How many years does a conviction stay on your driving record?

[gei]

If I am convicted of an offense under the highway traffic act in Ontario (ie speeding), how many years does it stay on my record?

From my understanding:

- Insurance companies can see offenses within 3 years
- Police officers who have pulled you over can see your offenses dating back 5 years
- and a Judge/Justice of Peace (if you take the issue to court) can see any offenses on your record dating back 10 years

Am I correct on all these counts?

Also, can anyone suggest a good paralegal in Mississauga? X-Coppers?

[cluless]

From what I can recall, insurance will hold it for 5 years, but police records is 3 years.

[gei]

From what I can recall, insurance will hold it for 5 years, but police records is 3 years.

im quite certain you're wrong. insurance only holds it against you for 3 years.

anyone else?

[nsr250]

From what I can recall, insurance will hold it for 5 years, but police records is 3 years.

I thought it was the other way around like the OP said

I had to wait 3 years before I could purchase insurance with a clean record so I know after 3 years your insurance won't know about it.

[cluless]

im quite certain you're wrong. insurance only holds it against you for 3 years.

anyone else?

Insurance will completely wipe it off your record after 5 years. But then again, it may depend on your insurance company.. ?...

I've asked around and this is what I recall being told at that time.

[Shaner]

Both are 3 years.
Your insurance company may not lower your rates after that 3 year period is up, but they are not legally allowed to hold it against you after the 3 year period is up.

Think about it. If you don't have any blemishes on your official driving record which is maintained by the provincial government, how can a private business tell you that you do have a blemish?

But we all know insurance companies do what they want when they want. If they feel like raising your rates (or not lowering them after a certain period of time), they will do so.
Don't like it? Tough titty.

[Gevaltech]

I know it is 3 years for insurance...but I have a follow up question. Is it from the date of the actual occurence (when you were caught) or from the conviction (in court)? The latter can be over a year later!

[euphoria18_79]

For insurance it is 3 years from the conviction date.

[thelefteyeguy]

confirmed...3yrs for insurance also.

how you know...well besides asking...if you ever to a quote...they only want to know that last 3 yrs of history for traffic convictions

[shoppingmama]

I got my first speeding ticket, 20km over the limit. I'm going to go to court and ask for a reduction. Will my insurnace rate be affected by this ticket? (clean driving record for almost 20 years) Do insurance companies pull your driving record every year when they renew your insurnace? We've been with the same company for 7 years and have great rates and I would like to keep it like that. :)

Anyone work for an insurance company?

[Narci]

I got my first speeding ticket, 20km over the limit. I'm going to go to court and ask for a reduction. Will my insurnace rate be affected by this ticket? (clean driving record for almost 20 years) Do insurance companies pull your driving record every year when they renew your insurnace? We've been with the same company for 7 years and have great rates and I would like to keep it like that. :)

Anyone work for an insurance company?

1) Yes
2) No
and...
3) No

[euphoria18_79]

Depending on your insurance company.. it may or may not affect your rates. I am a broker in Alberta... and 1 company that we represent will change your driving record for 1 ticket. Most of ours allow up to 3.