Everything South African drivers and fleet operators need to know about the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act — demerit points, suspension thresholds, and how to stay compliant.
1 July 2026
Municipal expansion — all metros begin issuing AARTO infringements
1 September 2026
Demerit point system activates nationally for all licence holders
1 December 2026
Full enforcement — Enforcement Orders block licence renewals & vehicle registrations
Every driver starts with 0 demerit points. Points accumulate with each offence. Reaching 12 points triggers an automatic licence suspension.
| Offence | Points | Est. Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding speed limit by 1–15 km/h | 1 | R500 – R1 000 |
| Exceeding speed limit by 16–30 km/h | 2 | R1 000 – R2 500 |
| Exceeding speed limit by 31–45 km/h | 4 | R2 500 – R4 000 |
| Using a cellphone while driving | 3 | R1 500 |
| Driving under the influence | 6 | R5 000+ |
| Running a red traffic light | 4 | R2 000 |
| Driving without a valid licence | 6 | R3 000 |
| Failing to wear a seatbelt | 1 | R500 |
| Overloading a vehicle | 3 | R2 000 – R5 000 |
* Fine amounts are indicative and may vary by municipality. Always check the original infringement notice from the issuing authority for exact amounts.
Threshold: 12 points
3-month suspension (1st offence), 6 months (2nd), licence cancelled (3rd)
Threshold: 12 points
Stricter penalties — operators risk having their operating licence revoked
For every 3 consecutive months with no new offences, 1 demerit point is automatically removed.
Pay within 32 days for up to 50% discount. Unpaid fines escalate to Enforcement Orders with additional penalties.
After a first suspension, a driver may apply for early licence restoration by completing an approved rehabilitation programme.
Use TrafficFines.org to monitor your outstanding fines and demerit point balance at any time.
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