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List of Traffic Fines In South Africa
Traffic fines in South Africa and their potential costs? Here’s a detailed overview covering fines and demerit points for offenses like speeding, vehicle roadworthiness, operator fitness, driving signals, adherence to road rules, and more.
Avoiding Traffic Fines
This article provides a helpful list of traffic fines in South Africa. Knowing the different traffic violations and their associated costs can help you stay compliant and avoid unnecessary fines. Understanding traffic regulations is also important for those going through the process of obtaining a public driver’s permit (PDP) or a professional driving permit (PRDP).
Fines for Registration and licensing of motor vehicles
Violation
Fine
Pts
Motor vehicle not registered
R 1 000
3
Motor vehicle not licensed
R 1 000
3
Operating vehicle with special licence on public road
R 500
1
Motor vehicle with number plates not SABS approved
R 500
1
Motor vehicle displaying no number plates
Court
6
Motor vehicle displaying only one number plate
R 500
2
Motor vehicle with plates not applicable
Court
6
Motor vehicle with number plate obscured or illegible
R 250
0
Motor vehicle with both plates obscured or illegible
Court
6
Licence disc not displayed
R 500
1
Licence disc obscured or illegible
R 500
1
Licence disc on trailer exposed to weather
R 500
1
Operator did not change address particulars
R 500
1
Operator did not change particulars of proxy
R 500
2
Disposing of unregistered or unlicensed vehicle or of a vehicle with no registration or licensing papers
R 1 000
3
Owner did not report motor vehicle stolen
R 500
1
Owner did not report motor vehicle permanently unfit for use
R 500
1
Motor vehicle does not have an engine number
Court
6
Used motor trade plate for other purposes than described
R 500
1
Motor trade plate not displayed or displayed incorrectly
R 500
1
Transport persons on goods on vehicle with special permit
R 500
1
Temporary or special permit not displayed correctly or illegible
R 500
1
Display temporary or special permit not applicable to motor vehicle
Court
6
Fines for Fitness of drivers
Violation
Fine
Pts
Driver not licensed
R 1 250
4
Driver does not have licence with him in vehicle
R 500
1
Driver did not disclose disqualification when applying for learner’s licence
R 1 250
4
Driver fails to submit licence to licensing authorities of the onset of any disqualifying disability
R 1 000
3
Driver did not notify authority of change of address
R 500
1
Employ or permit unlicensed driver to drive vehicle
R 1 250
4
Driver does not have professional driving permit
R 1 250
4
Failed to produce PrDP to court
R 1 000
3
Failed to produce licence to court
R 500
1
Fines For Fitness of vehicles
Violation
Fine
Pts
Not displaying roadworthy certificate
R 500
1
Operating motor vehicle without roadworthy certificate
R 1 000
3
Operating vehicle on public road, contrary to notice to discontinue
R 750
2
No emergency/parking brake on non-RWC vehicle
R 750
2
No emergency/parking brake on RWC vehicle
R 750
2
Parking brake inadequate on non-RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Parking brake inadequate on RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Brakes not in good working order on non-RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Brakes not in good working order on RWC vehicle
R 750
2
No airbrake warning device
R 750
2
Steering gear unsafe or too much free play
R 750
2
Illegal left-hand drive vehicle
R 500
1
Horn not working properly
R 250
0
Illegal window or windscreen
R 250
0
No windscreen wiper
R 250
0
Defective/no rearview mirror
R 500
1
Defective fuel tank, pipes
R 500
1
Defective/no fuel tank cap
R 500
1
Electrical wiring not properly installed / maintained / insulated etc
R 500
1
Engine not covered
R 250
0
Inefficient/no silencer
R 250
0
Excessive exhaust smoke
R 250
0
Fumes in cab
R 250
0
Oil dripping onto exhaust
R 250
0
Illegal entrances and exits
R 250
0
No reverse gear
R 250
0
Worn, damaged or illegal tyres (per tyre)
R 250
0
Missing seat belt
R 500
1
Defective seat belt
R 250
0
No speedometer
R 500
1
Defective speedometer
R 250
0
Defective/no wheel flaps
R 250
0
No rear underrun bumper
R 500
1
Defective/incorrectly fitted rear underrun bumper
R 500
1
Illegal axle on semi-trailer
R 500
1
Fines For Lighting and reflectors
Violation
Fine
Pts
Driving between sunset and sunrise without lights
R 750
2
Not using dipped beam with oncoming traffic
R 500
1
One rear or stop lamp not working on non-RWC vehicle
R 250
0
One rear or stop lamp not working on RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Two rear or stop lamps not working on non-RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Two rear or stop lamps not working on RWC vehicle
