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The South African
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The South African
START of controversial AARTO traffic fines system 75 days' away
It's been two years since we last discussed AARTO traffic fines in South Africa. For those who are unfamiliar or who have simply forgotten, AARTO traffic fines work on a points-based demerit system. Essentially, instead of motorists only being fined for traffic indiscretions, they will also start to accrue demerit points on their licence. Rack up enough demerits against your name (the maximum is 15) and you'll have your licence suspended for three months. Do this twice and the department will revoke your driver's licence and you will have to reapply from scratch and recomplete the learners' and drivers' tests. Getting the AARTO traffic fines system to work all around the country is a huge IT undertaking, hence the years of delays. Image: File In theory, AARTO traffic fines sound like a good way to reform motorists from repeat offences. And now, the system that's taken nearly a decade to come into action nationwide, has finally been given a start date – Wednesday 1 October 2025. This is according to the Department of Transport Deputy Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa. Speaking in Parliament, Hlengwa confirmed that AARTO traffic fines will go live in all 69 major municipalities – including Cape Town and Johannesburg in just 75 days' time, reports TopAuto . Key to the implementation of AARTO traffic fines is municipal readiness. As The South African covered previously, the new centralised AARTO system promises to take money out of the pocket of local municipality law enforcement efforts. The IT system alone, to track and coordinate fine issuance nationwide is a huge undertaking. Moreover, the deputy minister confirmed that there will also be a phased approach to the current rollout. First major metros, then phase 2 and 3, which will commence on 1 February and 1 October 2026 across another 144 municipalities. Excessive speeding, drunk driving and reckless endangerment are the highest accruing AARTO traffic fines. Image: File From 1 October 2025 onwards, motorists should note the new system for challenging AARTO traffic fines. Infringements can be issued to motorists on the side of the road or affixed to the vehicle (parking violations). Likewise, camera-recorded infringements (speeding), can be legally served to the infringer by email. Upon receipt of AARTO traffic fines, an admission of guilt fine is uniformly applied, giving you a 50% discounted rate. The notice will also state the number of penalty points incurred due to the infringement. You then have 32 days in which to do the following: Settle the traffic fine immediately at the discounted rate. Demerit points still apply. Pay the traffic fine in instalments, in which case the discounted rate falls away. Demerit points still apply. You may appeal the violation. Download a form HERE. If you're not the motor vehicle owner/operator (a juristic person), you may nominate another driver for the fine. Download a form HERE. If the AARTO traffic fines are not settled after 64 days, a R200 late fee is added on top of the existing fine. Demerit points still apply. late fee is added on top of the existing fine. Demerit points still apply. Thereafter, if there's still no action, an enforcement order will be issued. And the infringer is blocked from performing any transactions on the NATIS system (vehicle licence renewals, etc). Certain serious infringement may be considered criminal offences, and you can be prosecuted under the Criminal Procedure Act. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
BIG changes coming to taxpayer-funded NATIS system in 2026
Crazy to think the South African National Traffic Information System (NATIS) is only four years' old. Established in 2021 by the Road Traffic Management Council (RTMC), it started merely as a way to renew vehicle licence discs online. At the time, there were dozens of alternatives to the taxpayer-funded service – banks, the post office and supermakets. However, in a relatively short space of time, NATIS has emerged as the defacto renewal portal online that all others piggyback on. Furthermore, over the half decade, NATIS has steadily expanded to include other services, like driver's licence renewals and learner's licence bookings. Better still, NATIS can now provide you with a certified damage report in case of an insurance claim for a vehicle accident. However, the Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, last week revealed ambitious upgrades to NATIS for next year. Specifically, NATIS will expand its service scope by onboarding at least four additional registration clients. What this will do is improve the already-excellent efficiency, reducing queues and wait time further still, reports TopAuto . The growth and acceptance of NATIS over the last four years has largely eradicated private-sector competitors. Image: File One of the RTMC's goals for NATIS is a new Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN). Currently, the online portal relies on copper connectivity technology, but the former will improve network speed and security tremendously. Likewise, NATIS will introduce biometric identity verification as a means to eliminate fraudulent activities. And one of the biggest changes will be digitised learner and driver's licence applications. The department wants to continue with Computerised Learner's Licence Testing (CLLT), as well as fully digitised driving licence testing. Hlengwa says the system will modernise the way driver competence is assessed in South Africa. More than two-million online vehicle licence renewals went through NATIS in the last financial year. That's a 54% year-on-year increase. Plus, it handled 78 566 online vehicle registrations and 112 845 online change of ownership transactions. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
