HARARE – Motorists will no longer be required to buy new number plates when changing ownership – thanks to a shortage of number plates.
Under new guidelines announced by the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR), vehicles changing ownership will maintain the same plates starting February 26.
“What only changes is the new registered book with details of the new owner,” the CVR said.
Securing a new registration book reflecting change of ownership will be $15.
Motorists seeking to change ownership were previously required to hand in the old plates and buy a new set of number plates at a cost of $80.
The cash-strapped government has been unable to import new blank plates from Germany owing to a shortage of foreign currency, despite an order for 400,000 being placed.
Meanwhile, CVR said rules remained unchanged for government vehicles going into private ownership or vice versa. The number plates must be surrendered for new ones.
The same applies to vehicles upgrading from the old “check letter” number plates, the CVR said.
