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 Toronto, Ontario.
Quick Answer — Toronto
Drive suspended under HTA s.53 is a serious charge that carries fines of $1,000–$5,000, a possible vehicle impound, and up to six months imprisonment. The central issue in most drive suspended cases is knowledge — whether you knew your licence was suspended. Challenging that element is often the strongest defence on the file.
In Toronto Traffic Court, driving under suspension is often resolved, if it's the first time, to driving with no licence. That way a further suspension is avoided and the consequences are minimal. Point Duty Traffic Court Defence looks for that resolution on a first drive suspended charge in Toronto.
Driving while your licence is suspended — significant minimum fines, vehicle impoundment, and possible imprisonment. Knowledge of the suspension is the key issue.
- Courthouses
- Toronto South Provincial Offences CourtToronto East Provincial Offences CourtToronto West Provincial Offences Court
- Court Phone
- (416) 338-7320
- 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 Toronto
Toronto runs three Provincial Offences courts, not one — Toronto South on Front Street East, Toronto East on Markham Road, and Toronto West on Eglinton Avenue West. Which one hears your ticket is set by where it was issued. Summary criminal charges go to the Toronto Courthouse at 10 Armoury Street. We appear at all four.
Traffic / POA Court
Toronto South Provincial Offences Court
92 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5E 0G2
(416) 338-7320
Downtown and central Toronto.
Offence numbers beginning 4860
Traffic / POA Court
Toronto East Provincial Offences Court
1530 Markham Road, Scarborough, ON M1B 3M4
(416) 338-7320
Scarborough and the east end.
Offence numbers beginning 4863
Traffic / POA Court
Toronto West Provincial Offences Court
2700 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6M 1V1
(416) 338-7320
Etobicoke, York and North York.
Offence numbers beginning 4862
Local practice notes reviewed 2026-09-01
Common Questions — Toronto
Where is a drive suspended charge heard in Toronto?
- Toronto has three courts that hear drive suspended matters: Toronto South Provincial Offences Court (92 Front Street East, Toronto, ON M5E 0G2), Toronto East Provincial Offences Court (1530 Markham Road, Scarborough, ON M1B 3M4) and Toronto West Provincial Offences Court (2700 Eglinton Avenue West, Toronto, ON M6M 1V1). Which one hears your matter depends on where the charge was laid, and it is printed on your notice. Point Duty appears at all three.
Who lays drive suspended charges in Toronto?
- In Toronto, drive suspended charges are laid by Toronto Police Service, OPP Highway Safety Division, GO Transit / Metrolinx Enforcement and Ministry of Transportation (MTO). The charge is then heard at one of the city's three Provincial Offences courts.
How long does a drive suspended charge take in Toronto?
- Point Duty Traffic Court Defence sees Toronto traffic matters run 10 to 12 months from charge to resolution. It varies, but that is the usual range.
How does the prosecutor handle drive suspended in Toronto?
- Point Duty Traffic Court Defence finds the Toronto prosecutors love early resolutions. Recently they have been saying that resolutions are not available on the date of trial, but they sometimes cave. Generally, for a first offence, they would offer a reasonable resolution.
Do I have to attend court in person in Toronto?
- Yes, it runs virtual courts. Although it's been a subject of conversation, I haven't seen a situation where a trial or other appearance has been ordered in person.
What else should I know about Toronto court?
- All three traffic courts in Toronto run on the same procedure. You can file tickets online through their online portal, and you can make a request for trial or early resolution. Reopenings have to be delivered in person — they cannot be emailed, as they can in some other jurisdictions.
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