No Amnesty for Past Traffic Infractions as Aarto is Rolled Out
Motorists in South Africa should brace themselves for no leniency on past traffic violations as the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Amendment Act and demerit system are set to be implemented across 69 municipalities from next month. The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA), responsible for South Africa's road safety and driver compliance, has announced a phased rollout of the amended legislation, starting on December 1, 2025, and concluding by September 1, 2026.
The third phase of Aarto will be implemented in 144 municipalities on April 1, 2026, followed by the introduction of the points demerit system and rehabilitation program six months later on September 1, 2026. During the initial phase, authorities will focus on training law enforcement officers and back-office staff on traffic infringement processes and installing information technology systems to support the national contravention register.
This phase also includes contracting with the SA Post Office for physical mail delivery of Aarto documents and electronic services, as well as the Government Printing Works for official Aarto stationery. Additionally, handheld enforcement devices will be acquired to streamline the issuance of infringement notices using advanced technology.
The RTIA has issued a warning to motorists regarding fraudulent messages and fake websites that falsely claim to collect Aarto-related traffic fines. The authority emphasizes that it is the sole agency legally authorized to administer and process Aarto fines, urging drivers to use verified and approved payment platforms. Motorists are advised to use the 16-digit infringement notice number as a reference for payments on official platforms.
The National Department of Transport has confirmed that there will be no option to start anew or receive amnesty from December 1. However, concerns have been raised by the Public Servants Association (PSA) regarding the suspension of the demerit system and the removal of the right to court for most traffic violations, which shifts the process to an administrative one.
The PSA warns that this change could lead to significant backlogs in the appeals process. Similarly, the Automobile Association (AA) South Africa has expressed doubts about Aarto's effectiveness in addressing road safety challenges, suggesting that it may instead burden motorists unfairly and erode public trust.
The AA South Africa argues that the demerit-based approach fails to promote accountability and may serve as a revenue generation mechanism rather than a safety measure. Motorists can verify their fine status by visiting the official RTIA platform at https://online.aarto.gov.za.
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