Traffic violations in SA with stricter penalties than you think
The festive season is upon us and authorities are targeting these traffic violations in SA with super-strict penalties. Beware.
Under the newly approved AARTO ACT, traffic violations in SA have a whole new look heading into the festive season. Upheld by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in the Constitutional Court back in July, and ready for full implementation in 2024, these are the 25 traffic violations in SA that have stricter penalties than you might expect.
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Don’t forget that under the new AARTO laws, when motorists receive 15 demerit points their license is suspended. You can be suspended twice before your driving license is taken away. Each suspension means having to retake a driver’s/learner’s qualification test.
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With that in mind, it’s time to familiarise yourself with the 2 659 traffic violations in SA listed on the AARTO website, including their fines and associated demerit points. Here are some the traffic authorities are going after in a big way over the festive season.
TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS IN SA
Here’s a handy list of the 25 strictest traffic violations in SA. Some seem like minor infractions but carry major consequences. Others are small violations you probably didn’t even think were illegal but are. So, here you go, the traffic police’s hit list for December 2023, comply or face stiff repercussions.
| Violation | FIne | Points |
| Not displaying number plates | Court | 6 |
| Non-applicable number plates | Court | 6 |
| Plates obscured or illegible | Court | 6 |
| No engine number | Court | 6 |
| Unauthorised tampering with vehicle | Court | 6 |
| Furnishing false information | Court | 6 |
| False number plate | Court | 6 |
| Following too closely | R1 000 | 3 |
| Racing on public road | R1 000 | 3 |
| Damaging public road | R1 000 | 3 |
| Driver unable to exercise control of vehicle | R1 000 | 3 |
| Motor vehicle not registered | R1 000 | 3 |
| Motor vehicle not licensed | R1 000 | 3 |
| Disposing of unregistered vehicle | R1 000 | 3 |
| Willful obstruction of traffic flow | R750 | 2 |
| Displaying only one number plate | R500 | 1 |
| Number plates not SABS approved | R500 | 1 |
| License disc not displayed obscured or illegible | R500 | 1 |
| Vehicle permanently unfit for use | R500 | 1 |
| Failing to comply with traffic officer’s instructions | R500 | 1 |
| Failing to give way to emergency vehicle | R500 | 1 |
| Driving while using hand-held cellphone | R500 | 1 |
| Number plate obscured or illegible | R250 | 0 |
| Stolen vehicle not reported by owner | R250 | 0 |
| Excessively noisy vehicle | R250 | 0 |
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You can check the status of any infringement notices issued against you by clicking HERE:
- 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.
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