Nobody likes that sinking feeling when you see flashing lights in your rear-view mirror. Speeding tickets are one of the most common traffic offences, but how many can you get before you actually lose your licence? The answer depends on several factors, including the severity of the offence, how quickly you rack up points, and whether you already have previous violations on your record. Let’s break it all down so you know exactly where you stand.

The Points System: How It Works

In most places, speeding offences add points to your driving record. The more serious the offence, the more points you’ll receive. If you hit the maximum number of points allowed within a certain period (typically two to three years), you could face suspension or even revocation of your licence.

• Minor speeding offences – Usually result in 3 points, depending on how much you exceeded the limit.
• Moderate speeding – Going well over the limit can mean 4–6 points.
• Excessive speeding or reckless driving – In some cases, this can result in 6–8 points or even an instant ban.

The number of points required for a suspension varies. In some regions, reaching 12 points in three years leads to an automatic suspension, while other places have a lower or higher threshold.

How Many Tickets Before a Suspension?

There’s no single answer, as it depends on the severity of each ticket. A few minor speeding tickets over a few years might not be a huge issue, but several in a short space of time can get you in trouble quickly.

For example, if you get three minor speeding tickets (3 points each) within three years, you’d have 9 points – which may not be enough for an automatic suspension but will put you dangerously close. However, if you get caught speeding significantly over the limit just twice, with 6 points per offence, you’d hit 12 points quickly, leading to a suspension.

Fighting a Ticket: When a Lawyer Can Help

Not all speeding tickets are cut and dry. In some cases, you may be able to challenge the charge with the help of a lawyer from OTD Legal. This could be due to inaccurate speed camera readings, unclear signage, or other mitigating factors. If you believe you’ve been wrongly fined or if losing your licence would have a significant impact on your livelihood, it’s worth seeking legal advice. In some cases, penalties can be reduced or even overturned entirely.

New Drivers: Stricter Rules Apply

If you’re a newly qualified driver, you need to be extra careful. Many regions have stricter rules for new drivers, meaning they can lose their licence with far fewer points. Some places enforce a rule where accumulating just 6 points within the first two years results in an automatic revocation of your licence. That means even two minor speeding tickets could send you back to square one, requiring you to retake your driving test.

Speeding vs. Dangerous Driving

While a basic speeding offence usually results in points and a fine, excessive speeding can be classified as dangerous or reckless driving, which carries much harsher consequences. If you’re caught driving at an extreme speed—such as 50 km/h over the limit—you could face an immediate licence suspension, hefty fines, or even criminal charges in some cases.

What Happens if You Ignore a Ticket?

Ignoring a speeding ticket is never a good idea. Failing to pay fines or respond to notices can lead to more severe penalties, including additional fines, a licence suspension, or even legal action. If you receive a speeding ticket, it’s best to deal with it promptly, whether that means paying the fine, attending a driving course (if offered), or challenging it in court.

Can a Driving Course Reduce Your Points?

In some cases, attending a defensive driving or speed awareness course can help reduce points on your licence or prevent them from being added in the first place. This option is usually available for minor speeding offences and can be a good way to avoid penalties while improving your driving skills. However, it’s not always an option, and you can’t take these courses repeatedly to avoid consequences.

Will Your Insurance Go Up?

Accumulating speeding tickets doesn’t just risk your licence—it can also have a significant impact on your car insurance rates. Insurance companies view speeding offences as a sign of risky behaviour, which means premiums can increase after just one or two tickets. If you rack up multiple violations, you could be classified as a high-risk driver, making it difficult or extremely expensive to get insured.

How to Avoid Losing Your Licence

No one wants to deal with fines, points, or the stress of potentially losing their licence. Here are some simple ways to stay within the limits and keep your record clean:

• Know the speed limits – Be aware of changes in speed zones, especially in residential areas or near schools.
• Use cruise control – This can help maintain a steady speed, particularly on motorways or long stretches of road.
• Leave early – Rushing because you’re late is one of the most common reasons people speed. Give yourself extra time.
• Watch for speed cameras – Fixed and mobile speed cameras are common. Staying aware of their locations can help you avoid unnecessary tickets.
• Stay alert – Check your speedometer regularly, especially when transitioning between different speed zones.

