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National

Optus data hack sees TMR replace 183K drivers licences, replacement fee to return from March

Almost 200,000 Queensland licences have been replaced since the Optus data breach. (Supplied: TMR)

Queenslanders affected by last year's Optus data hack have two more weeks to apply for a free drivers licence replacement with Queensland Transport and Main Roads (TMR).

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said about 183,000 driver licences have been replaced since the security breach in September.

"In the last month, there has been a significant drop in the number of impacted Optus customers visiting our customer service centres to have driver licences replaced," he said.

"As we've seen a decrease in card replacement requests, free replacement of driver licences will be discontinued from March 1.

"Impacted Optus customers who request a new driver licence in person on or before February 28 will still be eligible for a free card replacement."

Customers line up at the Sherwood TMR office in October, 2022 to replace their drivers liences. (Supplied: Nev Owens)

Up to 15k licences processed daily

Mr Bailey thanked TMR staff for their efforts following the data breach in processing thousands of replacement licences each day , particularly those in IT and customer service departments.

"To give you an idea of what they achieved; we generally process around 10 licence replacements per day," he said.

"But on some days during the last few months our team did almost 15,000 in one day.

"It's a massive achievement and I'd like to say thank you on behalf of all Queenslanders impacted."

Since the Optus incident, the state government added extra security measures, including the ability to replace drivers licences online, if details were compromised.

From March 1, a replacement fee of $82.10 will apply for new cards.

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