Choose an Insurance Quote
Major or minor traffic conviction — What’s the difference?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Traffic convictions are categorized into minor, major, and criminal, with each type having varying impacts on car insurance premiums.
- Major and criminal convictions, such as distracted driving or impaired driving, can lead to significant premium increases, license suspensions, and long-term consequences.
- Insurance companies review driving records for up to three to six years depending on the severity of the conviction, with criminal offences often resulting in high-risk classification and premium hikes of up to 300%.
This article has been updated from a previous version.
A big part of what goes into determining your car insurance rate is your driving history, including any traffic convictions you may have on your record. Not all convictions carry the same weight, though.
Some have little impact, while others can dramatically increase your premium.
Minor convictions—such as small speeding violations or failing to signal—usually have a smaller effect on your rate, and if it’s your first, sometimes none at all. Major convictions, like distracted driving or failing to report an accident, are more serious and often lead to steep increases and longer-lasting consequences.
Here’s what you need to know about the three categories—minor, major, and criminal—and how each one influences your insurance.
Understanding traffic conviction classifications
Traffic tickets are generally sorted into three categories: minor, major, and criminal. While the following examples are typical, keep in mind that how an insurer or province classifies a ticket can vary.
Minor traffic convictions
These are the most common types of tickets and are considered less severe. While one might be forgiven, multiple minor convictions can add up and lead to higher insurance premiums.
- Speeding: Typically, up to 45 km/h over the posted limit (this can vary by insurer and province).
- Following too closely: Not leaving a safe distance between your vehicle and the one ahead.
- Improper lane change: Failing to signal or check blind spots.
- Failing to obey a traffic sign or signal: Includes running a stop sign or a red light.
- Failure to wear a seatbelt: Applies to the driver and passengers.
- Improper turn: Making a turn from the wrong lane or without signalling.
- Obstructed view: Driving with something blocking your line of sight.
- Failing to produce documents: Not having your driver's licence, proof of insurance, or vehicle registration when requested.
Read more: What is minor conviction protection?
Major traffic convictions
These are more serious offences that often result in significant premium increases. A single major conviction can have a lasting impact on your insurance.
- Distracted driving: Using a handheld device, eating, or any other activity that takes your attention from the road. Penalties are becoming stricter across Canada.
- Failing to report an accident: Leaving the scene of a collision without reporting it to the police. In Ontario, you must report a collision if the total damage exceeds $5,000, if there are injuries, or if criminal activity is suspected.
- Improper passing of a school bus: A serious offence that endangers children.
- Speeding in a school or construction zone: These areas have reduced limits to protect vulnerable people.
- Driving without insurance: It's illegal to operate a vehicle without valid insurance coverage.
- Excessive speeding: Usually defined as driving 50 km/h or more over the limit, though this threshold can differ.
- Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle: Not pulling over for an ambulance, fire truck, or police car with its lights and siren active.
Read next:One stop, two tickets: What happens to your auto insurance premium?
Criminal driving convictions
These are the most severe violations and are prosecuted under the Criminal Code of Canada. A criminal conviction will dramatically increase your insurance costs and can make it difficult to find coverage. They often come with licence suspensions, heavy fines, and even jail time.
- Racing or stunt driving: Operating a vehicle in a race or performing a stunt on a public road.
- Careless or dangerous driving: Operating a vehicle with a disregard for the safety of others.
- Impaired driving (DUI): Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Failure to remain at the scene of an accident: Fleeing the scene of a collision, especially one involving injury or death.
- Failure to stop for a police officer: Attempting to evade law enforcement.
- Refusal to provide a breath or fluid sample: Not complying with a police officer's demand for a breathalyzer or drug screening.
- Criminal negligence causing bodily harm or death: Operating a vehicle in a way that shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of others, resulting in injury or death.
Learn more: The best way for high-risk drivers to get car insurance
How traffic convictions affect your insurance
Insurance companies review your driving record to predict risk. Convictions signal unsafe driving, which usually means higher premiums.
Minor and major convictions
In provinces like Ontario and Alberta, most traffic convictions affect your rates for three years from the conviction date. Multiple convictions or major offences (e.g., distracted driving, speeding in a school zone) can lead to significant increases.
Licence suspensions
If a conviction results in a licence suspension, the suspension itself can impact your rates for up to six years. Criminal-related suspensions almost always trigger high-risk classification.
Criminal driving convictions
Offences such as impaired driving, dangerous driving, or stunt driving have the most severe consequences. They can raise premiums by 300%, push you into the high-risk market, and affect your insurance for five to six years or more.
It's important to note that parking tickets do not affect your insurance rates, as they are not moving violations.
Tickets and car insurance: Honesty is the best policy
No matter what type of ticket you have, don't fudge the information you enter when getting car insurance quotes. Insurance companies verify the driving history of every applicant. If they discover that you’ve misrepresented details, your policy can be cancelled for “non-disclosure.”
This type of cancellation is serious: it leaves a permanent mark on your insurance record and often pushes you into the high-risk category, where premiums can be significantly higher for years.
Being upfront about tickets may increase your rate, but hiding them can cost you much more in the long run.
Don't waste time calling around for auto insurance
Use Rates.ca to shop around, and compare multiple quotes at the same time.
Liam Lahey, Freelance writer
Liam Lahey is a versatile marketer with experience as a staff and freelance writer for many business and technology publications and newspapers. He previously worked as the editor and media spokesperson for Rates.ca, handling home, auto, and travel insurance topics.
Featured Topics
How to reduce risk of your car getting caught in an underground parking garage flood and details on your insurance coverage options.
With only 13% of Canadians open to buying autonomous vehicles, experts expect adoption to begin through ride-hailing services before widespread ownership.
Rising auto theft could increase car insurance rates for everyone. Follow these tips to prevent your vehicle from being stolen.
Save on car insurance in 2026 with proven strategies like bundling policies, usage-based programs, higher deductibles, and comparing quotes annually.
Only use your vehicle a few months of the year? Explore different types of seasonal car insurance options available.
Cyclists in Ontario can be at fault in a road accident. While insurance isn’t required, cyclists have multiple options to cover expenses from a road accident.
A look at real-life scenarios of how Ontario’s July 1 auto insurance reforms will impact everyone involved in a road accident as coverage becomes optional.
A helpful primer on licence plates required to drive in Ontario and how they’re used to identify vehicles involved in accidents, traffic violations, or crimes.
Insurance costs in Canada vary sharply by fuel type, with diesel trucks proving cheapest to insure and electric vehicles the most expensive.
