Following recent numerous enquiries made to our offices regarding Foreign Drivers, we thought it appropriate to do a reminder with particular emphasis on Zimbabwean nationals.
It must be mentioned at this stage that Section 32 of the Road Traffic Act provides for the acceptance by the South African authorities of any document issued in a foreign country serving the same purpose of a Professional Driving Permit. Zimbabwean drivers must have a defensive driving certificate and this is regulated by subsection (2) of section 4 of the their Road Traffic Act which states as follows:
- No person shall drive a public service vehicle under a licence on any road, unless he is a holder of a defensive driving certificate.
- The Traffic Council of Zimbabwe shall issue a defensive driving certificate upon the successful completion by a public service vehicle driver of a defensive driving course conducted or approved by it:
- The defensive driving certificate issued in terms of subsection (2) shall be valid for four years: and
- Drivers who contravene any of the above shall be guilty of an offence and liable to either a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.
It follows therefore that any Zimbabwean driver who is employed to drive a heavy commercial vehicle in South Africa must be a holder of a defensive driving certificate in addition to his Zimbabwean issued driver’s licence.
