Driving after drugs in Queensland (2026)

In short: Queensland has zero tolerance for THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine, found by a roadside saliva test. A court may fine up to AUD 2,417 and disqualify for 1 to 9 months.

Notes

• The page read says never to drive after taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines that can affect driving, but does not say whether prescribed THC is an exception to the relevant-drug offence.
• The page also lists driving under the influence of liquor or a drug: a fine of up to AUD 6,908, imprisonment of up to 9 months and disqualification of at least 6 months. The licence is suspended for 24 hours after a positive test.

Sources

1. Queensland Government: Drugs and driving - qld.gov.au (consulted 13 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
• 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

• Driving after drugs in Australia (2026)

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