R 750
2
Lamps showing incorrect colour on non-RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Lamps showing incorrect colour on non-RWC vehicle
R 500
1
No chevron or incorrectly fitted
R 500
1
Chevron not SABS approved type
R 500
1
One direction indicator not working on non-RWC vehicle
R 100
0
One direction indicator not working on RWC vehicle
R 250
0
Both direction indicators not working on non-RWC vehicle
R 250
0
Both direction indicators not working on RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Fines for Vehicle and load dimensions and projection
Violation
Fine
Pts
Too long
R 500
1
Drawing more than two trailers
R 500
1
Too wide
R 500
1
Too high
R 500
1
Turning radius too great
R 500
1
Rear/front overhang too great
R 500
1
Load projects too far at front/rear/side
R 250
0
Load projection improperly marked
R 250
0
Fines for Taxis and buses
Violation
Fine
Pts
Overloading permissible number of passengers by:
1 to 5
R 500
1
6 to 10
R 1 000
3
11 or more
R 1 500
5
Bus overloading permissible number of passengers by:
1 to 10
R 500
1
10 to 15
R 1 000
3
16 or more
R 1 500
5
Not complying with regulations concerning the operation of vehicles carrying paying passengers
R 1 000
3
Fines for Loads on goods vehicles
Violation
Fine
Pts
Exceeding the permissible maximum massloads per axle, axle unit, axle group, vehicle or combination by:
Up to 3,99%
R 250
0
Between 4% and 5,99%
R 500
1
Between 6% and 7,99%
R 750
2
Between 8% and 9,99%
R 1 000
3
Between 10% and 11,99%
R 1 250
4
Between 12% and 13,99%
R 1 500
5
Above 13,99%
Court
6
Total vehicle mass exceeds 5 times the mass on drive axle by:
Up to 3,99%
R 250
0
Between 4% and 5,99%
R 500
1
Between 6% and 7,99%
R 750
2
Between 8% and 9,99%
R 1 000
3
Between 10% and 11,99%
R 1 250
4
Between 12% and 13,99%
R 1 500
5
Above 13,99%
Court
6
Mass on the steering axle of articulated vehicle is:
Between 8% and 10,9% of total mass
R 500
1
Between 4% and 7,9% of the total mass
R 1 000
3
Less than 4% of total mass
Court
6
Mass on the steering axle of rigid vehicle is:
Between 14% and 19,9% of total mass
R 500
1
Between 7% and 13,9% of the total mass
R 1 000
3
Less than 7% of total mass
Court
6
Load on one side of axle exceeds that on the other by:
Above 10% up to 20%
R 500
1
Above 20% up to 30%
R 1 000
3
Above 30%
Court
6
Incorrect/no (load data) information plate
R 500
2
Insecure load
R 1 000
3
Load coming into contact with road surface
R 1 000
3
Passengers carried in the goods compartment not safely enclosed
R 1 000
3
Fines for Operator fitness
Violation
Fine
Pts
Operator not registered
Court
6
Operator card not on windscreen
R 500
1
Operator did not notify authority of change in particulars
R 500
1
Operator did not report loss of card
R 500
1
Operator did not exercise proper control driver
R 1 250
4
Operator did not ensure that motor vehicle complies with fitness requirements
R 1 250
4
Operator did not conduct operations with due care and safety
R 1 250
4
Operator did not comply with dangerous goods requirements
R 1 250
4
Operator did not comply with loading requirements
R 1 250
4
Fines for Dangerous goods
Violation
Fine
Pts
No fire extinguisher
R 1 250
4
Incorrect or missing placarding
R 1 250
4
Did not remove placards on emptied packaged goods vehicle
R 1 250
4
Placards damaged or not clean or clearly visible
R 1 250
4
No danger warning diamond at front
R 1 250
4
Left vehicle unattended in an unsupervised area
R 1 250
4
Incorrect or missing transport emergency card/s or dangerous goods declaration/s
R 1 250
4
No designated space for documents
R 1 250
4
Did not ensure that load is compatible
R 1 250
4
Transport emergency card older than 3 years
R 1 250
4
Fines for Road traffic signs
Violation
Fine
Pts
Disobeying stop sign or robot with non-RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Disobeying stop sign or robot with RWC vehicle
R 750
2
Overtaking on a white line with non-RWC vehicle
R 500
1
Overtaking on a white line with RWC vehicle
R 750
1
Pedestrian or cyclist disobeyed regulatory sign
R 100
0
Speeding Fines
Violation
Fine
Pts
Exceeding the speed limit by:
11 km/h to 15 km/h
R 250
0
16 km/h to 20 km/h
R 500
1
21 km/h to 25 km/h
R 750
2
26 km/h to 30 km/h
R1 000
3
31 km/h to 35 km/h
R1 250
4
36 km/h to 40 km/h
R1 500
5
Above 40 km/h
Court
6
Lane discipline Fines
Violation
Fine
Pts
Failing to keep to the left
R 1 000
3
Driving on the wrong side or across a dividing strip or traffic island
R 1 000
3
Overtaking illegally on the left
R 1 000
3
Cutting in after overtaking
R 1 000
3
Overtaking on the shoulders or verge
R 1 000
3
Overtaking on a blind rise, a curve, or where view is restricted
R 1 000
3
Accelerating while being overtaken
