Traffic fines in South Africa: how to pay, dispute, and what happens if you ignore them

Traffic fines in South Africa follow the AARTO process: a notice-and-representation system with fixed deadlines at each step. Miss a deadline and the consequences escalate automatically.

Who the fine goes to

Traffic fines are issued against the registered owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver. If someone else was driving your car, you can make a representation identifying the actual driver - this redirects the fine and future demerit points to them.

If you drove someone else's car and were caught by a camera, the owner will receive the notice. The owner can then redirect it to you.

The AARTO fine process

Step 1: Infringement notice Issued by post or handed to you by a traffic officer. Contains:

• The offence
• The fine amount
• The 32-day deadline
• Instructions for payment or representation

You have 32 days from this notice to:

• Pay in full (usually with a 50% discount)
• Make a representation (dispute the fine)
• Apply to pay in instalments

Step 2: Courtesy letter (if no response) If you don't respond to the infringement notice within 32 days, a courtesy letter is sent. Another 32-day window opens.

Step 3: Enforcement order If still no response, an enforcement order is issued. At this point:

• Your driver's licence renewal is blocked
• Your vehicle licence disc renewal is blocked
• You cannot legally renew either until the fine is resolved

Step 4: Warrant of arrest Enforcement orders can escalate to a warrant. Traffic officers can act on this at roadblocks.

How to pay

• Online: aarto.gov.za - enter your ID and licence card number to view and pay fines
• Municipality portals: Cape Town (capetown.gov.za), Johannesburg (joburg.org.za), Tshwane (tshwane.gov.za) - most have a "pay fines" section
• At the DLTC or traffic department: In person with the infringement notice

How to make a representation (dispute)

1. Go to aarto.gov.za and log in
2. Find the infringement notice
3. Click "Make a Representation"
4. Download the dispute form
5. Complete with your reasons (wrong vehicle captured, fine issued in error, you were the passenger not the driver, etc.)
6. Submit via the portal or the provided email address
7. You should receive a response within approximately two weeks

Grounds for representation

• The vehicle in the camera image is not yours (registration plate error or theft)
• You were not the driver (redirect to the actual driver)
• The offence details are factually incorrect
• The fine was issued outside the officer's jurisdiction

What counts as a serious offence (goes to court)

Some offences bypass the infringement notice system and go directly to a summons and court process:

• Drunk driving (DUI)
• Reckless or negligent driving
• Hit-and-run
• Driving while suspended

These can result in a criminal record. Paying does not make them go away.

AARTO and demerit points

From September 2026, paying a fine also allocates demerit points to your licence. See our AARTO demerit guide for how many points apply per offence and what happens when you accumulate too many.