Register a vehicle or change ownership in Zimbabwe

What you'll usually need

Tick things off as you gather them. Your ticks are saved on this phone only.

Form CVR4, stamped by the police Vehicle Theft Squad (VTS). The clearance is valid for 14 days.
The original vehicle registration book
The original agreement of sale, signed by you and the seller. It must show both your names, ID numbers and addresses, the vehicle's make, model, year, engine and chassis numbers, and the price
Your national ID and the seller's, with photocopies
Proof of residence for you and for the seller
ZIMRA's certificate and receipt, which you get in step 3
An insurance cover note

Before you pay the seller, get the signed agreement of sale, a copy of their ID and their proof of residence. They are hard to get once the seller has gone. If the agreement of sale is lost, ZIMRA asks for an affidavit signed and stamped by a commissioner of oaths instead.
Get the vehicle cleared by the police (VTS) and fill in form CVR4. The clearance must be less than 14 days old when you hand it in.
Go to ZIMRA with the documents. ZIMRA works out the special excise duty on second-hand vehicles, and you pay it. It is a set amount based on the vehicle's engine size and age. Some transfers are exempt, such as an inheritance or a transfer between spouses. Keep ZIMRA's certificate and the receipt. CVR calls the certificate the VAT certificate.
Take all the documents to the Central Vehicle Registry. CVR updates the records and issues number plates if needed.

Imported vehicles are first registered at ZIMRA.
Some ZIMRA offices and Zimpost outlets also handle CVR services such as number plates. Phone your nearest one before you travel to CVR in Harare. Was the vehicle's registration cancelled because it wasn't licensed? Then you also need a VID roadworthiness certificate, and you must first pay any unpaid ZINARA licence fees.
From 12 January 2026, a change of ownership at CVR costs US$15 if you keep the existing plates. With new plates it costs US$95. These fees are set by Statutory Instrument 10 of 2026 and are payable in ZiG at the bank rate. ZIMRA's duty is extra. Pay only at the official counter and keep the receipt.
The Ministry of Transport's website often doesn't load, so phone or visit the office instead.