Last Updated: August 22 2026
Question: Can someone be charged in Ontario for hitchhiking while standing or walking along the roadway?
Answer: Yes. In Ontario, soliciting a ride while on the roadway is prohibited under Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 177(1), and it can be charged where you are standing or walking on or near the driving portion of the highway (the “roadway”), not just the shoulder. If convicted, the penalty for a contravention with no other penalty set out is a fine of not less than $60 and not more than $1,000, plus the victim surcharge and court costs under the Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 214(1). If you want to understand whether the charge fits your situation and what evidence may matter, Defend-it Legal Services can help with paralegal services and practical case guidance, and they also provide private investigation, background searches, and fingerprinting agency support for Ontario matters by phone at (289) 275-3513.
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Can a Person Be Charged For Hitchhiking?
In Ontario, Hitchhiking Along a Roadway As a Means of Soliciting a Ride Is Unlawful and Subject to a Fine Ranging From $60 to $1,000 Plus the Statutory Victim Surcharge and Court Cost.
Note: Please contact Defend-it Legal Services by phone at: (289) 275-3513 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.
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. In Ontario, this type of conduct is unlawful as such poses a potential danger including risks that the person hitchhiking may be accidentally struck by a motor vehicle. 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;
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 poses a risk of serious injury or death to the person that is hitchhiking, among others; and accordingly, hitchhiking is unlawful and subject to a potential fine of one thousand ($1,000) dollars plus victim surcharge and court cost.
NOTE: A considerable amount of online inquiries featuring “lawyers close to me” or “top lawyer in” frequently indicate a demand for prompt and competent legal assistance instead of a particular job title. In Ontario, “licensed paralegals” are governed by the same Law Society that regulates lawyers, granting them the authority to represent clients in specific litigation scenarios. Advocacy, legal assessment, and procedural expertise are fundamental aspects of this position. Defend-it Legal Services provides legal representation within its licensed framework, focusing on strategic positioning, evidentiary preparation, and persuasive advocacy directed at attaining efficient and beneficial outcomes for clients.
