'AARTO is coming, just not today' - Alan Winde

Kfm Mornings with Darren, Sherlin and Sibs speak to Premier Alan Winde about the rollout of AARTO (Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences).

Listen below:

Reports are circulating that the South African AARTO system has become effective from 5 June 2025, but Winde confirms this news is not true... yet.

The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) is set to introduce a new demerit system where motorists would pay a penalty and be given demerit points when a traffic infringement occurs.

Motorists will begin with no points and accumulate demerits when necessary.

As a driver reaches 15 demerit points, they will face penalties - and repeat offenders risk having their licence suspended, and to require retraining before earning their licence back by driving legally, safely, paying penalty fines on time, and being an astute motorist, Winde explains.

The main point is: AARTO is coming, just not today, says Winde.

"The points system is coming, but not today... it was due to be implemented today, but as of last week, the Minister has signed off on the regulations - but they're still doing some due diligence. In some parts of our country and municipalities might not be ready to implement, but there will be a lot of communication when it does get implemented."

- Alan Winde, Western Cape Premier 

"It really is about building safer roads and driver behaviour change... so, it is coming, just not today."

- Alan Winde, Western Cape Premier 

Winde says his "gut" says it might be ready in the next three months, while confirming that the Western Cape is "ready for it". 

"The system changes and it has to be centrally managed so that the data is trustworthy and that it's not being abused, but there are mechanisms in the system that you can challenge if you don't agree... I do note that in the regulations, the fines are heftier than they are at the moment. Personally, I've always been in favour of the system."

- Alan Winde, Western Cape Premier 

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.