Dozens of truck drivers forced to re-sit licences

Nearly half of the drivers forced to re-sit their licence tests following the VTNZ Highbrook driver licensing scandal have failed, as authorities continue to investigate allegations of bribery involving former testing officers.

The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has contacted all 322 affected drivers and required them to undertake an on-road safety test by December 12 to retain their licence.

As of December 5, 230 people had completed the re-test. Of those, 136 passed, and 94 failed.

An NZTA spokesperson told the Franklin Times the re-sits occurred between September 12 and December 5.

Of the completed tests, 170 were for Class 1 car licences and 60 were for Class 2-5 heavy vehicle licences.

The re-testing follows allegations that five driver testing officers at VTNZ’s Highbrook branch accepted money to unlawfully pass some applicants, enabling people who would otherwise have failed to obtain full or restricted licences.

Police first received a report of the alleged offending in May.

VTNZ has since dismissed the five staff members and suspended their testing endorsements.

The Highbrook branch is no longer offering practical driver licence tests but remains open for other services.

The NZTA spokesperson said the agency is continuing to contact every driver who sat their
test with the dismissed officers and requiring them to demonstrate competence through an on-road assessment “at no cost to them.”

The Serious Fraud Office has begun assessing the allegations. Counties Manukau CIB Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers told the Franklin Times that police completed their initial enquiries into NZTA’s referral, but the matter is now with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

“Police have carried out enquiries into a referral made by NZTA concerning allegations of bribery,” Vickers said.

“We have been advised by the Serious Fraud Office they are assessing a matter of a similar nature to police. At this stage, the Police case has been filed. Counties Manukau Police will assist the SFO should it be required.”

VTNZ Country Manager Greg O’Connor says the company responded urgently and has “zero tolerance for dishonesty,” adding that additional security measures have now been implemented.

Affected drivers have until December 12 to complete their re-test.