Motorists face new fines hurdles as AARTO rollout looms

As South Africa gears up for the comprehensive rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act in mid-2026, motorists are already grappling with the growing consequences of unpaid fines. Long before the demerit point system officially takes effect, a wave of repercussions is sweeping across the nation, changing the landscape of road traffic enforcement.

Across highways and byways, drivers are encountering blocked licence renewals, unexpected court summonses, escalating penalties, and flagged vehicles at increasingly vigilant roadblocks. The shift towards a more automated and integrated enforcement model is ongoing, with the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) and various municipal systems beginning to synchronise their data. This integration has effectively rendered outstanding fines visible, meaning drivers can no longer escape the consequences of their infractions.

According to RTIA data, over 32 million fines are currently pending nationwide. The enhanced data sharing being implemented across systems is exposing these backlogs during routine transactions as well as holiday enforcement operations. Surprisingly, many motorists find out the hard way — at a roadblock or a licence testing centre — that outstanding fines from different municipalities are catching up with them.

“Motorists are shocked when they discover that their licence can’t be renewed or that their vehicle has been flagged,” says Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA. “The days of fines going unnoticed or ignored are over. Even ahead of the full AARTO rollout, real-time data integration means your driving record follows you everywhere. This is why we strongly encourage drivers to check regularly for outstanding fines and settle them through secure platforms like Fines SA.”

Early enforcement mechanisms deployed ahead of AARTO's full implementation are already presenting motorists with several challenges:

• Blocked vehicle and driver's licence renewals until all fines are paid.
• Enforcement orders that can suspend a licence or vehicle registration.
• Court summonses for unpaid fines, with escalation to warrants if ignored.
• Mounting penalties and late fees significantly increasing the total cost of non-compliance.
• Insurance complications as driving with a suspended or invalid licence can jeopardise coverage.
• Fleet disruptions caused by blocked Business Registration Numbers (BRNs) impacting company operations.

As nationwide roadblock operations are set to intensify from December, motorists who remain unaware of their outstanding fines risk unnecessary conflict, delays, and even being turned back at major checkpoints as officers verify compliance on the spot. The festive travel season, which typically sees increased traffic, promises to heighten these enforcement efforts further. Last December alone, more than 1.2 million fines were issued nationwide, primarily during holiday roadblocks. With municipalities enhancing their system integrations, this trend is expected to escalate.

“Many motorists only discover an issue when it’s too late, for example at a roadblock or when they try to renew their licence,” Berman adds. “Fines SA puts you back in control by showing every fine linked to your ID or vehicle in one place. It’s the easiest way to avoid being blindsided this festive season.”

Motorists can use the Fines SA portal at FinesSA.co.za or download the Fines SA app on iOS, Android, and Huawei to verify fines and check their compliance status ahead of the impending AARTO changes.

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