Zimbabwe’s Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) has dismissed a proposal to require motorists applying for professional driving licences to have at least five O-Level passes, including English and Mathematics.
The CVR said Zimbabwe already has a professional driver licensing system that relies on competency testing, regulation and enforcement rather than academic qualifications.
Acting CVR Registrar Saston Muzenda made the remarks when he appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
Muzenda was responding to a petition by Drivers Association of Zimbabwe president Nicholas Mabwe, who wants driving to be formally recognised as a profession and regulated through legislation.
Among the proposals contained in the petition is a requirement for professional drivers to have a minimum of five O-Level passes, with English and Mathematics included among the subjects.
The petition has since been referred to the parliamentary committee for consideration.
However, the proposed academic requirement is not part of the current licensing regulations. This means existing professional drivers are not required to return to school or obtain five O-Level passes following the petition. Parliament is still considering the proposal.
Muzenda defended the existing licensing system, saying drivers are subjected to tests before being issued with licences.
“The process our drivers go through is internationally recognised and is one of the best in terms of practice,” Muzenda said.
He also argued that there was no evidence suggesting Zimbabwean drivers were regarded as incompetent either within the region or internationally.
“Rather than introducing academic qualifications,
Government must concentrating on improving traffic regulation and enforcement,” he stated.
One of the measures being developed is a penalty-points system under which motorists who repeatedly violate traffic laws could have their licences suspended or cancelled.
The system is expected to work alongside Zimbabwe’s new smart traffic management system, which will use cameras to identify traffic offences and strengthen enforcement.
“The Government was already using technology to improve the regulation of motorists and questioned whether academic qualifications should be made a central requirement when drivers already undergo competency tests before receiving professional licences,”Muzenda said.