Final Thoughts: Drive Smart, Stay Legal

Losing your licence due to speeding tickets isn’t inevitable, but it can happen if you’re not careful. The key is to stay aware of your driving habits, keep an eye on your points, and make smart choices on the road. A couple of minor offences might not lead to an immediate suspension, but repeated violations—or a single serious one—can have lasting consequences. Drive responsibly, and you won’t have to worry about losing your licence anytime soon.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a futuristic concept they’re a part of everyday life now. And with more EVs on the road, the need for accessible charging is growing fast. For businesses, adding EV charging isn’t just a bonus feature anymore! It’s an opportunity to connect with customers in a meaningful way. Curious how this works?

Meeting Customers Where They Are

Picture this: an EV driver pulls into your business’s parking lot. They’ve been running errands, and their car is low on charge. Instead of feeling stressed about finding a station, they’re pleasantly surprised to see your EV chargers ready to go. Right away, you’ve made their day easier and that matters.

People want to know they can charge their car without extra hassle, and offering this service shows that you’re paying attention to their needs. Plus, when you make life easier for customers, you’re creating positive experiences that stick with them. 

Turning Charging Into an Experience

Let’s face it: waiting for a car to charge isn’t exactly thrilling. But you can turn that downtime into something valuable. Think about what makes your business stand out great coffee, unique products, or maybe a cozy atmosphere. Now imagine pairing that with EV charging.

For example, while customers wait, they can grab a snack, browse your store, or relax in your space. It’s a win-win: they get something productive out of the time, and you have a chance to engage them further. It’s not just about providing a service; it’s about creating an experience they’ll remember.

Drawing More People In

If your business has invested in commercial EV charging services, it’s like putting up a big welcome sign for a whole new group of potential customers. EV drivers are actively looking for places where they can charge their cars, and businesses that offer this service instantly stand out.

Here’s the best part: these customers aren’t just charging and leaving. They’re likely to spend time at your location while they wait, giving you more chances to make a sale or leave a great impression. Over time, this can lead to more foot traffic, new customers, and increased loyalty.

Showing You Care About Sustainability

More and more people care about the environment and want to support businesses that share their values. By offering EV charging, you’re sending a clear message: you’re committed to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions.

This isn’t just good for the planet it’s good for your brand. Customers appreciate businesses that take action on important issues, and being environmentally friendly can help set you apart from competitors. It’s a simple way to show you’re part of the solution, not the problem.

Making Charging Easy With the Right Tech

Nobody wants to deal with complicated or unreliable charging stations. That’s why the technology behind your chargers is so important. Things like user-friendly apps, contactless payments, and real-time updates about charger availability can make a huge difference.

When charging is simple and stress-free, it reflects well on your business. On the other hand, if it’s confusing or inconvenient, it could frustrate customers. Choosing reliable, easy-to-use charging stations ensures that your customers leave with a positive impression, not a headache.

Why It’s Good for Business

Let’s talk about the bottom line. Adding EV chargers isn’t just a nice thing to do; it’s a smart investment. For starters, it helps you stand out from competitors who haven’t made the leap yet. It also increases the amount of time customers spend at your location. Hello more sales!

There’s also a unique demographic factor. EV owners tend to be environmentally conscious, tech-savvy, and willing to pay for convenience. These are exactly the types of customers who value quality.

How to Get Started

Thinking about adding EV chargers? Here are a few things to consider. First, think about your customer base and location. Are you near a busy shopping center, a popular restaurant area, or a highway? These factors can help you figure out how much demand there might be for charging.

Next, decide on the type of chargers you’ll need. For customers who might be spending an hour or two at your business, Level 2 chargers are a great choice. If you’re catering to people who are just stopping briefly, faster options like DC chargers might make more sense.

Finally, don’t forget to let people know you have chargers available. Add signs around your location, list your chargers on popular EV charging apps, and include this info in your marketing. The easier it is for people to find and use your chargers, the more value you’ll get from them.

The Future of Customer Experience Is Electric

As EVs become more common, businesses that offer charging will naturally attract more customers and stand out from the competition.

Investing in EV charging today positions your business as forward-thinking, customer-focused, and ready to thrive in a more sustainable future. So, what’s stopping you? The future of customer experience is electric make sure you’re part of it.

If you happen to own an older car that has just gone out of warranty, then get ready for increased maintenance expenses and the possibility of having to make major repairs that can be expensive. There are many advantages of owning a new vehicle. Here is a closer look at the costs of continuing to own an older car to help you decide if it is time to replace your car with a newer one.

