Plans to implement the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) have once again been shifted, this time to the new year.

The demerit system for traffic violations was meant to be implemented in some municipalities from 1 December, but has now been deferred to 1 July 2026.

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The changes were announced on Monday by the Department of Transport.

“The postponement comes amid an assessment by the department of the state of readiness in some of the municipalities that were to form part of the first implementation phase,” said Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi.

Issues identified include:

• The finalisation of training of both law enforcement and back office personnel
• The harmonisation of current law enforcement system used by various municipalities, and funding thereof

“The department will soon publish the new proclamation with new staggered implementation dates, 1 July 2026 being the official implementation date.

“The phased approach of implementation will still be maintained as initially envisaged,” said Msibi.

Earlier this year, Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the system would be implemented in phases, with its introduction at 69 municipalities in December and its implementation in the remaining 144 municipalities on 1 April 2026.

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