New driving laws for 151 municipalities in South Africa
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has confirmed that phase 3 of the AARTO rollout is still coming, despite an apparent delay in its launch.
The national rollout of the Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system commenced on 1 July 2026, following a seven-month delay.
The system was originally expected to be in 69 metros and municipalities as part of phase 2 on 1 December 2025, followed by commencement in 144 other municipalities from 1 April 2026 (phase 3).
The system would have been fully implemented by 1 September 2026, with the driving demerit system operational nationwide (phase 4).
However, in November 2025, the launch was pushed back and rescheduled.
Under the new rollout, phase 2 kicked off on 1 July 2026 in 62 municipalities (seven fewer than intended), with phase 3 expected to commence in the third quarter of the year, targeting 151 municipalities.
While no official start date for the phase 3 rollout was provided, the Q3 target suggested a September 2026 launch window, as confirmed by a parliamentary Q&A with the department.
In response, Creecy indicated that the phase 3 rollout is still coming. However, she provided no exact timelines for this.
The broad Q3 rollout window in the department’s annual performance plan means the next phase could launch anywhere in the next two months and still technically be on target.
Creecy said that all the phase 2 issuing authorities, including the metros and municipalities implementing the system from the 1 July rollout have been technically integrated into the AARTO system.
“All the Phase 2 issuing authorities, including the metros and municipalities, have been capacitated to process infringement notices,” she said.
| Phases | Target | Original Rollout | Postponed Rollout | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | The establishment of AARTO infrastructure, including service outlets, and ensuring eNATIS could handle payments. | 1 July 2021 | 1 July 2021 | Completed |
| Phase 2 | Introduction of AARTO to 62 municipalities. | 1 December 2025 | 1 July 2026 | Completed |
| Phase 3 | Introduction of AARTO to 151 municipalities. | 1 April 2026 | Q3 (October-December 2026) | Pending |
| Phase 4 | Implementation of the demerit point system and rehabilitation programme. | 1 September 2026 | TBA | Pending |
New driving demerit system
A key component of the AARTO system is the new driving demerit system, which does not yet have a specific launch date.
Creecy said that the implementation of the points demerit system will follow in phase 4.
The RTIA has a more vague rollout plan for the system, with plans to issue demerit notices over the medium term, starting in 2027/28.
This implies that the system will not be launched before April 2027.
While the driving demerit system is the biggest systemic change under the new laws, there are also a host of administrative changes taking place that will shake things up for drivers.
The most significant change is the introduction of “electronic service” and the removal of the right to be tried by a competent court, as violations move from the Criminal Procedure Act to the AARTO Act.
Under the demerit system, points are allocated for traffic infringements, leading to licence suspensions or cancellations if drivers accumulate too many points.
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