AARTO Commenced on 1 July 2026: Municipalities, Compliance Requirements & Fleet Impact
A significant milestone has been reached in South Africa's road traffic enforcement landscape. A Presidential Proclamation published on 29 June 2026 has confirmed that the remaining operational provisions of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act will commence on 1 July 2026.
Following several postponements to allow municipalities and enforcement agencies additional time to prepare, the Department of Transport has confirmed the implementation of AARTO in the first group of municipalities that have met the required operational readiness standards.
The rollout will include major metropolitan areas and municipalities across the country, including:
OR Tambo District – King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality (Mthatha Area)
Chris Hani District – Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (Queenstown)
Buffalo City Metro – East London
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
Alfred Nzo District – Matatiele Local Municipality
Joe Gqabi District – Elundini Local Municipality (Maclear)
Alfred Nzo District – Umzimvubu Local Municipality
Sarah Baartman District – Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality
Joe Gqabi District – Walter Sisulu Local Municipality
Lejweleputswa District – Matjhabeng Local Municipality (Welkom)
Fezile Dabi District – Moqhaka Local Municipality (Kroonstad)
Thabo Mofutsanyana District – Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality (QwaQwa/Harrismith)
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (Bloemfontein)
Thabo Mofutsanyana District – Dihlabeng Local Municipality
Xhariep District – Mohokare Local Municipality
Fezile Dabi District – Metsimaholo Local Municipality
West Rand District – Merafong Local Municipality (Carletonville)
West Rand District – Mogale City Local Municipality (Krugersdorp)
Sedibeng District – Lesedi Local Municipality (Heidelberg)
West Rand District – Rand West City Local Municipality
Sedibeng District – Midvaal Local Municipality (Meyerton)
City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
Emfuleni Local Municipality (Vereeniging)
uThukela District – Alfred Duma Local Municipality (Ladysmith Area)
Amajuba District – Newcastle Local Municipality
King Cetshwayo District – City of uMhlathuze Local Municipality (Richards Bay)
eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality (Durban)
iLembe District – KwaDukuza Local Municipality (Stanger)
uMgungundlovu District – Msunduzi Local Municipality (Pietermaritzburg)
Zululand District – Ulundi Local Municipality (Mahlabathini)
Ugu District – Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality (Port Shepstone)
UMkhanyakude District – Jozini Local Municipality
UMkhanyakude District – Mtubatuba Local Municipality
Capricorn District – Polokwane Local Municipality
Vhembe District – Thulamela Local Municipality (Thohoyandou)
Sekhukhune District – Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (Burgersfort)
Waterberg District – Mogalakwena Local Municipality (Mokopane)
Mopani District – Greater Tzaneen Municipality
Vhembe District – Makhado Local Municipality
Mopani District – Greater Giyani Local Municipality
Sekhukhune District – Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality
Ehlanzeni District – City of Mbombela Local Municipality (Nelspruit)
Nkangala District – Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (Middelburg)
Gert Sibande District – Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (Bethal/Secunda)
Nkangala District – Emalahleni Local Municipality (Witbank)
Ehlanzeni District – Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (Mashishing)
Gert Sibande District – Lekwa Local Municipality (Standerton)
Nkangala District – Thembisile Hani Local Municipality
Ehlanzeni District – Nkomazi Local Municipality (Malelane)
ZF Mgcawu District – Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality (Upington)
John Taolo Gaetsewe District – Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality (Kuruman)
Frances Baard District – Sol Plaatje Local Municipality (Kimberley)
Pixley ka Seme District – Emthanjeni Local Municipality (De Aar)
Namakwa District – Nama Khoi Local Municipality (Springbok)
Dr Kenneth Kaunda District – City of Matlosana Local Municipality (Klerksdorp)
Dr Kenneth Kaunda District – JB Marks Local Municipality (Potchefstroom)
Ngaka Modiri Molema District – Mahikeng Local Municipality
Ngaka Modiri Molema District – Ditsobotla Local Municipality (Lichtenburg)
Bojanala District – Rustenburg Local Municipality
Bojanala District – Madibeng Local Municipality (Brits)
Under AARTO, organisations and motorists will be required to manage traffic infringements through a centralised administrative process. The legislation introduces stricter compliance requirements relating to infringement notices, driver nominations, representations, and the management of demerit points once the demerit system is activated.
For fleet operators, the impact is particularly significant. Businesses must ensure that company vehicles are linked to responsible drivers and that infringement notices are dealt with within the prescribed timeframes. Failure to do so may result in increased administrative burdens and potential compliance risks.
With AARTO now commencing from 1 July 2026, businesses should review their internal processes and ensure that they have systems in place to manage drivers, vehicle allocations, infringement administration, and future demerit point tracking.
The national rollout marks one of the most significant changes to road traffic administration in South Africa in recent years, making proactive compliance more important than ever.