NZTA revokes 440 truck licenses after audit finds fraudulent documents

The national transport agency has revoked 440 commercial driver licences after false or altered documentation provided by people converting their overseas licences. Photo / NZME

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has revoked 440 commercial driver licences after discovering fraudulent activity.

False or altered documentation provided by people converting their overseas licences to New Zealand licences were found by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) after an audit in July.

NZTA said there were inconsistencies in the documents provided during the conversion process.

Deputy director of land transport Mike Hargreaves said the licences were revoked after a thorough investigation of the issues identified in the audit.

“We have systems in place to identify, investigate and respond to suspected fraudulent activity and we will act swiftly when we find it by holding people to account,” Hargreaves said.

The individuals impacted by this are being contacted by NZTA and will be advised to surrender their licences.

NZTA said providing false information as part of a driver licence application is against the law and can be punished with a fine of up to $750.

When converting to a New Zealand truck licence, applicants must have a valid overseas licence, meaning it is current or expired in the past 12 months, and it must not be suspended, disqualified or revoked in the country of issue.

Applicants with truck licences from “exempt” countries, meaning that those countries require similar driving skills and have similar licensing systems to New Zealand’s, have a slightly easier time converting their licence.

For truck licences, applicants from these countries must fill out an application form, verify their identity, prove their eyesight meets required standards, provide a medical certificate (if required), present the overseas licence and take a theory test.

An application fee must also be paid alongside having pictures and signatures taken and providing photocopies of all documents provided.

The exempt countries are Australia, France, Luxembourg, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Greece, Norway, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Portugal, USA, Denmark, Italy, South Africa, Finland, Japan and Spain.

Applicants from non-exempt countries must do the above steps and also take a practical test.