Driver licence problems raise wider issues

Last week there was considerable media interest in NZTA’s finding that tests carried out by several driver licensing officers had not been completed to the required standard. Consequently, about 650 drivers, of which around half were truck drivers, are required to re-sit their tests. 

The media was interested in Transporting New Zealand’s level of concern as to the safety risk of having drivers on the road that may not have met the licensing standard, and regarding the issue that NZTA did not have the powers to suspend those drivers’ licences.  

Typically, there are about 15,000 truck drivers licensed each year, with more than half of those gaining a Class 2 licence, limiting them to vehicles with a GVM of 18 tonnes. Therefore, the number of truck drivers needing to re-sit comprises only about 2 per cent of those who pass their tests every year. Furthermore, the pass rate of those sitting truck licences is relatively high, typically ranging from 65 to 75 per cent – or much higher if the driver has taken an accelerated course through an approved provider.

NZTA’s findings did not impact licences issued by approved training providers, so based on the law of averages, it’s likely of the 650 drivers affected, there may be about 100 truck drivers that wouldn’t pass the test. Or flipping that around, if NZTA had immediately suspended all those licenses, then there would be about 225 drivers that would be unable to drive even though it’s highly likely they are competent, skilled drivers. 

It would also be naïve of us to think that on any given day, every driver operating a motor vehicle holds a valid licence. Therefore in our view, we think the risk was relatively small and we supported NZTA’s response.

Suspending a licence is a serious matter and NZTA does do this in specific cases, such as when demerit point thresholds have been exceeded. Extending NZTA’s powers and enabling them to automatically suspend drivers is something that needs to be very carefully considered. 

Over the last few years we have been relentless in advocating for greater rigour, transparency and integrity around how NZTA exercises its powers with Transport Service Licensing, requesting the agency move away from discretionary decisions being left to individual case officers. Therefore, I am very pleased to see NZTA now appears to be developing from that advice and making its compliance practices more transparent.

Bear in mind this is the third incident in the last 18 months or so where NZTA has identified issues with licensing and training. 

I don’t envy NZTA these cases, and we’d be naïve to think there aren’t more. They’re a useful demonstration of how complex and challenging it is to manage a licensing and permitting regime. It also raises the issue of where exactly accountability lies when there are systemic failings. These issues are particularly relevant given the talk of moving towards self-regulation.  

While much is being made of what’s happening in Australia, a key difference is that they don’t have a TSL system, though it is fascinating that there are talks of that now being introduced.  

Ferries 

A letter released under the Official Information Act shows that Minister Peters specifically referenced Transporting New Zealand’s advocacy when instructing KiwiRail to investigate “additional tonnage options for the Interislander.” 

The Minister is quoted as saying there was “nothing wrong with being ready for anything”.

In other news, the recent announcement from Swire Shipping that it will end its Auckland-Lyttelton service this month is a significant change for freight transport, so watch that space.  

Napier MP Katie Nimon speaking at Transporting New Zealand’s 2025 North Island Seminar.

Still a way to go in promoting diversity 

I’m mindful we remain politically neutral, so I’m not supporting a particular party in speaking my mind on Stuart Nash’s comments about Katie Nimon being “lazy”.  

We’ve had the good fortune of having quite a bit to do with Katie, who has attended our events including North Island seminars and other industry updates. She has consistently advocated for action on local roading issues in her capacity as MP for Napier. 

Most recently, she spoke at our networking event in Hawke’s Bay last month, thanking TNZ for helping to get local bridge and roading improvements prioritised and answering questions from the operators in attendance. We’ve found her to be very hard-working and really engaged with transport issues. 

The Nash incident was simply another reminder of how much more work there is to be done to achieve a fair and diverse workforce.  

I cannot speak for others and I respect it’s very much a case of each-to-their-own, but for me personally, if I had to bear a child I think I’d want a lot more maternity leave than what most women take! So, I’m all for supporting women on this, not knocking them. 

Dom Kalasih, Chief Executive of Transporting New Zealand