Photo radars: Do speed camera tickets affect auto insurance in Ontario?
Has your insurance increased after a speeding ticket? It might be a good time to compare car insurance quotes to see if you can find a better rate.
With files from Jessica Ho
This article was originally published on July 9, 2021 and was updated on October 9, 2025.
Speed cameras, also known as photo radars, have become a hot topic of discussion in Ontario recently. From the Provincial government announcing plans to ban their use, to municipality leaders urging reconsideration, you may be wondering what a speed camera ticket really means. Is it simply a “cash grab”? Does it make roads safer? Will it have an impact on your driving record or auto insurance rates?
Let’s break down how speed cameras work and what a ticket means for your future insurance premiums.
Key takeaways
- Speed camera tickets generally have no impact on auto insurance premiums.
- While the tickets must be paid, they are tied only to the vehicle licence plate, not the driver and therefore do not affect insurance, demerit points or driving records.
- Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras are located in community safety zones, such as school zones, where speeding fines are double the usual cost.
- The ban on ASE cameras could mean higher auto insurance rates for Ontario drivers who are pulled over for speeding, as traditional speeding tickets can impact premiums.
How do speed cameras work?
Ontario’s Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) uses cameras to capture the speed of passing vehicles and issue tickets accordingly in an effort to promote safer driving. With monetary fines on the line, Ontario drivers are more likely to slow down on the road. In fact, a study released in July 2025 led by researchers at SickKids Hospital and Toronto Metropolitan University found that ASE cameras reduced the number of speeding vehicles by 45% in school zones.
After the camera detects a speeding vehicle, it records four pieces of information:
- The vehicle speed
- The vehicle’s licence plate, make, and model
- The date and time
- The travelling direction
A provincial offence officer then reviews the information for accuracy. They are the person to determine whether you were actually speeding, and if it’s valid, they will issue a ticket and send it to your address.
Photo radar ticket penalties in Ontario
The main consequence of a speed camera ticket is the fine you’ll need to pay. The cost of your ticket will depend on how fast over the speed limit you were travelling, and of course, a faster speed means you’ll be paying more.
In Ontario, the fines for speeding vary depending on the location where the speeding occurred. Community safety zones where ASE cameras are located are subject to double the fines set out for regular speeding tickets.
Speed camera ticket fines in Ontario
The penalties for speed camera tickets follow the set fines outlined in the Highway Traffic Act (HTA).
| Speed | Ticket Fine |
| 1-19 km/h over the speed limit | $6.00 per km |
| 20-29 km/h over the speed limit | $9.00 per km |
| 30-39 km/h over the speed limit | $14.00 per km |
| 50km/h or more over the speed limit | $19.50 per km |
How much is a speed camera ticket in Ontario?
The cost of a speed camera ticket is calculated based on your exact speed at the time of the conviction. For instance, if the speed limit was 40 km/h and you were going 55 km/h, the ticket would cost $90.00 (15km/h multiplied by $6.00 per km).
That’s not all you’ll have to pay, however, as there is a court cost of $5.00 and the victim fine surcharge (VFS) to add on. The surcharge is added to some fines in Ontario as funding to help victims of crime. It is calculated based on the cost of your speeding ticket.
| Speeding Ticket Fine | Victim Surcharge Fine |
| $0-$50 | $10 |
| $51-$75 | $15 |
| $76-$100 | $20 |
| $101-$150 | $25 |
| $151-$200 | $35 |
| $201-$250 | $50 |
| $251-$300 | $60 |
| $301-$350 | $75 |
| $351-$400 | $85 |
| $401-$450 | $95 |
| $451-$500 | $110 |
| $501-$1000 | $125 |
| Over $1000 | 25% of the speeding ticket fine |
From this, the speeding ticket would actually cost a total of $120.00, including the $20.00 victim fine surcharge and $5.00 court cost.
Do you get demerit points from speed camera tickets?
No, you will not receive demerit points from a speed camera ticket because the camera only records the vehicle, not the driver. Therefore, it will not impact your driving record. The info collected from the ASE only allows the ticket to be issued to the vehicle owner, regardless of who was driving. It wouldn’t be fair to add demerit points to the owner’s record for a mistake made by a friend or spouse when borrowing their car.
Also read: Do demerit points impact your car insurance?
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Do speed camera tickets go on your driving history?
No, a speed camera ticket will not appear on your driving history because the camera doesn’t record the driver, only the vehicle licence plate. Getting pulled over for speeding by the police is completely different, as a physical person is able to identify who was speeding at the time.
Also read: How to check your Ontario driver’s history
Do speeding tickets from cameras affect your insurance?
No, speed camera tickets generally have no impact on your car insurance premium. When renewing your auto insurance or applying for a new policy, insurers consider your driving history within the last three years to determine your risk level. But, since speed camera tickets do not impact your driving record, your provider won’t factor in the ticket when calculating your premium.
What happens if you don’t pay speed camera tickets?
If you don’t pay a speed camera ticket by the listed due date, additional fees will be added to your outstanding amount. In addition, your Ontario licence plate will not be renewed until you pay the outstanding fees in full. For more information, visit the City of Toronto website.
Can you fight a speed camera ticket in court?
Yes, like any regular ticket, you can dispute a speed camera ticket in court if you feel it was a mistake or the fine is too substantial. With photo radar tickets, however, there is no penalty to your demerit points, driving record, or insurance, so it may not be worth your time or effort. Hiring legal representation to help with the dispute might also financially outweigh the cost of your ticket in the end, so consider your options clearly.
How will the ban on Ontario speed cameras affect insurance rates?
If Ontario speed cameras are banned, auto insurance premiums could increase if more drivers are pulled over for speeding by a police officer. The reason is that traditional speeding tickets are tied to the driver and appear on their driving records. That means that when you renew your auto insurance or apply for a new policy, your provider will consider the speeding conviction when calculating rates. Driving safely and obeying traffic laws will help you avoid an increase in your auto insurance premiums.
The bottom line
Although speed camera tickets aren’t something to celebrate, it’s nice to know that you won’t need to worry about your car insurance premiums increasing. If you’re up for renewal or applying for a new policy, compare auto insurance quotes online at Ratehub.ca to find your most affordable rates.