Automatic vehicles might soon be allowed for VID road tests

The Transport and Infrastructural Development deputy minister Mike Madiro revealed that the government is considering the allowing the use of automatic cars for VID road tests. The Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) began considering this after noticing a record increase in the importation of used Japanese vehicles since 2009.

In addition to this increase in import vehicles there has also been an increase in the number of road accidents. Most of these being caused by unlicensed drivers.

In this regard, Madiro shared the following sentiments with the NewsDay:

“I agree that we should move with time as a country. We cannot be seen doing things the old way during these modern times.We are going to give that task to our experts and they should give us a good reason why automatic cars should not be used at VID road tests. If there is no reason to stop us from doing so, then we are definitely going to consider it.”

Unlicensed drivers of automatic vehicles have also been reported to prefer paying bribes. This is because they consider this easier that the process of acquiring a license using a manual vehicle.

A taxi driver interviewed by the media drew attention to South Africa and Namibia who issue out licenses that are based on a test carried out using automatic vehicles. He said the following:

“Every driver wants to be licensed, but the VID instructors concentrate mostly on how to drive a manual car than on mastery of road rules and regulations

I personally feel VID should focus on producing a competent driver on the road than expending their energy on teaching gear shifting or hill start using manual cars”

The President of the Passengers Association of Zimbabwe president Tafadzwa Goliati spoke in regards to this matter stating that this move will reduce accidents on the road as the country will have more competent drivers.

He continued to justify his statement by saying:

“That will be the best move by the government because three-quarters of cars on the roads right now are automatic vehicles. Most drivers of those cars are unlicensed.”

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Automatic vehicles might soon be allowed for VID road tests

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