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Yesterday, only three-term discs — covering a period of the full year from February 2011 to January 31, 2012 — were available.
The full cost of a disc and third-party insurance for a light motor vehicle is US$165 for one year.
Citing un-affordability, most motorists prefer to purchase cover for a single term (four months) or double term (eight months).

Single term cover for a light motor vehicle costs US$55 and twice as much as this for a double term.
The 15-day extension will come as a relief to motorists who were yesterday scrambling to get cover for their vehicles.
Most licences expired yesterday.

A survey by The Herald yesterday revealed that most Zimpost offices in Harare were issuing one-year discs that expire in January next year.
Motorists were largely turning these down, saying they could not afford.
In a statement, Zinara chief executive, Mr Frank Chitu-kutuku, attributed the unavailability of certain classes of vehicle licence discs to a technical fault.
“The Zimbabwe National Road Administration hereby informs all our valued motorists, transporters, companies and the public that the unavailability of certain classes of vehicle licence discs has been caused by a technical fault beyond our control.

“While efforts are being made to provide a lasting solution, the licensing period is hereby extended to February 15, 2011 where no penalty charges shall be effected to moto-rists. We apologise for any inconveniences caused by the delay,” said Mr Chitukutuku.
While he did not say which classes of discs were unavailable, a visit to several licensing offices showed the single and double term options were not available.

At Amby Post Office in Msasa, only one-year licences were being issued, with those purchasing them saying they were mostly doing so for companies rather than as individuals.
Mr Gondai Shumba said the available discs were unaffordable.
“This is the beginning of a new year and I cannot afford to pay for the whole year at once. We are still paying school fees and the amount of money required at once is too much.
“At the moment, it is more convenient for me to pay US$55 for a single term expiring on May 31 this year and finish later after recovering from the January disease,” said Mr Shumba.

Winding queues characterised the situation at Kamfinsa Post Office as people waited in vain for cheaper options to be made available to them.
By 4:15pm, guards had shut the doors at the Main Post Office in Harare and several people who wanted to renew their licences were locked out.

Mr Eric Chagwedera said: “I had insured my car up to September this year with the understanding I would renew licences per term.
“But now at the post office, they require insurance that also stretches to January 2012, which means I cannot use the insurance that expires in September.
“That is an inconvenience and the short-term licences should be made available in time,” said Mr Chagwedera.
Ironically, in September last year only single-term licence discs were available at many Zimpost offices while the one-year option was unavailable.