The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has officially dismissed recent media reports suggesting that the new AARTO system has been launched nationwide, calling such claims “fake news.”

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The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system is South Africa’s upcoming traffic law enforcement framework, designed to reduce violations by imposing fines and demerit points on motorists who break the law. While the system aims to curb dangerous driving behavior, it is not yet active across the country, contrary to several misleading news stories published in the past week.

Some reports stated that AARTO would be implemented nationally from 5 June. However, RTIA has clarified that no such rollout has occurred and that the system remains operational only in Johannesburg and Tshwane. The agency emphasized that any expansion of the system would be officially communicated through proper channels.

“It has come to our attention that fake news about the AARTO rollout has been spread. RTIA assures the public that an official statement will be released when the next phase is implemented,” the agency said in a statement.

Current Status of the AARTO Project

The national implementation of AARTO is being conducted in four phases:

Phase One – Completed: Focused on establishing essential infrastructure such as service outlets and ensuring the eNATIS system can process AARTO-related transactions.
Phase Two – Upcoming: Will expand the system to 69 additional municipalities.
Phase Three – Will bring in the remaining 144 municipalities.
Phase Four – Will introduce the full demerit point system and rehabilitation program for repeat offenders.

The RTIA has reiterated that progress to subsequent phases will only occur with prior public notification and legal procedures.

Understanding AARTO System and the Demerit System

Once fully implemented, AARTO will assign demerit points to drivers for various infractions. All motorists will start with zero points, and demerits will be added based on the type and severity of each offense. Accumulating more than 13 points will lead to serious consequences, including license suspension.

Each point beyond the 13-point threshold will add three months of suspension, and drivers whose licenses are suspended three times will face permanent cancellation. On the upside, demerits will gradually reduce over time—one point will be removed every three months if no further violations occur.

Legal Road to Implementation

The rollout of AARTO was previously halted when the Gauteng High Court ruled the legislation unconstitutional. However, the Constitutional Court overturned this decision in a unanimous ruling, clearing the path for future national implementation.

Until then, RTIA urges the public to rely only on official announcements regarding AARTO developments and to disregard false or misleading information circulating in the media.

Bottom line: The AARTO system is not live nationwide. It remains limited to two cities, and official statements will precede any future expansion. Stay informed through RTIA-verified updates to avoid being misled.