QLD Graduated Licensing System for Drivers

The Graduated Licensing System in Queensland is designed to provide a progressive learning experience that’s safe for you and other road users. This means you’ll have a number of restrictions on your licence for a period of time.

In this article, we’ll go through the must-know details about getting a licence in Queensland, such as:

• The 7 Steps to an Open Licence
• How Age Affects Your Licensing Journey

The 7 Steps to an Open Licence

There are 7 steps in total. These are the steps for drivers aged 23 or younger.

1. Written Road Rules Test – The road rules test is a multiple-choice test that quizzes you on topics from the Queensland Driver’s Handbook, such as give-way rules, road signs, or hazardous situations. We strongly recommend that you prepare using Zutobi’s summarised handbook and online practice tests.
2. Learner Licence – Learner licences are issued for 3-year periods when you pass the road rules test. The learner licence is a restricted licence that enables you to drive under supervision. You need a learner licence to practice driving on the road.
3. Q-Safe Practical Driving Test – An on-road test to assess your driving skills & decision-making ability.
4. P1 Provisional Licence – This is a licence that enables you to drive solo but with a number of restrictions, such as only driving cars with visible P plates.
5. Hazard Perception Test – The HPT tests your ability to understand and react to hazardous situations and must be taken to progress to a P2 licence.
6. P2 Provisional Licence – This is a restricted licence that has fewer restrictions than the P1 licence. This is the last step before you can progress to an open licence.
7. Open Licence – You must be at least 20 years old to progress to a full unrestricted licence.

Age Affects Your Licensing Journey

Your age will affect how quickly / slowly you can receive an open licence. You may be allowed to skip some of the steps outlined earlier depending on your age.

• If aged 25 or older – you can skip the P1-stage entirely and instead go directly to P2 after passing the Q-safe driving test.
• If you were 24 when you got your P1 licence and have held it for a minimum period of 1 year – you can skip the P2-stage entirely to get an open licence.

If you are interested in more details about the Learner Licence or P1/P2 Provisional Licences, jump straight to our QLD Learner Licence or Provisional Licence articles.