Ontario's Andrew's Law: Lifetime Driving Bans for Fatal Dangerous Driving and What Drivers Need to Know

What This Means for You

Ontario tabled "Andrew's Law" on November 25, 2025, introducing the toughest dangerous driving penalties in Canadian history. If you drive in Ontario, these changes could affect you directly. Here's what you need to know and do.

The New Penalties at a Glance

Offence	Current Penalty	New Penalty Under Andrew's Law
Dangerous driving causing death	1-10 year suspension	Lifetime ban
Suspected dangerous driving	No roadside suspension	90-day immediate suspension
Driving with suspended licence	$1,000-$5,000 fine	Increased fines + longer impoundment

If You're Charged with Dangerous Driving

The new 90-day roadside suspension means police can immediately take your licence if they suspect dangerous driving—before any court conviction.

What triggers a roadside suspension:

Police observe behaviour they consider dangerous driving
Witness reports of dangerous driving
Evidence of excessive speed or reckless maneuvers
Involvement in a serious collision under investigation

What happens immediately:

Police seize your driver's licence on the spot
Your vehicle is impounded
You cannot drive for 90 days
You may still face criminal charges that proceed separately

How to challenge a 90-day roadside suspension:

According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, you can request a review of the suspension through the following process:

Request a review within 15 days of the suspension
Contact: Driver Improvement Office at 416-235-4415 or [email protected]
Mail address: Ministry of Transportation Driver Improvement Office, Driver Control Section, 77 Wellesley Street West, Box 671, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1N3
Pay the review fee (approximately $110)
Attend the hearing at the Licence Appeal Tribunal if scheduled

Important: The suspension remains in effect during the appeal process. You cannot drive while waiting for your review.

Cost of a dangerous driving charge:

Expense	Estimated Cost
Legal representation	$5,000 - $25,000+
Licence reinstatement fees	$200 - $500
Driver improvement interview	$50 - $100
Re-examination at DriveTest	$90 - $150
Increased insurance (if reinstated)	$3,000 - $10,000+/year
Vehicle impoundment fees	$500 - $2,000+

Example scenario: A 35-year-old driver suspected of dangerous driving faces a 90-day roadside suspension. Even if criminal charges are later dropped, they've already lost their licence for 3 months, paid impoundment fees of approximately $1,500, and may face insurance rate increases. Total minimum cost even without conviction: $3,000-$5,000.

If You're Convicted of Dangerous Driving Causing Death

Under Andrew's Law, a conviction for dangerous driving causing death results in a lifetime driving ban.

What "lifetime ban" means:

Your driver's licence is permanently revoked
You cannot apply for reinstatement—ever
This applies to all vehicle classes (car, motorcycle, commercial)
The ban is enforced nationally through interprovincial agreements

Can you ever drive again?

Under the proposed legislation, the lifetime ban appears to be absolute for convictions of dangerous driving causing death. However:

The legislation must still pass through the Ontario legislature
Legal challenges to lifetime bans are possible
Future governments could amend the law

If you're currently facing dangerous driving charges:

Consult a criminal defence lawyer immediately
Understand that charges laid before the law passes may not be subject to the new penalties
Do not assume you can negotiate a lesser charge—prosecutors may push for maximum penalties

If You Have a Suspended Licence

The increased penalties for driving with a suspended licence should concern anyone currently serving a suspension.

New consequences include:

Higher fines (amounts to be specified when bill passes)
Longer vehicle impoundment periods
Potential criminal charges in addition to Highway Traffic Act offences

How to reinstate a suspended licence in Ontario:

Serve your full suspension period—there are no shortcuts
Complete required programs:
- Driver improvement interview (call 416-235-3579 to schedule)
- Re-examination at a DriveTest Centre (three-part test)
- Any court-ordered programs (impaired driving education, etc.)
Pay all outstanding fees:
- Reinstatement fee: $198
- Any outstanding fines
- Administrative fees
Provide required documentation:
- Proof of insurance
- Completion certificates for required programs
- Valid identification
Visit ServiceOntario to receive your new licence

For Parents: Teaching Young Drivers

Andrew's Law should change how you discuss driving with teenagers and young adult drivers.

Key conversations to have:

A single fatal mistake can mean never driving again—for life
Dangerous driving isn't just about speed; aggressive lane changes, following too closely, and distracted driving all qualify
If charged, even if innocent, the 90-day suspension takes effect immediately

What constitutes "dangerous driving" legally: According to the Criminal Code of Canada, dangerous driving is operating a motor vehicle "in a manner that is dangerous to the public, having regard to all the circumstances."

Courts consider:

The nature, condition, and use of the place
The amount of traffic at the time
The manner of driving

Real examples that have resulted in dangerous driving charges:

Excessive speeding (typically 50+ km/h over limit)
Aggressive weaving through traffic
Racing on public roads
Running red lights at high speed
Distracted driving causing near-misses or collisions

Insurance Implications

While Andrew's Law focuses on criminal penalties, the insurance impact is also significant.

