Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - The Department of Transport deferred the implementation of the Adinistrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act to next year. The new rollout date, originally planned for December 2025, gives motorists valuable extra time to settle outstanding fines and familiarise themselves with the new demerit system before penalties take effect. The Act is now set to be implemented on July 1 next year.
Fines SA, South Africa’s leading online traffic fine payment and management platform, has welcomed the announcement. “We view this as a positive step,” says Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA. “The postponement gives South Africans the chance to get their affairs in order.
“We’ve already seen a significant influx of motorists registering and clearing old fines in anticipation of AARTO. This delay provides the perfect window for those who haven’t yet acted to avoid future compli-cations.”
Under AARTO, unpaid fines will be directly linked to a motorist’s or business’s vehicle licence and registration number, making it impossible to renew or register vehicles until all fines are settled. This could lead to operational disruptions for businesses and severe administrative hurdles for individuals once the system goes live.
“There are still thousands of unpaid fines in the system which will hurt drivers once AARTO launches unless they act now,” adds Berman. “Our advice is simple: don’t wait until 2026. Use this time to clear your fines and stay compliant. Fines SA is ready to assist every step of the way.”
Fines SA continues to enhance its platform to make fine management and payments easier, faster, and more transparent.
Through its secure online portal, motorists can instantly check, verify, and settle fines across multiple municipalities helping them stay in control before the AARTO system is fully implemented.
