Drivers With Pre-2023 Class 2 Licences Can Still Drive Class 4 and 5 Vehicles, VID Confirms

Drivers who obtained their Class 2 driving licences before the legal overhaul introduced under Statutory Instrument (SI) 119 of 2023 will not be required to retake driving tests to operate small vehicles, the Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) has clarified.

Speaking during a radio interview, VID Belvedere Depot Manager Caroline Tshuma addressed growing anxiety among motorists who feared losing long-held driving entitlements.

Key Takeaways for Drivers
No Retesting Needed: Motorists who acquired Class 2 licences under the old legal framework retain full rights to drive Class 4 (light motor vehicles) and Class 5 (agricultural/construction equipment) without re-examination.

Preserved Rights: Entitlements granted under the previous Government Notice 240 of 1977 remain intact because they were issued legally prior to the new gazetted regulations.

Modernized System: SI 119 of 2023 applies to new licence applicants, standardising driver categories across SADC regions and introducing specific restrictions like automatic transmission endorsements.

Grandfathering Under the Old Framework
Before SI 119 came into effect, Zimbabwean driver licensing was governed by Government Notice 240 of 1977. Under that legacy system, passing a Class 2 test automatically granted the driver Class 4 and Class 5 privileges.

Tshuma clarified that the enactment of SI 119 does not strip away previously acquired legal rights:

“In Zimbabwe, before SI 119, licensing was being done according to Government Notice 240 of 1977. This allowed for awarding of classes. If you go for your Class 2, you were awarded Class 4 and 5… So if you did your driving test before SI 119, that is before 2023, you are allowed to drive your Class 4 and 5 vehicles.”

What Changed Under SI 119 of 2023?
According to VID National Training Manager Bridgette Chimawo, SI 119 replaced 1970s-era regulations to align Zimbabwe’s licensing framework with Southern African Development Community (SADC) standards.

Key changes introduced under SI 119 include:

SADC Standardization: Standardized driver categories and codes to facilitate seamless cross-border travel and professional transit across SADC member states.

Transmission Endorsements: Testing can now be conducted in automatic vehicles; passing in an automatic restricts the driver to automatic vehicles only, indicated by an "AT" endorsement.

Mandatory Medical & Optical Testing: Public service vehicle (PSV) drivers must submit optical and medical certificates from accredited medical professionals.

Strict Age & Progression Criteria: Minimum age limits are set at 18 for heavy trucks and up to 25 or 30 for public transport operators, along with structured prerequisites before advancing to heavier vehicle classes.