16. Interpretation in Part III
In this Part:
“Convention”, in relation to any state, territory or province outside Zimbabwe to which such convention applies, means:
(a) the Convention on Road Traffic signed at Geneva on the 19th September, 1949; or
(b) the Convention on Road Traffic signed at Vienna on the 8th November 1968:
as may be appropriate.
17. Issue of international driving permits
(1) If any person who is:
(a) ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe; and
(b) the holder of a drivers licence or foreign drivers licence;
wishes to drive a motor vehicle in any state, territory or province outside Zimbabwe to which the Convention applies, he may apply on the prescribed form to the Minister or a person authorized thereto in writing by the Minister for the issue to the applicant of an international driving permit.
(2) The Minister or an authorized person referred to in subsection (1) may, on receipt of an application made in terms of that subsection, issue to the applicant an international driving permit in accordance with the requirements of the Convention:
Provided that he shall not issue an international driving permit in respect of a motor vehicle, other than a motor cycle, to an applicant who is under the age of eighteen years.
18. Recognition of foreign international driving permits and foreign drivers licences
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who is not ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe and who is the holder of:
(a) a foreign drivers licence; or
(b) an international driving permit issued in accordance with the requirements of the Convention in any state, territory or province outside Zimbabwe to which the Convention applies;
shall, during the period of validity of such foreign drivers licence or international driving permit, as the case may be, be deemed to be the holder of a drivers licence issued in respect of the class of motor vehicle to which the foreign drivers licence or international driving permit, as the case may be, relates.
(2) Where a holder referred to in subsection (1) is granted a certificate or permit, other than a visitors entry certificate, in terms of the Immigration Act [Chapter 4:02], or in terms of any enactment relating to refugees, permitting him to remain in Zimbabwe either temporarily or permanently, he shall, with effect from the date on which he entered Zimbabwe or was granted the certificate or permit, whichever date is the later, be deemed to be the holder of a drivers licence issued in respect of the class of motor vehicle to which his foreign drivers licence or international driving permit, as the case may be, relates until:
(a) the expiry of the period of validity of his foreign drivers licence or international driving permit, as the case may be; or
(b) the expiry of such period as may be prescribed;
whichever is the shorter period.
19. Issue of drivers licences to holders of foreign drivers licences and international driving permits
(1) Subject to this section, a person who:
(a) has been granted a certificate or permit, other than a visitors entry certificate, in terms of the Immigration Act [Chapter 4:02], or in terms of any enactment relating to refugees, permitting him to remain in Zimbabwe either temporarily or permanently; and
(b) holds:
(i) a foreign drivers licence; or
(ii) an international driving permit;
which has been issued in accordance with the requirements of the Convention in any state, territory or province outside Zimbabwe to which the Convention applies;
may apply to the Registrar for the issue of a drivers licence in respect of the class of motor vehicle to which his foreign drivers licence or international driving permit relates.
(2) An application in terms of subsection (1) shall be made in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by:
(a) the prescribed fee, documents and photographs; and
(b) the foreign drivers licence or international driving permit concerned and, if the Registrar so requires, a translation of its contents into the English language.
(3) On receipt of an application in terms of subsection (1), the Registrar may issue the applicant a drivers licence in respect of the class of motor vehicle concerned:
Provided that, unless the Minister otherwise directs, the Registrar shall not do so if the applicant was ordinarily resident in Zimbabwe when he obtained the foreign drivers licence or international driving permit to which his application relates.
(4) When he issues a drivers licence to the holder of a foreign drivers licence or international driving permit in terms of this section or subsection (6) of section ten, the Registrar shall endorse:
(a) on the drivers licence the particulars of any endorsement appearing on the foreign drivers licence or international driving permit concerned, if that endorsement:
(i) was made thereon within five years before the date on which the Registrar issues the drivers licence; and
(ii) relates to an offence the particulars of which could, if it had been committed in Zimbabwe, have been endorsed thereon in terms of Part IX; and
(b) on the foreign drivers licence or international driving permit concerned the particulars of the drivers licence.
(5) For the purposes of subsections (1), (2) and (3), a foreign drivers licence or international driving permit which expired within six months before the Registrar’s receipt of an application in terms of subsection (1) shall be deemed to be valid
[Section substituted by section 9 of Act 3 of 2000.]