Driving in Queensland with an interstate-issued licence
This page outlines the requirements for driving in Queensland with an interstate-issued licence. Note: an interstate licence includes a licence issued by an external territory of Australia.
What is an interstate licence?
An interstate licence is a driver licence issued to you in another Australian state or territory. See below for information on licences issued by external territories.
External territory licences
If your driver licence was issued on Christmas Island, Norfolk Island, or in the Cocos Keeling Islands, your licence will be recognised throughout Australia.
National licence codes were adopted by these external territories on 7 May 2001. However, the following external territory licence classes (PDF**, 16KB) table shows the national licence class equivalents for driver licences that were issued before this date.When can I drive in Queensland on my interstate-issued driver licence?
You are allowed to drive in Queensland on your interstate-issued driver licence if you:
- only drive the class of motor vehicle authorised on that licence
- comply with the conditions (if any) of your licence
- carry your licence with you at all times when driving and immediately show it to a police officer when asked to do so.
When am I not allowed to drive in Queensland on my interstate issued licence?
You must not drive in Queensland on your interstate issued driver licence if:
- you have been disqualified from holding a driver licence by an order of an Australian court
- your authority to drive on the licence has been suspended or withdrawn.
When would my authority to drive in Queensland on my interstate issued driver licence be suspended?
Your authority to drive in Queensland on your interstate issued driver licence will be suspended if you have:
- unpaid court fines
- an excess number of demerit points on your traffic history
- been convicted of driving more than 40 km/h over the speed limit.
When would my authority to drive in Queensland on my interstate issued licence be withdrawn?
Your authority to drive in Queensland on your interstate issued licence will be withdrawn if you:
- become medically unfit to drive safely
- have been residing in Queensland for three months or more.
How can I get a Queensland driver licence if I currently hold an interstate issued licence?
To apply for a Queensland driver licence for the same class as your interstate issued licence you will need to visit a Queensland Transport customer service centre, authorised Queensland Government Agency Program office or licence issuing police station and:
- complete the Driver Licence Application form (F3000)
- show your interstate issued licence
- show your supporting evidence of identity and Queensland residency documents
- surrender your interstate issued licence.
For more information visit the licensing area.
You may also be required to:
- show evidence that you are medically fit to drive safely
- pass an eyesight test
- pay the licence fee.
How do I learn about the road rules?
To learn about the Queensland road rules and driving in Queensland in general, you can:
- purchase a copy of the publication Your keys to driving in Queensland, available from Queensland Transport customer service centres, most newsagents or online
or - download the Your keys to driving in Queensland publication.
What will happen if I drive in Queensland when I am not allowed to?
If you drive in Queensland when you are not allowed to, you will be charged with unlicensed driving and you may have to appear in court. For more information see driving without a licence.
**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is needed to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from the"Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF".
Last updated 15 April 2009
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