The Real Lesson Behind the VTNZ Bribery Scandal

VTNZ Highbrook, Auckland. LAWRENCE SMITH / LAWRENCE SMITH

You might’ve seen the Stuff article about the alleged bribery at a VTNZ testing station. In short five officers were dismissed, over 300 people told to re-sit their driving tests, and a lot of frustration all around. It’s a messy situation, but it also shines a light on something bigger: New Zealand’s licensing system isn’t working as well as it should.

At AllTrain, we see the other side of this every day. Getting your licence or training ticket should be about skill, safety, and confidence - not red tape, cost barriers, or backroom deals. The whole point of testing is to make sure everyone on the road (or worksite) is up to the job, and that only happens when the system is fair and consistent.

The article points out that reforms could actually make things worse, like removing the full licence test or adding “zero tolerance” rules that punish minor mistakes. We agree: shortcuts rarely lead to safer roads. Real change means better training, clearer pathways, and more support for people trying to do things the right way.

If anything, this scandal serves as a reminder that quality training is essential, not just for ticking a box, but for keeping people safe and confident in their skills.

If you’re looking to upskill the right way (no bribes required), check out our Learner Driving Training and Defensive Driving Course. We’ll help you get qualified, and do it properly.