Two accredited QRide testers have been arrested for allegedly issuing motorcycle licences to 13 people without going through the required test and evaluation process.
The Beenleigh men were arrested yesterday on a total of 45 charges relating to fraudulently issuing motorcycle licences.
Thirteen people who allegedly paid for the licences have been charged with one count each of fraud.
Five of those have faced court, admitted guilt and been fined. The other eight are yet to appear in court.
One of the arrested men, aged 63, faces 27 charges while a 24-year-old man faces 18 charges. Both were QRide-accredited trainers connected to a motorcycle training business operating in the Beenleigh area.
The 45 charges are a mix of fraud, uttering and forgery.
“They relate directly to 13 alleged instances where competency declaration documents were falsely signed and issued to rider applicants,” police say.
The two were bailed to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 18.
The charges are the result of a joint investigation with Transport and Main Roads, a QPS statement says.
“It is alleged during 2016 the two men falsely signed and issued competency declaration documents without requiring the applicant rider to complete the proper training and assessment process.
“It is further alleged on each occasion, the applicant rider paid cash to the trainer and then received their completed competency declaration.”
Police say they do not believe there are any more fraudulent licences issued in this case.
Dodgy licence ‘danger’
South Eastern Region Assistant Commissioner Brian Codd says police and department officials will continue investigations into people suspected of having fraudulently obtained their motorcycle licence.
“Any person who has information about the fraudulent obtaining of motorcycle licence accreditation is asked to make contact with Crime Stoppers,” he says.
Commissioner Codd describes the allegations as “serious” with the potential to result in serious injury or death.
“The fraudulent issuing of motorcycle competency documents risks not only the rider, but all other road users and it is very concerning,” he says.
Transport and Main Roads Acting Director-General Mike Stapleton says the riders also put other road users in danger.
“The overwhelming majority of the state’s motorcycle licence holders have done the right thing in obtaining their right to ride on our roads, and fraudulent incidents such as this have the potential to put others in danger,” he says.