Major Warning for South African Businesses Ahead of December Traffic Law Overhaul
South African business owners and fleet managers are being urged to prepare for a major regulatory shift that could disrupt operations when the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act takes effect on 1 December 2025.
According to Fines SA, the rollout will change how traffic fines are enforced — shifting responsibility from individual proxies to the company’s official Business Registration Number (BRN) on the national ENatis system.
What’s Changing
Under AARTO, all fines linked to company vehicles will now be tied to the business itself, not a specific manager or driver.
If fines go unpaid, the company’s BRN can be blocked, halting essential functions such as:
“For large fleets, this could become a logistical nightmare,” warned Barry Berman, CEO of Fines SA. “If fines aren’t paid on time, vehicles can’t operate — and that affects deliveries, schedules, and the bottom line.”
The Risk to Businesses
Unpaid fines are already a major issue: in 2023, motorists owed more than R3.16 billion in fines, with fewer than 20% ever paid.
Under AARTO, non-payment will no longer go unnoticed. Each fine will be digitally linked to a company’s BRN, and unresolved penalties could block entire fleets from operating legally.
Immediate Steps for Companies
Fines SA is urging businesses to:
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Audit all vehicle records on ENatis.
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Clear any outstanding fines before 1 December.
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Set up verified systems to track and pay fines promptly.
Until the demerit system is active, companies remain fully liable for fines — even if a driver caused the offence.
Once demerits launch, companies will still need to nominate drivers for offences, though payment responsibility will continue to rest with the business.
Final Warning
Berman said October’s Transport Month should be a wake-up call:
“The AARTO rollout isn’t just an administrative change — it’s a business risk. If your BRN is blocked, your fleet is grounded. The time to prepare is now.”
With just weeks before the system goes live, companies that fail to act risk being unable to operate in December.
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