Some users in Johannesburg and Pretoria have mentioned on this blog’s comments that they were unable to renew their Drivers Licence due to outstanding fines. This is due to the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) testing integration with the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) integration into their systems.
AARTO has been successfully tested in Tshwane and Joburg.
Table of Contents
What is RTIA?
RTIA is a government agency that encourages the execution of traffic fines and discourages motorists breaking road traffic laws. It enforces penalties against motorists issued with traffic fines and provides specialised prosecution support services. It also aims to educate the public on their rights and options as individuals with regard to traffic violations.
Who does AARTO stand for?
AARTO is the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences.
National AARTO rollout to proceed as soon as the AARTO Amendment Bill is passed. This has been tabled in parliament by Minister Blade Nzimande.
Then all Road Traffic Inspectorate testing centres will be connected to the national fines database and you will not be able to renew your licence without settling your outstanding fines first.
You can query outstanding fines on the AARTO database here: (this is an external service!)
Sidenote
You should not enter your personal details into any site that does not secure the transmission of secure data through SSL. Nonetheless, I took one for the team and entered my ID number and drivers licence number into the search. It couldn’t find my driver’s licence number. Hopefully, that is a good sign!
Update
I contacted the RTIA on Twitter to ask what the best way is to query outstanding fines. This is what they said:
Hi Louis, you may call the AARTO Call Centre now on 0861227861. RTIA trained consultants will give you all the info on your traffic fines and options to resolve them as directed by the AARTO Act. Our office line is 0872850500 or write to info@rtia.co.za
— RTIA – Home of AARTO (@rtia_aarto) May 18, 2018
Dispute a traffic fine
If you believe your traffic fine was in error or that the amount should be reduced, you should read this post on how to dispute a traffic fine.
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Hi, I phoned Aarto today, since I am the Mad Max type…only had one fine that would have blocked renewal, and it was the one where the status was “Enforcement Order”…It was older than 3 years already, but they said it would still block a drivers licence renewal.
“Mad Max type” – ha ha! Thanks for sharing the tip, Salomie. In which area are you based?
Good day Louis I have outstanding fines from the jmpd and my license is about to expire is it possible for me to renew it in ekhurulenI?
Hi Henry, you are able to renew your licence even with outstanding fines, as long as there has not been issued a summons for that traffic fine.
Hello again Louis can I still renew my license if I have enforcement orders?
No, those will block a renewal. You have to settle them first before renewing your licence.
Because I got them while I was still working for my previons employer and they promised to settle them but they didn’t,they’re under my name but the car registration is theirs
Do you have anything in writing from your employer to say that they will settle these fines? If not, you are liable for them. Sorry!
Hi anybody know if Ekurhuleni blocks I renewal due to outstanding fines
What happens if I get pulled over with a expired drivers licence
Hi Robert, this is being rolled out in Gauteng so it is probably relevant in the Ekurhuleni Municipality.
If you get pulled over with an expired licence you have to prove that you have applied for the new licence according to the Road Traffic Act. Keep the receipt on you at all times. The old, expired licence is then only valid for three months according to Regulation 108(6)(a). Nowhere in the Act does it state that a temporary licence is compulsory. This is the grey area which confuses many people. If you have not renewed the licence before the expiry date then you are liable for a traffic fine.
What are the fines for overdue car licences? 🙁
Hi Janine, everything you need to know is in this article:
https://louisnel.co.za/blog/need-renew-south-african-motor-vehicle-licence-disc-alv-2018/
To notify me when my drivers license is near overdue
Hi Johanna, at the moment there is no service that does this. The best is to set yourself a reminder on your phone calender 4 – 6 weeks before the expiry date.
Hi
If i would like to do roadworthy, transfer of ownership and pull a license disk ( its still valid at the moment ) Does my outstanding fines forst need to be paid , even though i didnt receive any letters nor summons – any paperwork for my fines , before i can go an do my RW , transfer of ownership and pull license
regards
Hi Raaez. Yes, any outstanding fines linked to the licence plate number will prevent you from the whole process. Good luck!
if I am currently living in Durban and have traffic fines in Johannesburg how can I pay these fines
Hi Clive, excellent question – JMPD fines can be paid using this site: https://www.paycity.co.za. Some municipalities are also linked with your personal internet banking. Check the fines section of your online banking if any fines are listed in your name.
I need the outstanding fine , for my Company vehicles , how can i get it
Hi Adelle, you can contact AARTO on 0872850500 or email info@rtia.co.za.
I need to know if I have outstanding fines my drivers license expired soon
Hi Hannie, you can contact AARTO on 0872850500 or email info@rtia.co.za.
Hi Louis, thank you for your useful articles! Do you know if Cape Town blocks licence renewal due to outstanding fines?
Hi Monique, this has only been rolled out in Gauteng so far for testing, but the rest of the country will follow soon. Pleas let us know if anything changes.
Hi Louis
My husbands licence has expired two years ago and he was not aware. I will contact AARTO to check the fines. Will he still be able to renew his driver’s license after such a long time?
Thank you.
Hi Sam, good news – yes, he will be able to simply renew his licence. He will have to get a temporary licence as well, as his one has completely lapsed. There is usually a three months grace period if you renew before the licence expires. Hope this helps!
I got an infringement ticket that says no addition of guilt must wait for a summon that will call me to court.Should I wait for the summon or where can I go to negotiate the fine
Hi Joseph, in which municipality did you receive this fine?
I got an infringement ticket that says no admition of guilt must wait for a summon that will call me to court.Should I wait for the summon or where can I go to negotiate the fine.Is in Springs Ekhuruleni.
This website explains very well what you can do in this event:
https://www.ekurhuleni.gov.za/traffic-fines