Traffic Fines: City of Cape Town

1. Where can I find out if I have outstanding traffic fines?
2. What are the different types of traffic fines?
3. Where can I view my speed-camera photo?
4. Dispute your traffic fine
5. How can I pay my traffic fine?
6. Can I pay my traffic fine electronically?
7. How much time do I have to pay my traffic fine?
8. What happens if I don't pay my traffic fine?

Where can I find out if I have outstanding fines? 

Call the traffic inquiries section during office hours (Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 15:30) on 0860 103 089. If you would like a printout of your fine, you will have to go to the traffic department in person.

To update your details please fax your new address (physical and postal), along with a copy of your ID, to Motor Vehicle Registrations on 021 419 1676. Mark it for the attention of the Correspondence Department or call Motor Vehicle Registrations on 0860 103 089.

What are the different types of traffic fines? 

You can get one of two kinds of fines, regardless of the traffic violation:

• A Section 56 notice is given to you by a traffic officer, usually for a moving violation. It has a court date on it.
• A 341 Traffic Ticket is issued when a motorist is caught violating a traffic regulation by camera (for example, when speeding) or when a traffic officer issues a ticket when the motorist is not present (this is the pink ticket issued for parking violations, expired licence discs, and so on).

Where can I view the speed-camera photo? 

If the camera fine's notice number starts with a "9" or a "4", you can view it online.

To view your photos you will need to know:

• The municipal district in which the photo was taken


• Your vehicle registration number


• The film number, which appears in the traffic fine.

Camera fines that start with "2" can only be viewed at Parow Traffic, Oostenberg Traffic, Helderberg Traffic, Milnerton Traffic South Peninsula Traffic and Cape Town Traffic between 08:30 and 15:00.

Dispute your traffic fine 

If you wish to dispute a fine, you may submit a written representation to the Traffic Manager at traffic.representation@capetown.gov.za. This letter must be accompanied with a copy of your fine. You can also fax this letter to 086 293 8189.

Violations that take place in other areas are dealt with by the relevant municipality's traffic department. A list of the local municipalities along with their contact details is available under local government on the Western Cape Government’s website.

Your letter will then sent by the Traffic Manager to the relevant court, where it will be received by the Public Prosecutor at the court, who will review your fine and send it back to the Traffic Manager. The entire process takes up to six weeks. 

You can also contact the Public Prosecutor directly at the court that appears on your fine. If you have received summons you should contact the Public Prosecutor before the date you are due to appear in court. 

How can I pay my traffic fine? 
 

If you are paying before the due date, you can pay your traffic fine by cheque, cash or postal order:

• Cheques and postal orders should be made out to City of Cape Town.
• Payment can be made online at Paycity
• Payment can be made either in person at the traffic department (find the address at Municipal Traffic Departments) or mailed to:
  The City of Cape Town
  Private Bag X19
  Vlaeberg
  8018
• Given the levels of fraud and theft in the Post Office, it is not recommended to send cash by post.
• If you are a First National Bank customer, you can also pay your fine at any FNB ATM using your fine reference number.

If you wish to pay on or after the due date, you can do so by cash or bank-guaranteed cheque at the court mentioned on the fine (find the address at municipal courts). You will have to make the payment in person no longer than 14 days after the due date. On the 14th day, your case will appear in court.

If you do not wish to pay your fine you will have to appear in court, in person, on your court date to argue your case. If you are not there to argue your case, a warrant for your arrest will automatically be issued.

Can I pay my traffic fine electronically? 

Payments can be made online.

If you are a First National Bank customer, however, you can pay your fine at any FNB ATM using your fine reference number.

How much time do I have to pay my traffic fine?

Depending on whether you have been issued a Section 56 notice or a 341 Traffic Ticket, you have between 30 days and four months to pay your traffic fine.

A Section 56 notice means you have about 30 days to pay before your case goes to court.

If you receive a 341 Traffic Ticket, you have 30 days before the Traffic Department will issue a "Notice Before Summons", after which you will have another 30 days before the summons will actually be issued.

After the summons is issued, you have another 30 days to pay your fine to the Traffic Department. After the 30 days have passed, you have another 14 days of grace in which you can pay your fine at the court mentioned on the summons.

So in total, you have approximately four months to pay your traffic fine after receiving a 341 ticket.

What happens if I don't pay a fine? 

If, for example, the traffic fine has been issued in error you may plead your case in court on the court date of your summons.

If you do not go to court to argue your case, a warrant for your arrest will automatically be issued and you will be charged with being in contempt of court.