Administrative Penalties Program

The Region of Waterloo's new Administrative Penalties Program for Municipal Speed Camera Tickets
Effective February 3, 2025, the Region of Waterloo is introducing a new, user-friendly way for citizens to pay tickets issued for speeding incidents detected by Municipal Speed Cameras in school zones across the Region. These tickets, now called Penalty Orders, will be processed locally through the Administrative Penalties Program. This change makes the process faster and more flexible, with local customer service and support.
This program supports our community’s goal to improve road safety by encouraging safer driving speeds, especially in school zones and community safety zones. Speed is a key factor in the severity of collisions and speed cameras are proven to reduce speeding, creating safer environments for walking, rolling and cycling. For more information on local road safety initiatives, visit SaferoadsWR.com.
What’s New?
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Streamlined Process: Penalty orders are now administered by the Region of Waterloo’s Administrative Penalties Program, offering easy, online payment with faster processing times. Requests to appeal a penalty order are no longer processed through the Provincial Offences Court. Instead, reviews are now conducted electronically by written decision after review by a municipal Screening Officer or Council-appointed Hearing Officer.
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Similar to Parking Tickets: This new system operates much like how parking tickets are managed - without impacting a driver's record and no demerit points are issued.
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Improved Access and Service: Citizens can go in person to any Regional building with a Customer Service desk or the Provincial Offences Court to pay a penalty order. Have questions or need help? Our Administrative Penalties Program team and the Region’s Service First Contact Centre are here to assist you (email us at app@regionofwaterloo.ca or call 519-575-4400).
Transition to the Administrative Penalties Program
- Automated speed enforcement notices (Offence Notice) will continue to be issued during the transition period throughout February and will be processed through the Provincial Offences Court system.
- For penalty orders issued as of February 3, 2025 through the Administrative Penalties Program, follow the updated process outlined under Penalty Order Options.
- Please reference the images below to confirm the type of ticket received and follow the payment instructions as indicated on the ticket. Review our Frequently Asked Questions section for more details.
Penalty Order Options
Pay a Penalty Order | Appeal a Penalty Order |
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150 Frederick Street, Kitchener 99 Regina Street, Waterloo 150 Main Street, Cambridge 77 Queen Street North, Kitchener Cash payments can only be received at 77 Queen Street North, Kitchener. Please have your penalty order number and your registered licence plate number available when making your payment.
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Stage 1 – Request a Screening Review
Stage 2 – Request a Review of Screening Officer’s decision with a Hearing Officer
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did I receive this penalty order? | ||||||||||
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What is an administrative penalty and what is a penalty order? | ||||||||||
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I received an Automated Speed Enforcement System Offence Notice for a speeding charge. What is the difference between an offence notice and a penalty order? | ||||||||||
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How are tickets (penalty orders) issued? | ||||||||||
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What is the deadline to respond to a penalty order? | ||||||||||
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What if someone other than the registered owner was driving the car? | ||||||||||
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How is the total amount payable calculated for my penalty order? | ||||||||||
Table 1: Fine amounts for speeding tickets issued by a speed camera, as set by the Highway Traffic Act, Ontario Regulation 355/22 (Administrative Penalties program):
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How are the revenues generated from the Administrative Penalties program used? | ||||||||||
Any surplus revenue above capital and operating costs is deposited in the Road User Safety Reserve, which is designated to be used for initiatives designed to improve safety for all road users in the Region. |
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Where can I find the Certificate of Accuracy for the Municipal Speed Cameras in the Region? | ||||||||||
Please refer to the location and offence date on your penalty order to find the corresponding Certificate of Accuracy. To view the Certificate of Accuracy visit the Municipal Speed Camera Program page. Use the interactive map to locate the speed camera and click on the certificate icon. | ||||||||||
Will there be an impact on my driving record as a result of a penalty order received for speeding? | ||||||||||
There are no demerit points issued with a penalty order and there is no impact on the registered owner's driving record for penalty orders that are issued from a Municipal Speed Camera. | ||||||||||
What happens if I don’t pay the ticket/penalty order? | ||||||||||
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Can I appeal a penalty order? | ||||||||||
Yes. There is a process in place for vehicle plate owners to appeal the penalty order received. Reasons to appeal could include:
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What should I expect from a Screening Review? | ||||||||||
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What should I expect from a Hearing Review? | ||||||||||
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Can I authorize someone else to act on my behalf? |
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Yes. You can have someone else represent you in the appeal process by submitting a completed Authorized Representation Letter to app@regionofwaterloo.ca. Alternatively, you may submit a completed form in person at the Region of Waterloo Customer Service Desk at 99 Regina Street, Waterloo. |
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What accessibility accommodations are available to those who need to pay or appeal a ticket? | ||||||||||
The Region of Waterloo is committed to removing barriers and responding to accommodation needs of individuals accessing services. The following guidelines and policies are in place to meet accessibility requirements:
Vision Barriers
The AP program website and documents are designed for blind and low-vision users. Hearing Barriers
Residents with hearing impairments can request a meeting in-person with ASL interpretation through the Region's Language Line or on Microsoft Teams, which offers closed captioning. Language Barrier
Connection Barrier (No internet access)
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What if I am not satisfied with the result of the screening review? |
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What if I can’t make my screening or hearing review meeting? | ||||||||||
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I missed my scheduled screening or hearing review meeting. What can I do? | ||||||||||
Failure to attend a scheduled meeting or cancel within the required time frame may result in additional fees applied to your penalty order and/or loss of your ability to continue the appeal process. |
Useful Links
- Provincial Offences Court
- Municipal Speed Cameras - Region of Waterloo
- Map of speed camera locations
- Ontario Regulation 355/22 Administrative Penalties for Vehicle Owner Contraventions Detected Using Camera Systems
- Region of Waterloo By-law 24-038 Administrative Penalties Program for Certain Offences
- Region of Waterloo By-law 24-039 Duties and Functions of Administrative Penalties Program Hearing Officers
- Pay a ticket
- Safe Roads Waterloo Region
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