed of traffic so you merge smoothly.
- When leaving a freeway, signal that you want to move into the deceleration lane, but do not slow down. Once you are in the lane, reduce your speed gradually to the speed shown for the exit ramp and check your speedometer, because after freeway speeds you may not realize how fast you are going. Be prepared to stop at the end of the exit ramp.
- If you miss an exit, do not stop or reverse on the freeway — take the next exit. Backing on a highway adds 2 demerit points.
- Traffic on a freeway should keep to the right, using the left lanes for passing. Use the far left lane to pass traffic moving slower than the speed limit, but do not stay there — get into the habit of driving in the right lane.
- Class G1 drivers may only drive on freeways with a licensed driving instructor. G1 drivers must not drive on 400-series highways with a posted speed limit over 80 km/h, or on certain named high-speed roads such as the Queen Elizabeth Way, the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway.
- A safe following distance is at least two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you. Keep other drivers out of your blind spot by changing your speed, and do not drive in other vehicles’ blind spots — this matters most around large commercial vehicles.
- A "do not enter" sign means do not enter that road. Driving the wrong way on a divided road adds 3 demerit points.
Signs in this section
Official source: Freeway driving ↗ · Understanding demerit points ↗ · Getting your drivers licence ↗ · Driving along ↗ · Signs ↗