How do you change vehicle ownership In Zimbabwe: Step by step guide and how much it will cost you
Just like any asset, cars have rigorous procedures from registrations and licensing fees. Up until now all these procedures were not really available in plain sight for everyone to understand. There is a lot of fees involved in buying a car, it doesn’t end when you purchase the vehicle, there duty, licenses, and more. So what if you bought a car from someone else, well in this case you have to change ownership of the vehicle to legally complete the sale or purchase. To change ownership, you have to follow certain procedures and pay certain fees which what we will look at according to the Ministry.
Well seems like a number plate will cost you a hefty fee which is kind of a shocker given the economic situation. According to the Ministry change of vehicle ownership In Zimbabwe
Now Costs $515 which is quite frankly a steep cost just for plates given the current economic situation where it’s even difficult to save for a vehicle in the first place but side not this fee is for changing the plates.
Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development issued a detailed public notice explaining the steps, documents, and fees involved in changing vehicle ownership after widespread confusion and outcry on social media.
In a post published on X on 4 July 2025, the Ministry provided a step-by-step breakdown of the process, stating:
“Need to transfer vehicle ownership? Here’s everything you need to know! Fees, requirements and steps simplified.”— Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.
The official notice outlines that the cost of changing vehicle ownership varies depending on whether the plates are being retained or replaced.
What You Need To Know
For those opting to get new number plates, the cost is USD $515 (approx. R9,400). If the current plates are being retained, the fee is just USD $15 (approx. R270).
The Ministry listed the following requirements:
~ VTS Clearance
~ Payment of applicable fees
~ Completed CVR 4 form, stamped by VTS
~ Original registration book
~ Updated insurance reflecting the new ownership
When changing plates, previously registered plates must be surrendered. If plates are lost, a valid police report must be presented.
“NB: All documents must be valid and complete for processing.”— Ministry of Transport, 4 July 2025
All Email communications should be sent to:
Unsurprisingly the fees were met with a lot of pushback from netizens, questioning the relevance of the pricing models given the current economic situation . Lack of transparency on breakdown of the $515 fee, capital gains tax, and special excise duty didn’t help either, a matter that remains unclear in the Ministry’s post.
Frankly speaking clarifying and giving a clear breakdown of the use of the $515 fee will help calm the nerves. Despite the public backlash, the Ministry has not yet responded to the specific concerns around fee structure transparency, delays and more ambiguities in the structuring of the whole thing.
It remains to be seen if the ministry will press on with their pricing models or change because of the public outcry.
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