Provisional licence
Applying for a provisional licenceVisit a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre, authorised Queensland Government Agency Program office or a licence-issuing police station.
- To apply for a P1 or P2 provisional licence for a car (class C) you must...
- When driving while you hold a provisional licence you...
- How long do I have to hold a P1 or P2 provisional licence for?
- What if my provisional licence is only for an automatic vehicle?
- How do I get my licence changed to drive a manual vehicle?
- Have you returned from a disqualification?
To apply for a P1 or P2 provisional licence for a car (class C) you must:
- be at least 17 years of age
- have completed 100 hours (or equivalent) of supervised on-road driving experience (in a manual or automatic car), including 10 hours at night. This must be recorded in a Queensland learner logbook and be assessed and passed by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (Note: This requirement only applies to persons under 25 years of age)
- hold and have held a learner licence for the class of vehicle you are learning in for at least one year
- pay the practical driving test fee and book the test
- complete the Driver Licence Application/Renewal form (F3000)
- show your evidence of identity
- pass an eyesight test, if required
- declare that you are medically fit to drive the class of motor vehicle. Note: If you have a medical condition that might affect your ability to drive or ride safely, you are required to show a medical certificate from your doctor stating that you are medically fit to drive or ride safely
- pass a practical driving test in a class C type vehicle. The standard test vehicle for a class C licence is a vehicle (other than a motorbike) not more that 4.5 tonne GVM, built or fitted to carry more than 12 adults including the driver
- pass a hazard perception test (P1 provisional licence holders must pass the hazard perception test in order to graduate to either a P2 provisional or open licence)
- pay the licence fee.
Once you have passed your practical driving test, you will receive a provisional licence. Under the graduated licensing system, the type of provisional licence you will receive will depend on how old you are.
If you are under 25 years of age, you will receive a P1 provisional licence. If you are 25 years of age or older, you will receive a P2 provisional licence.
When driving while you hold a provisional licence you:
- must have a zero (0.00 per cent) blood or breath alcohol limit if you are under 25 years of age or a blood or breath alcohol limit not exceeding 0.05 per cent if you are 25 years of age or over. Drink driving offences carry monetary fines and disqualification periods
- must not drive under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs
- must carry your provisional licence with you and show it to a police officer when asked to do so
- must obey any conditions stated on your provisional licence or restrictions attached to your licence
- may only drive or ride the class of vehicle stated on your provisional licence
- may learn to drive or ride a higher class of vehicle than the class stated on your provisional licence, once issued a learner licence for that class of vehicle.
Note: A provisional licence holder must not teach a learner licence holder to drive or ride a vehicle. Only an open licence holder is authorised to teach a learner driver or rider.
How long do I have to hold a P1 or P2 provisional licence for?If you are under 25 years of age, you must hold a P1 provisional licence and display red P-plates on your car (rear only on your motorbike) before progressing to a P2 provisional licence. On a P2 licence you are required to display green P-plates on your car (rear only on your motorbike).
If you are over 25 years of age, you will commence at the P2 stage and must display green P-plates.
The restrictions you must comply with vary depending on your age and if you hold a P1 or P2 provisional licence.
The length of time you must hold your provisional licence depends on how old you were when you were first issued the licence:
Provisional licence periods
| Age when issued P1 licence | Minimum time to hold P1 | Age when issued P2 licence | Time to hold P2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 23 years | 1 year | Under 25 years | 2 years |
| 25 years and over | 1 year | ||
| 23 years | 1 year | 24 years and over | 1 year |
| 24 years | 1 year | n/a - open licence issued | - |
| - | - | 25 years and over | 1 year |
A provisional licence for an automatic vehicle limits you to driving that type of vehicle.
You can learn to drive a vehicle with a manual gearbox. However, you must be accompanied by somebody who holds, and has held, an open licence for at least one year that authorises them to drive the same class of vehicle fitted with a manual gearbox. You will also need to clearly display L-plates. There is additional information in the learning to drive section of this website.
How do I get my licence changed to drive a manual vehicle?
To change your licence to allow you to drive a manual vehicle you will need to:
- book a practical driving test for that class of vehicle
- pay the booking fee
- pass a practical driving test.
Once you have done this your licence will be upgraded to show you can legally drive a manual vehicle.
Have you returned from a disqualification?
If you obtained a P1 or P2 provisional licence while under 25 years of age, when you return from a court imposed disqualification you are required to hold a P1 or P2 probationary for 12 months.
Restrictions relevant to P1 and P2 licence holders apply for the full probationary period if you were under 25 years of age at the date of the disqualifying offence. A late night driving restriction will also apply for a period of one year.
If you obtained a P1 provisional licence when you were 24 and are disqualified from driving, you must hold a probationary or restricted licence for an additional 12 months before you can progress to an open licence.
If you hold a P2 provisional licence and are disqualified from driving, you must hold a probationary or restricted P2 licence for a minimum of 12 months before you can progress to an open licence.
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Last updated 30 June 2009
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