“Allegations that licensing officers were being bribed to fake tests is an incredibly serious situation that must never happen again,” says Road Transport Forum chief executive Ken Shirley.

“The reliability of our licensing system has been eroded and there is an understandable distrust in the integrity of the institutions that administer it.”

Shirley says corruption has no place in New Zealand, and in this case, as well as being unfair to the thousands of people legitimately moving through the licence system, it has created an incredibly dangerous situation for other road users.

“Obtaining the right to drive a vehicle on our roads is a privilege and something that brings with it a high degree of responsibility. A driver with a licence obtained through fraudulent means lets everybody down and is a danger to themselves and other road users.”

Shirley says New Zealand‘s regulatory authorities have a responsibility to ensure those who use our roads have the necessary knowledge and practical skill to do so safely.

“They also have an obligation to make sure third-party providers are closely monitored and future contracts are based on quality of delivery. NZTA and its relevant providers must make sure that the 18 gaps and weaknesses identified by the KPMG review are addressed.”

The Road Transport Forum has pushed for a cheaper and more streamlined licensing system for many years.

“Provider capture has so far prevented it, however the obvious problems with the current system offers the new Government the perfect opportunity to get on and do it,” says Shirley.