What to expect:

Any dangerous driving conviction makes you a "high-risk" driver
Standard insurers may refuse coverage entirely
Facility Association (high-risk pool) rates: $5,000-$15,000+/year
A lifetime ban means you'll never need driver's insurance again—but your household may still face impacts

If you're a household member: Even if you're not the person charged, having someone in your household with a dangerous driving conviction can increase your insurance rates, as insurers may consider access to vehicles.

The News: What Happened

On November 25, 2025, the Ontario government tabled Andrew's Law as part of an omnibus justice bill. According to CBC News, the legislation is named after Andrew Cristillo, a 35-year-old father of three who was killed on August 3, 2025 in a head-on crash in Whitchurch-Stouffville.

According to Global News, the man charged with dangerous driving causing death in Cristillo's case was already facing another dangerous driving charge from an incident involving Premier Doug Ford months earlier.

Solicitor General Michael Kerzner stated: "There's no excuse, not ever, for impaired or dangerous driving. Our government will not tolerate it. We will make sure those who endanger others face real consequences."

The legislation would:

Impose lifetime licence suspensions for dangerous driving causing death convictions
Allow police to immediately suspend a driver's licence for 90 days if they are suspected of dangerous driving
Increase fines and vehicle impoundment periods for driving with a suspended licence

Additional measures in the omnibus bill include requiring cash security deposits for bail, exploring transit constable authority to enforce drug prohibitions, and considering making parts of the sex offender registry publicly available.

Analysis: Why This Matters

The Tension with Speed Camera Ban

Opposition parties have pointed out an apparent contradiction in the Ford government's approach. According to CBC News, the Liberals and Greens said there was "hypocrisy in cracking down on dangerous driving while making it harder to enforce speeding laws" through the recent speed camera ban.

The government's position is that human police enforcement and tougher penalties are more effective than automated cameras. Critics argue that speed cameras provided consistent enforcement in school zones that police presence cannot replicate.

Roadside Suspensions: A Significant Shift

The 90-day roadside suspension for suspected dangerous driving is a major change in how Ontario approaches traffic enforcement. Previously, only impaired driving charges triggered immediate roadside suspensions.

This means police now have discretionary power to remove someone's driving privileges for three months based on their assessment of dangerous driving—without a court conviction.

Potential concerns:

Subjectivity in what constitutes "suspected" dangerous driving
Difficulty challenging suspensions that take effect immediately
Impact on people who depend on driving for work

Potential benefits:

Immediate removal of dangerous drivers from the road
Deterrent effect if drivers know they can lose their licence on the spot
Aligns with impaired driving enforcement approach

The Cristillo Family's Advocacy

Andrew Cristillo's brother has been pushing for these changes since the August crash. According to CTV News, he found the Ford government receptive to proposals for roadside suspensions and lifetime bans in extreme cases.

This reflects a broader pattern of victims' families driving legislative change in Ontario, similar to how previous road safety laws have been named after victims.

What Happens Next

The bill must still pass through the Ontario legislature. Given the Progressive Conservative majority, passage is expected, but:

Committee hearings may result in amendments
Implementation timelines need to be established
Regulations detailing how the 90-day suspensions work must be created

Your Action Plan

Immediate (This Week):

Review your own driving habits honestly
Check if you have any outstanding driving-related matters
Discuss the new law with family members who drive

If Currently Facing Charges:

Consult a criminal defence lawyer immediately
Understand how the timing of your charges relates to the new law
Do not make any statements to police without legal advice

For Long-term Safety:

Consider a defensive driving course to refresh safe driving habits
Install a dashcam for evidence in case of incidents
Review your auto insurance policy and understand your coverage

Other Perspectives

Provincial Government Position:

Solicitor General Kerzner emphasized zero tolerance for dangerous driving, stating the government will ensure "those who endanger others face real consequences." The government argues tougher penalties will deter dangerous driving and protect families.

Cristillo Family Position:

Andrew Cristillo's family has advocated for these changes, arguing that current penalties are insufficient to deter dangerous driving. The fact that the accused in Andrew's death was already facing dangerous driving charges demonstrates the need for stronger consequences.

Opposition Parties Position:

The NDP, Liberals, and Greens support tougher dangerous driving penalties but have criticized the government for simultaneously banning speed cameras. They argue this creates an enforcement gap, particularly in school zones where automated enforcement was most effective.

Legal Community Concerns:

Some defence lawyers have raised concerns about the 90-day roadside suspension, arguing it removes judicial oversight and could affect innocent people who are later acquitted. The ability for police to suspend licences without court involvement represents a significant expansion of police powers.

Civil Liberties Perspective:

Advocates for civil liberties have questioned whether lifetime driving bans constitute proportionate punishment and whether they could face Charter challenges. The immediate roadside suspension without court involvement also raises due process concerns.

Note: Including multiple perspectives doesn't imply all views are equally valid, but ensures readers can make informed judgments.

Corrections Policy

We strive for accuracy. If you find an error in this analysis, please contact us through our contact form. We will promptly investigate and correct any factual inaccuracies.

Updates:

No corrections to date (as of November 26, 2025)

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