New AARTO demerit point system gets an official launch date
Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa has confirmed that the long-awaited Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system will be implemented in 69 municipalities from 1 October 2025. Delivering his Budget Vote speech on last week, Hlengwa said these municipalities are prepared to roll out the system, while the remaining 144 municipalities – not yet ready – will implement AARTO in February 2026. At the time of publishing it remains unclear which municipalities fall into those scheduled to start this year – and next. 'The AARTO will be rolled out in different phases according to municipal readiness,' Hlengwa explained. 'This is phase 2 of the AARTO rollout programme, while phase 3 will begin on 1 February 2026.' The phased implementation follows years of delays, legal battles, and public confusion, including recent fake news reports in June claiming the system was being rolled out nationally – misinformation traced back to an online disinformation campaign using AI-generated content. Citing research that over 80% of road crashes are due to human error, Hlengwa said AARTO is central to government's strategy to change motorist behaviour. At the heart of AARTO is a demerit point system , which penalises drivers for traffic infringements and repeat offences. The AARTO Act and its Amendment Act were both found to be constitutional and valid in July 2023, clearing the legal path for implementation. Although a national rollout was initially scheduled for 1 July 2024, technical and logistical challenges pushed the date back. Once fully implemented: All motorists start with zero demerit points Points are added for each offence when a fine is paid or upheld Accumulating 15 points results in a licence suspension of three months per additional point results in a licence suspension of per additional point A third suspension leads to licence cancellation , requiring the driver to retake their learner's and driver's licence tests , requiring the driver to retake their learner's and driver's licence tests Points expire after three months if no further infringements occur A driver rehabilitation programme will be available to help reduce suspension periods for frequent offenders Violation Fine amount Demerit points Exceeding speed limit by 11-15km/h R250 0 Exceeding speed limit by 16-20km/h R500 1 Exceeding speed limit by 21-25km/h R750 2 Exceeding speed limit by more than 40km/h Court hearing 6 Disobeying a stop sign or traffic light R750 2 Failing to use indicators R500 1 Driving without a licence R1 250 4 Driving unregistered vehicle R1 000 3 Driving vehicle without valid licence disc R1 000 3 Driving vehicle with one number plate R500 2 Driving vehicle without number plates Court hearing 6 Failing to keep left R1 000 3 Failing to stop at an accident Court hearing 6 Driving under the influence Court hearing 6 Furnishing false information Court hearing 6 Following the confusion caused by false reports in June, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) and Department of Transport issued public warnings and clarified that official announcements will only be made via verified government platforms. 'The information being circulated about the AARTO rollout date is fake news,' the RTIA stated. 'We urge the public to rely only on official channels for updates.' With the staggered rollout now clearly defined, the Department of Transport is under pressure to deliver a transparent, efficient, and fair implementation of a system that has sparked both controversy and cautious optimism. Authorities are urging motorists to begin familiarising themselves with the AARTO system and its implications – particularly the demerit system – as South Africa moves closer to a more digitised and accountable road traffic enforcement regime. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
AARTO rollout set for October 2025 in 69 municipalities
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences system will be rolled out in phases according to municipal readiness from October 1, 2025, for the 69 municipalities that are ready for the rollout. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers The Transport Department has announced October as the new date for the national rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system in 69 municipalities. This was announced by Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa during the department's budget vote debate in Parliament earlier this week, when he said 69 municipalities will be ready to implement AARTO, and 144 were not yet ready. 'The AARTO will be rolled out in different phases according to municipal readiness from October 1, 2025, for the 69 municipalities, which are ready for the rollout,' Hlengwa said. 'This is Phase 2 of the AARTO rollout programme, while Phase 3 will be rolled out on February 1, 2026, for the 144 municipalities that will only be ready then,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The AARTO Act was confirmed as constitutional by the apex court, and the department intends to use it to change the behaviour of motorists. Hlengwa said research has shown that more than 80% of road crashes were due to human error, and that was why there was a call for behaviour-changing efforts on their part. 