Overview
The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) licenses drivers in Zambia. Getting a licence has three steps: a theory test that leads to a provisional licence, a practical driving test, and then the full driver's licence.
The RTSA website could not be opened with a valid security certificate when this page was written (its certificate chain failed verification), so no official page was read. Everything below comes from one news article published in April 2017, which may be out of date. Confirm every requirement with RTSA before you act. Fees are not given here because the article quotes only old figures from before Zambia's currency was rebased.
Who can apply
According to the 2017 article, the minimum age for a provisional licence is 18 for a motor vehicle and 16 for a motorcycle. You need identification, which the article lists as a National Registration Card, a Zambian or diplomatic passport, or a refugee card.
The article says candidates must first enrol at an approved and licensed driving school. It says the school teaches you to drive over a minimum of 7 days, after which you can sit the theory exam set by RTSA.
Steps and tests
Theory test. You must know the highway code, traffic signs and the laws that apply to drivers and passengers. The article says these are the key areas of the oral examination and that you must score at least 75% to be issued the form (DL1) used to capture your details for a provisional licence.
Provisional licence. The article says it has to be renewed every three months.
Practical test. An RTSA examiner takes you on a test drive and checks that you follow the highway code, signs and basic rules of safe vehicle handling. If you pass, you receive a "passed" certificate.
Full licence. You then apply for the driver's licence. A temporary licence is issued while the card is printed.
Preparation tips
Read the Zambian highway code and learn the traffic signs and laws, which the 2017 article says the tests focus on.
Practise with a driving instructor before booking the practical test, so you pass while your provisional licence is still valid.
FAQs
How long does a provisional licence last?
The 2017 article says it must be renewed every three months, so aim to take the practical test within that time. Confirm the current rule with RTSA.
What score do I need on the theory test?
The 2017 article reports 75% or more. This was not confirmed on an RTSA page, so check with RTSA.