Do I have to fight this ticket alone?

Absolutely not ! In most cases you are not even required to go to court. We will defend you in a professional manner, and can make the court appearance for you so that you don’t have to worry about time off work! We have won thousands of traffic ticket cases throughout York Region and all over Southern Ontario.

This ticket has an error on it. Doesn’t that mean it’s void?

Your traffic ticket is not void if the court considers it an amendable error. Be aware the court has the authority to correct the majority of details on your ticket.The number one “error” people find would be the year of the vehicle. Followed up with “Doesn’t the officer know my car is not an 06?”The year pertains to the sticker on your licence plate and as it turns out the year of the vehicle is not recorded on the ticket at all.

What’s the difference between a Part I and a Part III offense?

A Part I offence is called an offence notice (ticket) and has an out of court settlement (fine) on it, whereas a Part III is a “Summons” (has a date on which you must attend court to answer to the charge(s)).Part I matters require you to request a court date (if you want to challenge the ticket), they are often minor offences and the court penalty is kept at a minimum. A Part 1 summons may be issued that will not have a set fine and will have the court date on the bottom of the ticket. The Part 1 summons can carry stiffer fines and consequences compared to a Part 1 ticket. Court penalties for Part III offences are more severe and can involve licence suspensions, jail time, heavy fines etc. Some examples of a Part III offence include; Drive without Insurance, Drive Under Suspension, Racing, Fail to Remain at Accident, Speeding over 49kms/hr.

I lost my ticket, what now?

Once you’ve been issued an offence notice (ticket) your information gets processed by the applicable Court Services Office. So, the charges and the fines involved and the time to pay those fines are recorded at the court – waiting for your response.Without a response from you, or your agent, the court will convict you and that stays on your driving record for 3 years. You can find out the status of your ticket by inquiring at a provincial court.

I filed my ticket but I got convicted, what now?

You’ve got 15 days, from the time you found out, to apply to have your matter(s) re-opened.The re-opening process requires an affidavit and application brought before a Justice of the Peace (in the designated court). When a re-opening is granted, the conviction is reversed and it comes back off your driving record and the court sends you the trial date. If your reopening is denied then you must consider an Appeal. This process has more documentations to fill out and needs to be heard in the higher court in front of a Judge. For a consult on this process call to speak with someone about your options.

I always pay my tickets right away, how come I have charges on my record?

Paying your ticket automatically finds you guilty of the offence and creates a conviction on your driving record for 3 years.Demerit points are assessed by the Ministry of Transportation and they go on your record for 2 years from the offence date. You can obtain your driving record from your local MTO office. It is important to know your options.

I got a ticket for G2 with alcohol > zero, how does that affect my insurance?

A G2 with alcohol conviction can be very costly!Most novice drivers think they can just pay the fine of $110.00 and be done with it. Not so with this charge! First of all they’ll receive an automatic 30 day licence suspension and then be prepared for them to be treated as an impaired driver by your insurance carrier. That’s right your insurance company treats this as a very serious offence.

My fine is $52.50 and zero points, then it won’t affect my record, right?

It can, for up to 3 years!Driving Convictions say on your record for 3 years, even if the conviction has zero demerit points attached. And yes, your insurance company can use these convictions when assessing your risk level and premiums.

Can I get more time to pay my fines?

In some circumstances yes, however you will need to file a motion in the court of jurisdiction (the court that convicted you) requesting an extension of time to pay.Once you file this motion a justice will determine the outcome of your request. There are stiff penalties for unpaid fines, so I suggest you take care of any extension requests PRIOR to your due date.

Do I gain points or lose points?

You gain them. After you are convicted of a traffic offence, demerit points are assessed by the Ministry of Transportation and stay on your driving record for 2 years from the offence date.G1 and G2 licences are the most sensitive when it comes to gaining demerit points. The number of points you stand to gain, from a particular offence, is not listed anywhere on your ticket. Contact us to find out how your offence will affect your driving record.

How do demerit points affect my insurance?

They don’t. But what does, is getting convicted of an offence.Most people don’t realize is that insurance companies are now assessing your risk level based on how many convictions you have on your record, and of course by how serious the offences are. Your ticket may seem harmless but you need to know your options.

Does my New York ticket affect my licence?

It definitely will!Certain States have agreements with Ontario, whereby convictions will be transferred to your Ontario Licence. Once the miles are converted to kilometers the affect is even worse. Arranging your defence in New York is no small task, but it is one of the many traffic matters that we can help you with.

I got a 15 over speeding ticket, but that doesn’t affect me, right?

