The Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) has issued a warning to owners of over 500,000 vehicles, threatening de-registration if their licenses are not renewed by December 22, 2024. The vehicles in question have gone over two years without being licensed or officially exempted, in violation of licensing regulations.

In a notice, ZINARA stated: “All are advised of the impending deregistration of motor vehicles that have neither been licensed nor exempted for a period of more than two years.” The move is being carried out under Section 12c of the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Act [Chapter 13:14], which empowers the Registrar of Vehicles to cancel the registration of vehicles that remain non-compliant for extended periods.

Vehicle owners who fail to regularize their registrations by the deadline risk having their registrations permanently canceled. ZINARA has urged affected motorists to visit the Central Vehicle Registry to resolve their registration status or clear any outstanding arrears directly with ZINARA.

This development is seen as part of the government’s broader efforts to raise funds, as vehicle registration is a significant revenue stream. The announcement has sparked widespread concern among motorists, many of whom cite economic hardships as reasons for not renewing their licenses.

Motorists are now rushing to comply before the December 22 deadline to avoid de-registration, which could leave many vehicles unfit for road use. Failure to act by the deadline will result in mass de-registration of non-compliant vehicles.