Zimbabwe police demand overhaul of driving tests

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has sparked debate after bluntly declaring that most Zimbabwean motorists lack the skills to drive safely at night, prompting calls for a complete overhaul of the country's driving curriculum to include compulsory night-time lessons.

The remarks were made by ZRP national spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi during a road safety workshop held in Harare on December 17, 2025.

Commissioner Nyathi said poor night-driving skills were contributing significantly to road traffic accidents, arguing that the problem stemmed from the way drivers are trained in Zimbabwe.

"There are challenges in our country, and sometimes you encounter a person who doesn't know how to dim or flash their lights, yet they are supposed to be a driver," Nyathi said. "Maybe we need to challenge our driving curriculum; people must now have driving lessons at night."

He noted that most driving schools operate exclusively during daylight hours, meaning learners are never exposed to night-driving conditions before being licensed.

"We were even discussing this at work, noting that driving schools in Zimbabwe only operate during the day and do not teach people how to drive at night, hence the problems," he said.

Nyathi extended his criticism to driving during adverse weather conditions, saying many motorists struggle when visibility is reduced.

"And when it starts raining, you would think there are no more drivers in Zimbabwe at all," he said, highlighting what he described as a worrying lack of basic driving competence.

The comments come amid growing concern over road carnage, particularly during the festive season when traffic volumes increase and night travel becomes more common. Police statistics have repeatedly shown spikes in accidents linked to poor visibility, speeding and improper use of headlights.

Road safety advocates say Nyathi's remarks expose long-standing gaps in driver training and licensing, with some calling on the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) and transport authorities to urgently review testing requirements.

If adopted, the proposed reforms would require learner drivers to undergo mandatory night-time and adverse-weather driving lessons before qualifying for a licence — a move authorities believe could significantly reduce accidents and save lives.