Unpaid Traffic and Provincial Offence Fines: What Happens
A ticket you did not pay, or a fine you could not afford, does not go away. It can grow, go to collections and eventually affect your licence or your vehicle's plate. But there are ways to deal with it, and the earlier you act the more options you have.
- If a ticket is not dealt with in time, you can be convicted without a hearing and the fine becomes due.
- An unpaid fine can lead to extra collection costs, and in some cases to licence or plate consequences.
- You can ask the court for more time to pay, usually before the fine goes into default.
- If you did not know about the ticket or the conviction, you may be able to ask to have it reopened, but the time limit is short.
How a ticket becomes an unpaid fine
- A ticket gives you a short time to pay it, ask for a meeting, or ask for a trial.
- If you do nothing, you can be convicted in your absence, and the fine, plus the surcharge and court costs, is due.
- If it is still not paid, the fine goes into default and is sent for collection.
What can happen next
- Added costs. Collection steps can add fees on top of the fine.
- Licence consequences. For some offences, unpaid fines can lead to a suspension of the driver's licence until the fine is paid.
- Plate and permit consequences. In some cases the vehicle permit cannot be renewed until a fine is paid.
- Enforcement against property or income. Some fines can be collected by methods such as garnishment or placing the debt on a tax bill, depending on the type of fine and who is collecting.
Ask for more time or a payment plan
Contact the court office that handles the ticket before the due date, or as soon as you can after. You can ask for an extension of time to pay, and some offices will agree to a payment arrangement. Get the agreement in writing, and keep the receipt for every payment.
If you did not know about the ticket
- A person who was convicted without a hearing can sometimes ask the court to reopen the case, if they did not receive the notice or could not respond for a good reason.
- The time limit to ask is short. It generally runs from when you found out about the conviction, so act quickly.
- You will usually need a sworn statement explaining what happened and why you did not respond.
- If the court agrees, you can then deal with the ticket as if you had asked for a trial or a meeting in time.
Check your address
Many unpaid fines start with a notice sent to an old address. Keep your driver's licence address up to date, and if a ticket was mailed to you, check with the court office rather than waiting.
Common questions
Can I just pay and forget it?
If you agree you committed the offence, paying is a plea of guilty and brings the usual consequences, including demerit points and effects on insurance. Think before you pay.
Will an unpaid fine affect my licence renewal?
It can. Check with the court office, and clear or arrange payment before renewal if you can.
Who can help. Licensed paralegals can represent drivers in Ontario's Provincial Offences Court on traffic tickets, including speeding and licence offences.
This guide is general information for people in Ontario, not legal advice. Rules, forms and deadlines change, and every situation is different. Check the current rule or speak to a licensed legal professional before you act.
Not sure where you stand? A licensed paralegal can look at your documents and tell you your options.
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