In a major move aimed at improving road safety and administrative efficiency, the Department of Transport has announced that the long-awaited rollout of the demerit point system will begin on 1 October 2025. It will start in 69 municipalities across the country.
The initiative forms part of the Administration and Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) programme. It seeks to reduce repeat traffic offences and encourage safer driving habits. Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, made the announcement during the department’s recent budget vote presentation in Parliament.
AARTO Rollout in Phases
The demerit system will be implemented in phases based on municipal readiness. The second phase begins in October, targeting municipalities that have completed necessary preparations for implementation.
The third phase, set for 1 February 2026, will cover the remaining 144 municipalities that are expected to be ready by then.
This rollout marks a significant step in enforcing accountability among drivers. Under the AARTO system, drivers will incur demerit points for traffic offences. Repeated infractions could eventually lead to licence suspensions or cancellations.
Road Safety Through Behavioural Change
Hlengwa emphasised that human error accounts for more than 80% of road crashes in South Africa. This fact highlights the urgency of behavioural interventions.
“As a department, we will continue to intensify road safety education and awareness campaigns,” he said.
The government’s goal is not only punitive but also preventative, focusing on transforming how South Africans approach road usage.
Licence Validity Extension Under Review
In a move welcomed by many motorists, Hlengwa also revealed that the department is considering extending the driver’s licence validity period from the current five years to eight years.
This comes after persistent calls from road users and industry stakeholders to ease the administrative burden associated with renewals.
The department is currently undertaking a cost-benefit analysis to determine the feasibility of the proposed extension. The findings of this analysis will be finalised in the second quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year.
Addressing Licence Card Backlog
The announcement comes at a time when the country is still grappling with a significant backlog in the issuance of driver’s licence cards. This delay was caused by the breakdown of the nation’s only licence card printing machine, resulting in long wait times for thousands of motorists.
Efforts are underway to restore production capacity and clear the backlog, with the department promising improvements in service delivery.
The upcoming rollout of the AARTO demerit system and the proposed extension of licence validity signal a broader commitment by the Department of Transport. They aim to modernise road traffic management and improve safety. While implementation challenges remain, these reforms represent meaningful steps toward a more efficient and responsible transport system in South Africa.
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