Road tax is your motor vehicle licence, separate from insurance and the fitness certificate. You need all three to drive legally. The Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) manages road tax payments, which you can do entirely online through ZamPass and ZamPortal, available 24/7 [Road Traffic Act No. 11 of 2002; SI No. 25 of 2024].
Steps to pay online:
- Log in to ZamPass using your NRC or driver's licence number plus your registered phone number or email (you must already be registered with RTSA as a vehicle owner or licence holder).
- Go to ZamPortal and select "Motor Vehicle Licence (Road Tax)".
- Choose your payment period: 1, 2, 3 or 4 quarters. Each quarter costs 25% of the annual fee with no extra surcharge.
- Pay by mobile money or bank transfer. Your licence disc will be posted to you or you can collect it at any RTSA office.
Fees and what to bring:
The fee depends on your vehicle's gross weight band, not engine size. The exact amount varies by band. Check the current fee on the ZamPortal licence screen for your specific vehicle. You do not need to bring any documents for online payment. You can also pay at any RTSA service centre or visit rtsa.org.zm/pay-online.
Driving with expired road tax is an offence and your vehicle can be impounded, with penalties reaching up to three times the annual tax.