South African Traffic Laws: What Every Motorist Should Know
Ok, no one wakes up thinking, “I can’t wait to read about South African traffic laws today!” but in the eyes of the law, ignorance is not an excuse. It’s on you to know the regulations and your rights. And with the AARTO system rolling out in July 2026 (yes, it’s actually happening this time), staying clued up has never been more important. Now you can in under 6 minutes!
Welcome to our three-part series on road rules every SA motorist should know.
Each post takes less than 2 minutes to read:
- Foundational rules that apply to everyone
- The real cost of breaking road safety laws
- AARTO unpacked—the new rules of the road
Part 1: Speed Traps to Seatbelts—SA Traffic Laws Decoded
Grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s make sense of traffic violations, motorists’ rules, and everything in between—the Beame way. Think of this as your friendly guide to not getting into trouble on South African roads.
The Basics Every Driver Must Know
Speed Limits: Slower Than You Think
Even though cruising down the N3 can make you feel like Lewis Hamilton, you should take it easy on the accelerator. According to Arrive Alive, South Africa’s general speed limits are:
- 60 km/h in urban areas
- 100 km/h on rural roads
- 120 km/h on highways
But there’s an added layer of spice with the new Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act.
You no longer “just” get a fine for speeding, but demerits, too. Exceed the speed limit by more than 30 km/h, and you’ll lose serious points that could eventually lead to licence suspension.
Buckle Up, Buttercup: Seatbelt Laws
This one should be a no-brainer, but in case you weren’t aware: the law is crystal clear that every person in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.
Even Uncle Thabo. Even if you’re only going down the street.
You can get fined up to R1,000, plus those pesky AARTO demerit points. More importantly, seatbelts reduce your risk of serious injury by about 50%. Your family needs you in one piece.
Child Car Seats: Non-Negotiable
If you’re transporting tiny humans, South African law requires children under three years old to be in appropriate child restraints. Children between 3 and 14 years (or under 1.5 metres tall) must use seatbelts or booster seats. Arrive Alive emphasises that proper restraints can reduce fatal injuries in children by up to 70%.
Skipping this isn’t just illegal—it’s downright dangerous.
Licence and Documentation Requirements
Keep your driver’s licence, car licence, and roadworthy certificate handy at all times—driving without them can land you with fines up to R1,250.
Your licence must be valid (check that expiry date!), and if you’re a foreign driver, you’ll need an International Driving Permit after six months in SA. Lost your licence? You’ve got 60 days to replace it before it becomes illegal to drive.
Basic Right-of-Way Rules
Right-of-way rules prevent chaos at intersections.
- At four-way stops, the first to arrive goes first. If you arrive simultaneously, yield to the vehicle on your right.
- Traffic circles? Yield right applies, too. Vehicles already in the circle have the right of way.
- Pedestrians at crossings always have priority.
- Emergency vehicles with sirens blazing—pull over immediately.
These simple rules keep traffic flowing and everyone safe.
Next Up: Your Money or Your Life.
That wasn’t too tough to take in. Are you ready for part 2? Next, we’ll be looking at costly real-world risks.
P.S. With Beame Assist you have access to Licence Assist, designed to take the hassle out of licence disc renewals, and Fines Assist to simplify dealing with traffic fines. Fines Assist will notify you of all traffic fines and then provide a hassle-free channel to settle the fines with the added benefit of fine reductions.
