Aarto demerit system in South Africa: 5 things drivers need to know
Car dashboard illustration with rising demerit points counter
South Africa is preparing for a major shift in road traffic enforcement with the nationwide rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (Aarto). This long-delayed legislation introduces a demerit points system that could lead to driving licence suspensions or even permanent cancellations for repeat offenders. While Aarto has been trialled in Johannesburg and Tshwane for over a decade, it will soon be rolled out nationwide, marking a fundamental change to the way traffic fines and offences are handled.
1 A Phased Rollout Before Full Implementation
The introduction of Aarto will not happen overnight. Instead, it will be implemented in stages to allow for proper integration across the country. The first phase begins on 1 December 2025, covering 69 municipalities. The second phase follows on 1 April 2026, expanding to the remaining 144 municipalities. Only on 1 September 2026 will the demerit points system officially take effect, meaning that until this date, traffic fines will be processed under the new administrative structure, but no points will be deducted from drivers’ licences.
This phased approach is intended to give municipalities time to prepare, update systems, and ensure that motorists are informed before the demerit penalties begin applying nationwide.
2 How the Demerit Points System Will Work
Under Aarto, every traffic infringement will carry a specific number of demerit points in addition to the existing fine.
The severity of the offence determines the number of points allocated. Minor infractions, such as failing to wear a seatbelt or driving slightly over the speed limit, could result in one or two points. More serious offences—like using a mobile phone while driving, skipping a red light, or driving an unroadworthy vehicle—could carry three or four points. The most dangerous behaviours, including reckless or negligent driving, excessive speeding, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, could carry up to six points.
Every driver starts with zero points. The threshold is 15 points for private motorists and 20 points for professional drivers, such as taxi, truck, or bus operators. Exceeding this threshold will result in the automatic suspension of a licence for three months for every point above the limit. For example, if a driver accumulates 17 points, their licence will be suspended for six months.
Three suspensions could result in the permanent cancellation of the licence, forcing the driver to reapply and retest before legally driving again.
This system aims to identify habitual offenders and discourage repeat violations. Occasional minor offences are unlikely to lead to a suspension, but consistently breaking the law will carry severe consequences.
3 A New Administrative Process to Replace Court-Based Enforcement
One of the biggest changes Aarto introduces is the replacement of the current court-based system for handling traffic offences with an
Administrative process managed by the Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA).
At present, traffic fines can escalate into criminal cases that require court appearances, often leading to long delays or dismissals.
Aarto seeks to address these inefficiencies by centralising the process and handling fines outside of the criminal justice system.
Notices of infringements will now be served electronically via SMS, email, or online platforms, making it harder for drivers to claim they never received a fine. Motorists who settle fines early—within 32 days—may qualify for discounts of up to 50%, encouraging prompt payment. Conversely, those who ignore their fines could find their vehicle licence disc renewals blocked, preventing them from legally using their vehicles until all penalties are cleared.
The government argues that this shift will create a faster, fairer, and more uniform enforcement process across the country, reducing backlogs and closing loopholes that allow offenders to evade penalties.
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4 Mechanisms to Challenge Fines – But With Strict Time Limits
While Aarto introduces tougher enforcement, drivers will still have the right to dispute fines or demerit allocations they believe are incorrect or unfair. However, strict timeframes apply, meaning motorists must act promptly to avoid automatic penalties.
A driver who wishes to challenge an infringement must make a written representation to RTIA within 32 days of receiving the notice.
If this is rejected, the driver can escalate the matter to the newly formed Aarto Appeals Tribunal, which provides an additional layer of independent review. Should the tribunal’s decision still be contested, the case can be taken to a magistrate’s court for a final ruling.
If no action is taken within these deadlines, the fine and associated demerit points will automatically be applied.
Motorists will therefore need to be vigilant about checking electronic notifications to avoid losing their right to challenge an infringement.
5 Debate Over Whether Aarto Will Truly Improve Road Safety
While the government insists that Aarto will encourage voluntary compliance and reduce road fatalities, critics remain sceptical.
Organisations such as the Automobile Association (AA) and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) argue that Aarto may end up being more of a revenue-collection tool than a genuine safety measure. They warn that without visible law enforcement, routine roadside checks, and improved driver education, dangerous drivers will continue to pose risks to others on the road.
South Africa has one of the highest road fatality rates in the world, with more than 10,000 deaths annually and a staggering economic cost exceeding R1 trillion over the past seven years. Many road safety experts believe that Aarto alone cannot solve these issues and must be accompanied by better policing. improved infrastructure, and strict enforcement of existing laws.
Nonetheless, the government maintains that Aarto will standardise enforcement nationwide, prevent offenders from exploiting loopholes in different municipalities. and establish meaningful consequences for repeat violations—ultimately making roads safer for everyone.
