Driver testing officer sacked

The NZTA has confirmed a VTNZ driver testing officer in Masterton was sacked after improperly changing a test result.

Details of the dismissal have emerged as the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigates bribery claims against former VTNZ staff at an Auckland branch, reports Stuff.

The NZTA told the news outlet the Masterton officer was dismissed last year but no allegations of inappropriate payment had been raised in respect to this case.

The officer allegedly passed someone who had failed to complete a practical driving test properly. The NZTA notes the affected driver was required to re-sit the test.

Driver testing officers from at least three VTNZ branches have been sacked for alleged serious misconduct in the past two years, reports Stuff.

This includes five officers at VTNZ’s facility in Highbrook, Auckland, who were dismissed after they allegedly accepted payments to pass people sitting practical driver tests.

Police were contacted about the matter in May this year and the NZTA ordered 322 people to re-sit their tests.

Counties Manukau Police say that while reviewing the Highbrook allegations they were advised the SFO was looking into a matter of a similar nature. 

An SFO spokesperson told Stuff it is “assessing a matter relating to VTNZ”.