Insurance companies are now assessing your risk level based on how many convictions you have on your record, and of course by how serious the offences are. So, yes that 10 or 15 over speeding ticket can translate into a jump in your insurance rates, and yes, that increase can be long term because that “little” 15 over ticket is on your record for 3 years.

What if my court date falls within my Vacation time?

There are many reasons why someone may need to change their Trial Date. Yes you can request a change – but you have to plan ahead.Well in advance of your court date – You will need to attend the court to file a Notice of Motion. You must then attend the Court, on the Motion date, to request the adjournment. If the Motion is granted, the court will agree on another date for your Trial to be heard.

Many people think that traffic ticket specialists results can be guaranteed. The Law Society of Upper Canada (our governing body) now prohibits offering a guarantee, or even a rate of success.Court Agents, same as Paralegals, must follow the Paralegal Code of Conduct as set out by the Law Society. These Rules were put in place to protect the public from being misled and to enhance the ethical standard of court representatives. We have been in this business since 1994. It is nice to see that regulation has finally come about. We know that the public will definitely benefit from it.

What about this Stunt Driving Law?

This law came into effect September 30 2007, and there is a whole list of things that qualify as a Stunt. Speeding in excess of 50k over the limit, and Racing are most common.Penalty for this offence starts immediately, they take your licence on the spot and you are suspended for 7 days, and whatever vehicle you are driving is towed and impounded for a week. This is treated as a very serious offence and first time offenders can face major fines, plus imprisonment, plus a further licence suspension for 2 years. Conviction of stunt driving will most likely put you into high-risk insurance.

What is the Move Over Law?

This law started back in 2003, and is aimed at improving safety for officers and others performing their duties on the road.If you’re approaching a Stopped Emergency/Tow Truck/Fire Department vehicle or a Public Utility vehicle on your side of the road and their emergency lights are flashing – if you cannot move over then you must slow down and pass with caution. If your road has two or more lanes then you must move over to the next lane, and slow down before you pass. A first time offence carries a $490 fine and 3 demerits against your licence.

I missed court, what can I do?

Many people realize they have missed their court date when they receive a notice of fine from the court or licence suspension notice from the MTO.You need to act fast and have your situation assessed right away. If you are eligible for a reopening, your conviction may be corrected and cleared off your record very quickly; However if it turns out you must appeal your matter then that is more involved and can take much longer to get resolved.

Driving under Suspension?

Driving Under Suspension has very serious repercussions! You receive a summons and must attend court to answer to the charge.If you are convicted with a first time offence of drive under suspension, you are facing a fine ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 along with 6 month suspension and the possibility of imprisonment for up to six months.

When can I talk on a my cell phone?

Since early 2010, the law was passed banning the use or handling a handheld device. However the law allows 911 calls but for any other use (calls, texts, emails) you must be safely parked on the side of the road. As of September 1, 2015 this law has changed, with an increase in the fine and demerit points being added. The fine will has increase from $300.00 to $400.00 with 3 demerit points. Another major change is the impact to a Novice Driver (G1, G2, M1, M2). If caught and charged with Handheld Device the Novice driver will automatically have a 30 day suspension for the first conviction, 90 days for second conviction, and possible licence cancellation for third conviction. Helpful hint – pair your bluetooth device before heading out and ensure you always use hands free.

I have a G1/G2 licence, I paid my ticket, why is my licence suspended?

Due to restrictions on a G1/G2 license, there are certain charges that will suspend your licence automatically. It can either be a specific charge (linked to the restrictions from your licence class) or the totality of demerit points accumulated. A single offence that carries 4 demerit points or multiple offences that equaling or greater than 6 demerit points in a 2 year period will initiate a suspension form the Ministry. There are numerous offences that once convicted will suspend your licence for 30, 60, or 90 days depending on circumstances. Before you just pay your ticket contact us to find out your options.

I was in an Accident, do I have to Report it to anyone?

If the damage (combined between the vehicles and occupants) is totaling $2.000.00 or greater than yes it has to be reported. If there is a personal injury, it would be documented by the Officer. Depending on where and the severity of the accident/damage you will be told to go to a reporting centre or an Officer will be dispatched to the scene. Call beforehand as more rural areas do not have a Reporting Centre.

I was in an Accident and I am injured, what now?

Depending on the circumstances you have different options. There are Benefits that can be claimed and/or Monetary Compensation that could be acquired. Contact us to find out your rights.

Red Light Camera Tickets in York Region and Toronto

Legal Matters: Understanding the penalties of Part III offenses

November 9, 2015

Legal Matters: Graduated licensing and novice drivers

February 9, 2015

Red light camera warning sign beside pedestrian crossing sign at urban intersection.

