Fitness of vehicle violations: How much you’ll pay in fines
As of last year, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has been clamping down on unroadworthy/modified vehicles. On top of adding new license and registration penalties to South Africa’s traffic fine system, there are tens of Fitness of Vehicle violations you should be aware of. ALSO READ: Expired license? Here are all AARTO fines for license violations […]
As of last year, the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has been clamping down on unroadworthy/modified vehicles. On top of adding new license and registration penalties to South Africa’s traffic fine system, there are tens of Fitness of Vehicle violations you should be aware of.
ALSO READ: Expired license? Here are all AARTO fines for license violations
There are currently 2 659 offences listed on the AARTO website, click the link HERE to check the fine amounts.
As a reminder, the current driver demerit points system is not in operation, but if and when it does come online, motorists can accumulate 15 demerit points on their license before it is suspended. An expired license can only be suspended twice before it is cancelled.
FITNESS OF VEHICLE VIOLATIONS
Here’s a list of the AARTO Fitness of Vehicle violations, including their fines and demerit points. Some of the violations might surprise you, so read through the list carefully to see if your vehicle complies.
ALSO READ: All the fines for speeding violations
If you get pulled over or stopped and traffic officers believe your car is in an unfit condition, this is what you’ll pay:
FITNESS OF VEHICLE VIOLATIONS
| Violation | Fine | Points |
| Not displaying roadworthy certificate (RWC) | R500 | 1 |
| Operating vehicle without RWC | R1 000 | 3 |
| Operating vehicle contrary to notice to discontinue | R750 | 2 |
| No emergency/parking brake on vehicle | R750 | 2 |
| Parking brake inadequate on vehicle | R500 | 1 |
| Brakes not in good working order | R750 | 2 |
| Steering gear unsafe or too much free play | R720 | 2 |
| Illegal left-hand drive vehicle | R500 | 1 |
| Hooter not working properly | R250 | 0 |
| Illegal window or windscreen | R250 | 0 |
| No windscreen wiper | R250 | 0 |
| Defective/no rearview mirror | R500 | 1 |
| Defective fuel tank, pipes | R500 | 1 |
| Defective/no fuel tank cap | R500 | 1 |
| Electrical wiring not properly installed | R500 | 1 |
| Engine not covered | R250 | 0 |
| Inefficient/no silencer | R250 | 0 |
| Excessive exhaust smoke | R250 | 0 |
| Oil dripping onto exhaust | R250 | 0 |
| No reverse gear | R250 | 0 |
| Worn, damaged or illegal tyres (per tyre) | R250 | 0 |
| Missing seat belt | R500 | 1 |
| Defective seat belt | R250 | 0 |
| No speedometer | R500 | 1 |
| Defective speedometer | R250 | 0 |
If you want to check the status of infringement notices issued against you, visit the aarto.gov.za website:
- Click on Query my Fine.
- Provide your ID number and driving license number.
- Juristic entities can provide their business register number and the ID number of a proxy.
Original article by Ray Leathern.