Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe Zimpapers Business Hub
BULAWAYO might be the City of Kings, but when it comes to conquering the driving test, it looks like the traffic cones are wearing the crowns. The latest figures show that only 35.4 percent of hopeful motorists passed their Certificate of Competency exams in the second quarter of 2025.
That means less than four out of every ten wannabe drivers made it past the dreaded Traffic Safety Council test. The rest stalled, failed to signal, or simply could not handle the pressure.
According to the Zimstat Second Quarter Transport Statistics Report, Bulawayo’s results were well below the national average of 52.9 percent. Out of 4 292 candidates who took the test, only 1 521 emerged victorious, while the rest were left clutching their failed test slips and dreams of freedom behind the wheel.
Across the country, a total of 54 453 people attempted the driving test, with mixed results depending on where they were tested.
Mashonaland East was the star performer of the season, cruising to an impressive 67.6 percent pass rate from 5 135 candidates. Harare was not far behind with 66.3 percent, proving that the capital’s drivers can handle both potholes and parallel parking. Manicaland squeezed into third with a clean 50.1 percent.
The rest of the provinces hit the brakes. Mashonaland Central clocked 40 percent, Mashonaland West 41.7 percent, Matabeleland North 40.8 percent, Matabeleland South 37.1 percent, Masvingo 45.2 percent and Midlands rolled to the bottom of the table with a dismal 34.6 percent, just a handbrake turn behind Bulawayo.
The report paints a worrying picture of driver preparedness across Zimbabwe, raising questions about road safety and training standards.
Driving instructors in Bulawayo told B-Metro that nerves, poor preparation and fear of the inspector’s clipboard are the biggest causes of failure. One instructor joked that some learners drive better on TikTok than on the test route.
“I have seen people who can change gears like pros, but once they see the officer with a clipboard, they forget everything, even where the indicator is,” said a local instructor.
Experts say the low pass rate reflects the urgent need for better training and more rigorous learner education to ensure drivers can handle the country’s growing traffic chaos.
For now, Bulawayo motorists may need to take a few more lessons before they can proudly say, “I passed!”
It seems the City of Kings still has a few bumps to smooth out on its road to driving success.
