Retests Not For Everyone: All Zimbabwean Drivers Now Need Medical Reports to Renew Licences
The government has moved to clarify recent confusion over driver retesting requirements, making it clear that only a specific group, mainly public service and heavy goods vehicle drivers, will be required to undergo mandatory road tests. Ordinary drivers will not need to retake their driving test when renewing their licences under the new regional system.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona dismissed widespread reports claiming that all drivers in Zimbabwe would soon face blanket retesting.
“The ministry wishes to clarify that, contrary to some media reports, not all drivers are required to undergo a retest,” he said.
He explained that the confusion likely came from misinterpretations around the introduction of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) driver’s licence and existing rules for professional drivers.
“There is no new proposal for a blanket retest system for all drivers. The recent confusion stemmed from misinterpretations of the SADC licence renewal process and existing professional driver regulations,” Mhona said.
He pointed out that Zimbabwe has long had regulations in place—under Statutory Instrument 168 of 2006—that require drivers of public service vehicles (PSVs) and freight trucks over 10 tonnes to retake their test every five years. These rules have been in place for nearly two decades.
Ordinary motorists, on the other hand, will only need to update their biometric data and provide a medical report when renewing their SADC licence, which is valid for five years. No road test will be required for them.
Minister Mhona stressed that driving for a living is different from casual driving and needs stricter checks.
“Driving is a profession. Retesting separates professional driving from ordinary driving,” added Minister Mhona.
He explained that the retesting process is not just about skills—it’s also about safety, health, and fraud prevention.
The system is designed to ensure professional drivers are still competent and healthy, especially as regulations change. It also helps maintain a reliable database of professional drivers and prevents fake licences by verifying documents like defensive driving certificates and hazardous chemical permits. PSV drivers must also meet strict criteria: they must be between 30 and 70 years old, have annual medical checkups, and hold at least five years of driving experience before being certified.
The retest, he said, plays a key role in enforcing these rules and making sure only qualified drivers are on the road in high-risk, professional roles.
“This is key for maintaining a robust database for professional drivers, ensuring their ongoing competence and adherence to evolving regulations and meticulously screening drivers by vehicle category, age (PSV drivers must be between 30 and 70 years old) and health (requiring annual medical examinations for PSV drivers). Furthermore, the retest acts as a crucial gatekeeper against fake licences through a system verification process and rigorously checking compliance with essential documents like defensive driving certificates and hazardous chemicals certifications,” he said.
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