AARTO Phase 2 now applies across 62 proclaimed municipalities from 1 July 2026. The immediate pressure is clarity around implementation, reporting and the newly promulgated Regulations. Motorists and companies need accurate records when infringements, nominations and deadlines move through the expanded system. For organisations managing company vehicles, CANCOM has already confirmed operational readiness while continuing to review the newly promulgated Regulations for any material changes.
President Ramaphosa has signed the next phase of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act into operation, with AARTO Phase 2 applying across 62 proclaimed municipalities from 1 July 2026. The accompanying Regulations have also been issued.
For motorists, this expands the number of areas where infringements move through the AARTO administrative process. For companies, it increases the importance of accurate vehicle records, driver information, fine handling and weekly reporting because more issuing authorities now form part of the enforcement environment.
What Has Changed Under AARTO Phase 2?
The central change is geographical and administrative. AARTO now extends beyond the areas where it has already been active and applies across the 62 proclaimed municipalities identified for Phase 2. Reference reporting confirms that the Pretoria High Court dismissed SALGA’s urgent application to block the rollout on 30 June 2026, which allowed implementation to proceed on 1 July 2026.
The Regulations are substantial, with the client communication confirming an extensive document of approximately 980 pages. We are conducting a comprehensive review of the newly promulgated Regulations and will advise clients of any significant amendments or changes from the previous Regulations that affect business operations. At this stage, there does not appear to be any significant change to the transfer of infringement data or the integration between systems.
Several practical points have already been clarified:
- The additional jurisdictions will be included in weekly reports from 1 July 2026.
- All 62 proclaimed jurisdictions will implement AARTO from 1 July 2026.
- Jurisdictions will only be added to reports once they are operational.
- No revised timeline has been communicated for later phases.
- The Minister will determine the next phase after the current rollout.
What AARTO Phase 2 Means for Motorists
A motorist who receives an infringement notice in a proclaimed municipality now needs to understand the available AARTO actions. The official AARTO online platform allows users to nominate drivers, make representations and manage revocation applications. Each step depends on accurate personal details, correct vehicle information and action within the required timeframe.
The public impact is practical. A notice linked to the wrong address, an ignored infringement or a missed administrative step leaves the matter unresolved in the system. The wider rollout means more motorists will encounter the AARTO process during ordinary travel, commuting, deliveries, family trips and work-related driving across the newly included areas.
What AARTO Phase 2 Means for Companies
Company vehicles create a heavier administrative burden because one registered vehicle may be used by several employees, rental clients, dealership customers or authorised drivers. When an infringement arrives, the company must identify who had control of the vehicle at the relevant date and time. That requires driver identity records, vehicle allocation evidence, address verification and accurate internal reporting.
AARTO Phase 2 increases that pressure because more issuing authorities now feed into the system. A fine linked to a company profile must be verified, redirected, represented, paid, withdrawn or cleared through the correct administrative route. If the internal record is incomplete, the infringement remains attached to the company while staff search for driver details, vehicle history and supporting evidence.
Every administrative step relies on the same underlying records. A missing driver allocation delays nomination. Incorrect identity details delay redirection. Incomplete vehicle records delay profile clearance because each stage depends on the previous one being completed accurately.
Operational Readiness and Reporting Discipline
Public communication around Phase 2 has been limited, and the reference material shows that concerns about readiness, municipal funding and implementation planning were raised before the rollout. For companies, that uncertainty makes internal readiness more important. The process now in force requires disciplined handling of infringement data, driver records and reporting workflows from the first day the new jurisdictions appear in reports.
Our proprietary systems, such as ID TECH™ Fine, manage fine verification, validation, redirection, payment tracking, profile clearance and secure document storage. We also use ID TECH™ Scan and ID TECH™ Mobile Drive to capture identity data, verify driver information, record vehicle use and maintain the evidence required when an infringement must be redirected or challenged.
That operational record matters because AARTO administration depends on traceability. A company needs to prove which driver used the vehicle, which record supports the nomination, which action was taken, and which authority received the response. Manual searching across branches, emails and spreadsheets delays that process and increases the risk of unresolved liabilities.
CANCOM’S Current Position on Phase 2
We have sought clarification from the relevant authorities on practical aspects of the Phase 2 implementation, including reporting dates, jurisdiction readiness and later implementation timelines. The confirmed position is that the 62 proclaimed jurisdictions proceed from 1 July 2026 and that the additional jurisdictions will be incorporated into weekly reports from that date.
We are continuing to review the newly promulgated Regulations to confirm whether any material changes affect our clients. From the information currently available, there is no cause for concern from an operational perspective because infringement data transfer and system integration appear unchanged. CANCOM is fully prepared for the Phase 2 rollout, and we remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our clients as the expanded AARTO framework takes effect.
Speak with Cancom about your AARTO Phase 2 readiness.
FAQs
What changed on 1 July 2026 regarding AARTO?
A: AARTO Phase 2 officially came into effect, expanding the administrative system beyond its original testing areas to 62 newly proclaimed municipalities across South Africa. This follows the Pretoria High Court’s dismissal of SALGA’s urgent application to block the rollout on 30 June 2026.
How does Phase 2 change how our company receives traffic fine data?
A: The 62 new jurisdictions will be progressively included in your weekly reports as they become operationally active. At this stage, there are no changes to how infringement data is transferred or how systems integrate.
What is the biggest risk for companies managing corporate fleets under Phase 2?
A: Administrative delays. With more issuing authorities feeding into the system, companies will see a higher volume of AARTO infringements. If your internal driver logs, vehicle allocations, or identity records are incomplete, you will struggle to nominate the responsible driver within the required deadlines, leaving the liability with your company.
What should an individual driver do if they receive an infringement notice in a Phase 2 municipality?
A: Drivers must act quickly via the official AARTO online platform. Depending on the circumstances, you can:
- Nominate the actual driver if you weren’t behind the wheel.
- Make a representation to dispute the fine.
- Apply for a revocation if applicable.
- Pay the fine to conclude the matter.
Which CANCOM tools can help my business stay compliant?
A: We utilise a suite of proprietary tools designed to automate and secure your fleet data:
- ID TECH™ Fine: Manages fine verification, validation, redirection, payment tracking, and profile clearance.
- ID TECH™ Scan & ID TECH™ Mobile Drive: Digitally captures identity data, verifies driver information, and accurately logs vehicle allocations to create an airtight paper trail for quick fine redirection.