NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has revoked 440 commercial driver licences following the discovery of fraudulent documentation used during overseas licence conversions.
The licences were cancelled after an audit in July 2025 uncovered false or altered documents provided by individuals converting overseas licences to New Zealand commercial driving permits. NZTA discovered inconsistencies in documentation during the conversion process as part of its routine audit procedures.
Deputy Director of Land Transport Mike Hargreaves says the revocations followed a thorough investigation of issues identified during 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,” Hargreaves says.
Legal consequences and next steps
NZTA is contacting all affected individuals to advise that their licences have been revoked and must be surrendered. Providing false or misleading information as part of a driver licence application constitutes an offence under the Land Transport Act 1998, punishable by an infringement fine of up to $750.
The revocations highlight the agency’s enforcement capabilities within New Zealand’s commercial licensing system, which underpins the country’s road freight and transport sectors.
Licence conversion requirements
When converting to a New Zealand truck licence, applicants must hold a valid overseas licence that is either current or expired within the past 12 months. The overseas licence must not be suspended, disqualified or revoked in the country of issue.
Applicants from “exempt” countries — those with similar driving skills requirements and licensing systems to New Zealand — face a streamlined conversion process. These countries include Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, and most European Union nations including Germany, France, Italy and Sweden, along with Japan and South Africa.
For truck licences from exempt countries, applicants must complete an application form, verify their identity, prove their eyesight meets required standards, provide a medical certificate if required, present the overseas licence and pass a theory test. Application fees, photographs, signatures and photocopies of all documents are also required.
Applicants from non-exempt countries must complete the same requirements plus pass a practical driving test.
The fraud discovery and subsequent revocations underscore NZTA’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of New Zealand’s commercial driver licensing system, which is essential for the safe operation of the country’s road transport network.
