Moving through the stages to obtain your full licence can be confusing, especially with all the different rules and regulations that vary with each class and state.
In this guide, we are going to walk you through the L and P plate classes and the rules and regulations that apply to each different type of driver's licence.
Read on to discover the restrictions that apply to your licence class that go beyond the regular QLD road rules so you are well-informed on what is expected of you when you’re on the road.
The learner and provisional licences in Queensland are the licence types you need to move through to obtain your full or open licence. In this section, we will explain the basics of each class and how to proceed to the next level.
A learner’s driving licence is the very first type of licence you will receive. It allows you to learn how to drive under the supervision of an instructor or someone who has held an open licence for at least a year.
You may apply for a learner licence when you are 16 and must pass a written road rules knowledge assessment or complete PrepL to qualify. Once you have your learner's licence, you must always carry it digitally or physically when driving.
The first stage of a provisional licence is ‘P1’, also known as your red P plates. A P1 provisional licence allows you to drive on your own without supervision. To move to a P1 licence, you must:
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The P2 provisional licence (green P plates) is the final class before your full licence is issued. To receive a P2 licence you must:
A full licence or open licence is the final licence class for a regular car, which allows you to drive without additional restrictions on top of the regular road rules and conditions. To qualify for your full licence, you must:
Speed limit: No maximum restriction
Supervision: You must drive with a supervisor who has held a full licence in the vehicle class you are driving for at least 1 year at all times
Plates: L plates must be displayed at the front and back of the vehicle by learner drivers
Blood alcohol concentration: BAC must be 0.00 - absolutely no alcohol
Demerit points: If you lose 4 demerit points in 12 months you will be suspended for 3 months
Mobile devices: The use of a mobile phone is prohibited, this includes using devices hands-free.
Car types: No V8s or other high-powered vehicles
Transmission types: A learner driver can learn in a manual or automatic transmission
Towing restrictions: You may tow a tailor, caravan or other vehicle as long as L plates are displayed on the back of the towed item
Speed limit: No maximum restriction for
Supervision: No supervisor is required
Plates: Red P plates must be displayed on the front and back of the vehicle at all times
Passengers: Red P plate drivers may only carry 1 passenger under 21 who is not an immediate family member between 11 pm and 5 am
Blood alcohol concentration: BAC must be 0.00
Demerit points: If you get more than 4 demerit points in 1 year, you must choose between a suspension and a good driving behaviour period
Mobile devices: For under 25-year-olds, no mobile devices are permitted, including using devices hands-free with a phone's loudspeaker function or bluetooth
If you are over 25, you may use a device hands-free
Car types: No V8s or other high-powered vehicles
Transmission types: You cannot drive a manual transmission if you did not pass the driving test in a manual transmission vehicle
Towing restrictions: There are no towing restrictions as long as red P plates are clearly visible
Speed limit: No maximum restriction
Supervision: No supervision is required
Plates: Green P plates must be displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle at all times
Passengers: No passenger restrictions
Blood alcohol concentration: Zero blood alcohol concentration
Demerit points: If you get more than 4 demerit points in 1 year, you must choose between a suspension and a good behaviour driving period
Mobile devices: You may use a device hands-free or in a cradle for directions or to answer a call
Car types: No high-performance vehicles
Transmission types: You cannot drive a manual transmission if you did not pass the driving test in a manual transmission vehicle
Towing restrictions: There are no towing restrictions as long as green P plates are clearly visible
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Yes, there are high-powered vehicle restrictions for learners and provisional licence holders in Queensland. L and P platers are prohibited from driving V8s and any other high-performance vehicles.
In Queensland, you can receive a fine and 2 demerit points for not properly displaying P1 or P2 plates.
As a learner driver in Queensland, you may not have more than one passenger unless they are an immediate family member.
There are no specific rules in Queensland that prevent front passengers from using mobile phones unless they are acting as a supervisor for a learner driver.
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