The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has outlined how traffic fines and penalties will function under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.
The update comes as South Africa prepares for the controversial law’s phased rollout.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently officially confirmed that the first phase of AARTO will begin on 1 December 2025, covering 69 municipalities. The system will expand to the remaining 144 municipalities from 1 April 2026, with the driving licence demerit point system launching on 1 September 2026.
How AARTO fines and demerits will work
According to the RTIA, motorists will receive an AARTO infringement notice when committing traffic offences such as speeding or illegal parking. Notices can be issued directly by a traffic officer or delivered via registered mail or electronic communication.
Once issued, motorists have 32 days to respond. Options include:
- Paying the fine (with a 50% discount if paid within 32 days).
- Submitting a representation, and if there is a valid reason, the infringement should be cancelled.
Representations will be reviewed by an independent officer.
If a motorist ignores the initial infringement notice, a courtesy letter will follow, adding R60 to the fine. Motorists then have another 32 days to respond before an enforcement order is issued.
While under an enforcement order, motorists are:
- Prohibited from renewing their driving licence, driving permit, or licence disc.
- Blocked from using the eNatis platform.
- Charged an additional R60 penalty.
“The purpose of an enforcement order is for the law to take its course where an infringer has not complied with either an infringement notice or, subsequently, a courtesy letter,” the RTIA explained on X.
With the new law less than two years away, the RTIA is encouraging motorists to familiarise themselves with the process and timelines.
The phased rollout will give drivers some time to adjust, but from 2026, failure to respond to fines could directly affect a driver’s ability to stay legally on the road.
What are your thoughts on this new system?
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