by With the constant delay of the Demerit driving system in South Africa, many people have forgot about it altogether.
Despite a pilot test in 2008, the delay has partially been as a result of a pending feasibility study, an assessment of technological requirements, law enforcement criteria, and an analysis of human resources needed to ensure the successful implementation of the system.
AARTO, or the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences, are set to meet before the end of February in Bloemfontein. This will be in preparation of a country-wide rollout of the demerit system.
What Will The Demerit System Entail?
Every driver will start with 0 (zero) points. Infringements will each have a set amount of demerits that will be added to your driving score. Demerits are recorded separately, even if they arise from the same incident. This means that if you committed multiple traffic infringements, you will receive demerits for each infringement.
The maximum amount of demerits will be 12. A driver is allowed to drive until they have 12 points. Every point exceeding 12 points will result in a three-month suspension. This means that if your total goes from 11 points to 14 points, for a specific driving infringement, your licence will be suspended for an additional six months (2×3 months).
Each driving infringement will also include a fine. For example, driving an unregistered car will result in one demerit added to your driving score. As well as a R500 fine.
Can You Get Your Licence Cancelled?
Your driving licence will be cancelled if it has been suspended three times as a result of being a habitual offender.
Are Rewards And Demerits Ever Removed?
The demerit system will also reward law-abiding road users by reducing their driving score by one point every three months. Provided they do not incur additional infringements.
CLICK BELOW to read about the new driving regulations set to come into affect on the 11 May 2017.
The Points System
| Infringement | Un-Discounted Penalty Amount | Discounted Penalty Amount If Paid Within 32 Days | Demerit Points Allocated |
| Driving an unregistered vehicle | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Driving an unlicensed vehicle | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Driving a vehicle with licence plate not clearly visible or legible | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Driving without a driving licence | R1 250 | R625 | 4 |
| Driving without a seatbelt | R250 | R125 | 0 |
| Driving while holding and using a cell phone | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Skipping a stop sign – light vehicles | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Skipping a stop sign – buses, minibus taxi’s, and trucks | R750 | R375 | 2 |
| Skipping a red traffic signal – light vehicles | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Skipping a red traffic signal – buses, minibus taxis, and truck | R750 | R375 | 2 |
| Failing to yield to a pedestrian | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Overtaking across a barrier line – light vehicles | R500 | R250 | 1 |
| Overtaking across a barrier line – buses, minibus taxis, and trucks | R700 | R375 | 2 |
| Overloading a vehicle with a maximum of 56 000 kg combination mass in excess of 12.00% – 13.99% | R1 500 | R750 | 5 |
Demerits For Speeding Offences
| Infringement | Un-Discounted Penalty Amount | Discounted Penalty Amount If Paid Within 32 Days | Demerits Points Allocated |
| Driving at 81-85km/h on road with a 60km/h restriction | R750 | R375 | 2 |
| Driving at 106-110km/h on road with a 80km/h restriction | R1000 | R500 | 3 |
| Driving 121-125km/h on road with a 100km/h restriction | R750 | R375 | 2 |
| Driving at 131-135km/h on road with a 100km/h restriction | R1 250 | R625 | 4 |
| Driving at 131-135km/h on road with a 120km/h restriction | R250 | R125 | 0 |
| Driving at 141-145km/h on road with a 120km/h restriction | R750 | R375 | 2 |
| Driving at 151-155km/h on road with a 120km/h restriction | R1 250 | R625 | 4 |
Whatsapp 076 888 4931.
Infringements For Which a Court Summons Will Be Served
| Driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicating substance | Penalty amount determined by court | 6 if found guilty |
| Driving at 100+ km/h on road with 60km/h restriction | Penalty amount determined by court | 6 if found guilty |
| Driving at 120+ km/h on road with 80km/h restriction | Penalty amount determined by court | 6 if found guilty |
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