Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government should introduce two distinct driver’s licences for automatic and manual vehicles to reduce corruption in obtaining the important document, a Member of the National said recently.
At the moment, drivers in Zimbabwe are required to show proficiency only in manual transmission vehicles during the driving test.
In a motion in the National Assembly last week, Epworth North legislator Zivai Mhetu said introducing two drivers licences will go a long way in curbing corrupt practices associated with licensing at the Vehicle Inspection Department.
Mhetu urged the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to introduce two distinct categories of driver’s licences, one for manual transmission vehicles (which can also be used for automatic transmission vehicles) and one for automatic transmission vehicles only.
He urged the Transport Ministry to also ensure that those who obtain driver’s licences for manual transmission vehicles also receive oral training for operating automatic transmission vehicles.
“There are several reasons why we should introduce two distinct categories of driver’s licences. One for manual transmission vehicles, which can also be used for automatic transmission vehicles and one for automatic transmission vehicles only.
“Currently, many people who will never use manual vehicles are being forced to take licenses for driving manual cars. This is akin to forcing a future doctor to learn political science. The future doctor does not need to know the first part of the post-electoral system to carry out a surgery. Similarly, someone that drives an automatic vehicle does not need to learn how to use a clutch,” said Mhetu.
He said a lot of corruption is linked to the issuance of manual driver’s licences.
“Last year, the Minister of Transport bemoaned corruption due to issuance of driver’s licence amid high demand of licences and the issue of the difficulties in operating a manual transmission vehicle. So introduction of two distinct (drivers licences) would lessen the demand, hence reducing corruption,” he said.
Mhetu said it is unfortunate that drivers are getting manual driving licences yet automatic vehicles are dominant on the roads.
“The current system does not train automatic vehicles, yet they are dominant on our roads, including the haulage trucks, buses and lorries. We now have those vehicles on manual. It is unsafe to assume that all drivers who were trained using manual vehicles will all of a sudden know how to drive an automatic vehicle,” he said.
Kadoma Central MP Gift Mambipiri supported the motion.
“Now, if the majority of our people are fond of using automatic vehicles, there is no use for us as a country to spend many resources at Vehicle Inspection depots where tests and training are conducted in manual format for people who eventually abandon the manual vehicles and focus on automatic vehicles. It would be prudent for the nation to save time and any other resources, to allow those who prefer automatic vehicles to straight away go and learn how to use automatic vehicles,” he said.
New Ziana
