adminZimbabwe is a largely farming and mining country and with the increased activity in both the mining and agricultural sectors, tractor usage has multiplied. There is need for day-to-day tractor use at a mine or a farm because implements need to be moved from point A to point B daily.
At times this may involve crossing major roads that are in the radius of that establishment. The miner or farmer inevitably needs to employ a tractor driver. You do not just take any person from the street and authorise them to drive tractors. Besides instigating a traffic offence, such actions will be exposing that individual and society to road traffic incidents.
The law and tractor drivers
Section 8 of the Road Traffic Act Chapter 13.11 spells out what the law says about tractor driving. Anyone, who contravenes this section is liable for prosecution. Drivers, miners and farmers must familiarise themselves with this law and be aware of the consequences of violating it. Vehicles that are not omnibuses (Class 1), heavy vehicles (Class 2), motorcycles (Class 3) or light motor vehicles (Class 4) fall under the Class 5 category of vehicles. This includes tractors and construction vehicles.
Who is eligible to drive tractors?
The minimum age for driving a tractor in Zimbabwe is 18 years. Holders of a Zimbabwean driver’s licence Class 1, 2 and 4 are eligible to drive tractors and construction vehicles which fall under the Class 5 category.
They are not tested on tractor driving but will have proven that they are capable of driving a tractor using the demonstrated skills. They automatically become holders of a Class 5 driver’s licence.
If one obtains a Class 4 driver’s licence at age 16 or 17, that person will not automatically get the Class 5 driver’s licence.
He or she will be guilty of an offence if they drive a tractor before the attainment of age 18.
Non-holders of the above classes who are over 18 years of age can only drive tractors if they hold a valid tractor driver’s permit. People prohibited from driving motor vehicles of a class to which tractors belong, cannot drive a tractor. If a court of law imposes say a six- month ban from driving a bus, you therefore cannot go ahead and drive tractors within that six-month period. Driving a tractor when under such a ban constitutes a traffic offence.
A tractor driver’s permit
A tractor driver’s permit is issued to non-holders of Zimbabwean driver’s licence who would like to drive tractors on any road in Zimbabwe. An application for a tractor driver’s permit is made to the Central Vehicle Registry on a prescribed form: “Authority for issue of a tractor driver’s permit”.
Application process
A farmer, miner, his or her manager or a prescribed officer who holds a valid Zimbabwe driver’s licence may authorise the issue of a permit to a person who wishes to drive their tractor.
The miner or farmer, his or her manager or prescribed officer, must ensure that the prospective driver:
- Is above 18 years of age.
- Has a good practical knowledge of the rules of the road, road signals and road signs, this entails the thorough studying of the Highway Code.
- Is competent to drive and control a tractor.
- Is not suffering from any disease which would render him/her incapable of effectively driving and controlling the tractor without endangering the public safety.
- Is aware that the permit must be kept on his/her person when driving a tractor.
- Knows that he/she does not drive outside the area of the farm or mining location where he is employed or a belt of 10km.
- Knows that he/she is not permitted to drive within an urban area under the jurisdiction of a local authority or within such other area as may be prescribed by law.
The completed forms must be forwarded to CVR in Harare.
Each form must be accompanied by certified copies of the following:
- The identification card of the employee to be issued with the permit.
- Copy of the applicant’s driver’s licence and a US$5 application fee.
Surrender of a tractor driver’s permit
The law requires that a tractor driver’s permit be surrendered when:
- The tractor driver ceases to be employed by the farm or mine.
- The tractor driver becomes a holder of a driver’s licence in respect of a class of motor vehicle to which tractors do not belong.
- When required to do so by such a farmer, miner or manager or prescribed officer as the case may be. If one changes employment, a new tractor driver’s permit must be obtained following the same application procedure used before. In the event that the holder of a tractor driver’s permit obtains a Class 2 or Class 4 driver’s licence, he or she must immediately surrender the permit to the CVR. A farmer, miner, farm/mine manager or a prescribed officer may request a holder to surrender a tractor driver’s permit.
Conclusion
Farmers and miners must ensure that the person who drives their tractor possesses a valid permit that is applicable to that particular establishment, if they do not possess a valid Zimbabwe driver’s licence which includes the class that tractors belong to.
A holder of a Class 3 driver’s licence only cannot drive a tractor unless he or she is in possession of a tractor driver’s permit.
Application forms can be obtained from the CRV, registering offices or Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe Head Office in Harare. Let us all make any road in Zimbabwe a safe road. Safety first, there are no second chances.
The writer, Ernest Muchena, is the spokesperson of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe. He is a defensive driving expert and is contactable on 0772 110 898/ 04-751203 or [email protected]
Online Reporter