Zimbabwean driver's licenses valid in the UK

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has officially confirmed that Zimbabwean drivers can utilize their licenses to operate vehicles on roads in the United Kingdom. Simultaneously, the government is actively working to initiate discussions with its British counterpart to eliminate the requirement for a Certificate of Competency when applying for the conversion of a driver's license.

This confirmation from the ministry follows a rising number of messages circulating on social media, indicating that individuals holding Zimbabwean driver's licenses have encountered difficulties when attempting to convert them into British driver's licenses.

In response to numerous inquiries from Zimbabwean driver's license holders, particularly regarding the recognition of Zimbabwean licenses by the British Government, Engineer Theodius Chinyanga, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, stated, "Yes, they do recognize Zimbabwean licenses. However, there have been unverified reports of some Zimbabweans using counterfeit metal driver's licenses, which unfortunately have resulted in their involvement in road traffic accidents or causing them. Consequently, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in the United Kingdom now requires a Certificate of Competency when applying for the conversion of a Zimbabwean license to a British license."

A Certificate of Competency is a temporary license valid for 30 days issued to drivers who have successfully passed the practical driving test.

Engineer Chinyanga further mentioned that the Ministry is actively engaged in discussions with the DVLA to potentially eliminate the need for a Certificate of Competency when seeking to convert a driver's license.