Zimbabwe has introduced tough new rules aimed at reducing the alarming number of road accidents caused by inexperienced drivers of public transport.
The government has enacted a new road traffic regulation that prohibits individuals under 30 years of age, or those with less than five years of driving experience, from operating passenger public service vehicles, specifically omnibuses and commuter omnibuses.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, announced the changes in a new Statutory Instrument (SI 119 of 2023), amending section 4 of the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations.
The gazette states: “The Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations, 2023, published in Statutory Instrument 119 of 2023, is amended in section 4 by the repeal of subsection (6)(c) and substitution of ‘(c) a class of motor vehicle which is a passenger public service vehicle of an omnibus or commuter omnibus type unless he or she has driving experience of not less than five years and age of not less than 30 years’”.
This significant change aims to address concerns about road carnage attributed to young and inexperienced drivers. The new regulations, which came into effect immediately upon publication, mandate a minimum age of 30 and a minimum of five years’ driving experience for anyone seeking to operate a passenger public service vehicle of the omnibus or commuter omnibus type.
However, the regulations include a grandfather clause. The SI clarifies: “Provided that, drivers who are still between 25 and 30 years who were already authorised to drive an omnibus or commuter omnibus before the publication of these regulations shall continue to drive motor vehicles in that class.” This means drivers already licensed in this category, aged between 25 and 30, can continue their work.
The new regulations are officially titled “The Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 (No. 1)”.
The government hopes this decisive action will contribute significantly to improving road safety and reducing the tragic loss of life on Zimbabwe’s roads. The move is expected to bring a more experienced and cautious approach to driving public transport, potentially leading to a decrease in accidents.
