AARTO Demerit Points Are Coming: What Working Drivers Need to Know

TaxiSure 13 July 2026 6 min read regulatory

AARTO is not new. People have talked about it for years. It has been delayed many times. It has even been fought in court. Now the first part has started. But the demerit points, the part that can take your licence, have not started yet.

If you work in an office, losing your licence for a while is a headache. If you drive a taxi, an e-hailing car, a bus, or a truck, it is much worse. No licence means no work. No work means no money.

This article explains how AARTO demerit points work. And what you can do to stay ready.

What is AARTO?

AARTO stands for Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences. It is a new way to deal with traffic fines. Instead of just paying a fine, you also get points. Countries like the UK and Australia use the same idea.

It works like this. Break a traffic rule, and you get points. Get too many points, and your licence is suspended. Keep breaking rules, and you lose your licence for good.

AARTO has been delayed many times. It was going to start in December 2025. That was moved to 1 July 2026. On that date, it started in 62 more towns and cities. More areas will be added later in 2026. The Western Cape is left out for now. But this part is only about fines and notices. The demerit points are not part of it yet.

So when do the demerit points start? There is no fixed date yet. Most reports say 2027. At the time of writing, no official start date has been given. These dates have changed many times before. So do not wait for a date. The points are coming. It is better to get ready now.

How do the demerit points work?

Every traffic offence has points. Small offences have fewer points, between one and six. Big offences have more points. Big offences are things like driving much too fast, going through a red light, or not wearing a seatbelt.

Here is how it works, based on reports from Daily Maverick and Hippo:

15 points: first suspension. When you reach 15 points, your licence is suspended. For every point over 15, you lose your licence for three months.
Second suspension. If you get too many points again, your licence is suspended a second time.
Third suspension: you lose your licence. The third time, your licence is cancelled and destroyed. To drive again, you must start from the beginning. That means a learner’s licence and the full test again.

Learner drivers have a lower limit. Their licence is suspended at just 6 points.

One rule is very important. Driving on a suspended licence is a crime.

Why working drivers are most at risk

Most news about AARTO is written for normal drivers. Very little is written for people who drive to earn money.

Here is the truth for a taxi, e-hailing, or truck driver:

Your licence is your income. If it is suspended, you cannot work. Three months suspended means three months with no money. There is no sick pay. There is no salary. There is no way around it.
You drive every day. The more you drive, the more chances you have to break a rule. A driver doing 300km a day is far more at risk than someone driving 20 minutes to work.
Small mistakes add up. Crossing a yellow line. A rolling stop. A phone in your hand at a red light. Each one costs points. Before, you paid the fine and moved on. Now the points stay with you.
Your insurance. If you drive on a suspended licence, you are breaking the law. This can cause big problems if you need to claim. Driving against the law can affect your claim. What your cover pays depends on your policy.

What you can do now

The full system is not live yet. So you still have time to get ready.

Check your record. Find out now if you have any unpaid AARTO fines or notices. Old fines could count against you when the points start.
Watch your driving. Many taxi and e-hailing drivers think fines are optional. Once the points start, that will not work. Fix your driving habits now, while the points are not counting yet.
Ask your operator. If you drive for a fleet or a taxi association, ask if they have any help or rules for staying on the right side of the law.
Keep your cover up to date. Driving with no insurance, or on a suspended licence, is risky. Make sure your cover is current. Make sure it matches how you really use your car.

TaxiSure’s minibus taxi cover is made for people who work in the taxi and transport industry. Terms and conditions apply.

Talk to TaxiSure about your cover

Do you drive for a living? Do you want your insurance to be right before the points start? TaxiSure works with taxi and transport drivers and owners every day.

WhatsApp TaxiSure now

Frequently Asked Questions

When do AARTO demerit points start in South Africa?

There is no fixed date yet. The fines part started in more areas on 1 July 2026, but the points part has not started. Most reports say 2027. No official date has been given, and this could change.

How many points before your licence is suspended?

For a full licence, the limit is 15 points. For a learner, it is 6 points. Once you go over the limit, your licence is suspended for three months for each point over.

What happens if your licence is cancelled?

After a third suspension, your licence is cancelled and destroyed. You have to start again from a learner’s licence.

Can you drive for work while your licence is suspended?

No. Driving on a suspended licence is a crime. For a working driver, that means no driving, no income, and big insurance problems if you drive anyway.

Does AARTO treat taxi drivers differently?

The points limits are the same for everyone. But people who drive all day have more chances to get points. So the risk is higher if you drive to earn money.

What is AARTO Phase 2?

Phase 2 added 62 more towns and cities from 1 July 2026. It covers fines and notices. It does not start the demerit points. Those come later.

Will insurance cover you if your licence is suspended and you keep driving?

Ask your insurer this directly. Driving on a suspended licence is against the law. That can cause big problems with any claim. Every policy is different, so check your cover now, before the points start.

Sources

Taxisure Risk Specialists (Pty) Ltd | Authorised Financial Services Provider | FSP 52693

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