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NY Traffic Ticket Defense Articles

Legal insights, guides, and tips for handling traffic tickets in New York.

Canadian Drivers 3 min read

Do Unsafe Lane Change or Following Too Closely Convictions in NY Transfer to Ontario?

By Seth M. Azria, Esq.

Generally, an Ontario driver convicted of a driving offense in the State of New York will acquire points just as if the offense happened in Ontario. However, the reciprocity agreement only covers specific types of traffic violations.

1. Which NY Convictions Transfer to Ontario?

According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, the specific convictions from New York that will definitively add demerit points to an Ontario license are:

  • Speeding
  • Failure to obey a stop sign
  • Failure to obey a signal light
  • Failure to stop for a school bus
  • Racing
  • Failing to remain at or return to the scene of a collision
  • Careless driving

2. Unsafe Lane Change & Following Too Closely

Based on the official list from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, it appears that a conviction for unsafe lane change or following too closely would not add points to an Ontario driving record.*

While avoiding demerit points is good news for the driver, points are not the only consideration. Before you decide to simply plead guilty to these NY tickets, you must account for the heavy financial penalties that still apply.

Hidden Financial Costs of Pleading Guilty in NY:
Pleading guilty to these tickets would incur substantial out-of-pocket costs from the New York court system and the NY DMV, plus potential insurance consequences back home.
Penalty Element Estimated Cost / Consequence
Court Fines Up to $300
New York Surcharges $186
NY Driver Responsibility Assessment (DRA) $375
Insurance Impact Premium hikes or dropped coverage
Never Plead Guilty Without Understanding Your Options

Always call a lawyer first before pleading guilty to an out-of-state ticket. We offer free consultations, so you might as well take advantage of our expertise.

Call (315) 364-1155 Get a Free Consultation
*Disclaimer: We are not licensed to practice law in Ontario and this is not intended to be legal advice regarding Canadian law. For a definitive interpretation of Ontario Ministry of Transportation regulations, please consult a Canadian lawyer.
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