Provisional licence
Applying for a provisional licenceVisit a Queensland Transport customer service centre, authorised Queensland Government Agency Program office or a licence issuing police station.
- To apply for a P1 or P2 provisional licence 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?
- Have you returned from a disqualification?
- What if my provisional licence is only for an automatic vehicle?
- How do I get my licence changed to drive a manual vehicle?
To apply for a P1 or P2 provisional licence 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 Queensland Transport (for drivers under 25).
- hold and have held a learner licence for the class of vehicle you are learning in for at least one year. Note: This requirement only applies to a person who is applying for their car licence (class C) for the first time.
- 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 vehicle that is representative of the class of vehicle that is authorised to be driven under the class of licence you are applying for
- pay the licence fee.
When driving while you hold a provisional licence you:
- must have a zero (0.00) blood or breath alcohol limit if you are under 25 or a 0.05 blood or breath alcohol limit if you are over 25. Drink driving offences carry monetary fines and disqualification periods.
- 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, you must hold a P1 provisional licence and display red P plates on your vehicle before progressing to a P2 provisional licence. On a P2 licence you are required to display green P plates on your vehicle.
If you are over 25, 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 | 1 year | Under 25 | 2 years |
| 25 and over | 1 year | ||
| 23 | 1 year | 24 and over | 1 year |
| 24 | 1 year | n/a - open licence issued | - |
| - | - | 25 and over | 1 year |
Have you returned from a disqualification?
If you obtained a P1 or P2 provisional licence while under 25, when you return from a disqualification you are required to hold a probationary P1 or P2 licence for 12 months.
Restrictions relevant to P1 and P2 licence holders apply for the full probationary period if you were under 25 at the date of the offence. In addition, a late night driving restriction applies as a penalty to P1 or P2 probationary or restricted licence holders.
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.
What if my provisional licence is only for an automatic vehicle?
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.
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Last updated 06 May 2008
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