Can You Fight Speed Camera Tickets in Ontario?
May 30, 2025
How Speed Cameras Work
Speed cameras are equipped with radar and sensors to monitor vehicles and track their speed. As your vehicle enters the camera’s monitoring zone, the system measures its speed. If you’re driving over the posted speed limit, the camera captures a high-resolution image of your vehicle’s license plate. These cameras work without the presence of a police officer, making enforcement automatic and ongoing.
The cameras are operational 24/7 at designated locations. They will trigger when you exceed the speed limit, even by a few kilometers per hour. While many drivers think there’s a tolerance of 10 km/h, there’s no legal requirement for such leeway. Municipalities may allow a small buffer in certain cases, but strict enforcement is common, particularly in areas where safety is a primary concern.
Speed Camera Locations in Major Cities in Ontario
Speed cameras are strategically placed in areas where speeding is a recurring issue. These areas are typically high-risk zones like school zones and community safety zones, where there is a greater risk to pedestrians and cyclists.
You may notice signs warning about upcoming cameras. Some municipalities rotate their camera locations every few months, so certain spots may not be monitored year-round. Some also deactivate cameras outside school hours, while others enforce speed limits continuously.
Here are some of the regions where speed cameras are commonly found:
City of Toronto
Peel Region
York Region
Durham Region
Halton Region
Oakville
Halton Hills
Waterloo Region
Wellington County
City of Hamilton
Community Safety Zones
Community safety zones have stricter enforcement because they’re typically located near schools, parks, or hospitals. These areas pose a higher risk to pedestrians, particularly children and seniors. The province allows municipalities to lower speed limits in these zones to enhance safety.
The fines for speeding in these zones are double the standard penalties. This means if you’re caught speeding by a camera in one of these zones, the fine will be higher than on other roads.
Receiving the Ticket
If a speed camera captures your vehicle exceeding the limit, a ticket will be mailed to the registered owner. The ticket will include details such as the date, time, location, recorded speed, and a clear photo of your license plate as evidence.
Tickets typically arrive within 2 to 4 weeks, although they may take up to 30 days for delivery. Since these tickets are issued to the vehicle owner, they don’t affect the driver’s record or insurance. If someone else was driving, the registered owner is still responsible for paying the fine.
What is the Fine?
The fine depends on how much you exceeded the speed limit. The province sets a rate for every kilometer per hour over the speed limit, which doubles if the violation occurs in a community safety zone. Because cameras are often located in these zones, the fines will always carry the higher penalty.
1–19 km/h over: $5/km (in a community safety zone), plus victim fine surcharge
20–29 km/h over: $7/km (in a community safety zone), plus victim fine surcharge
30–49 km/h over: $12/km (in a community safety zone), plus victim fine surcharge
How Do You Pay?
Speed camera tickets can be paid online, by mail, or in person at a provincial offences court office. The ticket will include payment instructions and deadlines. Late payments could result in additional fees or complications when renewing your vehicle registration.
If your municipality uses the Administrative Monetary Penalty System (AMPS), the process will differ. AMPS treats the fine as an administrative penalty rather than a court matter. While you may request a review, there is no trial process.
Can You Dispute a Speed Camera Ticket in Ontario?
Disputing a speed camera ticket can be difficult, as these cameras are regularly tested and calibrated. They’re certified by an officer before tickets are issued, meaning there’s limited room for challenge.
If you decide to contest the ticket, you may:
Request a review or hearing, depending on the local system.
Argue that the license plate in the photo is unclear.
Challenge inaccuracies on the ticket, such as the wrong date, time, or location.
Some municipalities use AMPS, which does not offer a trial process. In this case, you can ask for a review, but it’s treated as an administrative penalty. If you choose to contest the ticket, be prepared with strong evidence, as general complaints won’t lead to a successful dismissal.
Does It Carry Demerit Points?
Speed camera tickets do not add demerit points to your driving record. Since the camera only captures your vehicle’s license plate, and not the driver, it is the vehicle owner who receives the ticket. This means there’s no risk of points being added to the driver’s record, and the fine does not impact your personal driving history.
Demerit points are only applied when a police officer personally issues a ticket. Since speed camera tickets are issued to the vehicle, your driving record remains unaffected.
Does It Affect Insurance?
Insurance companies do not receive reports of speed camera violations, so your premiums will not increase as a result of the ticket. Since the camera system doesn’t identify the driver, insurers adjust rates based on violations that appear on the driver’s record.
However, unpaid fines can lead to problems. If you don’t pay the ticket, the province may block you from renewing your vehicle registration. Some insurance companies may also consider unpaid fines when evaluating risk. For commercial vehicles, these violations will show up on the Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) record, which could lead to increased scrutiny.
How Does It Affect CVOR?
For commercial vehicle owners or operators, speed camera tickets are recorded on the CVOR. Unlike personal vehicles, where the tickets don’t impact a driving record, commercial operators are subject to more stringent regulations. A history of speed camera tickets could affect your company’s safety rating and result in audits or other interventions by the Ministry of Transportation. Insurance providers may also use your CVOR record to assess risk and adjust premiums accordingly.
What Happens If You Don’t Pay?
While ignoring a speed camera ticket won’t result in demerit points or a license suspension, it can lead to other serious consequences. The province may prevent you from renewing your vehicle registration, making it illegal to drive until the fine is paid. Unpaid fines may also incur late fees, increasing the total amount owed.
If the fine remains unpaid for too long, the municipality may send the debt to collections, which could complicate the resolution process and affect your ability to register other vehicles.
Questions About Traffic Tickets?
If you’re dealing with a traffic ticket – whether from a speed camera or another violation – it’s important to understand your options. The potential consequences, including fines, demerit points, and increased insurance premiums, make it worthwhile to explore your best course of action.
For professional advice and help with challenging traffic tickets, feel free to reach out to us for support.
For a consultation or to book an appointment, visit our website: option3.ca. Option3 committed to securing a favorable outcome and protecting your driving record, along with handling your traffic ticket Toronto.
