i.
What the charge means
Driving a motor vehicle while a licence is suspended under any provincial or federal authority. Knowledge of the suspension is presumed but rebuttable.
Highway Traffic Act s.53
Drive Suspended charges in Ottawa, Ontario.
Driving while your licence is suspended — significant minimum fines, vehicle impoundment, and possible imprisonment. Knowledge of the suspension is the key issue.
- Courthouse
- Ottawa Provincial Offences Court
- Court Phone
- (613) 580-2424
- Consultation
- Free & Confidential
ii.
Penalties
Minimum fine $1,000 (first offence); up to $5,000; 6 months imprisonment; additional suspension; vehicle impoundment.
iii.
Available defences
- Knowledge of suspension (notice issues)
- Identification
- Charter — unlawful stop
- Defective notice from MTO
iv.
The process
Disclosure, MTO record review, and resolution. Often resolved by demonstrating lack of effective notice of suspension.
v.
Notes for Ottawa
Ottawa hears matters from Ottawa Police, OPP, and RCMP traffic across the National Capital Region. We make regular trips and accept retainers Ontario-wide.
Ottawa Provincial Offences Court
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
(613) 580-2424
Charged with drive suspended?
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Twenty minutes, confidential, no obligation. We’ll discuss your charge, the realistic outcomes, and the cost of defence before you commit to anything.