What is the Purpose of the Demerit Point System?
The AARTO demerit point system is designed to improve road safety by discouraging repeat traffic offences and encouraging better driving habits.
Some of the key purposes include:
- Deterrence: By assigning points for traffic violations, it encourages drivers to follow traffic laws more closely to avoid accumulating points that could lead to penalties.
- Accountability: It holds drivers accountable for their actions on the road, promoting responsible driving behaviour.
- Penalties for Repeat Offenders: Accumulating a certain number of points can result in penalties such as fines, license suspension, or mandatory driving courses, targeting those who repeatedly break traffic laws.
- Education: It serves as a tool to educate drivers about the importance of adhering to traffic regulations to maintain road safety for everyone.
How Does the Demerit System Work?
Every driver starts with a clean slate of zero points, and different traffic infringements carry varying demerit points up to a maximum of six. While some infringements have no points associated, most criminal offences carry six demerit points.
Demerit points are assigned to various documents such as learner’s licences, driving licences, vehicle licence discs, operator cards and road transport permits. AARTO demerit points are assigned when fines are paid, enforcement orders are issued, or upon conviction by a court, and paying the fine does not prevent the issuing of points.
A learner driver can accumulate up to six demerit points without losing driving privileges, while a fully licensed driver can accumulate up to 15. Points are reduced by one every three months until they reach zero. If the demerit points exceed the specified thresholds, the relevant document is suspended for three months per excess point, during which driving is prohibited. Most documents can be suspended twice and exceeding the threshold a third time leads to cancellation, with the exception of vehicle licence discs and operating permits. Allowing a person with a suspended licence to drive your vehicle incurs a R3,500 fine
When Will the AARTO Demerit System be Implemented
The demerit point system will be launched in September 2025.
How Can I Check My AARTO Demerit Points?
You will be able to check your demerit points by signing up and logging into your account on the Fines SA platform or the Fines SA app.
SIGN UP NOWAARTO Demerits
Zero
All drivers start out on zero demerits.
1-6
1-6 Points issued depending on the offence
15
15 Points = Suspension of Licence
3x
Three Suspensions will result in the cancellation of licence
Demerit Points Allocation
| Violation | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle not registered | R1 000 | 3 |
| Vehicle not licensed | R1 000 | 3 |
| Vehicle with no number plates | Court | 6 |
| Vehicle with only one number plate | R500 | 2 |
| Driver not licensed | R1250 | 4 |
| Driver's licence not in vehicle | R1250 | 4 |
| Disobeying stop sign or robot | R750 | 2 |
| Exceeding speed limit 11-15km/h | R250 | 0 |
| Exceeding speed limit 16-20km/h | R500 | 1 |
| Exceeding speed limit 21-25km/h | R750 | 2 |
| Exceeding speed limit > 40km/h | Court | 6 |
| Failing to keep left | R1 000 | 3 |
| Failing to use indicators | R500 | 1 |
| Failing to stop at an accident | Court | 6 |
| Driving under the influence to stop at an accident | Court | 6 |
| Furnishing false information | Court | 6 |