Govt Bans Under-30s from Driving Public Service Vehicles

The Government has officially raised the minimum age requirement for public service vehicle drivers to 30 years in a move aimed at reducing road accidents and reckless driving.

The new regulation, which takes effect immediately, increases the minimum age from 25 to 30 and mandates that drivers have at least five years of driving experience before operating passenger vehicles such as buses and commuter omnibuses.

According to Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, the decision is part of broader efforts to curb road traffic accidents, which claim over 2,000 lives in Zimbabwe each year.

In a Government Gazette published yesterday, Minister Mhona confirmed the amendment under section 81 of the Road Traffic Act [Chapter 13:11]. “The updated requirements state that no individual may operate a passenger public service vehicle unless they are at least 30 years old and have a minimum of five years of driving experience,” the Gazette reads.

However, drivers aged between 25 and 30 who were already authorized before the new regulation will be allowed to continue operating.

Minister Mhona previously told Parliament that tightening age restrictions for bus and commuter omnibus drivers was necessary to address the increasing number of fatal road crashes.

Authorities have long linked many of these accidents to reckless driving, particularly among younger, less-experienced drivers. Zimbabwe’s new policy aligns with regional standards, as several neighboring countries also require public transport drivers to be at least 30 years old. The move has been welcomed by transport operators, who see it as a necessary measure to enhance passenger safety.

While the policy has been met with some resistance from younger drivers aspiring to join the public transport sector, road safety advocates argue that prioritizing experience over opportunity is crucial in minimizing accidents. With the regulation now in effect, authorities are expected to enforce compliance through increased monitoring and penalties for violations.

About newsroom

Check Also

Government Cracks Down On Civil Service Rebate Scheme Fraud

The Government has intensified efforts to combat fraudulent activities, closely monitoring vehicles imported under the …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *