Transport Sector Faces Driver Crisis After Licence Revocations

Transport operators in New Zealand are sounding the alarm over a potential driver shortage as the Christmas season approaches. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) recently revoked 440 commercial driving licences, citing the discovery of false or altered documentation used in the conversion of overseas licences to their New Zealand equivalents. This sudden action has raised concerns that trucks could remain parked in depots during a critical period for freight and logistics.

The revoked licences primarily affected drivers of Indian origin, many of whom had previously worked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before relocating to New Zealand in 2022. Navjot Sidhu, a transport operator advocating for the impacted drivers, expressed significant concern about the broader consequences. “The Indian community has been disproportionately and severely affected. Many of these drivers form the backbone of New Zealand’s transport, logistics, and courier workforce,” Sidhu stated.

The implications of the licence revocations extend beyond individual drivers, with estimates suggesting that the loss of these licences could disrupt essential supplies just as the holiday season begins. “These are 440 families — thousands of people. And very soon, many may be left with no income,” Sidhu warned. Transport operator Ranjit Singh, who employs four drivers, noted that two of them are now facing licence revocation. “You can’t replace these drivers overnight. I advertised for a year and couldn’t find a single local driver — that’s why we recruited from overseas,” Singh explained.

Concerns about the potential economic fallout were echoed by ACT Party MP Parmjeet Parmar, who met with affected drivers last weekend. “Standing down hundreds of experienced Class 5 drivers just weeks before Christmas will put enormous pressure on freight and supply chains,” she said. “Businesses rely on this period for financial recovery. They cannot operate without qualified drivers.”

Many affected drivers believed they had followed the proper licensing procedures, even if the documentation was later deemed problematic. “While misuse of documents is unacceptable, these drivers passed New Zealand’s own theory and practical tests and demonstrated competence on our roads,” Parmar added. She has written to the Minister of Transport, urging a solution that maintains the integrity of the licensing system while minimizing disruption to workers and the freight sector during this critical time.

An audit conducted by NZTA in July 2025 revealed that the commercial licences were based on documents the agency has since classified as invalid or non-verifiable. Most of the affected licences belong to drivers operating heavy vehicles. The disputed documentation includes a Dubai-issued supporting letter, which has been accepted by NZTA for nearly two decades as part of the licence conversion process. Sidhu noted, “Drivers coming from the UAE have routinely submitted it over the years. The issue appears to stem from a recent shift in the interpretation or verification standard of these documents, not from intentional wrongdoing by applicants.”

The complexities of the situation are underscored by the regulatory differences between UAE and New Zealand. Onkar, who runs PB07 Transport Ltd, noted that the UAE authorities did not issue the type of verification letter NZTA currently requires. “For years, NZTA routinely accepted a widely used Dubai supporting letter issued by employers as part of the official conversion process,” he explained. The recent refusal to accept this letter has created a significant mismatch between the systems.

In addition to regulatory issues, some drivers reportedly fell victim to scams involving Dubai-based providers who sold fraudulent supporting letters. “Many drivers paid for a letter that was advertised as the official document recognised by New Zealand authorities,” Sidhu stated. “This letter is now deemed fraudulent by NZTA.”

As hundreds of drivers gathered for a rally at South Auckland’s Takanini Gurdwara over the weekend, the emotional toll of the revocation became evident. Amritpal Singh, who drove trucks in the UAE for 15 years before moving to New Zealand, expressed despair: “They have taken away our family’s only source of income. How will I feed my kids now?” Another driver, Parminder Singh, lamented his inability to pay rent after losing his right to drive. “We have to rely on the generosity of friends even to come here to attend this meeting,” he said.

The drivers have called for a reassessment of their situations, arguing that they followed long-accepted practices in their application process. Kiranpreet Singh remarked, “Now, our wives and children are being penalised for no fault of theirs.” Sarfaraz Khan, a commercial law specialist advocating for the drivers, is pushing for a case-by-case remediation pathway and plans to meet with NZTA representatives soon to present the drivers’ case.

The communication from NZTA regarding the licence cancellations has also led to confusion. Jitendra Singh, who runs Haryana Driving Academy, noted that some drivers were told their Class 5 licence was cancelled, while others were given Class 2 licences instead. “We need to understand from NZTA how it is determining which clause applies to which driver,” he said.

In a statement, an NZTA spokesperson confirmed that the agency is acting on these licences due to the discovery of false or altered documentation during the conversion process. “Irregularities in the documents provided during the conversion process were discovered during an audit undertaken by NZTA in July 2025,” the spokesperson said, emphasizing that this action follows a thorough investigation of the audit findings.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop was asked about the potential driver shortages ahead of Christmas but referred inquiries to NZTA, noting that it is an operational matter for the agency. The situation remains fluid as transport operators and affected drivers seek clarity and solutions in light of these significant disruptions in the industry.