Speed Limits in South Africa: How Fast Can You Drive Without a Fine?
South African motorists often wonder how far they can push the speedometer before attracting a fine. Thanks to the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act, there is a built-in tolerance for slight speed limit breaches. But this grace only stretches so far, and the consequences become serious once you exceed it.
The 10km/h Tolerance Rule
Under Aarto regulations, motorists are allowed a margin of error of up to 10km/h above the posted limit. This buffer exists to account for speedometer inaccuracies and to avoid clogging up the courts with trivial cases of minor speeding.
However, this tolerance does not apply to average speed-over-distance traps, which measure your speed over a long stretch of road.
This means drivers will only face penalties once they are 11km/h or more above the speed limit.
Fines and Demerit Points Explained
When fully implemented, the Aarto Act won’t just issue fines; it will also allocate demerit points to motorists who break road rules, including speeding. Once a driver reaches 15 points, their licence will be suspended.
Speeding infringements are grouped into small brackets, usually 2km/h ranges, with fines and demerit points increasing as speeds climb. For example:
- 11–12km/h over → R400 fine and 1 demerit point
- 15–16km/h over → R800 fine and 2 demerit points
- 39–40km/h over → R3,200 fine and 5 demerit points
- More than 40km/h over → Automatic arrest and 6 demerit points
Urban (60km/h Zones) Speeding Fines
| Speed Above Limit | Fine | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| 11–12km/h | R400 | 1 |
| 13–14km/h | R600 | 1 |
| 15–16km/h | R800 | 2 |
| 17–18km/h | R1,000 | 2 |
| 19–20km/h | R1,400 | 2 |
| 21–22km/h | R1,800 | 3 |
| 23–24km/h | R2,200 | 3 |
| 25–26km/h | R2,600 | 3 |
| 27–28km/h | R3,000 | 4 |
| 29–30km/h | R3,200 | 5 |
| 30+km/h | Arrest | 6 |
Rural Roads (100km/h Zones)
| Speed Over Limit (km/h) | Fine (R) | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| 11–12 km/h | 400 | 2 |
| 13–14 km/h | 600 | 2 |
| 15–16 km/h | 800 | 2 |
| 17–18 km/h | 1,000 | 2 |
| 19–20 km/h | 1,200 | 2 |
| 21–22 km/h | 1,400 | 2 |
| 23–24 km/h | 1,600 | 2 |
| 25–26 km/h | 1,800 | 3 |
| 27–28 km/h | 2,000 | 3 |
| 29–30 km/h | 2,200 | 4 |
| 31–32 km/h | 2,400 | 4 |
| 33–34 km/h | 2,600 | 4 |
| 35–36 km/h | 2,800 | 5 |
| 37–38 km/h | 3,000 | 5 |
| 39–40 km/h | 3,200 | 5 |
| 40+ km/h | Arrest | 6 |
Freeways (120km/h Zones)
| Speed Over Limit (km/h) | Fine (R) | Demerit Points |
|---|---|---|
| 11–12 km/h | 400 | 1 |
| 13–14 km/h | 600 | 1 |
| 15–16 km/h | 800 | 2 |
| 17–18 km/h | 1,000 | 2 |
| 19–20 km/h | 1,200 | 2 |
| 21–22 km/h | 1,400 | 2 |
| 23–24 km/h | 1,600 | 2 |
| 25–26 km/h | 1,800 | 3 |
| 27–28 km/h | 2,000 | 3 |
| 29–30 km/h | 2,200 | 4 |
| 31–32 km/h | 2,400 | 4 |
| 33–34 km/h | 2,600 | 4 |
| 35–36 km/h | 2,800 | 5 |
| 37–38 km/h | 3,000 | 5 |
| 39–40 km/h | 3,200 | 5 |
| 40+ km/h | Arrest | 6 |
Aarto Rollout Timeline
The Aarto system will officially roll out nationwide in December 2025, starting with 69 municipalities. By April 2026, all municipalities will be part of the programme, though the demerit point system will only come into effect in September 2026.
Calls for Speed Limit Reductions
In 2022, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) suggested lowering speed limits across the country. However, this was strongly opposed by experts and the Automobile Association (AA), who argued that reducing limits would not solve South Africa’s high accident rate. Instead, they pointed to more pressing issues such as poor road quality, licence fraud, drunk driving, and widespread disregard for traffic laws.
While Aarto’s stricter fines and penalties aim to make roads safer, critics say it remains to be seen whether this system will address the real causes of South Africa’s alarming road fatality rate or simply serve as another source of revenue for the state.
Related article: How to Reduce Road Accidents and Deaths in South Africa
