The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has discovered and revoked 440 fraudulently obtained commercial driver licences.
False or altered documentation provided by individuals converting overseas licences to a New Zealand licence was picked up during an NZTA audit of the conversation process in July this year.
In a statement, deputy director of land transport Mike Hargreaves said the licences were revoked after a thorough investigation of issues identified in the audit.
“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.”
NZTA was in the process of contacting affected individuals to advise their licences had been revoked and must be surrendered.
Providing false or misleading information as part of driver licence application is an offence under the Land Transport Act 1998, punishable by an infringement fine of up to $750.
Commercial licences included endorsements for operating heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.
NZTA has been approached for further comment.
