NZ Transport Agency fraud licence scandal: Some of the 459 commercial drivers can resit tests

Commercial drivers who lost their licences after providing fraudulent documents in the licence conversion process may now be allowed to resit driving tests, as the industry renews calls for reform on how such drivers are detected.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) revoked 440 commercial licences in July after an audit uncovered fraud. However, the Herald has learned through an Official Information Act (OIA) that the figure has since risen to 459.

All the drivers were born in India, but none of the converted licences was Indian.

Data from NZTA shows 436 of the converted licences came from the United Arab Emirates, 18 from Australia and five from Canada.

An NZTA spokesperson has told the Herald the agency is changing tack with the nearly 460 drivers.

“NZTA has reconsidered its approach and has decided instead to suspend these drivers from operating commercially,” the spokesperson said.

Some of the truck drivers who had their licences revoked have the chance to resit their tests. Photo / Bevan Conley

“Because these drivers hold a valid overseas licence, NZTA sees this as a pragmatic approach that supports the continued operation of the commercial transport industry, while not compromising public safety.”

Drivers considered low-risk are being offered the chance to resit and pass the relevant practical and theory tests to confirm they can drive safely before their licences are cancelled.

Testing will take place over the next month, and suspensions will remain in place until drivers have passed their tests.

“Drivers that are considered ‘high risk’, based on the information NZTA holds on them, will not be offered the option of NZTA-supervised testing.

“They will need to work through the usual driver licence testing, in the usual way.”

A spokesperson for Transporting New Zealand said none of its 1100 member companies had been affected, but some were seeking assurances from NZTA that steps were being taken to keep unsafe drivers off the road.

“We called for a review of NZTA’s international licence conversion processes back in early November.” Transport NZ’s spokesperson said.

“NZTA needs to be flagging issues during the application phase, rather than through large-scale auditing processes.

“Truck drivers are in a position of real responsibility, so all road users need to have confidence in the licence system that qualifies them.”

Transport NZ said its priority was safety and ensuring all drivers are fit to operate.

It would also meet with NZTA to discuss how the investigation into the licences was progressing.