Canadian Drivers With Traffic Tickets In New York
A Canadian licensed driver from Québec or Ontario who receives a New York speeding ticket or other traffic ticket has similar incentive to a New York licensed driver when it comes to fighting their traffic tickets.
QUEBEC DRIVER LICENSE DEMERIT POINTS FOR NEW YORK TRAFFIC TICKETS
The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) makes it clear that an equivalent offense committed in another province or in an American state with which Québec has a reciprocal agreement results in demerit points as if the offense occurred in Québec.
Québec has such a reciprocal agreement with New York State.
Thus, if you are licensed to drive in Québec and are convicted of a traffic violation which occurred in New York, you will receive demerit points as per the SAAQ demerit point system.
For a NY speeding ticket, the number of demerit points in Québec depends on what the speed limit was and how far over the speed limit you were driving. For example, a speeding ticket for driving 80mph in a 65mph zone would translate to 2 demerit points. A speeding ticket for driving 90mph in a 55mph zone would translate to 10 demerit points.
Of course, demerit points would be applied for other violations that occurred in New York as well.
Demerit points will lead to insurance increases and potential suspension of your driver license. A maximum of 15 demerit points is allowed. Your driver license is automatically revoked or the right to obtain a license suspended when 15 or more demerit points have accumulated or been entered on your driving record. The SAAQ issues a notice when 7 or more demerit points have been entered on your driving record. If you have a probationary or learner’s license your license will be suspended at 4 demerit points.
Feifer & Greenberg attorneys understand the demerit system and what is at stake for a driver licensed in Quebec when they receive a NY traffic ticket. Feel free to contact us if you are licensed in Quebec and have any questions about a traffic ticket you received in New York.
ONTARIO DRIVER LICENSE DEMERIT POINTS FOR NEW YORK TRAFFIC TICKETS
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) makes it clear that drivers convicted of a driving related offense in the State of New York will have home jurisdictional penalties such as demerit points and/or suspensions applied to their Ontario driver record as if the offense occurred in Ontario.
Thus, if you are licensed to drive in Ontario and are convicted of a traffic violation which occurred in New York, you will receive demerit points as per the MTO demerit point system.
For a speeding ticket in NY, the number of demerit points in Ontario assesses is based on how far over the speed limit you were driving. Speeding tickets range from 3 demerit points to 6 demerit points.
Demerit points are applied for a multitude of other violations which occur in NY as well.
Demerit points will ultimately cause your auto insurance to rise and potentially cause the suspension of your driver license. As a new driver (class G1, G2, M1 or M2) driver, if you get two or more demerit points you will be sent a warning letter, at six points you may have to argue to keep your license and at 9 points your license will be suspended for 60 days. As a fully licensed driver, if you get six demerit points you will be sent a warning letter, at nine points you may have to argue to keep your license and at 15 points your license will be suspended for 30 days.
Feifer & Greenberg attorneys are familiar the MTO demerit system and understand what is at stake for a driver licensed in Ontario who receives a NY traffic ticket. Feel free to contact us if you have received a traffic ticket in New York and have questions about how this relates to your Ontario driver license and what you should do next.
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