The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has detailed how traffic fines will be delivered under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.
The new AARTO laws were rolled out across 62 major municipalities in South Africa on 1 July 2026, following a proclamation made by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Shortly after the proclamation, the South African Post Office (SAPO) revealed that it would use the electronic mail system to deliver traffic notices to motorists.
“As South Africa’s designated postal operator under the Universal Postal Union framework, SAPO will provide the electronic distribution of legally served AARTO notices,” the Post Office said.
“Using electronic communication channels, including SMS and email, motorists will receive secure, legally served notices with improved speed, efficiency, and traceability.”
The RTIA explained that these notices will take the form of password-protected PDFs that can be unlocked using either the motorist’s South African passport or ID number.
Businesses, meanwhile, can unlock the documents using their business registration number (BRN) or traffic registration number (TRN).
SMS notices can be sent from different routing numbers, which the RTIA said is perfectly normal. Anyone who wishes to verify a notice can call 086 122 7861 or visit online.aarto.gov.za.
The President made the proclamation on 29 June 2026. Before this point, the electronic issuing of AARTO notices had not yet been approved.
The proclamation activated section 30 of the AARTO Act, which governs electronic notice issuance.
Prior to this, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) had voiced its concerns about the Post Office’s role in the AARTO system.
It told our sister publication MyBroadband that SAPO’s indication that notices would be delivered via registered mail did not assuage its concerns.
Advocate Stefanie Fick, OUTA’s executive director for accountability, said that while electronic formats like SMS or email may address the practical challenges of physically registered mail, they still had questions.
“OUTA remains concerned about the implementation of AARTO, including the service of notices, given the current condition of the South African Post Office,” Fick said.
“The Post Office’s indication that notices may be delivered digitally through e-registered mail does not remove OUTA’s concerns.”
Concerns about Post Office delivering AARTO fines
OUTA has raised concerns about the reliability, legal compliance, and data accuracy of AARTO traffic notices delivered by the Post Office.
It also asked about proof of services, and access for motorists who did not use digital channels frequently. Another concern is how motorists’ right to respond to infringement notices within a prescribed time frame will be protected.
“OUTA is aware that electronic service has been contemplated under the AARTO Amendment framework, and that authorities have indicated electronic delivery will form part of the rollout,” she said.
“Unless the RTIA or the Department of Transport can confirm the operational readiness and safeguards for electronic service, OUTA would remain cautious.”
Fick said that the use of registered email alone did not resolve concerns about fairness, service, and affordability.
“OUTA’s position is therefore that electronic service may reduce dependence on the failing physical postal network, but it does not cure the broader defects in AARTO’s implementation,” she said.
“Until those issues are clearly answered, OUTA remains concerned that motorists may be prejudiced by a system that imposes serious administrative consequences without adequate guarantees.”
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