Employers warned: Aarto demerit points make fleet roadworthiness a workplace risk

The demerit-points phase of the Aarto system takes effect on 1 September. Employers and drivers have been warned that traffic infringements committed in company vehicles can lead to demerit points on drivers’ licences, with workplace consequences if employees lose their right to drive.

What employers and drivers face

Under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) scheme, traffic infringements recorded while driving a company vehicle can result in demerit points being recorded against the driver’s licence. A driver who reaches 15 points faces a three-month driving suspension. The system allows points to fall away over time if a driver avoids further infringements, but three suspensions can lead to cancellation of a driver’s licence.

Workplace consequences

Representatives from the motor industry and fleet services told the National Press Club that keeping a licence in good standing has become a workplace matter, not only a motorist-versus-authority issue. Employees whose contracts require a valid driver’s licence could face disciplinary action, including dismissal, if they lose or are suspended from driving.

“The onus is on you to make sure that you do not lose points, that your driver’s licence remains in good standing and that you are able to drive,”

Sonja Carstens, spokesperson for the Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa)

Unroadworthy vehicles and employer responsibility

Speakers warned that being asked to drive an unroadworthy company vehicle creates acute risk for employees. Drivers can lose points for defects such as a cracked windscreen, and were advised to refuse to drive vehicles that pose a risk to their licence.

“You must refuse to drive because you, as a driver, are going to lose a point and get a fine, but the company will also get a fine and lose a point,”

Cornelia van Niekerk, owner of Fines4u

Practical steps for fleets

Industry voices urged companies to ensure their fleets are roadworthy and to have systems that identify who was driving a vehicle when an infringement occurred. Fines issued to company vehicles should be nominated to the driver, and employers need proper fleet-management systems to link infringements to individual drivers.

Driver responsibilities

Employees were advised to regularly check their traffic fines and keep employers informed about their demerit status. Workers were also encouraged to seek assistance in disputes with employers rather than handling matters alone.

Summary

The Aarto demerit-points phase, effective 1 September, makes traffic compliance a workplace issue: drivers risk licence suspensions that can affect employment, and companies face operational and administrative pressure to keep vehicles roadworthy and to track who is driving each vehicle when infringements occur.