Up to 350 drivers have had their licenses cancelled or have been required to re-sit tests following an investigation into bribes being paid for licences.

Photo: RNZ / Kate Newton

According to documents released to RNZ News under the Official Information Act, the New Zealand Transport Agency and the police carried out an investigation and three men now face charges.

The documents also detail complaints from the public. One includes an allegation that for between $500 and $600, the testing officer parks up for the duration of the test and then passes the driver. Another complaint alleges that for $3000 drivers can buy a heavy vehicle licence.

The documents from NZTA authorities also say fake documents were being used to get licences. They include fake overseas truck licences and course certificates being used to get New Zealand heavy vehicle licences.

An April 2016 briefing note to the then Minister of Transport, Simon Bridges, shows authorities had particular concern about Indian licences and noted they had increased 11-fold in two years - from 70 in 2013 to 772 in 2015.

Officials at NZTA said sometimes licence applications increase due to migrant and employment trends but the increase was bigger than expected.

RNZ asked NZTA about any conclusions they drew from those numbers but the agency has so far not responded.

A later briefing note to the Minister shows authorities believed the three men worked for agencies in customer service, data entry and administering driver licences.

A police and New Zealand Transport Agency investigation identified concerns with 350 licences.

They prioritised the heavy vehicle licences because of increased safety concerns. They also warned the trucking lobby group the Road Transport Forum and the Bus and Coach Association.

The documents suggest some drivers were issued with licences despite not having sat a practical test. In some cases a practical test had been booked and shown as passed, but no test ever took place.

The investigation sparked an independent review by KPMG that found 18 gaps and weaknesses.

NZTA also carried out a review, targeting the outlets where the accused men worked. They also held meetings with the two agencies who have the government contracts for licencing - the Automobile Association and Vehicle Testing New Zealand.

Changes have since been made, including more monitoring to identify trends and potential anomalies and an increase in oversight of testing officers.

NZTA told RNZ that they're satisfied staff from contracted driver licence agencies who were involved in taking bribes are either no longer employed or have had their access to the licencing system suspended.

The documents also contain information about previous frauds that included agents entering false licence details, a translator giving candidates the correct answers and international fraudsters using fake overseas passports to get NZ drivers licences to carry out fraud.