You may have heard news about the latest AARTO rollout and wondered what it means for your fleet. The word from JC Auditors (JCA) is that fleet owners need not panic. To put things into perspective, JCA’s Road Traffic and AARTO Expert, Reon du Plessis, has issued the following as an explanation of what it all means.
By the way, Reon is well qualified in this arena with 46 years of law enforcement experience including service as Chief Provincial Inspector at the KZN Road Traffic Inspectorate and former Station Commander and Head of the KZN Traffic Training College for 27 years. He is also a qualified vehicle and licence examiner, RTMS auditor and PBS vehicle commissioner. So, here’s the view from the expert.
According to Du Plessis, the important message for transport operators is this: AARTO Phase 2 started from 1 July 2026 in selected municipalities but the actual demerit points system does not kick in yet.
“This phase is mainly about expanding the AARTO administrative process to more municipalities. It affects how traffic infringements are issued, processed, paid, challenged and managed – but operators still have time to prepare properly before demerit points become fully active. While the regulations have been published, the effective date of implementation has not yet been announced,” he says.
What operators should take note of is:
Under the new AARTO process, fleet operators need to pay close attention to how traffic infringements are managed. This includes:
- Receiving and tracking AARTO notices.
- Identifying the correct driver at the time of the infringement.
- Nominating drivers where applicable.
- Keeping accurate vehicle and operator records.
- Responding within the required timeframes.
- Managing payments, representations and appeals correctly.
“For transport operators, the biggest risk is not only the fine itself. It is missing deadlines, not having proper driver records, or failing to manage notices quickly and correctly,” says Du Plessis.
What should you do now?
Du Plessis says that now is the ideal time to get your fleet AARTO-ready and recommends that operators start by checking:
- Are all vehicle licence and operator card records up to date?
- Can you prove who was driving each vehicle on a specific date and time?
- Are driver licences and PrDPs valid and properly filed?
- Is there one responsible person or department managing AARTO notices?
- Do you have a register to track notices, due dates, nominations, payments and representations?
- Are trip sheets, telematics, tracking records and route records aligned?
Du Plessis says there is no need to panic. “However,” he adds, “there is a need to prepare. The operators who will manage AARTO best are those with strong fleet records, disciplined driver management, proper roadworthiness controls and a clear internal process for dealing with infringements.”
AARTO should not be seen only as a fine-management issue. It is also an opportunity to strengthen fleet compliance, improve driver accountability and reduce road safety risk. “Let’s use this time wisely – prepare now, avoid panic later,” says Du Plessis.
Need guidance?
According to Oliver Naidoo, managing director of JC Auditors, the company will continue to keep transport operators updated as the AARTO rollout progresses. “We will also be hosting AARTO training sessions unpacking all the details in specific training sessions for management, fleet administrators and drivers,” he says.
Should you have any questions or need assistance in preparing your fleet for AARTO, you can contact the JC Auditors team on info@jcauditors.com.
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