Converted driver licence accidents increase

ACCIDENTS involving overseas drivers who convert their licences to Kiwi licences have risen 16-fold since 2003.

Information released under the Official Information Act by the NZTA reveal that, in 2003, only 104 overseas drivers who had converted their licences were involved in accidents compared to 1695 in 2017. They accounted for 13,311 accidents during the 14-year period.

Of the 539,124 people who have converted their driver licences, 352 licences were revoked, 13,403 were disqualified, and 6418 received a 28-day roadside suspension.

While some drivers had to retake theory and practical driving tests to drive in New Zealand, drivers from 24 exempt countries such as the UK, the US, South Korea and South Africa merely had to hand over a photocopy of their country’s driving licence to have it converted.

A 2016 KPMG independent review of the NZTA’s driver licensing system found staff processing overseas driver licences ‘‘do not have the knowledge or tools to ensure the validity of the documents’’.

In response, the NZTA said it had ‘‘strengthened its processes’’. ‘‘An overseas conversion application may now only be lodged at selected driver licensing agents; a total of 32 sites have been approved nationwide,’’ said Andrew Knackstedt.

However, on request, the NZTA confirmed that they did not have access to an international database of driver licences that can be checked when an application for a conversion is lodged.

Instead, Knackstedt said they had put ‘‘extra checks’’ in place to assess the validity of the documents such as that converted licences can’t be issued on the spot, and for ‘‘those people who are not required to sit theory and practical tests it adds a few days to the process’’.