Special Need for a Class C Learner or Provisional Licence

Getting your learner or provisional driver licence early

Queensland has a Graduated Licensing System to help reduce crash risk for novice drivers. It works by progressively requiring new drivers to gain more experience and driving skills over set periods of time.

Research shows that the young driver requirements help create safer and more skilled drivers. In particular, young drivers gain from:

• minimum age rules
• tenure rules
• supervised driving rules.

These laws are important. They help ensure that new drivers have enough time and experience to build the skills they need before driving alone.

In very rare situations, you may be able to get a licence early if you can demonstrate that you have a special need to drive. This includes getting your learner licence before you're 16 or your provisional licence before you've had your learner licence for 12 months.

We will carefully consider both your safety and the safety of others on the road before granting you an exemption to apply for your learner or provisional driver licence early.

As a young driver in Queensland aged 16 to 24, you are 60 per cent more likely to have a serious crash than drivers aged 25 to 59. This is why these exemptions are rarely granted.

Am I eligible to get my licence early?

You may be eligible to get your learner licence early if both of the following apply:

• you are not yet 16 years old
• you have evidence proving that not having a licence will create serious problems for you or your family because you have special responsibilities. For example, you are the main money earner or caregiver.

You may be eligible to get your provisional licence early if all of the following apply:

• you are under 17 years old
• you already have a class C learner licence
• you have completed your mandatory hours and your Learner Logbook has been approved
• you have passed the Hazard Perception Test
• you have evidence proving that not having a provisional licence will create serious problems for you or your family because you have special responsibilities. For example, you are the main money earner or caregiver.

If you are eligible, you can download and submit a completed Special Need – Learner or Provisional Licence Application (Age Rule) form (F4028).

Reasons that we will consider

You can get your licence early only if you show a special need to drive. Also, you must prove that there are no other reasonable transport options available.

We'll consider your application if you need to drive:

• to or from your job and you are the main income provider in your family, for example, you are responsible for paying bills such as rent and electricity and buying food so you and your family can live
• as part of a job where the work requires you to drive and you are the main income provider in your family
• to or from school, TAFE or university and you cannot study online
• to get medical treatment for yourself or someone in your family that you are responsible for taking care of.

Other transport options you must consider before applying include:

• Public transport
• Community transport services
• Active transport (walking, cycling)
• Taxis and rideshare services
• Travelling with family members, friends or workmates.

Helpful resources include Translink’s Journey Planner and Google Maps.

Proof you need

You must give us a letter from a doctor, employer, or school principal explaining your special need to drive.

You must also provide proof that not having a licence would cause severe hardship for you or someone in your family that you are responsible for taking care of. It’s a good idea to include things like bank account statements and rental receipts to support your application.

Lodging an application to get your licence early does not guarantee approval. We will assess the information and supporting documents that you provide. Your application will not be approved just because it would be convenient or beneficial for you to drive – it must be a ‘need’, as opposed to a ‘want’.

Send us your application

Send your completed application and supporting documents to:

• email:  lavr@tmr.qld.gov.au
• in person: at any TMR customer service centre
• post:
  Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration
  Department of Transport and Main Roads
  Post Box 673
  FORTITUDE VALLEY QLD 4006

What happens next?

We will assess your application and let you know in writing what we've decided.

If you are approved to get a learner licence early, you still need to finish the PrepL online learning program. Also, you must have a licensed driver with you whenever you drive.

If you are approved to get your provisional licence early, you must complete your logbook. You must also pass a hazard perception test and practical driving test before getting your provisional licence.