New Zealand has cancelled 440 commercial driver’s licences belonging to foreigners who obtained them via fraudulent overseas permit conversions.
NZ Transport Agency revealed on Monday the licences were revoked after a routine audit discovered false or altered documentation used to convert them into New Zealand commercial driving permits.
Deputy Director of Land Transport Mike Hargreaves said the action came after a thorough investigation of issues identified during the audit, and NZTA is in the process of contacting the dishonest drivers and informing them they are required to surrender their licences.
“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,” Mr Hargreaves said.
Providing false or misleading information as part of a driver’s licence application is punishable by a fine of up to $750.
To convert to a New Zealand truck licence applicants must hold a valid overseas licence that is either current or expired within the last year, and it must not have been suspended, disqualified or revoked.
For those from exempt countries – including Australia, Canada, the UK, US, most EU countries, Japan and South Africa – an application form, identity verification, eye test and theory test are required.
Applicants from all other countries must do a practical driving test in addition to the other requirements.
Header image: An overturned truck on a New Zealand road (NZTA).
