Exempt countries and jurisdictions
New Zealand
Car or motorcycle licence
You will not need to pass a road rules test or practical driving test if you hold or have held within the last 5 years, a New Zealand driver licence that corresponds to a class C, RE or R driver licence and you are applying for a Queensland car or motorcycle driver licence.
If you hold or have held within the last 5 years, a New Zealand learner licence that corresponds to a class C, RE or R learner licence, you will not need to pass a road rules test to apply for a Queensland learner licence.
To be eligible for a class RE learner licence, you must have held a provisional or open class C licence for at least 1 year in the last 5 years.
Heavy vehicle driver licence
If you are applying for a Queensland heavy vehicle driver licence (class LR, MR, HR, HC or MC, and you hold, or have held within the last 5 years an equivalent heavy vehicle licence issued in New Zealand, you will need to pass a road rules test for heavy vehicles.
You will not have to take the practical driving test.
Multi-combination licence
If you want to transfer a multi-combination licence (MC), you will need to:
- meet the requirements for a heavy vehicle driver licence
- complete the multi-combination driving experience declaration form
- provide evidence of your ability to drive a B-double or road train.
Other countries and jurisdictions
The requirements for getting a Queensland licence can vary, depending on where your overseas licence was issued and the licence class you want to apply for.
If your overseas licence has been issued by a country or jurisdiction that is not listed here, you will need to pass a road rules test and practical driving test to get a Queensland licence.
If you fail a practical driving test, your authority to drive on your overseas licence will be withdrawn. This means you can no longer drive with your overseas licence in Queensland.
You will be able to use your overseas licence for the next practical driving test you take. If you need to practise before taking your next test you will have to get a Queensland learner licence.
Recognised countries and jurisdictions
| Country | Requirements to get a Queensland licence |
|---|---|
(External territories of these countries/jurisdictions are excluded) | Queensland learner licences To be eligible for a class RE learner licence, you must have held a provisional or open class C licence for at least 1 year in the last 5 years. Queensland provisional or open licences Car and motorcycle licences Heavy vehicle licences (class LR, MR, HR, HC or MC) |
Experienced driver recognition countries and jurisdictions
Changes to the experienced driver recognition category from 1 May 2025
| Country | Requirements to get a Queensland licence |
|---|---|
(External territories of these countries are excluded) *If you have held your current Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China) licence for 12 months and are 25 years of age or older, you won't have to pass a Queensland road rules test or a practical driving test. | Queensland learner licences You won't have to pass a road rules test if you are 25 years or older and you hold, or have held within the last 5 years, a learner licence that corresponds to a class C, RE or R licence granted from these countries and jurisdictions. To be eligible for a class RE learner licence, you must have held a provisional or open class C licence for at least 1 year in the last 5 years. Queensland provisional or open licences Car and motorcycle licences Heavy vehicle licences (class LR, MR, HR, HC or MC) |
Changes to the experienced driver recognition category from 1 May 2025
From 1 May 2025, the experienced driver recognition category will cease.
Until and including 30 April 2025, existing arrangements for transferring a licence from an experienced driver recognition country to a Queensland licence will remain unchanged.
Learner licences
From 1 May 2025, if you wish to obtain a Queensland learner licence, and you hold, or have held, a learner licence that corresponds to a class C, RE or R licence from an experienced driver recognition country in the last 5 years, you will be required to pass a road rules test, regardless of your age.
Open or provisional licences
Car and motorcycle licences
From 1 May 2025, if you wish to obtain a Queensland licence, and you hold or have held, a driver licence (other than a learner licence) that corresponds to class C, RE or R from an experienced driver recognition country in the last 5 years, you will be required to pass a road rules test and a practical driving test, regardless of your age.
Heavy vehicle licences
There are no changes to the process for transferring a heavy vehicle licence from an experienced driver recognition country. If you wish to obtain a heavy vehicle licence (class LR, MR, HR, HC or MC), you will need to pass a road rules test and a practical driving test.