The alleged fraudulent issuing of car and truck driver licences in a bribery scam is "an incredibly serious situation that must never happen again," says Road Transport Forum CEO Ken Shirley.

Shirley was responding to Radio NZ reports that up to 350 driver licences have been cancelled as the result of an investigation by Police and the New Zealand Transport Agency into licensing officers allegedly "selling" licences to unqualified drivers.Radio NZ, which obtained info on the investigation under the Official Information Act, reported that car licences were allegedly issued in return for $500 to $600, while one complaint alleged that a heavy vehicle licence could be bought for $3000.

Shirley says: "The reliability of our licensing system has been eroded and there is an understandable distrust in the integrity of the institutions that administer it.

"Corruption has no place in NZ 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."

And he adds: "Our regulatory authorities have a responsibility to make sure that 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 KPMG are addressed.

"RTF has pushed for a cheaper and more streamlined licensing system for many years," says Shirley: "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."