Increased Maintenance

As a car gets older it needs more maintenance to keep it running properly. Many parts are designed to last through the warranty period; however, after a car is about three to five years old, things just start falling apart.

A summary report from V12 Data of the auto aftermarket parts industry research, shows that typical increased maintenance expenses for older cars come from these items and more:

• More frequent air, oil, and fuel filter changes.
• More frequent oil changes.
• Start using premium grade oil that is more expensive.
• Fuse replacements.
• Brake drums and brake pads.
• Start using fuel additives.
• More frequent spark plug changes.
• Light and headlamp replacement.
• Wheel alignment.
• Battery replacement.

Owners of older cars are twice as likely to expect to pay more than $1,300 per year for auto maintenance, when compared to owners of newer vehicles. Many find that they save money on these expenses by getting car loans to buy a new vehicle or an almost-new, low-mileage vehicle that is still under warranty.

Increased Repairs

Along with the increased maintenance costs there may be a need for increased repairs, some of which are very costly. Typical repairs for older cars come from these items: upholstery repair, paint deterioration, that requires a new paint job to repair, windshield and window cracks and oil leaks. These are just some of the problems that you will encounter with an old car. Why not get a car loan and avoid them instead?

Major repairs to the drivetrain and engine are costly. Many have to borrow to cover these expenses.The most expensive problems reported by Car Health Monitor Reviews and the average price converted to Canadian dollars to make the repairs are: engine replacements, ring & cylinder repair, transmission damage and break system tunings.

Fuel Economy

A brand-new car may be more fuel-efficient than an older one. This can be a big expense if you drive frequently and use more gas to go the same distance in a less fuel-efficient older car. You can use an online fuel calculator to get the information for your older car and compare it to the fuel economy of the newer vehicle.

Emergency Road Service and Towing

An older car may have more problems that require emergency road assistance and towing. If the car is in the repair shop for an extended period, there could be a need to pay for a rental car while it is being repaired. Depending on the tow truck company, getting your car towed could be costly. Why not get a new car and not wait until your car is broken down on the road?

New cars can have problems; however, the big repairs should be covered by the warranty and they are less likely to occur. With an older vehicle, there is always the chance of some major repair being suddenly needed without any time for preparation. This is the main reason why getting a new car can save money. Other reasons could be towing, fuel economy, and the need for road-side assistance. You can avoid all of these problems but getting a new car today.

Have you exhausted all the thrills of the speedway? Do you feel ready to be the next Ken Block?
Here are a few basics you need to know before you think about customising a car and preparing yourself for drifting.

First of all, drifting is not something you should try with the car you drive to work. The modifications would of course allow you to still go to work, but your modified car would be less safe (more about this later), while an unmodified car would drift poorly.

In short: your drifting car should be customised for drifting only.

The second most important thing is that you need to have access to dedicated tracks. It can be tempting to find deserted parking lots late at night but remember that a parking lot of a mall is private property. Out of opening hours, you could end up being charged for trespassing. Keep in mind that malls have security cameras or private security and that drifting is noisy.

Drifting is an expensive hobby because typically you need to customise a dedicated car, change tyres pretty much all the time, and rent the track.

Choosing the right car

First and foremost, you need a rear-wheel-drive, which should be fairly light. Remember that drifting is all about weight transfer, transforming the momentum to rotate the car. A heavier car will be more difficult to use for drifting. Typically cars customised for drifting are sedans or coupes.

The Hudson Hornet has now become a legend in itself. Popular models these days include old BMW’s, Volvo 300 series and Ford Sierras. MW V8 were able to provide 300-400 horsepower output and BMW ruled for many years, but the German giant is losing ground to even more powerful American V8 engines.

Whatever your final choice is, power is key to achieving the wow effect you need. After all, drifting involves showmanship, emotions, and skills.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds

Good drifting requires …  LSD. LSD stands for Limited Slip Differential, probably the most essential part from the technical point of view. In a nutshell, it is a mechanical device that allows you to keep moving if, say, your car was stuck with one wheel on a slab of ice. Without an LSD, the wheel on the ice would get all the torque and your car would not move. 

Tyre selection

Using commercial tyres for drifting is possible, but bear in mind that drifting uses up the tyre exceptionally quickly. A lot of drifters buy cheap new tyres which, in most cases, are not intended to last more than one drifting session.

