Zimbabwe Scraps Costly PSV Driver Retest After Years of Pressure from Drivers

The Zimbabwean government has officially abolished the mandatory retesting requirement for public service vehicle (PSV) drivers, following sustained pressure from driver associations and transport unions who argued that the policy was punitive, costly, and counterproductive.

The move was confirmed through the publication of Statutory Instrument 6 of 2026, formally titled the Road Motor Transportation (Public Service Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 23). The new statutory instrument repeals SI 159 of 2022, which had made it compulsory for PSV drivers, including truck and bus drivers, to undergo periodic retesting at a fee of US$30.

Under the repealed regulation, Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) holders were required to submit themselves for retests despite already meeting stringent training and licensing standards. The policy had drawn widespread criticism from drivers who maintained that Zimbabwe already enforces rigorous driver training, including compulsory defensive driving refresher courses.

Driver associations previously submitted a formal appeal to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Tapiwa Mhona, warning that the retest requirement was placing unnecessary financial strain on drivers while failing to improve road safety outcomes.

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Beyond local concerns, Zimbabwean truck drivers operating across SADC and COMESA corridors reported increased harassment at foreign border posts. Confusion surrounding PrDP endorsements, compounded by the transition from metal to plastic driver’s licences, resulted in some drivers being detained, fined, or denied entry by foreign authorities unfamiliar with the new licensing format.

Locally, drivers also complained of inconsistent enforcement by law enforcement agencies and the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID), further disrupting transport operations and livelihoods.

The repeal of SI 159 of 2022 has been widely welcomed by the transport sector, with unions describing it as a significant victory for public service drivers and a positive step toward regulatory fairness. Industry stakeholders say the decision restores confidence among drivers and removes a long-standing source of tension within the transport value chain.

As truck and bus drivers continue to play a critical role in Zimbabwe’s economy and regional trade, the latest amendment signals a shift toward engagement-driven policymaking rather than enforcement-led regulation.