How fast can you go in South Africa without getting a ticket?
We’re frequently asked: How fast can you go in South Africa without getting a ticket? These are the numbers that will land you in trouble.
So, how fast can you go in South Africa and still be within the bounds of the law?
Well, South Africa’s Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) has been refining speeding fine violations.
This is ahead of the controversial new AARTO laws rollout.
Granted, AARTO – or the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences to use its full title – appears to be on ice for now.
That’s until local municipalities wrap their head around the new system.
They warn it is incredibly complicated and it will see local traffic authorities lose millions in revenue annually.
HOW FAST CAN YOU GO IN SOUTH AFRICA LEGALLY?
So, how fast can you go in South Africa before getting a ticket?
Well, there are speeding fines to be had through all the speed ranges, depending on what sort of road you’re driving.
But you must always factor in a 10km/h leniency from traffic authorities.
BusinessTech says this ‘grace’ window accommodates for minor calibration errors in vehicle speedometers.
Likewise, it prevents someone being prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit by a mere 1, 2 or 3km/h, therefore clogging up the system.
SPEEDING BY ZONE
If you’re caught travelling at these speeds below (note the zones), here’s how hefty your ticket will be:
| Fine | 40km/h | 60km/h | 80km/h | 100km/h | 120km/h |
| R250 | 51 to 55 | 71 to 75 | 91 to 95 | 111 to 115 | 131 to 135 |
| R500 | 56 to 60 | 76 to 80 | 96 to 100 | 116 to 120 | 136 to 140 |
| R750 | 61 to 65 | 81 to 85 | 101 to 105 | 121 to 125 | 141 to 145 |
| R1 000 | 66 to 70 | 86 to 90 | 106 to 110 | 126 to 130 | 146 to 150 |
| R1 250 | 71 to 75 | 91 to 95 | 111 to 115 | 131 to 135 | 151 to 155 |
| R1 500 | 76 to 80 | 96 to 100 | 116 to 120 | 136 to 140 | 156 to 160 |
| Court | 80+ | 100+ | 120+ | 140+ | 160+ |
*We do not condone or encourage speeding in anyway, we merely intend to educate the public with this information.
YEARS OF DELAYS
The new AARTO act and its driver demerit system was due to start in July 2022.
However, following a High Court ruling that declared the AARTO Amendment Act invalid and unconstitutional, it was sent to the Constitutional Court.
And in 2023 it was eventually green-lit.
However, rather embarrassingly, the RTIA and Department of Transport has been unable to implement it as intended.
We were told AARTO and the demerit system would be operational by halfway through 2024, but that looks highly unlikely following pushback from local traffic authorities and municipalities.
DEMERIT POINTS
Nevertheless, if and when the system does go ahead, motorists may only receive 15 demerit points on their licences before suspension.
Two suspensions and your licence will be revoked and you must start again from the learner’s licence test.