RTIA Shifts AARTO Launch to December After Scrapping October Plans

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The long-awaited national rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act has been delayed yet again – this time to December 2025, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has confirmed.

Speaking to IOL, RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi said that 69 municipalities across all nine provinces will begin implementing AARTO from early December, while the remaining municipalities are expected to come on board from early 2026.

This update comes barely a week after Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa announced an October rollout during his budget vote speech in Parliament.

However, the controversial demerit point system, considered the cornerstone of AARTO, will only take effect in September 2026, during the fourth and final phase of implementation.

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“We are currently training over 25,000 traffic officers and establishing service outlets nationwide,” said Mkalipi. “The system is being implemented carefully to ensure it functions within the bounds of the law.”

Key changes: No more court summonses

One of AARTO’s most significant shifts is the decriminalisation of minor traffic offences, which aims to ease pressure on the overloaded court system. Under the new model, motorists won’t be dragged to court for unpaid fines – instead, licence renewals will be blocked if they don’t settle their infringements.

Read | New Launch Date for Driving Licence Demerit System – Here’s What SA Motorists Need to Know

If a motorist pays their fine within 32 days, they’ll receive a 50% discount. If not, the fine escalates, and a courtesy letter is sent to advise the recipient of their rights and next steps. After another 32 days, if there’s no response, an enforcement order will be issued, which prevents the renewal of driving or vehicle licences.

So far, this process has only applied to Johannesburg and Tshwane under the pilot phase, but from December 2025, the net will widen significantly.

How the demerit system will work

Each driver will start with zero demerit points on their licence. Points are added based on traffic offences – for instance:

• 1–2 points for minor speeding violations
• 2 points for failing to stop at a stop sign or skipping a traffic light
• 2 points for driving with only one number plate

Once a motorist exceeds 15 demerit points, their licence is suspended for three months per additional point. After two suspensions, the licence is cancelled, and the driver must start the process from scratch – learner’s and all.

Despite criticism and legal hurdles in the past, government remains firm on rolling out AARTO. For now, motorists should prepare for December and drive clean if they don’t want their licence blocked.