From US$500 To US$50: Zimbabwe Finally Slashes Number Plate Fees Four Months After Announcing Reduction

Zimbabwe has officially slashed the cost of vehicle number plates to US$50 (about R950), down from US$500 (about R9,500), four months after the reduction was first announced by Government officials in September 2025. The long-awaited cut has now been enshrined in law through Statutory Instrument 10 of 2026, ending months of uncertainty for motorists and businesses that were still being charged the old fees despite public promises of relief.

The new regulations amend the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Regulations under the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act [Chapter 13:14], formally replacing the old fee structure.

What The New Law Says

Under Statutory Instrument 10 of 2026, the number plate fee for first-time registration of a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer is now US$50 (about R950). Change-of-ownership fees have also been revised, with motorists paying US$95 (about R1,805) for new plates or US$15 (about R285) to retain existing plates.

Replacement fees for lost public service vehicle number plates have been set at US$85 (about R1,615), while a duplicate third plate now costs US$35 (about R665). Personalised plates remain significantly higher, ranging from US$2,500 (about R47,500) for vehicles up to 1,500cc, to US$5,000 (about R95,000) for larger engine capacities.

September 2025 Announcement And Cabinet Briefing

The reduction was first made public on September 9, 2025, during a post-Cabinet briefing. At the time, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said the move was part of wider transport sector reforms.

Speaking during the briefing, he said:

“The review process is aimed at reducing the cost of doing business, increasing competitiveness, and enhancing the growth of the Zimbabwean economy.”

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube also addressed the issue, emphasising the immediate impact of the cuts.

“The issue of number plates, where you were paying US$500 — we’ve reduced that to US$50, and the person producing the number plates is still making a profit at that price,” he said.

He added:

“We are in a cutting mode. We do not want people to be discouraged by the cost of doing business.”

From US$500 To US$50: Zimbabwe Finally Slashes Number Plate Fees Four Months After Announcing Reduction — (Image Credit: Blatnik School of Government)

Why Motorists Kept Paying Old Fees

Despite the announcement, motorists continued to pay the higher charges. On September 13, 2025, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi issued a clarification.

You Must Still Pay Old Fees: Zimbabwe Govt Clarifies On Slashed Licences, Permits & Levies

He said:

“All fees, levies and charges prescribed in existing laws in the form of primary and subsidiary legislation shall continue in force and effect until such a time when the statutory provisions providing for the same have been amended or repealed.”

He also stated:

“The ministry, together with the Office of the Attorney-General, is working with all relevant ministries to ensure that the policy position adopted by Government to reduce the various fees, levies and charges is translated into legally binding legal instruments.”

For the next four months, this meant officials could announce a US$50 fee, but the law still demanded US$500.

New 2026 Law Implements the Cut

The 2026 regulations resolve this contradiction. The law now lists the updated fees. Changing a vehicle’s ownership and buying new plates costs US$95 (approx. R1,710). Keeping your old plates during a sale costs US$15 (approx. R270).

The original September announcement included other measures, like halving parking fees and scrapping a US$23,000 (approx. R414,000) ZIMRA transit fuel duty. The legal status of those other cuts is not confirmed in this new number plate law.

Professor Ncube had framed the initial cuts as vital for economic growth.

“We are in a cutting mode. We might collect more revenue because increasing the profitability of these enterprises — across the economy — will spur growth,” he said.

After a four-month gap between the promise and the law, vehicle owners can now access the significantly lower rate.