How to Nominate a Driver on AARTO Online
Received an AARTO infringement notice for a vehicle you own, but you were not the person driving at the time? In that case, one of the main options available is to nominate the actual driver or person in control of the vehicle.
This process matters because an infringement notice should be linked to the correct person wherever the law allows. Under the AARTO process, users can nominate the driver, make a representation, pay the penalty, or choose other available routes depending on the notice stage. Official AARTO guidance specifically says users may nominate the actual driver who committed the infringement, and the online portal includes a dedicated “Nominate a Driver” workflow.
In this guide, you will learn how AARTO driver nomination works, when you can use it, which documents you need, and how to complete the process online.
What it means to nominate a driver under AARTO
To nominate a driver on AARTO means you are formally stating that you were not the driver or person in control of the vehicle when the infringement happened, and you are identifying the person who actually was. The process is tied to the AARTO 07 form, which is the prescribed nomination form used for this purpose.
This option is useful when:
- the car is registered in your name, but someone else was driving
- the vehicle belongs to a business or fleet operator
- another authorised person had control of the vehicle at the time of the offence
AARTO’s official process pages list nomination as one of the standard responses available for an infringement notice. They also distinguish it from other actions such as making a representation or electing to be tried in court.
Driver nomination vs paying the fine vs making a representation
These options are not the same.
If you pay the fine, you are effectively resolving the notice as the listed infringer. If you make a representation, you are arguing that there are grounds for cancellation or non-liability. If you nominate the driver, you are saying the notice should be associated with the actual driver instead. Official AARTO materials present these as separate processes with different forms and workflows.
Who can nominate a driver
In general, the option is aimed at the owner or operator of the vehicle who was not driving when the infringement took place. The AARTO 07 form and related guidance refer to nominating the driver or the person in control of the identified vehicle.
Vehicle owners
If your vehicle was used by a spouse, family member, employee, friend, or any other authorised person at the time of the offence, and you received the infringement notice as owner, nomination may be the correct route.
Companies, fleets, and proxies
Official AARTO website guidance also includes registration and workflow support for company proxies. The AARTO user guide explains that a proxy can register on behalf of a company and then access infringement-related applications, including nomination.
This is especially important for:
- logistics companies
- rental businesses
- employer-owned vehicles
- transport operators managing multiple drivers
When the option is not available
AARTO guidance states that nomination is not available after a courtesy letter has been issued. Official and quasi-official instructional materials also emphasize that nomination is intended for the early stage of the infringement notice process.
Deadline for nominating a driver
Timing is critical.
AARTO guidance states that nominating the driver can only be done within the first 32 days from service or presumed service of an AARTO 03 infringement notice.
The 32-day rule
This is one of the most important details on the page. If you wait too long, the process changes and additional enforcement steps may follow. The RTIA process pages also show that early-stage actions include paying, nominating, making a representation, or electing to go to court.
Why the courtesy letter stage matters
The published AARTO 07 instructions specifically state that the option of nomination is not available after a courtesy letter has been issued. That means users should act quickly once an infringement notice is served.
For SEO and usability, this deadline should be prominent on the page because it directly answers a high-intent user concern: “Can I still nominate the driver?”
Documents and details you need
Before starting the AARTO nominate driver online process, gather all required information.
Official guidance consistently points to the following core items:
1) AARTO 07 form
The prescribed form for this process is AARTO 07: Nomination of Driver or Person in Control.
2) Nominated driver’s identification
Guidance for the nomination process says you need the nominated driver’s particulars together with a copy of the person’s driving licence, and other instructions also mention acceptable identification such as an ID, passport, or traffic register certificate.
3) Infringement notice details
You will need the relevant notice details so that the nomination is linked to the correct offence. The online AARTO user guide shows that users first select the relevant notice number, then initiate the nomination from the notice detail screen.
4) Vehicle and owner information
The AARTO 07 form includes sections for the original infringer or vehicle owner, the motor vehicle particulars, and the nominated driver’s information.
