Minimum age for a car driving licence in Queensland (2026)
Last reviewed: 13 October 2026
In short: Queensland issues a learner licence from 16 and a P1 provisional licence from 17 after one year as a learner. Under 25 the logbook needs 100 hours, 10 at night. A P1 driver may not carry more than one unrelated passenger under 21 between 11pm and 5am.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 17 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A learner licence is available from 16. A P1 provisional licence needs the learner licence held for at least 1 year, age 17 or older, the hazard perception test, 100 hours of supervised driving in a learner logbook (if under 25) and the practical test. From 25 no logbook is needed and passing the practical test gives a P2 licence directly. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A visitor with a valid interstate or overseas licence may drive in Queensland, only the class of vehicle authorised by that licence and subject to its conditions. An interstate learner licence holder must be supervised if the issuing state or territory requires it. Australian citizens and resident-visa holders can no longer drive on it after living in Queensland for 3 months. The page states no age condition. [2] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | Under 25: 100 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, recorded in a learner logbook and submitted before the practical test. From 25: no logbook is required. [3] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A late night driving restriction (no driving between 11pm and 5am, for 1 year) is imposed on a driver who was under 25 at the time of the offence when they accumulate excessive demerit points, are suspended for a high speed offence or are disqualified. It continues after an upgrade to an open licence. It is separate from the P1 peer passenger limit between 11pm and 5am. [4] |
| Passenger limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A P1 driver must not drive with more than one passenger under 21 who is not an immediate family member between 11pm and 5am. [5] |
| Tests for a first car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | Learner licence: PrepL or a written road rules test. P1 licence: the car hazard perception test and the practical driving test. [1] |
| How long the licence is validCar (category B) driving licence | A learner licence is issued for 3 years. [6] |
Notes
- Queensland: licences are issued in stages. The minimum age shown is that of the P1 provisional licence, the first licence that allows driving without a supervisor; the learner stage is shown separately.
Sources
- Queensland Government: Driver licence progression - qld.gov.au (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Driving in Queensland on an interstate or overseas licence - qld.gov.au (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Steps from a learner to a provisional licence - qld.gov.au (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Provisional licence restrictions - qld.gov.au (consulted 15 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: P1 provisional licence - qld.gov.au (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources
- Queensland Government: Licence fees - qld.gov.au (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
- 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
- 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)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.