Glossary
Plain-language definitions for the AARTO and traffic-law terms used across this site.
These definitions are written to explain how each term is used on this site. They are a plain-language summary, not legal advice. For the authoritative text, consult the official gazette or a qualified attorney.
AARTO
Short for the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences framework — the South African system this site is built around. AARTO is made up of an Act and its Regulations, which together set out how road traffic infringements and offences are adjudicated and, once fully in force, how demerit points are recorded against a driving licence.
AARTO Act
The underlying law behind the AARTO framework. Demerit points apply to the holder of a driving licence under this Act, but the Act's own sections 24–28 — which cover recording, suspension, and cancellation of licences — were not proclaimed as of July 2026. This site treats all totals as educational until those sections are in force. FAQ: enforcement status →
AARTO Regulations, 2026
The regulations made under the AARTO Act that set out the demerit-point Schedule 3 table and the 15-point disqualification threshold (regulation 20(6)). Published as Government Notice R.7646 in Government Gazette 54922 of 30 June 2026, effective 1 July 2026. This is the source this calculator's point values are pinned to. Source attribution →
Cross-Border Road Transport Act (CBRTA)
One of the Schedule 3 offence bands (codes 8000–8200) covering charges under the Cross-Border Road Transport Act rather than the National Road Traffic Act. It appears in this calculator's offence catalogue alongside the NRTA, AARTO Act, provincial/municipal, and NLTA bands. Search the offence table →
Demerit point
A point value attached to certain road traffic infringements and offences under the AARTO framework. Demerit points are not fines — a charge can carry both a monetary penalty and demerit points. When your running total of final points reaches the disqualification threshold, your driving licence may be suspended, once demerit enforcement is in force. How demerit points work →
Disqualification threshold
The running total of final demerit points at which a driving licence may be suspended. Regulation 20(6) of the AARTO Regulations, 2026 sets this at 15 points for all natural-person drivers — there is no separate lower threshold for learner drivers or PrDP holders in the enacted regulations. This calculator uses that single 15-point threshold. FAQ: learners →
Enforcement / proclamation
A law or section of a law only takes effect once the government formally proclaims it — usually by notice in the gazette. The demerit-point schedule in the AARTO Regulations, 2026 is already in force, but demerit enforcement — the AARTO Act provisions (sections 24–28) that let points actually be recorded and a licence suspended — had not been proclaimed as of July 2026. This site tracks that distinction throughout. Read the full disclaimer →
Final (offence status)
An offence status you can set in this calculator. An offence is final once it has been through the process (payment, representation, or otherwise) and is no longer open to change. Only final offences count toward your running total — the opposite of pending. FAQ: pending vs final →
Gazette
The Government Gazette is South Africa's official publication for new laws, regulations, and notices. A Government Notice (GN) is the specific notice number within a gazette issue. This site's demerit-point values are taken from GN R.7646, published in Government Gazette 54922. For the authoritative text, always check the gazette directly at gpwonline.co.za rather than relying on this site.
Infringement vs offence
Schedule 3 classifies each charge as either an infringement or an offence. Both can carry demerit points; the classification reflects how the charge is processed under the AARTO framework rather than its severity. You'll see this classification on each entry in the offence table and on individual offence pages.
National Land Transport Act (NLTA)
One of the Schedule 3 offence bands (codes 7000–7200) covering charges under the National Land Transport Act. It sits alongside the NRTA, AARTO Act, provincial/municipal, and CBRTA bands in this calculator's offence catalogue. Search the offence table →
National Road Traffic Act (NRTA)
The largest Schedule 3 offence band (codes 1001–5699), covering the everyday road traffic charges — speeding, licence, and vehicle-condition offences among them — that most drivers will recognise. It's one of several statutory bands (alongside the AARTO Act, provincial/municipal, NLTA, and CBRTA bands) that make up the full Schedule 3 catalogue.
Pending (offence status)
An offence status you can set in this calculator. A pending offence is one you have received but that has not yet been finalised — for example, while you are still within the window to pay at a discount or contest the matter. Pending offences do not count toward your running total. If you are unsure whether an offence is final, leave it as pending — this avoids overstating your risk. How demerit points work →
Professional Driving Permit (PrDP)
A permit required in addition to an ordinary driving licence for certain categories of professional driving (for example, driving passengers, goods, or dangerous materials for reward). Demerit points apply to the holder of a driving licence, including PrDP holders — this calculator uses the same 15-point threshold for everyone and does not model separate PrDP-specific rules. FAQ: PrDP holders →
Provincial / municipal offences
A Schedule 3 offence band (codes 6000–6700) covering charges made under provincial or municipal traffic by-laws, distinct from the national NRTA, AARTO Act, NLTA, and CBRTA bands. It's included in this calculator's offence catalogue alongside the other bands. Search the offence table →
Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA)
The South African government body that administers the AARTO framework. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated on behalf of the RTIA — the name is used here only for descriptive identification. For an official record of your demerit points, contact the RTIA or another relevant official channel directly. Read the full disclaimer →
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)
A South African government body involved in national road traffic management. Like the RTIA, the RTMC is named on this site only for descriptive purposes — DemeritCheck is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated on behalf of the RTMC, the Department of Transport, or any other government body. Read the full disclaimer →
Schedule 3
The schedule to the AARTO Regulations, 2026 that lists every chargeable offence code, its wording, its classification, and — in column 6 — its demerit-point value. Every point value shown on this site is taken from Schedule 3, column 6, and every offence code is drawn from the same source. Browse the offence table →
Statutory reference
The specific section or provision a Schedule 3 charge is made under (for example, a section of the National Road Traffic Act). Each entry on an offence page lists its statutory reference alongside its code, wording, and demerit-point value, so you can verify it against your own infringement notice.
Suspension
The loss of driving privileges that the AARTO Act links to exceeding the 15-point disqualification threshold — commonly described as three months per point over 15. This calculator shows a suspension estimate only when your final total exceeds 15 points, and only as an illustrative figure: it is not a prediction of any current action against your licence, because the Act's enforcement sections were not proclaimed as of July 2026. How demerit points work →
Use the calculator → · How demerit points work → · Offence points table → · Common questions →