The NZ Transport Agency is implementing a number of changes to New Zealand’s driver licensing system to address the findings of an independent review carried out by KPMG consultants in response to alleged fraud at a driver licensing site in Auckland.
The issue of fraud is currently under investigation by New Zealand Police.
The agency’s access and use group manager, Celia Patrick, says the independent review has identified a range of gaps in controls within the driver licensing system. “We view the findings of this review very seriously and we are actively working on addressing the recommendations in the report,” she says.
“When the Transport Agency commissioned this review we had already started a programme of work to strengthen controls in the driver licensing system. The KPMG review supports that work and makes recommendations for further improvements.”
She points out that immediate action has been taken to remove the ‘individuals’ from the centre where the alleged fraud took place as well as instances where licences are thought to have been wrongfully obtained. She says that, in addition, extra controls have been introduced to the system, with more to come, in areas such as overseas licence conversions. “The integrity of the driver licensing system is vital, and the Transport Agency’s response to this review is comprehensive. We are committed to making the changes necessary to ensure that everyone who holds a New Zealand driver’s licence has earned it by demonstrating the ability to drive safely.”
Changes being implemented by the Transport Agency include: enhanced monitoring of all driver license transactions at a national level to identify trends and potential anomalies; increased oversight of testing officers, including increased onsite supervision, monitoring and auditing; improved management of contracts such as improved monitoring of the performance of service providers; improved audit and risk assessment of course providers; enhanced quality control requirements on service providers; increased scrutiny of identity and licensing documents; additional training for staff; and changes to overseas conversion processes, including limiting the number of sites that can process overseas driver licence conversions.
o The Transport Agency will release each individual overseas driver licence application following scrutiny of documents.
