Implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (Aarto) has been postponed from October to December, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has confirmed.
RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi told the Cape Argus that 69 municipalities across nine provinces would implement the Aarto system from the start of December and that it would be rolled out throughout the whole country in 2026.
However, Mkalipi said the points demerit system, which is the core feature of Aarto, would only come into effect from September 2026 during the fourth and final phase of the national rollout.
The RTIA said service centres had been created across the country and more than 25 000 traffic officers were being trained to implement the system.
Mkalipi said Aarto would decriminalise minor traffic offences to unburden the courts.
Rather than sending summonses to motorists who do not pay their fines, the new system enforces compliance by blocking the renewal of vehicle and driver’s licences for motorists who have outstanding fines.
Motorists who pay their fines within 32 days will get a 50% discount. If not paid during this period, the fine will be escalated to RTIA level, where a courtesy letter will be sent to motorists reminding them of their rights. Motorists then have a further 32 days to dispute the infringement or transfer it to another driver.
However, once the 64 days are up, an enforcement order may be issued, which will block motorists from renewing their licences.
Johannesburg and Pretoria, which formed part of the pilot phase, have already transitioned to the new system, which will become effective across 69 additional municipalities from December. The agency has not yet released the names of the municipalities.
