By Staff Writer
ZIMBABWE has a backlog of 600 000 driver’s licenses set to be printed after the country recently launched a SADC compliant driver’s licence disc as part of measures to work in sync with other countries in the region and curb corruption in the issuance of the document at the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID).
Speaking at the licence disc launch in Harare, Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona said the new licence, multilingual electronic licence testing system and digital route permit will help minimise revenue leakages in the department.
He said the launch also spoke volumes of government’s resolve to eliminate corruption in the issuance of drivers’ licences.
“It is crucial for all of us to be informed that we currently have a backlog of approximately 600 000 applicants waiting for their driving licences to be printed and issued.
“The new Sadc compliant drivers’ licence system will also enhance government’s capacity to develop an electronic database of licensed drivers which will be linked with all relevant stakeholders,” Mhona said.
He said the new drivers’ licence, which would be recognised in 25 countries in the Sadc region, would help Zimbabwean drivers acquire jobs in foreign countries.
The licences will also harmonise and standardise driver training, testing and certification within the entire tripartite region, which include the Sadc, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa and the East African Community.
“Such regional initiatives and standards will facilitate conformance with international best practices to allow the use of domestic drivers’ licences for international travel,” Mhona said.
