Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

The Government has announced the immediate removal of the requirement for retesting public service vehicle drivers, demonstrating its commitment to establishing a modern, efficient, and business-friendly transport regulatory framework in Zimbabwe.

Law enforcement agencies have been notified that retesting is no longer mandatory and, as such, compliance will not be enforced under the law.

In a statement, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona urged all drivers, vehicle owners, and transport operators to comply with road transport regulations.

“As part of the reviews, the Government has completely removed the requirement for retesting public service vehicle drivers. In that vein, the Ministry advises law enforcement agencies that retesting of public service vehicle drivers is no longer a requirement, and compliance in this regard is no longer enforceable by law.

“Indeed, the Government remains committed to creating a modern, efficient, and business-friendly transport regulatory framework. I therefore urge all drivers, vehicle owners, and transport operators to comply fully with road transport regulations and to take advantage of the revised, streamlined fee structure,” he said.

“During the first Cabinet meeting of 2025, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, directed a comprehensive downward review of taxes, licences, permits, regulatory fees, and user charges by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

“This directive sought to eliminate high administrative costs and streamline the regulatory environment to enhance the ease of doing business and strengthen Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness.

“On 9 September 2025, Cabinet considered and approved the review of fees charged by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Road Motor Transportation (RMT), and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID), with a specific focus on reducing or eliminating unjustified charges,” he said.

Minister Mhona said the review is targeting the following areas:

 licensing fees across the passenger and freight transport sectors;

 permit charges that duplicate or overlap across agencies;

 monitoring and compliance levies deemed punitive or disproportionate;

 and transactional fees that hinder operational efficiency.

“I am pleased to advise the nation that, pursuant to this Cabinet decision, Statutory Instrument 6 of 2026 and Statutory Instrument 10 of 2026 were gazetted on 9 and 12 January 2026, respectively.

“These regulations give legal effect to significant reductions in CVR, RMT, and VID fees, in line with the Government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business and promoting economic competitiveness,” Minister Mhona said.