How the AARTO licence demerit system will really work
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Monde Mkalipi, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), an entity of the Department of Transport, who explained the newly implemented AARTO demerit system.
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Monde Mkalipi spokesperson for the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) who outlined the much-anticipated AARTO demerit system.
The system, which falls under the Department of Transport, is designed to address road traffic infringements and the high number of fatalities on South African roads.
What is AARTO?
AARTO, the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act, is a framework aimed at improving road safety by implementing a demerit-points system.
It will use the existing National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) to manage driving infringements and allow motorists to access their records.
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In short: AARTO is the legislation, and NaTIS is the platform through which demerit points will be implemented and motorists will be able to view their infringements.
Why is the system being implemented?
Mkalipi emphasised that the primary goal is to change driver behaviour. South Africa faces a serious road-safety challenge, losing approximately 38–40 lives daily to road crashes. The demerit system is a proactive measure to encourage safer driving and ultimately reduce road fatalities.
How does the demerit system work?
How are demerits assigned?
- Starting Point: All drivers begin with zero points. Infringements add points; the more serious the offence, the more points are added. For example, forgetting your licence could add four points to your record.
- Threshold: The critical threshold is 15 points. Reaching this threshold triggers a licence suspension of three months for each demerit point over 15.
- Severe Offences: Particularly dangerous actions—such as excessive speeding or driving under the influence (DUI)—can add up to six points per incident.
Implications and consequences of points accumulation
- Reaching 15 points: At 15 points, a driver’s licence is suspended. The suspension lasts three months for every point exceeding the 15-point threshold.
- Repeated infringements: If a driver reaches 15 points three times, the matter escalates and may lead to licence cancellation.
Reducing demerit points
- Automatic reduction: Points begin to fall away if the driver commits no further violations. For every three months of infringement-free driving, one demerit point is removed from the driver’s record.
- Voluntary rehabilitation: Drivers may attend a driver-rehabilitation programme once a year to accelerate point reduction. This forms part of a broader effort to promote safer driving and provide a path to redemption.
What happens after repeated suspensions?
Reaching 15 points on three separate occasions is serious and may result in licence cancellation. However, the driver is not permanently barred:
- Driver-rehabilitation programme: Such drivers will be required to enrol in a programme aimed at re-educating and reforming driving behaviour.
- Re-qualifying for a licence: After cancellation, drivers must restart the licensing process—from learner’s licence to full licence.
Law enforcement and technology integration
Effective enforcement will rely on NaTIS to process violations.
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To prevent corruption, hand-held devices will capture information at the roadside and transmit it wirelessly to the central system, ensuring transparency and reducing opportunities to manipulate records.
Renewing your vehicle licence under AARTO
Drivers must resolve outstanding traffic fines before renewal. Making a payment is treated as an admission of guilt.
The introduction of the AARTO demerit system marks a significant shift in road-safety management in South Africa.
With comprehensive infrastructure and technology to combat corruption, the RTIA aims to create a safer driving environment.
Preparing motorists, maintaining transparency, and continuing public engagement will be crucial to successful implementation.
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The AARTO demerit-points system is a core element of the new legislation to enhance road safety in South Africa. Monde Mkalipi of the RTIA outlined how the system will function and what it means for drivers.
Although elements are already in place, the AARTO system will be fully implemented on 1 December 2025, when a further 68 authorities, including the Western Cape, adopt the system.
For public enquiries: [email protected]
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