Zimbabwe Slashes Vehicle Registration Fees, Scraps Road Access Charges In Major Transport Reforms
The Government has introduced sweeping reforms to Zimbabwe’s transport regulatory system, cutting vehicle registration fees, abolishing duplicate charges and removing outdated compliance requirements in a move aimed at lowering the cost of doing business.
The changes, which take immediate effect, affect services offered by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Road Motor Transportation (RMT) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID).
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the reforms were implemented following a directive from President Emmerson Mnangagwa to review taxes, licences, permits and regulatory fees across Government ministries and agencies.
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Vehicle Registration Fees Reduced
Among the biggest changes is a dramatic reduction in vehicle registration costs.
The fee for first-time motor vehicle registration has been reduced from US$500 to US$50, while the cost of changing ownership where new number plates are required has fallen from US$515 to US$95.
First-time motorcycle registration will now cost US$70, while trailer registration has been lowered from US$70 to US$50.
Government also standardised operator licence fees at US$125 per vehicle, replacing the previous structure that required a US$50 application fee plus US$75 for each vehicle.
Route permit fees have also been cut from US$75 to US$20.
Duplicate Fees And Outdated Requirements Removed
Government has also eliminated several charges and regulatory requirements that were considered unnecessary or duplicated by other agencies.
These include the complete removal of the Road Access Fee, which authorities said had become redundant after the introduction of Zinara toll gates across the country’s road network.
Minister Mhona said motorists were effectively paying twice for the same service because both the Road Access Fee and toll fees were being charged.
The reforms also abolish mandatory garage inspection reports, which previously cost motorists US$25.
In addition, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) and truck drivers will no longer be required to undergo periodic retesting by VID, ending a process that previously attracted a fee of around US$30.
Law enforcement agencies have been instructed that PSV driver retesting is no longer a legal requirement and should no longer be enforced.
Reforms Backed By New Laws
The revised fee structure has been introduced through Statutory Instruments 6 of 2026, 10 of 2026 and 113 of 2026, which formalise the latest changes, including the removal of the Road Access Fee.
According to Government, the reforms form part of wider efforts to reduce administrative costs, eliminate overlapping regulations and create a more efficient transport sector.
Minister Mhona said the changes would improve Zimbabwe’s ease of doing business while easing the financial burden on motorists and transport operators.
He urged drivers, vehicle owners and transport operators to comply with road transport regulations and take advantage of the simplified fee structure now in place.
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