Last Updated: August 15 2026
Question: Can someone be charged with hitchhiking in Ontario and what penalties could apply?
Answer: In Ontario, a paralegal at Garrett Legal Services can help you understand whether your conduct falls under the Highway Traffic Act offence for soliciting a ride while “on the roadway,” and what penalties may follow if police lay charges: Under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 177(1), hitchhiking is prohibited, and if convicted under the general penalty rule in Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 214(1), the fine can range from $60 to $1,000, plus victim surcharge and court costs. If you received a ticket or a court date, call (519) 857-5170 at Garrett Legal Services for a fast review of the charge and practical next steps to help protect your options in Ontario.
Can a Person Be Charged For Hitchhiking?
Hitchhiking, Meaning Soliciting Drivers For a Ride and Doing So While Standing or Walking Along the Roadway, Is Unlawful and An Offence Contrary to the Highway Traffic Act. The Fine For Hitchhiking Ranges From $60 to $1,000 and Is Also Subject...
Understanding the Highway Traffic Act Charge For Hitchhiking Including the Applicable Penalties
A person that is standing or walking along the roadway seeking a driver who will provide a ride is engaging in what is commonly known as, and referred to as,hitchhiking. Within Ontario, among other places, hitchhiking is unlawful as doing so creates a significant danger to the person that is hitchhiking. A risk also exists where a driver of a motor vehicle may slow and change lanes suddenly in the effort to pick up the hitchhiker, surprising other drivers, and thereby cause an accident.
The Law
The law that forbids a person from hitchhiking along the roadway is prescribed by section 177(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8. For those found guilty of violating section 177(1), the details for the penalty upon conviction are prescribed by section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act whereas section 177(1) is actually silent, meaning absent, about the penalty details. Interestingly, what is actually defined as the "roadway" often requires careful review of the definition as per section 1 of the Highway Traffic Act. Within section 177(1), section 214(1), and section 1 of the Highway Traffic Act it is specifically stated:
Soliciting rides prohibited
177(1) No person, while on the roadway, shall solicit a ride from the driver of a motor vehicle other than a public passenger conveyance.
General penalty
214 (1) Every person who contravenes this Act or any regulation is guilty of an offence and on conviction, where a penalty for the contravention is not otherwise provided for herein, is liable to a fine of not less than $60 and not more than $1,000.
“roadway” means the part of the highway that is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, but does not include the shoulder, and, where a highway includes two or more separate roadways, the term “roadway” refers to any one roadway separately and not to all of the roadways collectively;
Accordingly, per the general penalty stated within section 214(1) as is shown above, the fine for hitchhiking is in a range from sixty ($60) dollars to one thousand ($1,000) dollars. Additional penalties will include the statutory victim surcharge plus court cost.
Summary Comment
Hitchhiking presents a great risk of serious harm to the hitchhiker and possible others using the roadway whereas such is both a distraction and also presents as a hazard when a driver suddenly brakes and swerves to pick up a hitchhiker. Accordingly, the law forbids hitchhiking and imposes a fine of up to one thousand ($1,000) dollars plus victim surcharge and court cost.
NOTE: A significant portion of online searches involving “lawyers near me” or “best lawyer in” generally indicate a desire for swift, competent legal assistance rather than a focus on a specific legal title. In Ontario, licensed paralegals operate under the same regulatory authority as lawyers, the Law Society, and are empowered to act on behalf of clients in select litigation cases. Their core responsibilities include advocacy, legal analysis, and procedural expertise. Garrett Legal Services provides legal services within its prescribed scope, focusing on strategic case development, collection of evidence, and compelling advocacy to secure effective and advantageous outcomes for clients.