New driver’s licence penalty system for South Africa – What you need to know

The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has provided an explanation of how traffic infringements will work once the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act is rolled out nationwide.

This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa formally announced that phase one of the Aarto Act’s implementation would begin on 1 December 2025.

Phase one will introduce Aarto across the country’s 69 major municipalities.

The second phase will then begin on 1 April 2026, which will bring the remaining 144 municipalities into the fold.

Notably, the controversial driver’s licence demerit system – a key aspect of the new legislation – will only take effect from 1 September 2026.

In preparation for the rollout, the RTIAhas shared important information about how the new infringement process will work and what options will be available to motorists.

Through a series of posts on X/Twitter, the RTIA explained that drivers will receive an Aarto infringement notice when they commit a traffic offence such as speeding or violating a parking restriction.

The notice will be provided at the time by a traffic officer or delivered via registered mail or electronic communications.

“When you receive an infringement notice, you have 32 days to respond,” it said.

Responding involves making a payment or submitting a representation if you want to dispute the infringement and argue that there is a valid reason for it to be cancelled.

“If you believe there is a valid reason for your Aarto infringements to be cancelled, do not hesitate to submit a representation,” the RTIA says.

“It’ll be reviewed by an independent officer, so there’s hope for a positive outcome!”

Motorists who pay their fines within 32 days will receive a 50% discount.

Anyone who fails to pay within 32 days will be issued a courtesy letter, adding R60 to the amount they owe.

At this point, the individual has another 32 days to respond to the courtesy letter, after which an enforcement notice will be authorized.

“While an enforcement order remains in force, an infringer is prohibited from renewing his or her driving licence, driving permit, or licence disk, until the enforcement order has been complied with,” the RTIA said.

“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.”

Those who are issued an enforcement order will have another R60 added to the amount they owe, and they will also be blocked from using the eNatis platform.

Demerit points

The most divisive aspect of the Aarto Act is the new demerit system, where motorists will accumulate points on their licences for various offences.

Once Aarto is fully implemented, drivers will start with zero points and will receive them when they pay the fines for infringements.

The number of points issued is based on the severity of the offence, with serious actions like drunk driving receiving the most points.

A person can accumulate 15 points on their licence before it is suspended for a nine-month period.

During this time, the individual cannot drive a car and doing so will be treated as a criminal offence.

A licence can only be suspended twice. If a motorists exceeds the limit for a third time, their licence will be cancelled and they will be forced to redo their learner’s and driver’s exams to receive a new card once the suspension period ends.

The Department of Transport will offer a “driver rehabilitation programme” for frequent infringers whose licences were cancelled.

Motorists who complete the programme will have their ban periods reduced.

Importantly, demerit points are only valid for three months before they expire, which means an individual would need to commit several offences in a relatively short period to have their licence suspended.

The table below shows the fine and demerit amounts that will be distributed for common traffic offences in South Africa: