Tag: fines

FREE VEHICLE SAFETY CHECKS TO AVOID TRAFFIC FINES
Receiving a traffic fine in the mail really kills the vibes. Not only does it mean you have disobeyed the law, but it can also cost you some serious cash. One of the simplest ways to stay out of trouble? Keep your car roadworthy with a free vehicle safety check. Not only can it save you money, but it also keeps you safe. Speaking of being safe, have you got an extended car warranty yet? Get a quick online quote right now!

RELATED: HOW TO: CHECK YOUR CAR’S ROADWORTHINESS

Why Free Vehicle Safety Checks Matter

South Africa’s traffic laws are tightening, with the AARTO demerit system expected to roll out nationally in the near future. This means fines for “small” issues such as worn tyres or a faulty brake light could soon carry more weight, adding points to your driving record and costing you some ZAR. A quick inspection can spot problems early and save you from a penalty.

The Risks of Skipping Checks
- Fines ranging from R250 to R1 000 for faulty brakes, bald tyres, or missing reflectors.
- Demerit points (once AARTO is fully active) that stick to your record and steer you closer to suspension.
- Unexpected repair bills that a proactive check could have prevented.
RELATED: WHEN WILL THE DEMERIT SYSTEM BE IMPLEMENTED IN SOUTH AFRICA?

The Free Vehicle Safety Checklist
- Lights & Indicators:
  
  Switch on all your lights; the headlights, indicators, brake lights, and DRLs to confirm they’re working.
- Tyres:
  
  Look for tread depth, bulges, and make sure the pressure matches your manual. Don’t forget to also check your spare!
- Wipers & Windscreen:
  
  A cracked windscreen or worn-out wipers can have you fined plus it compromises safety.
- Brakes:
  
  You can test your brakes for stopping ability, vibration or noise. Your mechanic can test braking efficiency, handbrake performance, and spot wear before it becomes dangerous.
- Suspension & Steering:
  
  The condition of your shock absorbers are harder to self-diagnose but vital for safe handling. So, again, let the experts test them for you.
- Exhaust & Fuel System:
  
  Leaks, smoke, noise, or illegal mods can earn you a fine on the spot.
- Tools & Safety Equipment:
  
  It is essential you check your vehicle is equipped with a reflective triangles, car jack and wrench. It might not score you a fine, but it will score you extra peace of mind. Much like a car warranty from dotsure.co.za would!
How to Check Vehicle Fines Online

No, don’t worry. You do not need to go to the traffic department to check your fines! Most checks can be done online in just a few clicks. Here’s a simple guide on how to check your vehicle for outstanding fines:
1. The AARTO Website
The Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences site is where fines and demerit points will be displayed once the system goes national. For now, it’s still a handy portal for checking fines.
- Go to www.aarto.co.za
- Login or register
- Scroll through your infringements list
- You can also search by notice number, date range and number plate
Pro tip: This is where your points balance will live once the system is fully rolled out, so it’s worth bookmarking.
1. The RTIA Portal
The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) manages all AARTO fines, and its website only redirects to the AARTO website. So, we recommend skipping this one.
1. App Options
You can easily check fines via mobile apps such as payCity, Fines SA, Paymyfines, or even some banking apps such as the Standard Bank App or FNB Banking App. These allow you to:
- Get real-time notifications of new fines
- Pay directly from your phone
- Receive your proof of payment.
Our top tip here is: Don’t ignore a fine. Even a small one. It could block license renewals or affect your points once the demerit system kicks in. It’s not worth the legal headaches.

RELATED: HOW TO CHECK YOUR DRIVING LICENCE STATUS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Avoid Fines, Drive Worry-Free

A free vehicle safety check takes less than an hour but can save you thousands in fines, demerit points, and surprise repair costs. It’s also one of the easiest ways to keep your car compliant and safe on South Africa’s busy roads.

Do you need more peace of mind behind the wheel? Explore our extended car warranty options and contact us today for more info!
September 30, 2025
TRAFFIC FINES: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Let’s face it; traffic fines aren’t exactly anyone’s favourite mail delivery. Plus, when you don’t often get mail (no one writes letters anymore ☹), it’s quite disappointing when you do finally receive one, and it’s a fines notice. However, understanding how traffic fines work, and knowing the process for paying them, are essential for all motorists. Let’s take a closer look and answer some common questions.

