Demerit system signed into law  Go Back
Author: Cornel   Date: 20 August 2019

Back in February 2019, the South African Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Transport accepted the final changes to the controversial Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) bill, which President Cyril Rhamaposa has now finally signed into law. Here’s all you need to know about the demerit system…
 

The proposed points system is very similar to what is already used in several European countries. Essentially, points are added onto motorists’ licences if they commit a road offence. Once the motorist has reached a certain number of points, the licence can be suspended and if the motorist continues to commit offences, the licence can be taken away or effectively cancelled.

The law for the points system was signed in September 1998 as part of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act 46 of 1998. The main reason for the delay of the roll out of the system is mainly due to it being adapted for South African road users.

The amendments include the removal of the courts from the AARTO process which is to be replaced by a dedicated Road Traffic Infringement Authority, which is to be largely funded by traffic fine revenue. Transgressors will be required to make written representations to the authority while the bill also makes provision for an Appeals Tribunal, allowing for motorists to challenge infringements within 30 days. If these options are not exercised within the required time frame, the issuing of a drivers license or vehicle license disc will be blocked and demerit points imposed.

What this means is that if you do not pay your traffic fines, you may be blocked from renewing your driving and vehicle licences. Previously, documents had to be sent via registered mail, but this bill now means that documents can be served by email with reminders over WhatsApp and SMS. Frustratingly, the option for motorists to challenge the prosecution in court has been removed.
 

How Will The Points Work?

– Each driver starts off with zero points.

– Points are allocated according to infringements or offences committed (there are different values for different infringements and offences)

– Points are incurred (allocated) on the date a penalty (fine) is paid or when the person is convicted of the offence (as the case may be)

– Operators receive points separately from their drivers (ie a transport company receives points allocated to the operator’s permit)

– When you have more than 12 points, the licence (and/or operator card) is suspended with effect from 32 days after the maximum points have been reached. 3 suspensions will result in the cancellation of the license.

– The suspension period is calculated in months equal to the number of points exceeding 12, multiplied by three (or such number as may be prescribed by the Minister of Transport)

– The number of points (demerits) added will depend on the severity of the offence

– The driver/operator may apply for the return of the license on expiry of the suspension (disqualification) period

– A driver/operator who is disqualified for the third time will permanently lose the license/operator card and will have to reapply for testing and issue (as if a first time license/operator applicant) after expiry of the disqualification period.

– Demerit points will be reduced (for all persons/operators) at a flat rate of one point per every 3 months (or as otherwise prescribed), except in the case where the evidence points to the fact that the process has been deliberately delayed to obtain a reduction in points.
 

How Many Points Can You Earn
 

Source: https://bit.ly/2KFsaPn