Ramaphosa signs Aarto Act
The national rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (Aarto) has been officially gazetted, after President Ramaphosa signed the Proclamation on Friday.
According to the Government Gazette, most sections of the act will come into effect in major municipalities across the country on 1 December, followed by the remaining municipalities on 1 April 2026.
The remaining sections of the Aarto Act (26 to 28), which are believed to include the dreaded demerit points, are set to take effect on 1 September 2026.
IoL reports that 69 municipalities will implement Aarto from the beginning of December.
They include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekhuruleni, Mbombela, Polokwane, Durban, Newcastle, Ladysmith, Bloemfontein, Qgeberha, East London, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, George and Beaufort West.
From April, the rollout will extend to 75 smaller municipalities, including Musina, Umdoni, Musina, Lepelle, Okhahlamba, Richmond, Kokstad, Blouberg, Great Kei and Sundays River.
In July, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) said service outlets had been created across the country and more than 25 000 traffic officers are being trained to implement the new system within the confines of the law.
RTIA Spokesperson Monde Mkalipi said Aarto would decriminalise minor traffic offences in order to take strain off the courts. Rather than sending summonses to those who failed to pay their fines, which often do not even reach the courts, the new system would encourage compliance by blocking the renewal of vehicle and driving licences for those with outstanding fines.
Motorists who pay their fines within 32 days will receive a 50% discount.
If not paid during this initial period, the fine is elevated to RTIA level, where a courtesy letter is sent to remind recipients of their rights.
IoL notes that motorists then have a further 32 days in which to dispute the infringement or transfer it to another driver.
However, once the 64 days are up, an enforcement order may be issued, which blocks transgressors from renewing their licences.
So far this new process has only been applicable to Johannesburg and Pretoria, which formed part of the pilot phase for Aarto.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
