NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is contacting 523 drivers with dangerous goods licence endorsements who may have attended training courses that were carried out incorrectly.
The drivers all attended dangerous goods courses delivered by Drive Smart Ltd in Auckland in the last 18 months.
Drive Smart Ltd was approved by NZTA to carry out dangerous goods (D endorsement) and forklift (F endorsement) driver education in February 2022. This approval was suspended on 26 January 2024, and revoked on 19 June 2024, following an NZTA audit that raised concerns over the quality of driver training courses provided by Drive Smart Ltd.
The affected drivers will have three months to re-sit their dangerous goods training course with another training provider to demonstrate that they have knowledge required by law.
“NZTA understands that the need to re-sit the course is inconvenient for these drivers as well as impact their businesses and customers. However, given the importance of ensuring that those approved to carry dangerous goods in vehicles on public roads are properly qualified, the safety of all road users must take priority. We need to be sure that anyone holding a D endorsement is adequately trained and has the knowledge and capability to manage the risks involved,” says Brett Aldridge, National Manager, Road Safety Regulation.
NZTA is now working with the heavy vehicle sector regarding the training courses delivered by Drive Smart Ltd in the last 18 months. NZTA is unable to provide further details while these investigations continue.
Anyone who received a D endorsement after completing a training course provided by Drive Smart Ltd with concerns over the course they attended, but has not received a letter this week, is encouraged to contact NZTA.