If you received a red light camera ticket in the mail, it’s important to understand exactly what type of notice you’re dealing with. Camera-based tickets follow a different process than police-issued charges and are handled at the municipal level. This page explains how these tickets work, what they mean for you, and what steps to take next.

Understanding Red Light Camera Tickets and Owner Liability

Red light camera tickets are issued to the registered owner of a vehicle, not the driver. Because the system relies on automated evidence rather than officer identification, these notices do not carry demerit points or create a driver conviction. However, they still involve financial penalties and strict response timelines that should not be ignored.

How Red Light Camera Tickets Are Issued

Red light cameras are installed at intersections to capture vehicles that enter after the light has turned red. If your vehicle crosses the stop line after the signal changes, the system records images of the vehicle and the licence plate. These images are reviewed before a ticket is issued and mailed to the registered owner.

It is important to note that entering on a yellow light or being already in the intersection when the light turns red typically does not result in a ticket.

Camera Ticket vs Police-Issued Red Light Ticket

Understanding the difference between these two types of red light tickets helps you respond appropriately.

Issue	Camera Ticket	Police-Issued Ticket
Who is named?	Registered owner	Driver
Demerit points?	No	Yes, if convicted
Driving record impact?	Not a driver conviction	Yes, if convicted
Insurance exposure?	Typically limited	Can affect insurance
Process route	Municipal penalty system	Provincial offence court
Best first step	Confirm municipality and deadline	Get legal advice early

York Region Red Light Camera Process

Red light camera tickets in York Region are handled through its Administrative Penalties Tribunal rather than the traditional court system. This means the process is governed by municipal rules, not the Provincial Offences Act trial process.

Current total penalties are typically:

$328.25 outside community safety zones
$493.25 within community safety zones

The key step is confirming that your notice falls under this administrative system, as it determines how you dispute or resolve the ticket.

Downtown Toronto intersection at night with illuminated buildings and traffic light trails.

York Region Red Light Camera Locations

Red light cameras are installed at key intersections across York Region, including Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan, to monitor high-risk areas. The locations below reflect current placements based on regional enforcement data.

14th Avenue & Birchmount Road	Bayview Avenue & Elgin Mills Road	Bloomington Road & Kennedy Road
Davis Drive West & Yonge Street	Davis Drive & Ashton Road / Carlson Drive	Elgin Mills Road East & Leslie Street
Highway 27 & Langstaff Road	Highway 7 & Yonge Street	Highway 7 & Weston Road
Keele Street & Major Mackenzie Drive	Kennedy Road & 16th Avenue	King Road & Dufferin Street
Major Mackenzie Drive East & Markham Road	Major Mackenzie Drive West & Weston Road	McCowan Road & 16th Avenue
Ninth Line & Donald Cousens Parkway	Pine Valley Drive & Rutherford Road	Rutherford Road & Bathurst Street
Stouffville Road & Bayview Avenue	The Queensway South & Ravenshoe Road	Warden Avenue & Highway 7
Weston Road & Highway 7	Weston Road & Rutherford Road	Woodbine Avenue & Major Mackenzie Drive
Yonge Street & 16th Avenue

Toronto Red Light Camera Process

Toronto red light camera tickets are also treated as owner-liability notices that do not carry demerit points or directly affect your driving record. However, the process depends on the violation date.

Violations dated January 20, 2025 or later follow the Administrative Penalty System
Earlier violations may still proceed through the court services process

Carefully reviewing the details on your notice will determine which system applies and what your next step should be.

Toronto Red Light Camera Locations

Toronto operates an extensive red light camera network across major intersections. The locations below are listed in the same format for consistency.

Avenue Road & St Clair Avenue West	Albion Road & Islington Avenue	Albion Road & Kipling Avenue
Bathurst Street & Steeles Avenue West	Bayview Avenue & Sheppard Avenue East	Birchmount Road & Ellesmere Road
Bloor Street West & Dundas Street West	Bloor Street West & Lansdowne Avenue	Don Mills Road & Eglinton Avenue East
Don Mills Road & Finch Avenue East	Don Mills Road & Lawrence Avenue East	Dufferin Street & Finch Avenue West
Dufferin Street & Lawrence Avenue West	Eglinton Avenue West & Keele Street	Eglinton Avenue West & Weston Road
Finch Avenue West & Jane Street	Finch Avenue West & Keele Street	Finch Avenue West & Weston Road
Jane Street & Sheppard Avenue West	Jane Street & Wilson Avenue	Keele Street & Lawrence Avenue West
Keele Street & Wilson Avenue	Kingston Road & Markham Road	Lawrence Avenue East & Birchmount Road
Lawrence Avenue East & Warden Avenue	Lawrence Avenue West & Allen Road	Markham Road & Eglinton Avenue East
Markham Road & Lawrence Avenue East	Midland Avenue & Finch Avenue East	Midland Avenue & Sheppard Avenue East
Sheppard Avenue East & Kennedy Road	Sheppard Avenue East & Victoria Park Avenue	Steeles Avenue West & Jane Street
Steeles Avenue West & Keele Street	Victoria Park Avenue & Eglinton Avenue East	Victoria Park Avenue & Lawrence Avenue East
Weston Road & Finch Avenue West	Weston Road & Lawrence Avenue West	Wilson Avenue & Dufferin Street
Wilson Avenue & Jane Street	Yonge Street & Finch Avenue	Yonge Street & Sheppard Avenue

