No date for national Aarto roll-out yet, says Road Traffic Infringement Agency
Reports that motorists across the country need to adhere to the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act are off the mark.
No, demerit points for motorists are not yet in effect across the country. This is according to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA), which refuted on social media that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act 4 of 2019 has been rolled out nationally.
The agency states that Aarto is only operational in Johannesburg and Tshwane.
“It has come to our attention that fake news about the Aarto roll-out date has been spread. RTIA assures the public that an official statement will be released when the next phase is implemented,” a social media post reads.
🚨 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
It has come to our attention that fake news about the AARTO rollout date has been spread. RTIA assures the public that an official statement will be released when the next phase is implemented. AARTO is currently operational in Johannesburg and Tshwane pic.twitter.com/dFT93c9qJA— RTIA – Home of AARTO (@rtia_aarto) June 5, 2025
Delays
The implementation of Aarto, despite being declared constitutional by the Constitutional Court in July 2023, has faced multiple delays for various reasons. As of February 2024, unresolved issues included the appointment of a tribunal to manage appeals, which is essential for the system’s operation, according to a report by TimesLive.
Business Tech states that Aarto has four phases:
- In Phase 1, Aarto focused on setting up the necessary infrastructure, including service outlets, and enabling the electronic national administration traffic information system to process payments.
- Phase 2 will see Aarto rolled out to 69 municipalities.
- Phase 3 will extend implementation to the remaining 144 municipalities.
- Phase 4 will introduce the demerit point system and a rehabilitation programme for repeat offenders.
How does Aarto work?
According to the RTIA, the Aarto process involves three steps with various sub-processes. The three steps are: Infringement notice, courtesy letter and enforcement order.
This X post explains the process:
🚗🚦 The AARTO process involves three steps with various sub-processes depending on the motorist’s reaction. It is the motorist’s responsibility to act. Failure to do so will result in consequences. pic.twitter.com/6JRfjpGe8e
— RTIA – Home of AARTO (@rtia_aarto) June 5, 2025
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Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
