154 truck drivers lose licences over suspected forged documents

ICBC has revoked the commercial licences of 154 truck drivers because of alleged forged documents.

Spokesperson Doug Henderson said letters have been sent informing the drivers they are no longer allowed to drive.

To get a Class 1 commercial licence in B.C., drivers need to have three years of safe driving. 

For drivers from Canada or the U.S., ICBC can check the records on file, but immigrants from other countries were asked to provide copies of letters proving they have a good record.

In the joint investigation conducted by ICBC and the RCMP, investigators reviewed about 1000 cases and concluded 154 drivers likely provided forged documents.

"They were unable to produce proof that they had experience they said they had. Our examination of their letters ... [concluded] there is strong proof that they were fabricated," said Henderson.

The investigation started after a Surrey driving school was shut down by the RCMP last year, said Henderson.

Kamal Singh, the owner of the Southwest Driving Academy, is facing criminal charges for forgery and is scheduled to appear in Surrey provincial court later in June.

ICBC says it has since changed its policy to require original documents rather than copies of letters documenting international driving experience.

A Class 1 commercial licence is required to drive the semi-trailer trucks used to deliver food, consumer goods and other types of cargo throughout the province.