Government has significantly reduced licences, permits, levies and regulatory fees in the transport sector following a Cabinet directive aimed at improving the ease of doing business and strengthening Zimbabwe’s economic competitiveness.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Advocate Felix Tapiwa Mhona, announced the measures in a press statement, saying the review was directed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the first Cabinet meeting of 2025.
“The directive sought to eliminate excessive administrative costs and streamline the regulatory environment,” said Minister Mhona, adding that the reforms are intended to reduce the cost of doing business while improving efficiency in the transport sector.
Cabinet approved the downward review of fees charged by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), Road Motor Transportation (RMT) and the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) on 9 September 2025.
The review focused on licensing fees, overlapping permit charges, punitive monitoring and compliance levies, and transaction fees considered to hinder operational efficiency.
The changes were given legal effect through Statutory Instrument 6 of 2026 and Statutory Instrument 10 of 2026, gazetted on 9 and 12 January 2026 respectively.
Under the new fee structure, first-time motor vehicle registration has been reduced from US$500 to US$50, while first-time motorcycle and trailer registration fees have been cut to US$50 each.
The cost of changing ownership of a motor vehicle, including the issuance of new number plates, has been reduced from US$515 to US$95.
Operators will now pay a flat US$125 operator’s licence fee covering all vehicles owned and operated, replacing the previous system which charged a US$50 application fee plus US$75 per vehicle.
Route permits have been reduced from US$75 to US$20, while cross-border permits and COMESA carrier licences have each been reduced from US$150 to US$50.
Government has also completely removed the requirement for garage inspection reports and the retesting of public service vehicle (PSV) drivers, which previously cost US$25 and US$30 respectively.
“As part of the foregoing reviews, Government completely removed the requirement for retesting of PSV drivers,” said Minister Mhona.
He advised law enforcement agencies that the requirement is no longer enforceable at law.
The Minister said the reforms demonstrate Government’s commitment to creating a modern, efficient and business-friendly transport regulatory framework.
He urged drivers, vehicle owners and transport operators to comply with road transport regulations and take advantage of the revised and streamlined fee structure.
The measures are expected to ease the financial burden on transport operators and support broader efforts to improve Zimbabwe’s investment climate.
Story by Jeremiah Gora
