Car speed limits in Queensland (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: The limit is 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h outside them unless signs show otherwise, with 110 km/h on a small number of signed roads. School zones are 40 km/h on most roads at the times shown on the sign.

RuleWhat applies
Built-up areasPassenger car on public roads50 km/h in local streets and built-up areas unless signs show otherwise [1]
Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads100 km/h outside a built-up area unless signed otherwise. A small number of higher standard roads are signed at 110 km/h. [1]
Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway)Passenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified
MotorwaysPassenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified
School zonesPassenger car on public roads40 km/h on roads where the normal limit is 50, 60 or 70 km/h, and 60 km/h on roads where the normal limit is 80 km/h or above [2]
Roadworks zonesPassenger car on public roadsThe reduced speed limit stated on the roadwork signs applies. Roadwork signs are official traffic signs and must be followed. [3]
Residential streetsPassenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Roads that carry traffic through suburbs and across towns are signed at 60 km/h or higher.
  • Heavy vehicles over 12 tonnes GVM and buses over 5 tonnes GVM are restricted to 100 km/h whatever the sign shows.
  • The pages read give no separate default for dual carriageways; limits on them are set by speed limit signs.
  • The zone times are on the school zone sign. The standard times are 7 to 9am and 2 to 4pm; some schools have other times shown by a flashing light sign.

Sources

  1. Queensland Government: Speed limits (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Queensland Government: School zone speed limits and signs (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Queensland Government: Roadwork safety (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Queensland

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Yes, paths and roads up to 60 km/h · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: Banned
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container refund scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 17 (P1 licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Zero tolerance · THC threshold: Any trace of THC
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules plus age and licence · Minimum age: 16 (12-17 if supervised)
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (unrestricted only)
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, while visiting · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Citizen or resident visa: Queensland licence after 3 months
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Registration required · Nature of the parental duty: School or registration
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without reasonable excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Some one-hand opening knives category M
  • MopedsLicence: Class RE or car licence
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Open/P2 only; L/P1 under 25: none
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes · Minimum alarms and where: A smoke alarm in each bedroom. For each storey with bedrooms: in the hallway that a bedroom door opens onto (or, if a bedroom has no door to a hallway, in the part of the storey between that bedroom and the rest of the dwelling). For a storey with no bedrooms: on the most likely path of travel to an exit. All alarms must be interconnected.
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18
  • Towing trailers and caravans
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: Under 0.05% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.