Replacing your licence—living in a remote area
You can apply to get a replacement licence if your licence was lost, stolen, destroyed or defaced.
You can apply to replace your driver licence online. If you live in a remote area of Queensland and cannot get to an office, you may be able to apply for a replacement licence by mail.
You will not be able to replace your driver licence by mail if:
- your driver licence is expired
- your driver licence is currently cancelled or suspended
- you are currently disqualified from holding or getting a driver licence in Australia or any other country.
How to replace your licence by mail
Step 1: Download the remote licence renewal kit
Queensland driver licence remote area kit
This kit consists of:
- instructions
- remote area licence options information sheet
- replacement driver licence application
- specimen signature form
- medical certificate for motor vehicle driver
- evidence of identity requirements for individuals.
Step 2: Complete the replacement driver licence application form
You will need to complete all sections of the driver licence application form.
You must sign this form in the presence of an approved witness:
- doctor
- police officer
- lawyer
- judge
- Justice of the Peace
- Commissioner for Declarations
- notary public
- consular or ambassadorial officer.
Make sure you have your photos (step 5) and a photocopy of your current Queensland driver licence (step 6) ready for signing at the same time.
Step 3: Complete the specimen signature form
This form must be printed on A4 white paper to make sure it is the correct size for digital imaging of your signature.
Make sure you complete all sections of the form and sign your name in both specimen signature boxes, using a black pen only.
Step 4: Medical certificate (if required)
You need to provide a medical certificate if you are 75 years of age or older, or you have a mental or physical incapacity that may adversely affect your ability to drive safely.
You should complete the private and commercial vehicle driver’s health assessment form together with part 1 of the medical certificate for motor vehicle driver form before visiting your doctor.
Your doctor will complete the medical certificate and return it to you for lodgement with your application.
Step 5: Photos
You must provide 2 identical colour photos. You will need to get an approved witness (see step 2) to sign and endorse the back of both photos. The words that must be used are ‘I certify this is a true photo of [applicant’s name] in my presence’.
The photos must be:
- 35mm wide x 45mm long in size and must not be more than 6 months old
- passport quality—automatic machine photos such as those taken from a photo booth, are not acceptable
- printed on high quality paper, at a resolution of 600dpi or higher
- must not be digitally altered or manipulated, for example photo editing to remove spots
Glasses or sunglasses must be removed for the photo, even if normally worn for driving.
Further information about the photo requirements is provided in the kit.
Step 6: Evidence of identity
You will need to include a photocopy of your current Queensland driver licence. If you cannot provide this, you will need to provide 3 forms of identity documents.
If you have changed your name, or the details of your name are different on your identification documents, you will need to supply extra evidence of your name change
The photocopies of your evidence of identity documents must be signed and endorsed with the words ’I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original’ by an approved witness (see step 2).
Step 7: Pay the required fees
You can pay the licence replacement fee to replace your licence by cheque or money order.
Do not send cash.
Step 8: Submit your application
Use the checklist provided in the instructions to make sure you have included everything needed to process your licence replacement.
Mail your completed application, including supporting documents and the licence fee, to:
Atherton Customer Service Centre
PO Box 446
ATHERTON QLD 4883
A new licence will be sent to you when we have successfully processed your licence replacement. If you have signed up for e-reminders we will email you when your licence is posted.