Licence & State Rules · Queensland

Queensland licence stages and restrictions

Learner (L) - Class C car

Minimum time: Hold at least 1 year before the practical driving test; hazard perception test only after holding 6 months. Qld pages disagree on how long the learner licence lasts (3 years on the 'getting a learner licence' page; 'within the 5 years before applying' on the steps page) - UNVERIFIED, do not state a validity period on the site until confirmed.

  • Minimum age 16
  • Must be supervised by someone with a current open licence for that class, held for 1 year in total (need not be continuous); supervisor sits in the front passenger seat
  • Supervisor BAC must be below 0.05 (zero strongly recommended); supervisor/passengers of a learner under 25 may not use loudspeaker
  • Learner BAC zero (0.00); no illegal or prescription drugs affecting driving
  • L plates: black uppercase L on yellow, at least 14.6 cm x 14.6 cm, visible from 20 m, front and rear (motorcycles rear only)
  • Under 25: 100 hours supervised driving in logbook incl. at least 10 night hours (sunset to sunrise); 25 and over: logbook not required
  • Accredited driver trainer night trip counts as triple time OR night hours, not both
  • Logbook must be submitted at least 12 business days before the practical test
  • Under 25: no phone use at all while driving (no hands-free, Bluetooth, headset, loudspeaker); all drivers: never hold or rest a phone on the body, even when stopped in traffic
  • 4 or more demerit points in 12 months = 3-month suspension
  • Must pass the hazard perception test before the practical test

P1 provisional (red P plates)

Minimum time: Hold at least 1 year before P2 / open licence. Minimum age 17. Issued if under 25 when the practical test is passed (25+ go straight to P2).

  • Red P plates displayed
  • Zero BAC
  • Under 25: no phone use at all (no hands-free); passengers may not use loudspeaker
  • Under 25: not more than 1 passenger under 21 who is not immediate family between 11pm and 5am
  • Under 25: no high-powered (performance) vehicles
  • Cannot supervise a learner
  • 4 or more demerit points in 1 year = choose between suspension and a good driving behaviour period
  • Carry licence (card or Service Queensland app)

P2 provisional (green P plates)

Minimum time: Minimum age 18; P1 held 1 year, then automatic upgrade (unless excluded). Our 2019 handbook says P2 held 2 years if P1 issued under 23 and P2 under 25; TMR progression page now shows 'hold P2 for 2 years, open licence at 20' - age-based table on the live page was garbled, re-check before publishing exact periods.

  • Green P plates displayed
  • Zero BAC
  • Hands-free phone use allowed (cradle/voice), no holding the phone
  • No passenger restriction
  • Under 25: no high-powered vehicles
  • Cannot supervise a learner
  • 4 or more demerit points in 1 year = choose suspension or good driving behaviour period

Open licence

Minimum time: Minimum age 20 (TMR progression page)

  • No P plates
  • BAC below 0.05 for most drivers
  • Late night driving restriction (11pm-5am for 1 year) can apply to under-25s after certain suspensions, high-speed offences or disqualifications

Rules and conditions are changed from time to time — check the service.transport.qld.gov.au for the current requirements.