Warning about South Africa’s new traffic fine laws launching next week
Fines SA has warned motorists that they will need to be more proactive about managing their traffic fines ahead of the national rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system.
AARTO is set to begin its phased rollout on 1 July 2026 next week, starting with 62 of the country’s largest municipalities.
The remaining 151 municipalities will be added to the system between October and December 2026.
Fines SA said that one of the biggest misunderstandings surrounding AARTO is that the new laws would immediately replace the current traffic fine system nationwide.
“In reality, motorists should understand that traffic fines may continue to be administered under different legal frameworks depending on jurisdiction and implementation status during the rollout period,” it said.
The group noted that the existing Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) process would remain for all traffic fines in some areas, while others will adopt the new AARTO administrative system.
“This means that how a fine is handled may depend on where the offence took place, which authority issued the notice, and whether that authority has moved onto the AARTO framework,” it said.
Fines SA CEO Barry Berman said the different processes may catch motorists off guard.
“A fine issued in one municipality may follow the current CPA process, while another may fall under AARTO,” he said.
“The practical risk is that people may ignore or misunderstand notices because they assume all fines work the same way.”
Since 1977, most traffic fines in South Africa have been handled under the CPA, meaning that ignoring fines can lead to summons, warrants, and other legal consequences.
AARTO will introduce a new system where most traffic violations, including speeding fines, are handled under a new administrative process run by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency.
This process includes steps for notices, representations, enforcement, and administrative penalties.
However, serious transgressions will continue to be treated as offences under the CPA, even in municipalities where AARTO is in effect.
Berman said the distinction is important because motorists could receive different types of notices depending on where they were fined and the seriousness of the violation.
“A speeding fine issued in one municipality may still follow the CPA process, while another infringement in a different area may fall under AARTO,” Berman said.
“For consumers, this can become confusing very quickly if they are not actively checking and managing their infringements.”
The table below, compiled by our sister publication MyBroadband, summarises the differences between how road traffic violations are handled under the CPA and AARTO.
| Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) system | AARTO system | |
|---|---|---|
| Fines procedure | Fines are generally handled through the criminal-law process | Infringements are handled through an administrative process, offences remain subject to criminal law |
| Consequences | Unpaid fines can lead to summonses or warrants | Unpaid infringements can lead to enforcement orders and licence-related blocks |
| Disputes | Disputes may move through court-related processes | Motorists can make representations through the AARTO process |
| Demerit points | No national demerit points system currently applies | Demerit points may apply once implemented |
| Risks | The main risk is financial and legal escalation | The risk can include fines, admin penalties, licence consequences and demerit exposure |
New demerit system to watch out for
Further down the line, AARTO will introduce a new demerit system where drivers will accumulate points on their licence for various traffic violations.
The system is meant to encourage more responsible driving behaviour, issuing a different number of points depending on the severity of the violation.
Minor infringements will receive one or two points, while serious offences can rack up to six points.
Once a person receives 15 or more points, their licence will be suspended for a period of at least three months.
If the individual’s licence is suspended for a third time, it will be cancelled, and they will have to retake their learner’s and driver’s exams to acquire a new card once the suspension period is over.
“AARTO changes traffic fines from being a once-off payment issue into something that can affect a person’s ability to drive,” Berman said.
“That is why motorists need to understand which system applies to their fine and what action is required.”
Under AARTO, ignoring infringement notices can lead to administrative penalties, enforcement orders, licence renewal blocks and, once the demerit system is active, points against a driver’s licence.
“Motorists can no longer afford to treat traffic fines as something to deal with once a year when renewing a licence disc,” said Berman.
“The enforcement environment is becoming more data-driven, more integrated and more difficult to ignore.”
Fines SA recommended that motorists prepare for the AARTO rollout by doing the following:
- Checking outstanding fines regularly
- Monitoring fines across different municipalities
- Settling valid infringements before they escalate
- Making sure licence, vehicle and address details are up to date
Berman stressed that motorists and businesses need to become more organised before the new laws are fully implemented.
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