A man who issued nearly 80 warrants of fitness without being authorised or inspecting the majority of the vehicles has been sentenced to six months in prison.
Dwayne Lord was sentenced in the Auckland District Court recently for several breaches of transport law.
Between December 2022 and June 2023, Lord fraudulently accessed the NZTA vehicle inspection system using his employer’s credentials, despite not being an appointed vehicle inspector.
He issued 78 warrants of fitness without inspecting most of the vehicles on four separate occasions.
An NZTA investigation uncovered the deliberate abuses of the system and confirmed very few of the vehicles had been inspected by Lord or an authorised inspector.
NZTA road safety regulations national manager Brett Aldridge said Lord’s actions represented a clear violation of public trust and a “potentially serious risk” to road safety.
“New Zealanders rely on WoF inspections to identify actual, emerging, and potentially dangerous vehicle faults.
“Fraudulent inspection records not only undermine the integrity of the system, they also pose a real and serious risk to the safety of all road users.”
Aldridge said the NZTA viewed the case as a “blatant abuse of the land transport system” and that the sentencing should send a clear message.
“NZTA has robust monitoring and investigative capabilities, and we will not hesitate to take action against individuals who compromise vehicle safety and public trust.
“At the same time, NZTA acknowledges that the vast majority of vehicle inspectors and industry professionals are doing an excellent job by upholding high standards, following the rules, and helping keep New Zealand roads safe. Their commitment should not be overshadowed by the actions of single individuals.”
