The Demerit System in South Africa – How It Works is a legal framework under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act. Its goal is simple: improve road safety by holding drivers accountable. The system allocates penalty points to drivers who commit traffic offences. Accumulate enough points and you face suspension — or worse, the cancellation of your driving licence.
This guide explains how the system functions, how points and fines are calculated, and what actions can cause suspension or cancellation of your driving privileges.
South Africa’s Demerit System Explained
Key Point |
Details |
|---|---|
Official Authority |
AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences) |
Core Purpose |
To penalize habitual traffic offenders and improve road safety |
Points Threshold for Suspension |
12 demerit points |
Licence Suspension Duration |
3 months per point above the threshold |
Points Reduction |
1 point removed every 3 months without infractions |
Where to Check Official Info |
The Demerit System in South Africa – How It Works is based on the principle of incremental penalties. Each traffic violation carries a specific number of driving demerit points, in addition to a monetary fine. These accumulate on your licence record.
If a driver accumulates 12 or more points, their licence is automatically suspended.
Points Allocation
Points are allocated according to the seriousness of the offence.
For example:
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Minor offences (like not wearing a seatbelt): 1 to 2 points
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More serious offences (like speeding or reckless driving): 3 to 6 points
Fines and AARTO Penalty Guide
Under the AARTO penalty guide, every offence has both a fine and corresponding demerit points. Some examples:
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Speeding (less than 20 km/h over the limit): R250 fine + 2 points
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Driving an unlicensed vehicle: R500 fine + 3 points
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Driving under the influence: Criminal charge + immediate suspension + 6 points
Licence Suspension and Cancellation
Once the 12-point threshold is breached:
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Your licence is suspended for 3 months per point over the limit
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After 3 suspensions, your licence is cancelled (you must reapply and redo the test)
How to Reduce Your Demerit Points
If you maintain a clean driving record, the system works in your favour:
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For every 3-month period without further infractions, 1 point is deducted from your record automatically
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You cannot “pay” to remove points — it’s purely time and good behaviour based
Impact on Drivers and Operators
Private Drivers
Accumulating points can result in:
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Higher insurance premiums
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Licence suspension, restricting mobility
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Long-term legal complications for repeated offences
Professional Drivers and Operators
For companies managing vehicle fleets:
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Driver suspensions can disrupt business operations
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Operators themselves can be penalized under AARTO if company vehicles are repeatedly used for infractions
FAQ
How many demerit points can I get before my licence is suspended?
Your licence is suspended once you accumulate 12 or more points.
How long does a licence suspension last?
3 months per point over the 12-point limit.
Can demerit points be removed faster?
No. The only way to reduce points is to avoid further offences — 1 point is removed every 3 months of clean driving.
Do professional drivers face harsher penalties?
The points are the same, but suspensions can have bigger consequences for employment and business operations.
What happens if my licence is cancelled?
You’ll have to reapply and redo your driver’s test to get a new licence.
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