Drink-driving limits in Queensland (2026)

Last reviewed: 29 October 2026

In short: Queensland sets the general alcohol limit at below 0.05% for open licence holders. Learner, provisional and probationary drivers and drivers of trucks, buses and taxis may have no alcohol. Police may require any driver to give a breath test. A first offence at 0.15% or more can bring a fine of up to AUD 6,908 and up to 9 months in prison.

RuleWhat applies
Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.05 % blood alcohol [1]
Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.00%: learner, P1/P2 provisional, probationary and restricted licence holders, and anyone with an interlock condition. [1]
Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol0.00%: drivers of trucks over 4.5 tonnes GVM, buses carrying more than 12 adults, articulated and dangerous goods vehicles, taxis and other public passenger vehicles, and tow and pilot vehicles. [1]
Random breath tests without suspicionDriving after drinking alcoholYes [2]
Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcoholFirst offence: at 0.15 or more, a fine of up to AUD 6,908, up to 9 months in prison and disqualification of at least 6 months; 0.10 to under 0.15: up to AUD 4,835, 6 months and 3 to 12 months' disqualification; 0.05 to under 0.10: up to AUD 3,454, 3 months and 2 to 9 months' disqualification. [3]

Sources

  1. Queensland Government: Alcohol limits (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  2. Queensland Parliamentary Counsel: Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (current as at 21 September 2026) (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
  3. Queensland Government: Drink driving - motor vehicles (penalties) (consulted 29 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
  • Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 100 km/h (110 km/h where signed)
  • 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

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