DOT treadwear measures how quickly your tyres will wear out, and they will resist the specific conditions of drifting. Proper tyres for drifting, such as the Falken Azenis RT615K, or Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08R will have very high DOT (about 200) but also the corresponding price tag.

Steering and the hand brake

In most production cars, Ackermann steering geometry allows the wheels to have a different angle when the car is turning. It is of course essential for the car to be able to handle road turns without losing control. The differential completes this mechanism as it allows the wheels to have a different speed.

Drifting is about losing control without losing control so to speak, so you need to get rid of your Ackermann. This is also why a car tuned for drifting could become dangerous in the hands of a careless or inexperienced driver.

The hand brake should be modified too. Commercial hand brakes lock when pulled. In drifting pulling the hand brake should not force you to unlock it before disabling it. And this is just another reason why your drifting car is not intended for everyday use.

For the driver

Just like speedway, motocross, rally racing or Formula 1, drifting is a motoring discipline which puts a lot of stress on machines and the people who drive them.

Safety comes first so always wear a helmet – not exactly because your car may hit another car but mostly because you can bump your head inside your car. Your body should obviously be secured within a racing seat with a harness.

Drifting involves strong centrifugal forces and you need to be able to concentrate on driving. Without a harness you would also find it harder to make the right move at the right moment.

It is also recommended that you change your steering wheel for a smaller one so that it can spin freely when you release it.

If you are taking your first steps in drifting, keep the above tips in mind and prepare everything you need. If you plan this adventure carefully and ahead of time and remain focused behind the wheel you’re bound to have a wonderful drifting experience.

If you are enthusiastic about cars, then it is a great idea to have a business that is related to your hobby. One of the most in-demand businesses nowadays is a car repair shop or a local garage. Entrepreneurs who have this kind of business are known to earn a good profit because they can make better deals with their clients.

Also, many drivers nowadays happen to own old car models which means that spare parts are quite hard to find which is why owners prefer to have their vehicles repaired by a local mechanic instead of bringing it to the dealership. If you want to make a living out of fixing cars, it is essential to get Tradex Motor Trade Insurance for your protection against liability in the line of work. Also, here are some tips on how to be successful in this kind of business.

Always think of a business plan

Every enterprise, whether it is big or small, needs to have a business plan. If it is your first time venturing into a car repair shop business, all the more reason you need a solid business plan. First, you need to determine the scope of your services to give you a rough estimate with regards to the number of customers that you expect to cater to daily.

What services are you planning to offer? Do you expect to provide oil changes, engine overhaul, wheel realignments? Would you prefer to cover more extensive services that give you more opportunity to increase your income? Are you planning to get additional people to help you fix cars? It would help if you asked yourself these questions so you can have a clear direction for where your business is heading.

Also, having a solid business plan makes it easier for you to apply for a loan from banks and other institutions. Extra capital can always go a long way in providing better service for your clients.

Look for a good location

You want your customers to have easy access to your shop; that is why it is essential to look for a prime location. If you have the opportunity to lease or buy out an existing car repair shop, then it might be the right business decision. You get to have the current tools and equipment, and you also have a good chance of acquiring their old clients. This decision is more cost efficient compared to starting your shop from scratch.

Think of a good selling point

When you are about to promote your business, it is essential to define your selling point. What sets you apart from other auto shops? Are you willing to give better deals and lengthy promotions to encourage more clients? What are the reasons why customers should choose to avail of your services?

Also, it is an excellent idea if you specialise in certain services, for example, auto detailing and deep engine cleaning since many customers nowadays would like their vehicles to have a smaller carbon footprint.

Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/cleaning-steam-smoke-pressure-1837331/

Are you looking for a new set of wheels? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Your Subaru Portland dealership has an excellent selection of new and used vehicles. But with so many great options, how do you choose? We’re here to help you with that too.

You are in dire need of a car. Unfortunately, you can’t just buy one right off the bat because you have a less than stellar credit. You’re down to 2 choices. You can either borrow your mom’s car or you can go for rent to own cars. If you go for the first option, your mom wouldn’t be too happy about it – especially if you use it for an indefinite period of time. As for the second option, you’ll need to arm yourself with the right kind of information about renting to buy cars.

A wheelchair can help you get around, but it won’t be able to take you on long journeys like a car can. That’s why many long-term wheelchair users make sure they can push their wheelchair up into a vehicle with them still inside. You can buy lift systems that do this mechanically, but here are just four reasons why you’re better off buying a folding ramp.