South Africa has pushed back the national rollout of its new traffic fine framework and driver’s licence demerit‑points system under AARTO, meaning the current fines process will continue unchanged into 2026. Full implementation is now only expected from 1 July 2026, with demerit points to be phased in later that year.
What has been delayed
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act was due to start a phased national rollout on 1 December 2025, extending a system already piloted in Johannesburg and Tshwane to 69 municipalities and then nationwide. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has now confirmed that the broader rollout will not begin in December; instead, the new official start date for the national implementation phase is 1 July 2026, with staggered dates to follow for different areas.
A core element of AARTO is the national demerit‑points system, which will eventually see drivers lose their licences temporarily if they accumulate too many points. Under the revised timetable, demerit points are expected to start counting only from around September 2026, after AARTO has been running nationally for some months.
Why the rollout was postponed again
The Department of Transport says the delay follows an assessment that found many municipalities were not ready for the changeover. Key problems included incomplete training for traffic officers and back‑office staff, a lack of harmonisation between existing municipal enforcement IT systems, and funding and infrastructure gaps.
Civil‑society group OUTA welcomed the postponement, arguing that repeated delays show the system is “unworkable in its current form” and that technical and administrative problems, not citizens, are to blame for missed deadlines. Provincial leaders, including the Western Cape mobility MEC, have also said the extra time should be used to fix weaknesses so that the eventual rollout is coordinated and fair.
What this means for drivers and traffic fines now
Until AARTO is properly implemented, nothing changes for most motorists: existing traffic‑fine procedures under current law remain in force, and there is no national demerit‑points system reducing your licence for now. In the pilot metros (Johannesburg and Tshwane), AARTO‑style processes will continue as before, but even there, new national phases will only start from mid‑2026.
Once the demerit system goes live nationally, every driver, operator or company will start on zero points. Points will then be added for infringements depending on their seriousness, with suspensions kicking in after 15 points; points can fall away over time if you drive without further offences, but multiple suspensions can lead to your licence being cancelled.
Planned AARTO / demerit timeline (latest update)
| Stage / element | New indicative timing |
|---|---|
| National AARTO rollout start | 1 July 2026 (postponed from 1 Dec 2025). |
| Phased inclusion of all municipalities | From July 2026 onward, in staggered phases. |
| Demerit‑points system starts counting | Around September 2026 (to be confirmed in regulations). |
| Licence suspension threshold | 15 demerit points, with 3‑month suspension per point above that. |
Warnings about scams and misinformation
Law firms and motoring bodies are warning motorists to beware of scams exploiting confusion around AARTO. Some fraudsters are sending fake emails, SMSes or WhatsApp messages claiming that demerit points already apply nationwide or demanding payment to “clear” points or convert fines. In reality, outside the existing pilot areas, AARTO’s demerit system is not yet in force and no national licence‑point deductions are happening in December 2025.
Motorists are being advised to:
-
Treat any message about licence points with suspicion unless it comes from official channels.
-
Check updates on the Department of Transport, RTIA or SAnews websites rather than social media rumours.
-
Handle real fines through official portals or direct communication from recognised authorities, not third‑party “brokers”.
How to prepare for the eventual changes
Even with the delay, AARTO and the demerit system are still coming, so drivers, fleet operators and businesses are urged to use the extra time to get ready. That includes understanding how different infringements will convert into demerit points, ensuring correct driver details are on record for company vehicles, and tightening internal policies so fines are handled promptly and fairly.
For individual motorists, the key takeaway is that safe, law‑abiding driving will matter more once points start counting: under the planned rules, good behaviour slowly erases points over time, while repeated speeding, red‑light offences and other infringements could eventually cost you your licence altogether.
SOURCE
FAQs
Q1: Are licence demerit points active nationwide in December 2025?
No. The national demerit‑points system has been postponed; full AARTO rollout is now set to start on 1 July 2026, with points only expected to count from about September 2026.
Q2: Do normal traffic fines still apply?
Yes. Existing fine and enforcement processes remain in place until AARTO is implemented in your area; you must still pay valid fines or follow normal dispute procedures.
Q3: Where can I check official updates on the rollout?
Use official sources such as SAnews, the Department of Transport and the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) or AARTO information sites, which publish new proclamation and phase‑in dates.
