Earning your learner licence in Queensland (QLD) is the first step towards driving independence, but it's essential to understand the specific rules and restrictions that apply. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know as a learner driver in QLD, ensuring you stay safe, legal, and on track to getting your provisional licence.
Key Requirements for Learner Drivers in QLD:
To drive legally with a learner licence in Queensland, you must:
- Supervising Driver: Only drive with a supervisor who meets the following criteria:
- Holds a valid open (unrestricted) licence for the same class of vehicle you are driving.
- Has held that open licence for at least one year.
- L Plates: Clearly display L plates on the vehicle.
- Licence Possession: Carry your physical learner licence card (or a valid digital licence or receipt) with you at all times while driving.
- No Alcohol: Maintain a 0.00 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – zero tolerance for alcohol.
- No Drugs: Not be affected by drugs – either illegal or prescription medications that impair driving ability.
- Licence Conditions: Obey any conditions listed on your learner licence (e.g., wearing corrective lenses, indicated by code "S").
- Road Rules: Follow all Queensland road rules.
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L Plates: Size, Display, and Penalties:
Properly displaying L plates is critical:
- Size and Colour: The minimum size is 14.6cm x 14.6cm, with a black uppercase letter "L" on a yellow background.
- Visibility: The "L" must be clearly visible from 20 meters away at both the front and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motorcycles).
- Penalties:
- Incorrectly displayed L plates can result in fines for both the learner driver and the supervising driver.
- The learner driver will also receive 2 demerit points on their traffic history.
- If a learner driver accumulates 4 or more demerit points within a 12-month period, their licence will be suspended for 3 months.
It's also an offense for a fully licensed driver to operate a vehicle without removing L-plates. The exemption being a driving instructor
Mobile Phone Restrictions (Strict!):
QLD has very strict mobile phone rules for learner drivers under 25 years old. The restrictions are far more stringent than those for fully licensed drivers:
- Complete Ban: You must not use a mobile phone in any way while driving or while the vehicle is stopped but not parked. This means:
- No holding the phone in your hand.
- No having the phone rest on any part of your body.
- No using hands-free kits, Bluetooth accessories, or wireless headsets.
- No using the phone's loudspeaker function.
- You cannot even touch, look at, or operate the phone with your voice, even if it's in your pocket or a pouch.
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Permitted Mobile Phone Use
You can use your phone when safely stopped to:
*pay for items.
*enter areas.
*access your license.
*pay for goods and services.
This applies to both the learner driver and their passengers – passengers under 25 cannot use a mobile phone on loudspeaker.
- Penalties:
- If you're caught using a mobile phone illegally, you'll receive a fine and 4 demerit points.
- Double demerit points apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offenses within 12 months.
- As a learner, getting 4 or more demerit points within 12 months results in a 3-month licence suspension.
- Supervisors and passengers fined if the passenger under 25 uses.
Supervising Driver Responsibilities:
The supervising driver plays a crucial role:
- Must hold a valid open licence for the class of vehicle, held for at least one year.
- Must sit in the front passenger seat at all times.
- Cannot be under the influence of alcohol (0.00 BAC) or drugs.
- Should provide clear and constructive guidance to the learner driver.
*Cannot use loud speaker
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Logbook Requirements (If Applicable):
- Learner drivers under 25 must complete 100 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours of night driving, and record these hours in a logbook (either a physical logbook or a digital logbook through the QLD Transport app).
Consequences of Breaking the Rules:
Failure to comply with learner licence rules can lead to:
- Fines
- Demerit points
- Licence suspension
Displaying L Plates - Step by Step
- Plates must be a minimum of 14.6 cm x 14.6cm
- L on the plate must be black on a yellow background
- Plates must be clearly visible from 20m from both the front and rear of the vehicle.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
