A significant issue has been identified within Queensland’s digital system for renewing driver’s licenses.

The authorities are swiftly reaching out to 17,000 motorists who, despite having medical conditions, managed to renew their licenses without presenting updated medical certifications.

This glitch traces its origins back to 2020, when the state introduced the convenience of online license renewal, eliminating the need for drivers to visit a transport department service center physically.

Traditionally, drivers with medical conditions are required to submit a medical certificate when renewing in person.

However, it has come to light that this crucial step has been bypassed in online renewals due to a malfunction in the digital system.

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.