How to nominate a driver on the AARTO website
For most users, the best route is the official online system.
The AARTO portal explicitly allows users to Nominate a Driver, and the RTIA user guide gives a step-by-step outline of the online workflow.
Register or log in to the AARTO portal
The RTIA user guide explains that users start by going to the AARTO website, registering a profile if needed, and then logging in. Company proxies can also register in a proxy capacity.
Select the infringement notice
Once logged in, choose the relevant notice number from your list of infringements. The user guide says users can click directly on the notice number or an active linked field to open the detailed view.
Choose “Nominate a Driver”
Inside the notice detail screen, select “NOMINATE A DRIVER.” The user guide identifies this as the step that initiates the application.
Accept the terms and conditions
The next step shown in the guide is reviewing and accepting the terms and conditions before continuing.
Complete the driver details and upload documents
The RTIA guide then instructs users to fill in the nominated driver’s particulars carefully, especially required fields, and upload supporting documents before submitting.
This is the core of the submit AARTO nomination online process.
How to complete the AARTO 07 form correctly
Even when the process is started online, understanding the form helps prevent delays.
Owner or operator details
The form requires details of the original infringer or vehicle owner and motor vehicle particulars.
Nominated driver details
You must provide the full particulars of the nominated driver or person in control of the vehicle. Published guidance warns that incomplete or incorrect key fields can prevent the application from being entered successfully.
Signature and supporting documents
The published instructions say the original infringer, or proxy for a juristic person, must sign the form. Supporting identification for the nominated driver must also be attached.
Some AARTO guidance also states that once completed, the form must be signed before a commissioner of oaths before submission.
Because procedural details can vary by workflow and document version, the safest approach is to follow the current instructions shown on the official AARTO portal during submission.
What happens after you submit the nomination
After submission, the matter should move into the nomination process rather than continuing unchanged under the original notice status.
AARTO guidance says that online submission is recommended because it immediately changes the infringement status to driver nomination and halts other AARTO processes while it is being handled.
The regulations also state that the issuing authority should acknowledge receipt of a nomination within 14 days.
What to do if you do not receive feedback
The published regulations provide for acknowledgement of receipt, which means users should keep records of the submission date and supporting documents.
Practically, you should retain:
- a copy of the completed application
- proof of upload or submission
- copies of the supporting documents
- the infringement notice number
Common mistakes that delay or reject a nomination
Many users searching how to nominate a driver for a traffic fine are really trying to avoid errors. These are the main ones.
Missing the deadline
If you try to nominate after the courtesy letter stage, the option may no longer be available.
Incomplete key fields
The published AARTO 07 guidance warns that incomplete or incorrect key fields can prevent the application from being entered.
Missing supporting documents
A copy of the nominated driver’s identification or licence is required in the process guidance.
Using the wrong process
If the issue is not that someone else was driving, but rather that the notice itself is wrong or should be cancelled, a representation may be more appropriate. Official AARTO materials clearly separate these processes.
Frequently asked questions about AARTO driver nomination
Can I nominate a driver after a courtesy letter?
Generally no. Published AARTO 07 instructions say nomination is not available after a courtesy letter has been issued.
Do I need the nominated driver’s licence?
Yes. Official guidance says you need the nominated driver’s particulars together with a copy of the driver’s licence, and related instructions also mention acceptable identification documents.
Can a company nominate a driver for a fleet vehicle?
Yes, company or organisational workflows are contemplated in the form instructions and online registration process, including proxy registration on behalf of a company.
What if I was never the driver?
That is exactly the situation this process is designed for. The nomination route exists for owners or operators who were not driving and need the notice associated with the actual driver or person in control.
Final thoughts
For users who land on a page about AARTO nominate driver, the key questions are simple: Can I do this? By when? What form do I need? What documents must I upload?
The answer, based on the AARTO process and official guidance, is that you can generally nominate the actual driver by using the AARTO 07 form and the official AARTO online portal, provided you act within the 32-day window and before a courtesy letter has been issued.