Public welcomes plastic driver’s licences

People seen milling around CVR offices yesterday

Zim Now Writer

Members of the public have welcomed government’s decision to introduce plastic drivers’ licence discs, replacing the metal ones that have been in use, saying the move will not only cut the time since they will be printed instantly, but will also reduce chances of corruption.

Entrepreneur Noel Mahembe, 39, said uniformity with what is happening elsewhere in the region is crucial as one can then use their Zimbabwean document in other countries without any hitches.

“As long as the new licence functions in the same way, then it should present no issues. We would actually welcome it more because it will work in other countries. This is, in fact, the way to go and we support what government is trying to do,” said Mahembe.

Mahembe added that the licences took forever to come out with people having to wait for years for the metal discs. “The metal discs never seemed to come out and people just had to wait, battling with the police at checkpoints all the time. The queues at the Central Vehicle Registry were just disgusting and one wondered what all those people wanted there, collection or replacement of licence discs, or registration of motor veicles. Now those queues will be reduced,” he said.

A 34-year-old female Harare dental practice employee, who preferred anonymity said: “We actually are very happy especially if the licences are printed there and then. It also helps close gaps for corruption. The other problem was on replacing a lost driver’s licence which presented fertile grounds for corruption, especially if one worked as a driver and the driver’s licence was needed from time to time. People ended up paying to get it processed early so that at least they would not risk losing their jobs.”

Bridget Mabanda, 24, told Zim Now that the new plastic driver’s licence cut production time as it was printed instantly, over and above reducing corruption, which was very rampant at the Vehicle Inspection Department. “This is a very welcome development, just like the introduction of the electronic learners’ licence. Besides, currently one has to carry both the paper certificate of competency and identity document, risking losing both. It is cumbersome to carry both documents, so, the new plastic licence is much better,” she said.

This comes as government announced that it was introducing plastic drivers’ licences, also known as plastic polymer licences, which are in use in several Sadc countries, including South Africa.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary Engineer Theodius Chinyanga recently told State media that the government has submitted designs of the proposed plastic driver’s licence to the Sadc for approval.

“In compliance with the International Organisation for Standardisation and the International Electrotechnical Commission 18013 standards on driver’s licences, the ministry applied for the Issuer Identification Number, which uniquely identifies CVR as the issuing authority in Zimbabwe, across all ISO member states.”

Eng Chinyanga said the ministry has since encoded the IIN, which was issued in November 2022, on the card design and submitted it to Sadc, who are currently reviewing it.

He added that currently, the ministry has initiated the procurement process for the related materials such as ribbon, ink and foil while waiting for feedback from Sadc.

“The printers will be procured once final approval is received from Sadc so as to avoid compatibility issues,” Eng Chinyanga added.