How Much Does a Red Light Camera Ticket Cost?

Red light camera tickets come with a set fine, but the total amount you pay may include additional fees depending on the municipality. Historically, the base fine has been $325, though current totals reflect added administrative costs.

Always rely on the amount listed on your notice, as it reflects the exact penalty applicable to your situation.

Toronto streetcar traveling through downtown city street at dusk.

What To Do After Receiving a Red Light Camera Ticket

Understanding your next steps early can help you avoid missed deadlines or unnecessary complications.

Step 1: Confirm What You Received

Start by verifying whether your notice is a red light camera ticket or a police-issued charge. This distinction determines whether your case follows a municipal penalty system or a court process.

Step 2: Check the Issuing Municipality and Instructions

Look closely at the notice to identify whether it was issued by York Region or Toronto. Each municipality has its own process for payment or dispute.

Step 3: Review Your Deadline Carefully

Camera tickets include a strict response window. Missing the deadline can lead to added fees or enforcement actions.

Step 4: Decide Whether to Pay or Dispute

Your options depend on the type of notice and the system it falls under. Taking time to understand your position before acting can help you make a more informed decision.

Common Mistakes Drivers Make With Camera Tickets

Many issues arise not from the ticket itself, but from how it is handled. Common mistakes include:

Ignoring the notice because there are no demerit points
Assuming it is the same as a police-issued charge
Missing deadlines for payment or dispute
Paying too quickly without reviewing options
Waiting until the last moment to seek clarification

Traffic lights with red signals and mounted red light cameras at an intersection.

When to Get Professional Advice

There are situations where getting clarification on your Ontratio driving offence early can make a difference in how you proceed.

Traffic Ticket Advocates brings over 30 years of experience handling traffic matters across York Region, Toronto, and surrounding courts, helping drivers understand their options before taking action.

You may want guidance if:

The notice is unclear or difficult to interpret
The vehicle is owned by a company or another individual
You are unsure whether the ticket is camera-based or officer-issued
The response deadline is approaching
You want to understand whether disputing the ticket is worthwhile

Getting the right information early can help you avoid common mistakes and make a more informed decision about your next step.

Get Clarity Before You Respond

If you’re not sure what type of notice you received or what your next step should be, it can help to review it before taking action. Traffic Ticket Advocates can help you understand your paperwork, your deadline, and whether further steps are worth considering. Contact us today.

FAQ

11. Does a red light camera ticket affect insurance?

A camera ticket is issued to the registered owner and does not identify the driver, so it does not create a driver conviction in the way a police-issued ticket does.

22. Can I ignore a red light camera ticket?

No. Even though it does not add demerit points, it still has a payment or dispute deadline and can lead to added fees or enforcement issues if left unresolved.

33. Is a red light camera ticket the same as a police-issued red light ticket?

No. A police-issued ticket is tied to the driver and can affect points, record, and insurance. A camera ticket is an owner-liability notice.

44. How do I know whether my notice is from York Region or Toronto?

Check the issuing municipality and the payment or dispute instructions printed on the notice. Those details determine the correct next step.

55. When should I contact Traffic Ticket Advocates about a red light camera issue?

Contact us when the notice is unclear, the vehicle is company-owned, the deadline is close, or you are not sure whether the paperwork is actually a police-issued red-light charge.

Red Light Camera Tickets in York Region and Toronto

Legal Matters: Understanding the penalties of Part III offenses

Legal Matters: Graduated licensing and novice drivers

Legal Matters: Understanding the penalties of Part III offenses

Legal Matters: Graduated licensing and novice drivers

Understanding Red Light Camera Tickets and Owner Liability

How Red Light Camera Tickets Are Issued

Camera Ticket vs Police-Issued Red Light Ticket