You Don’t Have to Pay Fines at Roadblocks — What Every Motorist Should Know

As the festive season approaches and roadblocks increase across South Africa, many motorists wonder whether they are legally obliged to pay outstanding traffic fines on the spot. According to a recent article in SowetanLIVE, the answer is clear: you don’t.

Legal Experts Say Drivers Can Refuse On-the-Spot Payments

Legal professionals remind drivers that a roadblock — even an official one — is not license for officers to demand payment for outstanding fines. As noted in SowetanLIVE, “motorists cannot be forced to pay any outstanding fines at a roadblock.”

A valid ground for arrest at a roadblock is a court-issued warrant, not merely outstanding fines. If no warrant is presented, officers have “no authority to demand on-the-spot payment with or without a card machine.”

What Lawful and Unlawful Actions at Roadblocks Look Like

At an authorized roadblock, officers are entitled to:

• Check your driver’s licence and ID and verify your vehicle’s roadworthiness.

• Inform you of any outstanding fines.

• Issue new fines for offences detected during the stop.

However, they are not permitted to:

• Insist on payment of outstanding fines on the spot — especially without presenting a warrant.

• Arrest or detain you solely because you owe outstanding traffic fines.

• Confiscate your licence or block your departure for failing to pay.

What You Should Do If Stopped

If you’re stopped at a roadblock and asked to pay a fine, you may respond calmly but firmly:

“Please show me if there is a valid warrant. Otherwise, I understand I’m not legally required to pay outstanding fines at this roadblock.”

You can also:

• Ask for the issuing officer’s details and confirm that the roadblock is officially sanctioned.

• Document or record the encounter — provided this does not interfere with the officers carrying out their duties.

When Do Outstanding Fines Become Legally Enforceable?

Under the current regime — including systems such as Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) — fines are not automatically enforceable on the spot. Drivers are not arrested at roadblocks simply because they have outstanding fines.

However, if a fine has progressed to a valid warrant or enforcement order, and that warrant is presented, officers may detain you until the matter is resolved.

Final Thoughts

Roadblocks serve a vital role in promoting road safety — but that does not mean motorists are automatically obliged to settle outstanding fines on the spot. As long as no valid warrant is presented, you are within your rights to refuse payment.

If you believe you’ve been coerced into paying unlawfully or treated unfairly at a roadblock, consider seeking legal advice or reporting the incident.