Inquiry into driving test referrals

The testing officer had reportedly left the business card of a Masterton driving instructor with a teenager who had failed his restricted twice.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has launched a national investigation after complaints were raised in Masterton about a driver testing officer pointing failed candidates towards a driving instructor in the town.

Masterton businessman and father Stephen Yeats said his son had twice failed his restricted driver licensing test in July. After the second attempt, the testing officer had left the business card of a Masterton driving instructor with the teen.

Mr Yeats found there were up to five instructors working in Wairarapa and said the endorsement of one over others seemed "a conflict of interest, especially for somebody working for the Government".

He accompanied his son on his third, and ultimately successful, run at the licence which was completed after the teen had paid for a single class with the referred instructor.

"It was odd that on the third attempt the tester asked before we started if my son had gone to see the trainer. I thought the question was irrelevant," Mr Yeats said.

"But he had paid for one lesson with the professional trainer, and suddenly that was enough to get him his licence."

"It cost me hundreds to get my boy over the line, so I made a complaint to put a stop to what had happened to us and keep other parents from going through the same thing."

Alex McMinn, an NZTA senior customer access representative, told Mr Yeats the agency believed the wrongful practice "may be more widespread" and an investigation would be launched "at both a local and national level to ensure all testing officers are aware that handing out business cards for driving instructors is not acceptable and must stop".

Carla Ferguson, NZTA customer information acting manager, had earlier told the Times-Age the testing officer had, after the initial complaint, admitted he had handed out business cards "in an effort to be helpful to applicants who failed their test". He "assured us he will not do it again."