Sixteen driver testing officers have been suspended and a further seven stood down from carrying out practical driving tests, following an investigation by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
Around 650 drivers whose tests were conducted by the affected officers would be required to re-sit their practical driving tests, with that number may increase as the investigation continues.
NZ Transport Agency director of land transport Mike Hargreaves said the suspensions followed a thorough investigation sparked by abnormal test results identified by the transport agency.
"NZTA has been investigating these concerns since October 2025, after our monitoring activities identified test results from some driver testing officers which were outside of the expected range," he said.
"Since then, NZTA has carried out further assurance and investigative work to determine whether similar issues existed elsewhere. The action being taken now is the result of that work."
The action was necessary to protect road safety and maintain public confidence in the driver licensing system, he said.
""We carefully monitor the delivery of driver licence testing by our providers and, while the vast majority of driving tests are conducted properly, when we identify concerns, we will act."
Further action considered on former testing officers
In addition to the current officers suspended or stood down this week, NZTA said it was considering further action in relation to a number of former DTOs.
Hargreaves said NZTA could not rely on the outcome of tests that may not have been completed properly or to the required standard.
"As some of the practical driving tests carried out by these officers may not have been completed properly or to the required standard, NZTA cannot rely on the outcome of those tests as demonstrating the applicants' ability to drive safely,"
NZTA would begin contacting affected drivers shortly, with re-testing carried out over the next six months. Affected drivers will not be charged for their re-tests.
NZTA is working with practical driver testing agent VTNZ to maintain testing capacity and minimise disruption during the process. NZTA said VTNZ had been cooperating with its investigation.
Because the suspensions related to an active investigation, NZTA said it was unable to provide further details or comment on individual testing officers or specific testing locations at this time.
Hundreds of commercial driver licences revoked last year
In November, NZTA said 440 fraudulent commercial driver licenses had been discovered and then revoked.
The commercial licences included endorsements for operating heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses.
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 2025.
At the time, 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.
SHARE ME