The Aarto demerit system – how not to lose your driver’s license
The new law promises to remove serial traffic offenders from South African roads using a stringent demerit system.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the controversial Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) bill into law last week.
This law promises to remove serial traffic offenders from South African roads using a stringent demerit system.
While Aarto penalises habitual offenders, it also rewards law-abiding road users as it drops by one point every three months down to zero demerit points if no further contraventions occur.
How will the system work?
According to Aarto, every driver starts with 0 points and the maximum permissible number of demerit points is 12.
In other words, a driver is allowed to drive until he or she has 12 demerit points. Every point exceeding 12 points results in a three-month suspension of that person’s licence. A driver’s license will be cancelled and destroyed if it has been suspended for the third time.
ALSO READ: New traffic laws added to the AARTO Amendment Bill
One point is dropped every three months if no further contraventions occur within that three-month period.
The demerit points in respect of vehicle operators and drivers are recorded separately, even if they arise out of the same incident.
Demerit points are recorded against your name when:
– Penalties and fees are paid
– You apply to pay in instalments
– You are convicted in court
– An enforcement order is issued
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
