“Forewarned is forearmed.” (Wise old proverb)
Government keeps assuring us that the long-delayed AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) system will finally begin its full national rollout on 1 December 2025.
Is this another false start or the real thing this time?
There have been so many false starts to AARTO over the last fifteen years that many of us will no doubt take the attitude “I’ll believe it when I see it” … Particularly with all the speculation that the implementation could be delayed, varied or even blocked again by legal and other challenges.
But let’s not be caught unawares here – this time, the first phase really could be shooting out of the starting blocks on time, so it seems a good idea to start prepping for the changes. Particularly now that the annual holiday season, with its surge in year-end travel, speed trapping and roadblocks, is almost upon us.
In a nutshell, the way traffic fines work is about to change for millions of drivers, including private motorists, fleet operators, delivery drivers, taxi operators, owners etc.
Here’s what you need to know on a practical level.
Firstly, driver demerits are still nine months away
Sensational, click bait headlines and fake news reports notwithstanding, the “driver demerit points” system, with its licence suspensions and cancellations for repeat offenders, is only scheduled to kick in on 1 September 2026.
So what will actually change on 1 December?
If your vehicle is registered in, or if you drive in, any of the 69 major municipalities and metros countrywide scheduled for commencement on 1 December 2025, you’ll be subject to these new rules from day one, with the other 144 areas set to commence on 1 April 2026:
- Fines will become administrative, not criminal: Traffic infringements such as speeding, traffic light, licence, parking offences and so on will no longer be handled in criminal courts. Instead, the RTIA (Road Traffic Infringement Agency) will run everything as an administrative process.
- Electronic notices: Infringement notices, courtesy letters and enforcement orders can now be sent by email or SMS (even by fax if you still list a fax number) as well as by post or personal service. Not receiving notices won’t be a defence – legal service will be deemed to have been made whether you receive/open them or not. The onus is on you to make sure you get them by updating all your contact details with your licensing authority now – and by configuring your spam and junk filters to let them through.
- Discounts and deadlines: A 50% discount will be your reward for paying within 32 days of receiving an Infringement Notice. Miss that window and you lose the discount. You may then get a Courtesy Letter allowing you another 32 days to pay the full fine plus a fee. If you still don’t pay, an Enforcement Order is issued.
- Enforcement orders will block licence and permit renewals: Unpaid fines that reach the “enforcement order” stage are recorded on the National Contraventions Register. If your name appears on the register, you are automatically blocked from registering a vehicle and from renewing your vehicle licence disc or driver’s licence/professional driving permit.
- If you aren’t the driver: You must nominate the actual driver within 32 days to prevent the fine being attached to you. Keep a copy of all drivers’ driving licences so you have a record of the infringer’s full names and I.D. number.
- Businesses in particular should be able to identify the drivers of their vehicles at all times so that fines can be allocated correctly. Also, review all your staff training processes, vehicle policies and disciplinary procedures accordingly.
- Scammers are reportedly already issuing fake notices so be sure to pay on authorised payment portals only.
- Know your rights but act quickly: You can still make representations or appeal against fines you disagree with, but strict deadlines apply.
Johannesburg and Tshwane motorists
Note that although Johannesburg and Tshwane motorists have already lived with AARTO’s pilot fine system for years, from 1 December 2025 they will move onto the amended national AARTO framework and can expect stricter electronic service, updated fine tariffs, stronger enforcement order blocks on licence renewals, and new proxy nomination duties.
Bottom line: if you need our help with anything, please get in touch immediately!
Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact us for specific and detailed advice.
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