Because things like the AARTO Act had come into play wherein some rule changes that this country had never witnessed before were introduced, South Africa, therefore, would be expected to have safer roads by 2026. Central to this system would have been (and still is) the concept of the demerit points system instituted by the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) to discourage and criminalize repeat offenders and, on the other hand, to promote good behavior. Starting with zero points, the user of the road accumulates points for every offence, until eventually, the license gets suspended. Such a system balances the enforcement in the country, bridges road fatalities through accountability.
Demerit Point System
The present Demerit Point System was set up for the allocation of demerit points to offenses. These points may then be entered against a driver’s license, a vehicle disc, or an operator’s card. Points are attributed to the defendant upon payment of the fine, on entry of a conviction in court or when an enforcement order is issued, or any other situation in which the points can be accounted for-being that paying the fine does not expunge the points. There used to be no discount under the old system, but under the AARTO system, if the fine is paid within 32 days of serving the infringement notice, a 50% discount will be granted. Under this system representations can also be made, or a nominated driver accepted on behalf of the actual driver. For large fleets, points can also be issued against vehicles and operators, and ignoring these points affects also the renewal of registrations for the registered vehicle.
Thresholds and Suspensions
Suspensions begin to occur once thresholds are passed; a learner will be suspended for 3 months at 7+ points, while full drivers will be suspended for 3 months for every point accumulated over 15. Only two such suspensions are permitted; the third becomes a cancellation of the license, forcing re-application from the learner’s stage. A fine of R3,500 will be imposed for ferrying unlicensed drivers into cars from December 2024; unpaid fines will cause stoppage of renewals because commercial drivers will be hit the hardest.
Resetting of Points and Rehabilitation
Points are not life-long impositions; good behaviour causes them to get gradually erased. Three months of violation-free driving might cause the point(s) to be deducted down to zero. One point might be deducted if one finishes rehabilitation once every year for four points. An incentive for good behaviours, thereby making it a system bettering people instead of punishing them.
Rollout Timeline
This AARTO goes AARTO from 1 December 2025 in 69 municipalities, including Johannesburg and Cape Town, and spreads from 1 April 2026 onward. National demerits come into force on 1 September 2026 all over. Before that, clean off all their present fines lest those charges get transferred.
Tips for Motorists
Check your points in Fines SA App or in a portal. Pay fast to get discounts if there are any; if discretion needs to be made, consider making a legal dispute-follow RTIA News on their site. Insurers will increase premiums should you have one(s) high point or suspension, and they will cancel the claims should you be tracked driving unlicensed. Defensive driving programs keep points from accumulating.
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