The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) is finally being rolled out nationally on 1 September 2026 (well, that’s the plan), and it bodes big changes for drivers, but also for those looking to sell their vehicles.
What is AARTO?
Essentially, AARTO is a demerit points system designed to make our roads safer by getting habitual traffic offenders off South African roads.
- How it works: Every driver starts with zero demerit points. When you commit a traffic violation, you get a fine and a set number of demerit points based on the severity of the offence.
- The limit: If you accumulate 15 or more demerit points, your license will be suspended.
- The consequence: If your license is suspended multiple times, it can be permanently cancelled.
- The upside: Demerit points are reduced at a rate of one point for every three months of violation-free driving.
- Infringement Notices: Fines are now served electronically via email and other digital channels, not just registered mail.
“While South African drivers have not exactly welcomed the idea, it is a well-tested system with several countries employing their versions. Australia started in the 1960s, New Zealand in 1967, the UK in 1982, and France in 1992, to mention a few. A 2024 study shows that these systems have reduced overall negative outcomes related to traffic by around 21%, fatalities by 10%, and non-fatal injuries by 9%”, shares Michael Pashut, Founder and CEO of CHANGECARS.
The long, long road to AARTO
Love it or hate it, Aarto is going to be rolled out nationally, though scepticism around the actual date isn’t entirely unwarranted. While the first phase of AARTO has been around since 2021, it was only operational in the Johannesburg and Tshwane municipalities, with a national rollout facing several setbacks.
“Something that could delay the rollout is the fact that the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RITA) announced in June that the AARTO connectivity of issuing authorities to the e-Natis (electronic-Natis) and the training of the more than 25,000 traffic officers across the country ‘is underway’ as reported on Moneyweb”, Pashut explains. “Add to this the fact that an AARTO Appeals Tribunal needs to be created before the rollout can commence. At present, RITA has said that the appointment process of members is at an advanced stage. Will they be ready by September? That’s anyone’s guess.”
The AARTO impact on vehicle sales
Pashut highlights the impact AARTO will have on second-hand vehicle sales:
- For Sellers: Traffic fines and demerit points are linked to the vehicle’s owner, not just the driver. You can’t sell a car with unresolved AARTO infringements. This makes it vital for sellers to clear all outstanding fines before listing their vehicle.
- For Buyers: Be diligent. It’s essential to ensure the car you are purchasing has no outstanding AARTO fines attached to it. While dealerships often handle this, private buyers need to be extra cautious.
- The New Role of Companies: Companies must now officially nominate the driver responsible for an infringement, or the company itself will be liable for the fine and demerit points. This could impact the sale of fleet vehicles.
“AARTO could put a real spanner in the works for unsafe drivers, from costing them their licenses to making it difficult to sell their vehicles. Naturally, the easiest way to avoid all of these consequences is to drive responsibly. It would also be advisable to get familiar with the demerit system, and to keep an eye out for infringement notices should there be any”, advises Pashut.