By Cii Radio Features | From Sabeelul Hayat with Mas-oodah Jappie
South African motorists often overlook traffic tickets, assuming they can deal with them “later.” Under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system, however, ignoring an infringement notice can quickly snowball into serious administrative consequences, including restrictions on your NaTIS profile.
This week on Sabeelul Hayat, we sat down with Monde Mkalipi, spokesperson for the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA). He clarified what your options are, what happens if you take no action — and importantly, that these options apply to all AARTO infringement notices and have always been available to motorists. For many South Africans, the problem has simply been not knowing their rights.
Your Four Options When You Receive an AARTO Infringement Notice
Monde highlighted the four elective pathways AARTO introduces for motorists once an infringement notice is issued:
Pay within 32 days for a 50% discount
AARTO encourages swift compliance by offering a reduced fine for early payment.
Dispute the infringement through representation
Motorists can challenge the ticket if it was issued incorrectly or unfairly.
Nominate the actual driver
Useful for companies or families where someone other than the registered owner was driving.
Request to pay in instalments
Helping motorists manage financial pressure while still resolving the infringement.
What Happens If You Ignore the Ticket?
Failing to take action triggers the following steps:
After 32 days:
The 50% discount falls away.
After 64 days of no engagement:
You are blocked on NaTIS.
A NaTIS block prevents you from:
• renewing your vehicle licence disc
• renewing your driving licence
• renewing your professional driving permit (PrDP)
As Monde Mkalipi noted in our interview: “These blocks happen because the system assumes you’ve been given sufficient time and options. The aim is not to punish, but to encourage compliance.”
How to Check Your Infringements
Motorists can now check their status without waiting for physical mail.
The RTIA provides:
• Call Centre: 0861 268 681
• RTIA Website: aarto.gov.za — create a profile to access your infringements
• Mobile App: Available on the Google Play Store
Electronic delivery of infringement notices is currently in development.
Mkalipi emphasised that transparency is a priority: “Traffic officers will undergo intensive training before the rollout to ensure road users are aware of their rights and not unlawfully compelled to pay on the spot.”
Can You Be Forced to Pay a Fine at a Roadblock?
During the interview, Monde Mkalipi addressed a widely misunderstood area of traffic law: whether motorists can be forced to pay fines at a roadblock.
According to Mkalipi: You cannot be forced to pay a traffic fine at a roadblock.
He explained that under AARTO, infringements are administrative, not criminal.
As such:
• Officers may not demand on-the-spot payment.
• They cannot threaten arrest simply because you haven’t paid a fine.
• They may not confiscate your ID, licence, or vehicle to compel payment.
• Roadblocks may not be used as cash-collection points.
What can an officer do?
• Confirm your identity and check for outstanding warrants
• Issue an infringement notice if one is due
• Advise you of your AARTO options
Mkalipi reaffirmed that proper training is being rolled out so officers do not misinform or intimidate motorists at roadside stops. This protection is part of the shift towards a fair, transparent, and administrative enforcement system, not one driven by intimidation.
