Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras were completely banned across Ontario on November 14, 2025, under the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025 (Bill 56). New tickets are no longer issued, but any tickets from before the system was deactivated remain valid. Legacy ASE camera tickets in London are issued to the vehicle owner and carry zero demerit points, so they do not affect your auto insurance. You can still fight or reduce the fine for older tickets at the London Provincial Offences Court.
Previously, as you drove through school zones and Community Safety Zones in London, you may have noticed small grey boxes on the side of the road. These Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras operated 24/7, snapping photos of licence plates that exceeded the posted speed limit. However, following the Royal Assent of Bill 56 (the Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025) on November 3, 2025, amendments to the Highway Traffic Act completely banned municipal speed cameras. As a result, all cameras were deactivated on November 14, 2025. While new tickets are no longer issued, any penalty notice for an offence committed prior to the ban is still legally valid and requires action.
Because these legacy tickets target the licence plate and not a specific human being, they are treated differently than a ticket handed to you by a London Police officer. 📋 While you do not have to worry about your insurance premiums skyrocketing, the financial hit from older tickets can still be severe. Many Londoners choose to fight these valid tickets or request a fine reduction. If you are feeling overwhelmed, checking our directory for a local traffic paralegal can help you navigate the municipal court system.
Step-by-Step Process in London, Ontario
Ignoring an older ASE ticket will block the automatic renewal of your licence plate registration, meaning you risk driving with invalid plates and receiving a police fine. Here is the correct step-by-step process to challenge a valid legacy camera ticket at the London courthouse.
Step 1: Review the Notice of Offence
When the ticket arrives, review the evidence carefully. 🔍 Look at the clear photograph of your licence plate, the date, the time, and the recorded speed. Ensure the offence date is on or before November 13, 2025. Verify that the vehicle in the photo is actually yours and that the plate was not stolen or cloned. The ticket will clearly state that it falls under the Highway Traffic Act but brings no demerit points.
Step 2: Select Option 3 (Early Resolution)
Turn the ticket over. You will typically see three options: Pay the fine, plead guilty with an explanation, or request a trial/early resolution. Select Option 3 to request a meeting with the municipal prosecutor. You can usually submit this Notice of Intention to Appear online through the City of London website or mail it to the Provincial Offences Court at 824 Dundas Street East.
Step 3: Attend the Early Resolution Meeting
A few months later, you will receive a date for a phone or video meeting with the Crown Prosecutor. 💬 At this meeting, you or your paralegal can explain your situation. If you have a clean driving record, or if you are facing financial hardship, the prosecutor will frequently offer to significantly reduce the fine amount in exchange for a guilty plea.
Step 4: Requesting a Formal Trial
If you refuse the prosecutor’s offer, the case moves to a formal trial before a Justice of the Peace. Fighting a legacy camera ticket at trial is notoriously difficult because the machine’s calibration logs are presumed accurate by the court. You would need to prove a technical error in the ASE system, which usually requires hiring an expert witness. For most people, taking the reduced fine at Early Resolution is the most practical choice.
How Much Does it Cost in London?
Because ASE cameras were legally restricted to Community Safety Zones and school zones, the fines were statutorily doubled. 💵 Here is what a valid legacy speed camera ticket might cost you.
| Speed Over the Limit | Estimated Fine (CAD) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 19 km/h over | $5 per km/h | Plus the mandatory provincial victim surcharge and court costs. |
| 20 to 29 km/h over | $7.50 per km/h | A ticket for 25 km/h over will cost roughly $187.50 plus surcharges. |
| 30 to 49 km/h over | $12 per km/h | A ticket for 40 km/h over will cost roughly $480 plus surcharges. |
| Paralegal Representation | $200 – $400 | The fee to have a professional handle the Early Resolution meeting for you. |
How Long Does the Process Take?
The ASE cameras are now permanently deactivated, but the court system is still processing older tickets. 🕐 You would have typically received the ticket in the mail within 23 days of the flashing camera. Once you select Option 3, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months to get your Early Resolution meeting scheduled at the London courthouse. If you proceed to a full trial, expect the process to take up to a year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if my friend was driving my car?
Under Ontario law, the registered owner of the vehicle is strictly liable for automated camera tickets, regardless of who was driving. You must pay the fine, but you will not receive any demerit points. It is up to you to collect the money from your friend privately.
Will an ASE ticket increase my insurance rates?
No. Because the ticket is issued to the licence plate and not your personal driver’s licence, it does not appear on your motor vehicle driving record. Therefore, your auto insurance company will not see it and your rates will not increase.
Can I lose my licence for a speed camera ticket?
No. Even if the camera caught the vehicle doing 50 km/h over the limit (which is normally stunt driving), an automated camera could not issue a stunt driving charge or suspend your licence. It simply resulted in a massive monetary fine.
What happens if I just ignore the ticket?
If you fail to pay or dispute a legacy ticket within 15 days, you will be found guilty in absentia. The unpaid fine will be sent to the Ministry of Transportation, and your automatic licence plate renewal will be completely blocked until the debt is paid in full, meaning you risk driving with invalid plates and facing a police fine.
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