R 1 000
3
Encroaching the right half of the road obstructing oncoming traffic
R 1 000
3
Passing a stationary bus without due care
R 500
1
Driving on shoulder when circumstances do not permit
R 500
1
Driving across a road when it is unsafe to do so
R 1 000
3
Entering a road when it is unsafe to do so
R 1 000
3
Obstructing other traffic while changing lanes
R 1 000
3
Failing to use indicators
R 500
1
Failing to indicate when changing lanes
R 500
1
Failing to yield to the right at a traffic island
R 750
2
Failing to keep left while making a left turn
R 750
2
Turning right while unsafe
R 750
2
Failing to keep left while making a right turn (cutting corner)
R 750
2
Stopping and parking Fines
Violation
Fine
Pts
Stopping or parking
Alongside/opposite another vehicle where road is less than 9 metres
R 1 000
3
Alongside or opposite an excavation or obstruction
R 1 000
3
At or within 6 metres of a bridge or tunnel
R 1 000
3
At or within 6 metres of narrow portion of road
R 1 000
3
Constituting a danger or obstruction
R 1 000
3
Within the railway reserve of level crossing
R 1 000
3
On the wrong side of the road
R 1 000
3
In contravention of a “no-stopping” sign
R 750
2
On a freeway illegally
R 500
1
Parking:
In contravention of any road sign
R 250
0
Double parked
R 250
0
At excavation or obstruction
R 250
0
Within the railway reserve of level crossing
R 250
0
Within 9 metres of an approach to pedestrian crossing
R 250
0
Where width of road was constricted
R 250
0
Within tunnel or on a bridge
R 250
0
Obstructing a fire hydrant
R 250
0
Obstructing a traffic sign
R 250
0
On the sidewalk
R 250
0
On non-urban road within a metre of the edge
R 250
0
Blocking entrance to public road
R 250
0
Within 5 metres of an urban intersection
R 250
0
On the actuating mechanism of a robot
R 250
0
Further than 450 mm from the kerb
R 250
0
On road less than 5,5 metres wide
R 250
0
On a traffic island or pedestrian mall
R 250
0
Towing fines
Violation
Fine
Pts
Towrope or towbar exceeds 3,5 metres
R 500
1
Towed vehicle not securely attached or not under control
R 500
1
No licensed person at the wheel of towed vehicle
R 500
1
Towing at over 30 km/h (unless a tow bar is used)
R 500
1
Conveying passengers illegally (over 30 km/h) in towed vehicle
R 500
1
Accident Fines
Violation
Fine
Pts
Failing to stop at an accident to ascertain injuries and assist
Court
6
Failing to stop where there is third party damage
R 1 000
3
Failing to report accident
R 1 000
3
Removing vehicle from accident involving injury or death without police authorization
R 750
2
Removing vehicle without the owner/driver’s permission
R 1 250
4
Reckless driving and driving under the influence Fines
Violation
Fine
Pts
Reckless driving
Court
6
Inconsiderate driving
R 250
0
Driving under the influence
Court
6
Blood alcohol level for:
Ordinary motorist not less than 0,05 g per 100 ml
Court
6
PrDP driver not less than 0,02 g per 100 ml
Court
6
Breath alcohol level for:
Ordinary motorist not less than 0,24 mg per 1 000 ml
Court
6
PrDP driver not less than 0,10 mg per 1 000 ml
Court
6
Smoked before blood/breath specimen was taken
R 1 250
4
Refusing to give blood or breath sample
R 1 500
5
Miscellaneous Fines
Violation
Fine
Pts
Failing to comply with traffic officer’s instructions
R 500
1
Unauthorised tampering with vehicle
Court
6
Furnishing false information
Court
6
False number plate
Court
6
Not wearing seatbelt
R 250
0
No warning triangle
R 500
1
Warning triangle not as prescribed
R 250
0
Warning triangle not displayed or displayed incorrectly
R 250
0
Reversing too far or dangerously
R 1 000
3
Following too closely
R 1 000
3
Permitting a person to occupy a position in a vehicle restricting the driver’s full control
R 1 000
3
Permitting a person to interfere with the steering or operating mechanism
R 1 000
3
Driver not positioned to exercise complete control of vehicle
R 1 000
3
Leaving vehicle unattended and unbraked
R 250
0
Pulling away from kerb before it is safe
R 500
1
Failing to give way to emergency vehicle sounding an alarm (eg ambulance or fire engine)
R 500
1
Part of driver’s body (elbow) protruding from moving vehicle
R 250
0
Allowing person on roof or step while in motion
R 250
0
Engine emitting smoke
R 250
0
Leaving engine running unattended
R 250
0
Spillage of oil petrol or rubbish
R 250
0
Running engine while filling up
R 250
0
Jumping on or off moving vehicle, endangering others
R 100
0
Driving on the sidewalk
R 500
1
Driving while using hand-held cell-phone
R 500
1
Excessive noise
R 250
0
Hooter used illegally
R 250
0
Failing to yield to pedestrian at crossing
R 500
1
Pedestrian moving into path of vehicle suddenly at crossing
R 100
0
Overtaking stationary vehicle at pedestrian crossing
