Different Licence Types in Queensland

If you’re intending on driving or learning to drive any class of motor vehicle on a road in Queensland, you need to hold a current licence which allows you to drive, or learn to drive, that class of vehicle. Here’s some information about the different licence types.

Licence Types

• Learner licence
• Provisional licence
• Probationary licence
• Restricted licence
• Open licence

Learner Licence

Before learning to drive any class of motor vehicle, you must hold either a learner, provisional, probationary, or open licence that authorises you to learn to drive that vehicle. You need to make sure you have the correct class of licence to drive the intended vehicle.

Provisional Licence

In Queensland, there is a two-stage provisional licence: P1 and P2. They are part of a graduated licencing system. If you have held your learner’s licence for at least a year, you can attend a driving test. Depending on your age when you pass the test, you will get either a P1 or P2 provisional licence, which you must hold for a minimum period before you can progress to your open licence.

Probationary Licence

Provisional licences are for when you have been disqualified from obtaining or holding a licence by a court and you have served the period of disqualification.

Restricted Licence

If you are convicted of drink driving but need a licence to go to work, you might be eligible to ask the court that convicted you to grant you a restricted licence. This is more commonly referred to as a work licence.

Open Licence

You may be eligible for an open licence if you have kept your provisional or probationary licence for the required period. To be eligible for an open licence, you must be at least 20 years old.
If you obtain your P1 licence at under 23 years of age, you must hold your P2 licence for at least 2 years. If you obtain your P1 licence at 23 years of age, you need to hold your P2 licence for at least a year. If you obtain your P1 licence at 24 years of age, you must hold it for at least a year, and then you are eligible to progress straight to your open licence. If you are 25 years or over when you pass your practical driving test, you will be issued with a P2 licence which you need to hold for at least a year.

We hope this sheds some light on the licencing process, and wish you luck if you’re going to take the challenge and get your licence. You know who to contact for the best driving lessons in town!