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The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, together with Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have announced the postponement of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) implementation from 1 December 2025 to 1 July 2026.
What Happened
The Department of Transport has delayed the long-awaited AARTO rollout after assessing the readiness of municipalities scheduled for the first phase of implementation. The review revealed several challenges that could undermine the system’s effectiveness if introduced prematurely.
Official Response
According to the Department, key issues include the incomplete training of law-enforcement and administrative personnel, as well as the need to harmonise various municipal law-enforcement systems and secure adequate funding for these upgrades. A new proclamation outlining the revised, staggered implementation dates will soon be gazetted, with 1 July 2026 confirmed as the official start date.
Community Impact
The postponement gives municipalities and traffic authorities more time to prepare systems, staff, and resources for smooth enforcement once AARTO is operational. The Department has reaffirmed its commitment to a phased rollout, ensuring consistency and fairness across the country’s road-traffic adjudication framework.
