A significant issue has emerged within Queensland’s digital licence renewal system, raising concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the online process.

The Queensland government is now in a race against time to contact 17,000 drivers who have medical conditions yet were able to renew their licences without the required up-to-date medical certificates. This flaw in the system has put many on the road without the proper medical clearance.

The problems trace back to 2020 when the state introduced an online option for licence renewals, offering a convenient alternative to visiting a transport department service centre in person.

Traditionally, drivers with medical conditions, when renewing in person, are required to present a valid medical certificate. This step ensures that they are medically fit to continue driving. However, it has come to light that this crucial safeguard was not enforced for online renewals due to a technical glitch.

This system oversight has resulted in thousands of drivers who disclosed their medical conditions being able to renew their licences digitally without submitting the necessary medical documentation. Consequently, these individuals have been driving without the official clearance needed to ensure safety on the road.

The glitch means 17,000 drivers who admitted having a medical condition have been able to renew their licences and continue driving without uploading the necessary clearance to drive.

Minister for customer services and open data Steve Minnikin said the state government would work to contact those drivers to request their medical certificates.

“The first of the emails will be going out today,” Minnikin said.

“We’ll make sure that we make it as easy as possible for those people that need to update the latest medical certificate to be able to do so.

“The key thing is making sure that now that we’ve discovered this error in the system, that we actually remedy it as soon as possible.”

It is understood those 17,000 drivers will have a month to provide proof they are fit to drive.