02/07/2026
AARTO Phase 2 is Here — But Don’t Panic
You may have seen news about the latest AARTO rollout and wondered what it means for your fleet.
The important message for transport operators is this:
AARTO Phase 2 starts from 1 July 2026 in selected municipalities, but the actual demerit points system does not kick in yet.
This phase is mainly about expanding the AARTO administrative process to more municipalities. It affects how traffic infringements are issued, processed, paid, challenged, and managed — but operators still have time to prepare properly before demerit points become fully active. Whilst the regulations have been published, the effective date of implementation has not yet been announced.
What operators should take note of:
Under the new AARTO process, fleet operators need to pay close attention to how traffic infringements are managed.
For transport operators, the biggest risk is not only the fine itself — it is missing deadlines, not having proper driver records, or failing to manage notices quickly and correctly.
What should you do now?
Now is the ideal time to get your fleet AARTO-ready.
We recommend that operators start by checking:
🚛 Are all vehicle licence and operator card records up to date?
👤 Can you prove who was driving each vehicle on a specific date and time?
📄 Are driver licences and PrDPs valid and properly filed?
📌 Is there one responsible person or department managing AARTO notices?
🗂️ Do you have a register to track notices, due dates, nominations, payments and representations?
📡 Are trip sheets, telematics, tracking records and route records aligned?
Our advice to transport operators
There is no need to panic.
However, there is a need to prepare.
The operators who will manage AARTO best are those with strong fleet records, disciplined driver management, proper roadworthiness controls and a clear internal process for dealing with infringements.
AARTO should not be seen only as a fine-management issue. It is also an opportunity to strengthen fleet compliance, improve driver accountability and reduce road safety risk.