As of October 2025 there is no Government Gazette confirming a nationwide zero-alcohol (0.00 g/100 ml) driving limit from 1 October. South Africa’s current national legal limit for private motorists remains 0.05 g/100 ml of blood (and 0.24 mg/1,000 ml breath), with lower limits applying to professional drivers under existing rules. The much-discussed AARTO (traffic fines + demerit points) national rollout is scheduled in phases starting 1 December 2025, not 1 October. Speeding penalties under AARTO are being publicised ahead of rollout, but amounts depend on the infringement and jurisdiction. Always verify against official sources before sharing viral posts.
New Traffic Rules in South Africa: What Really Changes in October 2025 Short Summary
| Topic | October 2025 status |
|---|---|
| Blood-alcohol (BAC) limit | Still 0.05 g/100 ml for private motorists unless and until a 0.00 law is gazetted and commenced. SAPS pages reflect the current limit. |
| Zero-BAC rumour | Proposed in the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill; not in force nationally from 1 Oct 2025 per available official info. |
| AARTO national rollout | Phased rollout starts 1 Dec 2025 (first set of municipalities), with further rollout in 2026. Not active nationwide on 1 Oct 2025. |
| Speeding fines | Published AARTO schedules indicate escalating fines and demerits (e.g., 60-zone penalties rising with each km/h over). Check official portals for your case. |
| Where to pay / check | RTIA official sites and AARTO online services (links below). Beware third-party “fine helpers.” (rti) |
What’s changing and what isn’t this October
1) “Zero-BAC from October 1”: status and context
- What you may have read: posts and articles claim that, from 1 October 2025, South Africa will enforce 0.00 BAC for all drivers, with aggressive criminal penalties.
- What official sources show: South Africa’s current legal BAC limit remains 0.05 g/100 ml for private motorists (SAPS guidance). A move to 0.00 has been proposed in the National Road Traffic Amendment Bill, but an effective-date Government Gazette for a national change from 1 October 2025 is not published on official channels referenced here. Until commencement is gazetted, the existing limit applies.
Bottom line: If you drink, don’t drive but be cautious about viral “law-changed-today” claims. Verify against the Department of Transport or SAPS before you repeat or rely on them.
2) AARTO fines and demerit system: not a 1 October national switch-on
- The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system introduces administrative fines, demerit points, rehabilitation programmes and a central RTIA process.
- According to AARTO resources and recent reporting of official notices, the national rollout begins 1 December 2025 (initial municipalities), with further expansion in 2026. RTIA has stated no nationwide rollout on 1 October 2025.
What that means for you in October:
- If you live in Johannesburg or Tshwane, AARTO already applies (pilot jurisdictions).
- Elsewhere, your fines may still be issued under local processes until the phased AARTO go-live reaches your municipality. Use the RTIA/AARTO portals to check your status and understand options. (rtia.co.za)
3) Speeding penalties: what credible schedules show
Media summaries of AARTO fine bands show steeply escalating fines (with demerit points) as speed rises above the posted limit. For example, widely reported tables for a 60 km/h zone indicate fines starting around R400–R600 for 71–74 km/h, R1,000 near 77–78 km/h, R1,400 near 79–80 km/h, and up to R3,200 for the highest band plus demerit points. Your exact exposure depends on the municipality and the regime in force when issued. Always cross-check your infringement on the official portals below.
Practical guidance for drivers (October 2025)
- Assume zero tolerance in practice. Even with 0.05 g/100 ml on the books, enforcement is strict and prosecutions are routine; any alcohol may impair judgment. If you plan to drive, don’t drink.
- Know your local regime. AARTO is live in Johannesburg and Tshwane; other areas join from 1 December 2025 onward. Procedures (representations, discounts, demerits) differ under AARTO.
- Use official portals to check and pay. For AARTO jurisdictions, use the RTIA and AARTO online services to view, dispute or settle infringements; avoid third-party “discount” promises unless you verify legitimacy.
- Fleet / commercial operators: Prepare for stricter oversight under the AARTO demerit framework driver policies, telematics, and daily fitness-for-duty checks remain good practice even before national rollout.
Old vs New (claimed) BAC Rules: What’s actually in force
| Criteria | Current law (October 2025) | “Zero-BAC from Oct 1” claim |
|---|---|---|
| Legal BAC limit | 0.05 g/100 ml (private motorists) per SAPS guidance; lower for professional categories already in law | 0.00 g/100 ml for everyone |
| Status | In force | Unconfirmed nationally for 1 Oct; proposed via Amendment Bill but not commenced by notice referenced here |
| Enforcement tests | Breath testing with follow-up blood tests where required | Similar, but any detectable alcohol would offend |
| Penalties | Criminal prosecution possible; penalties vary by circumstances | Viral posts claim automatic arrest/jail; verify in gazette before relying |
Sources: SAPS legal-limit page; academic/public policy notes on the proposed zero-BAC amendment.
FAQs
Q1. Is zero-BAC definitely law from 1 October 2025?
No official commencement notice for a national 0.00 g/100 ml limit on 1 October 2025 could be found. The current national limit remains 0.05 for private motorists until the amendment is formally commenced.
Q2. Will speeding fines increase in October 2025?
AARTO-style penalties (including demerits) apply where AARTO is in force. National rollout begins 1 December 2025, with more areas in 2026. Outside pilot metros, local regimes apply until your municipality joins.
Q3. Where do I check or pay a fine?
Use RTIA/AARTO services: the AARTO Online portal lets you view, contest, or pay infringements securely. Avoid unofficial sites promising “discounts.”
Q4. I read that fines went up by 150% overnight is that accurate?
Generic percentage claims vary by source. Refer to published AARTO tables for your zone and speed; penalties escalate with each band and can include demerit points.
Q5. What should fleets and professional drivers do now?
Act as if zero tolerance applies: implement daily alcohol-fitness checks, verify licenses, train on AARTO processes, and use telematics to monitor speeding ahead of rollout.
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