Last Updated: August 22 2026
Can a person be charged for hitchhiking in Ontario?
Yes. In Ontario, standing or walking along a roadway to solicit a ride is an offence under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 177(1), with a conviction fine of not less than $60 and not more than $1,000 under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 214(1), plus victim surcharge and court costs. The term “roadway” is limited to the part of the highway improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular traffic and it excludes the shoulder, so facts about where you were standing or walking can matter. If you were ticketed, a paralegal at Garrett Legal Services can review the circumstances and help you choose the best next step in Ontario, call (519) 857-5170.
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Is It Unlawful to Solicit Rides by 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...
Note: Please contact Garrett Legal Services by phone at: (519) 857-5170 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.
Understanding the Highway Traffic Act Charge For Hitchhiking Including the Applicable Penalties
When a person is standing or walking along the side of a road with a thumb up seeking a driver who will stop and provide the person with a ride, such conduct is colloquially known as hitchhiking. Within Ontario, among other places, hitchhiking is unlawful as doing so creates a significant danger to the person that is hitchhiking. Additionally, a risk to others arises whereas a vehicle driver may be distracted by the hitchhiker or stop suddenly to pick up the hitchhiker thereby surprising other drivers and possibly 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;
As show above, the general penalty prescribed by section 214(1) of the Highway Traffic Act imposes a fine ranging from sixty ($60) dollars to one thousand ($1,000) dollars for hitchhiking. Furthermore, a statutory victim surcharge plus court cost will also apply.
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 number of online searches for “lawyers near me” or “top lawyer in” tend to highlight a desire for swift, capable legal assistance rather than a demand for a specific professional designation. In Ontario, licensed paralegals are governed by the same Law Society that regulates solicitors and are empowered to provide representation in certain designated litigation cases. Their core expertise encompasses advocacy, legal evaluation, and procedural competence. Garrett Legal Services offers legal services within its authorized scope, focusing on strategic case management, gathering of evidence, and compelling advocacy to secure prompt and favourable outcomes for clients.
