Licence suspensions and disqualifications
Driving when you do not hold a driver licence
Unlicensed due to disqualification
Unlicensed due to licence suspension
Unlicensed due to immediate licence suspension
Unlicensed due to withdrawal of authority
Cumulative disqualifications for repeat drink/drug driving offences
Removal of an absolute disqualification
Driving when you do not hold a driver licence
You are not the holder of a driver licence if:
- your driver licence has expired and you have not renewed it
- you have voluntarily surrendered your driver licence
- your Queensland driver licence has been suspended or cancelled because you are medically unfit to drive safely
- you do not hold the class of licence for the vehicle you are driving
- you have never held a driver licence
- after completing a period of disqualification, you do not obtain a further driver licence before starting to drive again.
If you drive a motor vehicle and do not have a driver licence, due to any of the these reasons, you may receive an infringement notice or be required to be dealt with by a court for unlicensed driving.
If you are convicted of unlicensed driving the court may impose a fine of up to A$4000, or you may be imprisoned for up to one year.
Unlicensed due to disqualification
You will be disqualified from holding a driver licence for a stated period if convicted of:
- a drink or drug driving offence
- a dangerous driving offence
- a criminal offence involving the driving or use of a motor vehicle.
If you drive a motor vehicle in Queensland while disqualified from holding a driver licence, you will be required to be dealt with by a court for disqualified driving.
If you are convicted of this offence, the court must disqualify you from holding a driver licence for at least two years—up to a maximum of five years. You may also receive a fine of up to A$6000, or be imprisoned for up to 18 months.
Unlicensed due to licence suspension
Your Queensland (or non-Queensland) driver licence will be suspended for a stated period when you have:
- not paid any fines imposed by a court (State Penalties Enforcement Registry)
- gained too many demerit points on your traffic history
- been convicted of driving more than 40 kilometres per hour over the speed limit.
If you drive a motor vehicle in Queensland while your driver licence is suspended, due to any of the above reasons, you will be required to be dealt with by a court for unlicensed driving.
If you are convicted of unlicensed driving, the court must disqualify you from holding a driver licence for at least one month—up to a maximum of six months. You may also receive a fine of up to A$4000, or be imprisoned for up to one year.
Unlicensed due to immediate licence suspension
Your Queensland (or non-Queensland) driver licence will be immediately suspended (PDF**, 36KB) until the charge is dealt with by a court, if you have:- been charged with driving with a high-level blood alcohol content (0.15 per cent or higher)
- failed to provide police with a specimen of breath or blood when requested
- been charged with a low-level drink driving offence while an earlier such charge is still pending
- been charged with the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while over the permissible alcohol limit.
If you drive a motor vehicle in Queensland while your driver licence is suspended, due to any of the above reasons, you will be charged with unlicensed driving.
If you are convicted of unlicensed driving, the court must disqualify you from holding a driver licence for two to five years. You may also receive a fine of up to A$4000, or be imprisoned for up to one year.
Unlicensed due to withdrawal of authority
Your authority to drive in Queensland on your non-Queensland driver licence will be withdrawn when:
- the three months residency rule applies to you
- it is proven that you are medically unfit to drive safely.
If you drive a motor vehicle in Queensland when your authority to drive in Queensland has been withdrawn, due to any of the above reasons, you may be given an infringement notice or be required to be dealt with by a court for unlicensed driving.
The infringement notice penalty for the offence of driving a motor vehicle in Queensland when your authority to drive has been withdrawn is:
- if the three months residency rule applies to you—A$200
- if you are medically unfit to drive safely—A$400.
If the court finds you guilty of unlicensed driving the court may impose a fine of up to A$4000, or you may be imprisoned for up to one year.
Cumulative disqualifications for repeat drink/drug driving offences
Cumulative disqualifications will apply to persons convicted of more than one drink or drug driving related offence committed on or after 18 May 2008. Under this law repeat offenders will serve each disqualification period one after the other (cumulatively) rather than all at the same time (concurrently).
Removal of an absolute disqualification
If you were absolutely disqualified from holding or obtaining a Queensland driver licence by the courts before 13 March 2002 for driving unlicensed, read the absolute disqualification checklist (PDF**, 57KB) to see if you are eligible to have your disqualification removed. If successful, you can then re-apply for your licence.For more information, or to obtain an application form, visit your nearest customer service centre.
Note: For more information about court imposed fines, contact the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) on 1300 365 635a or view their website www.sper.qld.gov.au.
For more information about suspensions, cancellations or appeals, contact your nearest Queensland Transport customer service centre, driver licence issuing centre or phone Queensland Transport on 13 23 80b.
aHigher rates apply from mobile phones and pay phones. Service operates Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.45pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays.
Related information
bOperates Monday to Friday 8am-5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays. Local call charge in Australia. Higher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. For international callers phone +61 7 3834 2011 this service operates Monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm EST (GMT +10) excluding public holidays.
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Last updated 31 May 2009
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