Warning for motorists with learner’s licences in South Africa

South African motorists with learner’s licence cards can still accumulate demerit points, and these points can only be cleared once they are issued a driver’s licence.

This was confirmed by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), which has published explainers about how South Africa’s new traffic fine system will work once the rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system is complete.

The AARTO system was launched in South Africa earlier in 2026, following years of delays.

A key component of the new laws is a demerit system where drivers receive points on their licence for various traffic offences. However, it has yet to be implemented in any municipality.

Once the penalty system is introduced, any points accrued on a learner’s licence will carry over to the full driver’s licence.

“If an infringement occurs while holding a learner’s licence, demerit points will only begin to be reduced once a full driver’s licence has been issued,” the RTIA explained.

In other words, individuals who receive points on their learner’s licence will not be given a clean slate once their driver’s licence card is issued.

Bear in mind that there is a 15-point limit on driver’s licences. Exceeding this threshold will result in the licence being suspended for a period of three months for every point over the limit.

“The point demerit system is designed to penalise drivers and operators who are habitual offenders,” the RTIA said.

“It also rewards compliant road users by reducing one point every three months, eventually returning their demerit points to zero if no further contraventions are incurred.”

Demerit point system on its way

The AARTO Act was rolled out across 62 major municipalities on 1 July 2026. The remaining municipalities were supposed to be added to the new framework in the third quarter of this year, though this has yet to happen.

Considering that the demerit system is meant to launch in Q4 2026, it’s likely that the rollout will be delayed until AARTO is implemented nationwide.

When it eventually goes live, motorists will start with zero points on their licence, assuming they didn’t commit any infringements under their learner’s licence.

The number of points received depends on the action, as minor infringements will accrue one or two points, while serious offences like driving under the influence will be hit with six points for a single occurrence.

If a person drives a car while their licence is suspended, it will be treated as a criminal offence.

Additionally, a licence can only be suspended twice. If a driver exceeds the point limit for a third time, their licence will be cancelled, and they will be forced to retake their learner and driver’s tests once the suspension period ends.