More than 300 Indian truck drivers who had their New Zealand commercial driving licences cancelled during a crackdown on fraudulent activity will be allowed to re-sit their driving tests.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) revoked 459 licences in November due to suspected use of false or altered documents while converting from foreign permits, but has now announced it is giving 335 “low risk” drivers suspensions instead, while the other 124 were deemed “high risk” and remain banned.
All of the 459 affected drivers were from India, but the licence conversions were all from third countries – 436 from the United Arab Emirates, 18 from Australia, and five from Canada – and the mass cancellations sparked complaints of unfairness and claims it would lead to a driver shortage.
“NZTA originally intended to cancel 459 commercial driver licences belonging to drivers suspected of submitting fraudulent documents when applying to convert their overseas driver licence,” an NZTA spokesperson told RNZ.
“Following engagement with industry, NZTA has decided to instead suspend (rather than revoke or cancel) these drivers from operating commercially.
“We have offered 335 of these drivers the option to re-sit and pass the relevant theory and practical tests to confirm they can drive safely before considering cancellation of their licence.”
The NZTA said all of the drivers given suspensions had valid overseas licences, but would be required to go through supervised testing before their commercial driving permits could be restored.
“NZTA sees this as a pragmatic approach that supports the continued operation of the commercial transport industry, while not compromising public safety,” the spokesperson said.
“The remaining drivers were either cancelled due to not responding to the request for evidence of validity or are considered high risk.”
The NZTA said the issue of potential fraud would be considered separately, and if proven the drivers would face penalties.
Providing false information as part of a driver’s licence application is punishable with a fine of up to $750.
Hundreds of affected drivers attended a rally at a Sikh temple in Auckland last month to protest the cancellations, claiming they were either treated unfairly or had been scammed after moving to New Zealand from the UAE to work after 2022 when the borders re-opened.
Indian transport operators also complained that they could find local hires to replace the disqualified drivers, and said the crackdown had affected thousands of people and could lead to supply shortages in the lead-up to Christmas.
Header image: Indian truck drivers at the rally in Auckland (RNZ).
