State Media

THE Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) will start conducting road tests and issuing driver’s licences from tomorrow after it closed in March due to Covid-19 induced lockdown.

Cabinet okayed the resumption of VID operations last month.

Since being given the nod to reopen, the department is understood to have been developing operating procedures and health protocols in line with Covid-19 guidelines.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary Engineer Amos Marawa said that VID had finalised developing the procedures in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations.

The guidelines were approved by Cabinet and the National Covid-19 Taskforce.

“VID has developed operating guidelines and standard operating procedures which are in line with WHO guidelines and were approved by the National Taskforce on Covid-19, and Cabinet.

“These will guide the operations of VID during the pandemic,” Eng Marawa said.

The ministry has since issued a circular to all depots instructing them to start conducting tests and issuing drivers’ licences from tomorrow.

Following the suspension of operations, Government extended the validity of provisional driving licences and defensive driving certificates by six months to give room for holders to remain eligible for testing.