How to: Pay those pesky traffic fines quickly and easily

As much as many of us would love to wish away those traffic fines, once you receive one, they are there to stay until you pay.

Instead of letting it linger, it’s best to get those fines paid and out of the way – but which payment method is quick, easy and efficient?

You can choose from a number of options, both online and offline.

This is where you can pay your traffic fine offline

1. South African Post Office – Hand over original fine and pay the cashier.
2. Motor vehicle registration office.
3. Driving licence testing centre.
4. ABSA – Hand over original fine and pay the cashier or ATMs.
5. Shoprite Checkers
6. Lewis
7. Pick n Pay
8. Spar
9. Boxer

This is where you can pay your traffic fine online

• EasyPay – https://new.easypay.co.za/ 
• Paycity – https://www.paycity.co.za/
• Paymyfines – https://www.paymyfines.co.za
• Internet Banking – Some banks allow you to pay your traffic fines on your banking platform

What you need to pay your fines

• The original receipt, if you are paying offline
• The 16 digit notice number, if you are paying online

How long do I have to pay my traffic fines?

There are two kinds of traffic fines:

1. Section 56 Notice – issued to you by a traffic officer (speeding and other traffic violations) and has a court date prescribed.
2. Section 341 Notice – sent to a motorist by post for violations caught on camera, or traffic tickets issued in absence of the motorist for an expired licence disk, or parking illegally. This notice does not have a court date but failure to pay the fine will result in a second notice, after which a summons with a court date is issued by the Traffic Department.

What if I don’t pay my traffic fine?

If you don’t pay or contest your traffic fine by the due date, and do not appear in court to present your case, a warrant for your arrest will automatically be issued when the case goes to court.

What if I can’t afford my traffic fine?

If you are unable to pay your traffic fine, the Traffic Department will come up with a payment program whereby you pay the traffic fine off using a monthly payment method.

Do I have to pay a traffic fine on the spot at the time of the offence?

If a traffic officer is insisting that you pay a fine then and there, they are breaking the law.

No traffic officer should accept cash on the road and the fee for the fine needs to be paid to the Traffic Department, and an official receipt should be issued.

 The only time you may have the option of paying on the road is at a roadblock where there is a formal cash facility. If this is the case, you can choose to pay your traffic fines.

Saying that, police officers cannot legally force you to pay your traffic fines on the spot, but can issue you with a summons.

Source: AARTO / CompareGuru

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