'To ensure positive changes in road user behaviour, the department will roll out the Administration and Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act, central to which is the demerit system that systematically aims at containing road user behaviour,' he said. The new date for the national roll out of AARTO comes a month after a fake report suggested the imminent roll out of the demerit system that will see motorists lose points for offences and stand to have their driving licence suspended or cancelled should they lose many. In June, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) dismissed any claims suggesting an imminent wider national rollout as incorrect. However, RTIA confirmed that AARTO was currently operational only in Johannesburg and Tshwane. The agency said it was working with the Department of Transport on a draft proclamation of the AARTO Amendment Act. While the draft AARTO regulations have been developed, a selection process towards the appointment of members of the public to serve in the AARTO Appeals Tribunal was at an advanced stage. RTIA also stated that service outlets have been created across the country, and education and community awareness have been ongoing in all nine provinces and on all digital platforms. 'AARTO connectivity of issuing authorities to the e-Natis is under way. Training of the more than 25,000 traffic officers across the country is under way. Preparations to implement the Points Demerit System and the AARTO rehabilitation programme as part of Phase 3 are under way.' According to RTIA, strengthening laws for road traffic compliance was paramount, and the AARTO Act was a vital tool in achieving this. 'Its effective implementation will play a critical role in enforcing these laws and ultimately making our roads safer for all road users.' Meanwhile, the department is moving closer to implementing the 24-hour campaign of visible traffic law enforcement. Hlengwa reiterated the department's commitment to accelerating the implementation of a 24-hour campaign of visible traffic law enforcement across all three spheres of government, aiming to change road user behaviour towards greater compliance with road rules. He said the visibility of law enforcement has proven to be a major contributor to recent achievements in the reduction of road deaths. 'We have thus worked to speed up the resolution of most issues that have delayed the implementation of a 24-hour, seven-day a week and 365 days a year campaign of visible traffic law enforcement,' he said. 'While the country waits for all remaining provinces to finalise their processes and implement a 24-hour shift traffic law enforcement system, the National Traffic Police (NTP) will continue to be deployed to provide support to provinces and ensure greater traffic law enforcement operations across South Africa.' Hlengwa also said the department was reviewing the National Road Safety Strategy that will be submitted to the Cabinet by the end of this financial year. 'The revised strategy will inform engineering interventions, such as the development and promotion of safer road infrastructure designs, safer vehicle technologies, and continuous improvements in traffic management systems. The overall reviewed strategy will include the implementation of stricter traffic laws, vigorous law enforcement operations, and comprehensive road safety education campaigns.' He also said their approach was to improve harmonisation of operations between the three spheres of government through joint planning, inter-agency collaboration, consistency, and shared resources and services throughout the year. 'This will be supported by visible policing through force multiplication and smart deployments on critical routes, focusing on top traffic offences and violations, while intensifying partnerships and collaboration with civil society and media influencers.'
The Citizen
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Driver's licence validity extension mulled, demerit system to go ahead
THE demerit system to minimise persistent traffic violations is set to be rolled out in 69 municipalities across the country from October. This is according to Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa, who revealed plans to roll out the Administration and Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system. ALSO READ: Two seriously injured in N2 truck crash near Empangeni Hlengwa, who delivered the department's budget vote last week, said the system will be implemented in phases. AARTO will be rolled out according to municipal readiness from 1 October for the 69 municipalities that are ready for the roll out. This is Phase 2 of the AARTO roll out programme. 'Phase 3 will be rolled out on 1 February 2026 for the 144 municipalities that will be ready only then,' he said. Hlengwa said the department will, however, continue to intensify road safety education and awareness across the country. ALSO READ: Transport department cracks down on delinquent drivers 'Research has shown that more than 80% of road crashes are due to human error, and thus call for behaviour-changing efforts on our part,' said Hlengwa. He further revealed department plans to extend the driver's licence card validity period to eight years. This comes amid several pleas for the validity period to be extended beyond the current five years. The department is conducting a 'cost benefit analysis', which is expected to be concluded in the second quarter of the current financial year. The news comes as thousands of motorists await new driver's licence cards owing to a massive backlog caused by the breakdown of the country's sole licence card printing machine. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