Understanding Traffic Fines in SA

Traffic fines are penalties imposed on motorists for violating traffic laws. They play a crucial role in:
- Maintaining road safety
- Ensuring compliance with traffic regulations
- Promoting responsible driving behaviour
Common Traffic Offences

Some of the most common traffic offences in South Africa include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Improper parking
- Driving without a valid license or vehicle registration
The severity of the offence determines the fine amount. For example, stopping past the line at a robot might result in a smaller fine than speeding.

How Are Traffic Fines Issued?

Traffic fines are typically issued in two ways:
- Direct citation: A traffic officer issues the fine on the spot.
- Camera system: Violations like speeding or running a red light are captured by cameras.
Once issued, you’ll receive your fine in the mail. Again, it’s not as pleasant an experience as when we used to receive physical birthday cards from family members.

How to Pay Your Traffic Fines
- Online: Most municipalities have online payment platforms. All you need is your fine notice number, vehicle registration and a valid payment method.
- Municipal Offices: Head to your local traffic department (yay) or municipal office. Bring your fine notice, ID, cash or card, and maybe some snacks. You may be there for a while.
- EFT: Check your fine notice for banking details and make a transfer using your banking app. Remember the reference number!
- Postal Payment: This is old-school but still an option. Mail a cheque or postal order with your fine notice to the relevant authority.
Want to know what else we cover? Check out our blog, CAR INSURANCE: WHAT’S COVERED?

How to Reduce Traffic Fines

Looking to reduce your traffic fines? Here are some strategies:
- Early Payment: Some municipalities offer discounts for early payment.
- Representation: You can contest the fine if it was issued incorrectly.
- Defensive Driving Courses: Some jurisdictions may reduce fines if you complete an approved driving course.
- Use the Road Protect benefit included in your dotsure.co.za policy: With this, we can help negotiate fine reductions on your behalf.
NB! Failure to pay traffic fines within 30 days may result in:
- Increased fine amounts
- A summons to appear in court
- A warrant for your arrest (don’t let it come to this)
How We Can Help

As we mentioned earlier, if you’re a dotsure.co.za policyholder, you benefit from us on your side!
- Road Protect: Assistance with fine payments and potential reductions.
- License Protect: Reminders for license renewals to avoid related fines.
- Fines Protect: Alerts for new fines and facilitation of seamless payments.
Want to learn more about how we can help you stay on top of your traffic fines? Get a quote today!
February 3, 2025
WHICH CARS GET THE MOST SPEEDING FINES?
Car Brands and Models That Have a Need for Speed

Have you ever seen a sleek sports car zoom past you and thought, “Yep, they’re definitely getting pulled over”? Turns out, there might be some truth to that intuition.

Recent research delved into which car brands tend to attract the most speeding fines:
1. Infiniti
Most-ticketed vehicle: Infiniti G37
1. Scion
Most-ticketed vehicle: Scion FR-S
1. Volkswagen
Most-ticketed vehicle: Volkswagen Golf GTI
1. Subaru
Most-ticketed vehicle: Subaru WRX
1. Mazda
Most-ticketed vehicle: Mazda MX-5 Miata
1. Audi
Most-ticketed vehicle: Audi S4
1. Kia
Most-ticketed vehicle: Kia Stinger
1. Honda
Most-ticketed vehicle: Honda S2000
1. BMW
Most-ticketed vehicle: BMW i3
1. Hyundai
Most-ticketed vehicle: Hyundai Genesis Coupe

On any given day, thousands of drivers find themselves pulled over by the traffic police. From expired plates to distracted driving, the reasons vary, but it’s clear that speeding is a major concern.

Certain cars seem to attract more speed demons. Surprisingly, it’s not just flashy sports cars. Models like the Subaru WRX, Kia Stinger, Mazda 3, Scion FR-S, and Volkswagen GTI are among the most frequently pulled over.

Why these cars? Well, some have a reputation for speed, while others just seem to attract drivers who like to push the limits. Interestingly, many of these models are also pretty affordable, which means more of them are on the road and that allows for more chances of speeding.

Whatever the reason, one thing’s for sure: if you’re driving one of these models, you might want to keep an eye on your speedometer!
May 6, 2024