Motorists should not expect amnesty for past infringements when the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Amendment Act and demerit system are rolled out in 69 municipalities across the country from next month.

The Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA), which manages South Africa’s road safety, driver compliance and administers Aarto, has indicated that the phased rollout of the amended legislation will begin on December 1, 2025 and continue until September 1, 2026.

According to the RTIA, on April 1 next year Aarto’s third phase will be implemented in 144 municipalities and the fourth phase will see the introduction of the points demerit system and rehabilitation programme six months later on September 1.

During phase one, issuing authorities were expected to finalise refresher training for law enforcement officers and back-office staff on traffic infringement processes and installing information technology systems in municipalities for the national traffic information system connectivity to support the national contravention register.

It also entailed contracting with the SA Post Office for physical mail delivery of Aarto documents and electronic service as well as the Government Printing Works for the supply of official Aarto stationery.

In addition, the first phase involved the acquisition of handheld enforcement devices, to introduce efficiencies in the issuing of infringement notices using the latest technology.

The RTIA has also warned motorists against fraudulent messages and fake websites falsely claiming to collect Aarto-related traffic fines.

The authority is the only agency legally authorised to administer and process Aarto fines.

”Motorists are strongly advised to make payments only through verified and approved payment platforms. Motorists must always make use of the 16-digit infringement notice number as a reference which does not need the RTIA bank account to make payments on the official payment platforms,” the RTIA said this week.

It also warned that any other website, SMS link, or WhatsApp message requesting payment of fines must be treated with suspicion, especially if it directs users to unfamiliar URLs or non-governmental accounts.

”The RTIA has noted the rise in fraudulent traffic fine notifications circulating online. We urge all motorists to verify the source of any message before making payment. When in doubt, visit the RTIA website or contact our offices directly. A few moments of verification can prevent significant financial loss,” the authority stated.

The National Department of Transport has indicated that there will not be an option to start on a clean slate nor amnesty from December 1.

But not everyone shares the RTIA’s optimism on its state of readiness.

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has called on Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to suspend the implementation of the demerit system until all key stakeholders are fully consulted.

The union expressed its displeasure with the removal of right to court and the decriminalisation of most traffic violations, shifting the process from courts to being administrative.

”This removes motorists’ right to be tried by a competent court and replaces this with a complex administrative process of representation and appeal to a small appeals tribunal, which will result in massive backlogs,” the PSA warned.

Automobile Association (AA) South Africa also cautioned that in its current form, Aarto is unlikely to address underlying road safety challenges, and instead risks exacerbating inefficiencies, unfairly burdening motorists and further eroding public trust.

”The Aarto system is likely to impose additional financial burdens on motorists from penalties to appeal fees, without clear evidence that these expenses will translate into safer roads,” AA South Africa further warned.

The AA South Africa believes any demerit-based approach simply punishes non-compliance rather than promoting accountability and presents itself as yet another revenue generation mechanism masquerading as a benevolent act.

*Motorists can verify the status of their fines or infringement notices by visiting the official RTIA platform at https://online.aarto.gov.za

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za

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