Source: Radio New Zealand
Increasing demand for truck licenses is putting pressure on testers, according to the review. File photo siwakorn / 123RF
A review of driver licensing for trucks and other heavy vehicles has found persisting weaknesses in regulatory practice.
The internal review – conducted in 2024 – was released to media today through the Official Information Act.
The report highlights weaknesses in regulatory practices, processes, and systems including competing priorities, turnover, and IT issues.
The review was conducted and delivered to the NZTA before serious misconduct including bribery was discovered at the VTNZ Highbrook branch in Auckland last year.
Stacey Shortall, who conducted the review, pointed to increasing demand for truck licenses putting pressure on testers, and a perceived focus on quantity over quality for targets.
“I heard during the review about impacts on the [land transport system] caused by the growing number of heavy vehicles needed on our roads and the changing demographics of people driving those vehicles,” Shortall wrote.
“They increase the demand for course providers to enable drivers to obtain class 2 – 5 licenses and dangerous goods’ endorsements. In turn, interviewees explained that the easy entry of new course providers, many of whom I was told are increasingly training foreign born drivers, with driving experience only from their home countries, including those for whom English is a second language, adds considerable regulatory burden that is challenging for the agency to manage.”
Shortall also noted that staff were worried that a number of course providers viewed it as an easy way to make money.
“Some interviewees raised concerns about becoming a Course Provider being perceived as lucrative, particularly in comparison to the nominal costs associated with application,” she wrote.
“By way of example, I heard of current approved Course Providers charging individual drivers upwards of $950.00 for a class 2 truck licence course.”
But Shortall also commended staff for holding a “true public servant spirit.”
“Interviewees were consistent in describing to me a deep and sincere commitment to keeping people safe on our country’s roads,” she noted.
A spokesperson for NZTA told RNZ it was taking steps to strengthen regulatory capability, governance and culture.
“[The report] highlighted a number of opportunities to strengthen our approach, making 24 recommendations focused on improving processes, systems, and information sharing,” they said.
“NZTA Waka Kotahi has accepted all recommendations, with one third already completed and work programmes are in place to complete the remainder.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
