AARTO Implementation Postponed: Key Regulations and Proclamations Withdrawn

Significant developments have unfolded regarding the rollout of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO).

On 28 November 2025, the government formally withdrew the recently published amended regulations and proclamations that were central to the implementation timeline.

The AARTO Regulations, 2025, which were published on 31 October 2025 in Government Gazette 53605 (Notice 6782) and intended to support the AARTO Amendment Act of 2019, have now been withdrawn in Government Gazette 53743.

These steps effectively pause the legal mechanisms that would have enabled phased national implementation.

Revised Rollout Dates

This follows an earlier announcement by the Minister of Transport, confirming that AARTO’s introduction in 69 municipalities, initially scheduled for 1 December 2025, has been postponed to 1 July 2026.

Under the revised timeline:

• The remaining 144 municipalities are now expected to join the system on 1 November 2026.
• The national points demerit system — a key feature of AARTO — is planned to take effect on 1 April 2027.

What This Means

For now, the full national rollout of AARTO remains on hold as government re-evaluates the regulatory framework. AARTO still remains effective in Pretoria and Johannesburg.

Motorists, employers, and fleet operators should continue to monitor developments closely and prepare for staged implementation beginning mid-2026.

This article does not constitute legal advice. For an informed opinion and/or assistance with a labour-related matter, you are encouraged to arrange a formal consultation with the author.

We will continue to keep you informed and updated

Inform Empower Comply

Since 1998