How to nominate another driver for a traffic fine in South Africa
To nominate another driver for an AARTO traffic fine, you must complete the official AARTO 07 form and submit it within 32 days of receiving the infringement notice. This legal process transfers the financial penalty and the associated demerit points from the vehicle owner to the person who was actually behind the wheel. You can submit your nomination through the official AARTO website, by registered mail, or in person at a traffic department.
What you will learn
The legal steps to transfer a fine to another person.
How to use the AARTO 07 form correctly.
The importance of the 32-day deadline for nominations.
Why business owners must nominate drivers to avoid triple fines.
Documents you need to support your nomination.
Why you need to nominate the correct driver
With the full rollout of the AARTO system in July 2026, every traffic fine now carries demerit points. If someone else is driving your vehicle and gets caught by a camera, the fine and the points are automatically sent to you as the registered owner. If you simply pay the fine, the demerit points are added to your driving licence.
Nominating the correct driver is the only way to protect your driving record. It ensures that the person responsible for the offence carries the penalty. This is especially important for households with multiple drivers or businesses with large fleets. You should never "take the points" for someone else, as this can lead to your licence being suspended if you reach the 15-point limit.
How to use the AARTO 07 nomination form
The AARTO 07 form is the specific document used to inform the authorities that you were not the driver at the time of an offence. It is a formal declaration that must be filled out accurately to be accepted.
You can download this form from the official AARTO websiteor pick one up at any major traffic department. You will need the full details of the person who was driving, including their ID number and physical address. Once the form is processed, the original fine against you is cancelled, and a new notice is issued to the nominated driver.
Common AARTO forms and their uses
Step-by-step guide to nominating a driver
Identify the notice: Locate the 16-digit infringement notice number and the date of the offence.
Download the form: Get the AARTO 07 Nomination of Driver form from a verified source.
Gather driver details: You need the full name, ID number, residential address, and contact number of the person driving.
Complete the declaration: Fill in all sections clearly. You must sign the form to confirm the information is true.
Submit the form: Upload the form to the AARTO portal or send it via registered mail to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA).
Confirm receipt: After 14 days, you can check fines with an ID number on our platform to ensure the original infringement notice has been successfully removed from your name.
Consequences for companies and fleet managers
In 2026, the stakes are very high for South African businesses. If a company-owned vehicle is caught by an AI traffic camera, the fine is issued to the company’s Business Registration Number (BRN). Companies do not have "driving licences," so they cannot receive demerit points. Instead, the law triples the fine amount if a driver is not nominated.
If a company fails to nominate the driver within the 32-day window, the fine becomes an Enforcement Order. This block on the eNATIS system prevents the company from renewing the licence discs for every vehicle in its fleet. Proper fleet management requires checking fines weekly and ensuring every AARTO 07 form is submitted on time.
Checklist for business driver nominations
A clear logbook showing who was driving the vehicle on the date.
A copy of the driver's valid South African driving licence.
The driver's current mobile number and home address.
A signed AARTO 07 form for every individual infringement.
Deadlines and timeframes for nominations
You must act quickly when you receive a fine that is not yours. The AARTO system works on a strict 32-day cycle. If you submit the nomination within the first 32 days, the process is free and the 50% early payment discount is passed on to the new driver.
If you wait longer than 32 days, you may lose the right to nominate. After 64 days, an Enforcement Order is issued, and it becomes much harder to transfer the fine. At that stage, you might need to go through a more complex legal process to clear your name and your eNATIS profile.
What happens if the person denies driving your car
A nomination is a legal statement. If you nominate someone and they provide proof that they were not driving, your nomination will be rejected. The fine will then return to your name.
To avoid this, always ensure your logbooks are accurate. If you are a private owner lending your car to a friend, it is a good idea to have a quick WhatsApp or email record of the time they took the car. This provides secondary evidence if the RTIAasks for more details during the nomination process.
Frequently asked questions about driver nominations
Can I nominate a driver if I have already paid the fine
No, once a fine is paid, the case is closed and the demerit points are permanently added to your licence. You must nominate the true driver before you attempt to pay traffic fines in South Africa.
Is there a fee to nominate another driver
There is no fee to submit an AARTO 07 form within the initial 32-day period. It is a standard administrative right for every vehicle owner.
What if the driver has a foreign driving licence
You can still nominate them, but you must provide a copy of their valid foreign licence and their passport number. The demerit points will be recorded against their profile in the national system.
Can I nominate a driver for an old CPA summons
For fines issued under the Criminal Procedure Act, you do not use an AARTO 07. Instead, you must send a letter of representation to the relevant Public Prosecutor to explain who was driving.
How do I know if my nomination was successful
You should check your status on a fine management portal. If the nomination is successful, the fine will disappear from your ID number and show up on the other person's profile.
Summary
Nominating the correct driver is an essential part of road legalities in 2026. It protects your driving licence from unfair demerit points and ensures that the right person is held accountable for their actions on the road. Whether you are a private motorist or a fleet manager, using the AARTO 07 form correctly and within the 32-day window is the best way to manage your traffic fines.
Do not let someone else’s driving mistakes affect your licence renewal. Enter your details on our secure portal today to view fines with an ID numberso you can quickly identify any tickets that need to be nominated or settled.