More than 300 people are required to resit their practical driving tests following allegations Auckland Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ) officers accepted payments to pass applicants.
Five driver testing officers (DTOs) at the Highbrook branch in Auckland have been sacked and their testing officer endorsements have been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation by NZTA.
“NZTA has been informed by VTNZ that the DTOs had allegedly been accepting payments to pass people taking practical driver tests since 2023,” a NZ Transport Agency spokesperson confirmed to 1News in a statement.
“Potentially fraudulent activity has been referred to police for investigation.”
The site is currently not doing practical driver licence testing.
NZTA is contacting 322 people who received a driver’s licence after sitting practical driving tests carried out by the officers involved during the period where fraud was suspected.
The resits will come “at no cost to them, to confirm that they have the necessary skills to continue to hold a licence”.
A police spokesperson confirmed to 1News the “matter has been referred to us, and remains under investigation”.
‘We have zero tolerance for dishonesty’
VTNZ country manager Greg O’Connor said they took the allegations, and public safety, seriously.
“I want to reassure everyone that we investigated with the utmost urgency,” he said.
“VTNZ places the highest importance on the integrity of licence testing and the safety of everyone who travels on our roads.
“We have zero tolerance for dishonesty, and will leave no stone unturned to uncover and eliminate any improper behaviour.”
Since the allegations came to light VTNZ had reviewed its systems and evaluated any extra security measures as a precaution.
“I promise that we will take the strongest action against any employee found breaking the law and our trust.
“Anyone sitting their driver licence test can still have complete faith in VTNZ.”
It was supporting police and NZTA’s investigation.
