Practical driving tests
You can upgrade your car learner licence to a provisional licence or upgrade your licence for another type of vehicle (such as a motorcycle or heavy vehicle) by passing a practical driving test.
If you are under 25, you are eligible to book a practical driving test once your learner logbook has been approved. If you are over 25 you don't need to complete a learner logbook before booking your test.
If you hold a car learner licence, you must pass the car hazard perception test before you can book your practical driving test. If you hold a motorcycle learner licence, you must pass the motorcycle hazard perception test before you can take your practical driving test.
On this page:
Book your test
To book a practical driving test you can:
- book and pay online
- pay the booking fee at a transport and motoring customer service centre and then book your test by calling 13 23 80
- book by calling 13 23 80 and then pay online
- pay the booking fee and then have your driver trainer book the test for you.
You can pay for bookings online with an accepted card type. You can pay with cash, cheque, money order, debit or credit cards at a transport and motoring customer service centre. Payments made by credit card will incur a credit card surcharge.
Note: Q-SAFE practical riding tests for class RE and R motorcycle licences cannot be booked online. If you are eligible to take a Q-SAFE practical riding test, you will need to book a test by calling 13 23 80 and then pay online or visit your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre that performs licensing services.
Change or cancel your test booking
If you need to change or cancel your booking, make sure to do it at least 2 business days before your test to avoid losing your booking fee. If you don't, your fees won't be refunded and you will need to pay a new booking fee.
To change your test booking:
- reschedule your booking online or
- call 13 23 80.
To cancel your test booking:
- call 13 23 80
or - visit a transport and motoring customer service centre to use the courtesy phone available to cancel your test.
Saturday driving tests
Saturday tests are available to help reduce driving test wait times in areas of high demand. These tests cost the same as a weekday driving test and can be booked, changed or cancelled in the same way as weekday tests.
Saturday tests are available at the following locations only:
- Caboolture
- Greenslopes
- Logan
- Maroochydore
- Southport
- Zillmere.
If you pass a driving test on a Saturday, you can pay with EFTPOS and get your licence on the day. If you need to use another form of payment, you must return to a transport and motoring customer service centre on a weekday during opening hours to get your licence.
Heavy vehicle driving tests on Saturdays are not currently available.
What to bring to your test
You should arrive 20 minutes before your appointment time. On the day of your test, you must:
- have the registration number of the vehicle you are using for the test
- have the permission of the registered operator to use the vehicle for the test
- provide proof of your identity
- bring your current Queensland, interstate or overseas licence (with a recognised English translation) if required
- bring a currently registered and roadworthy standard test vehicle with correctly displayed L-plates
- have your returning driver certificate—if applicable.
Note: If you have an interlock (I) condition on your licence, you are allowed to drive a vehicle without an interlock fitted for the duration of the test only.
If you don’t meet these requirements, you will need to book and pay for a new test.
You no longer have to complete a driver licence application form when visiting a Department of Transport and Main Roads customer service centre. You will still need to complete a driver licence application form (F3000) at police stations and most QGAP offices.
Once you arrive for your test, you will need to go inside the centre and register your attendance with a customer service officer. If the centre is not open (for example, if your test is booked for 8am and the centre does not open until 8.30am or 9:30am on Wednesdays) you should wait outside the customer service centre entrance for the driving examiner to meet you.
Your test fee will not be refunded if your test is cancelled because you:
- arrive late
- don’t meet the logbook requirements at the time of the test
- don’t have the registered operator’s permission to use the vehicle for the test
- have a test vehicle that isn’t safe and suitable for the test.
Recognised English translations
If you are transferring an overseas licence that is not in English you need to provide a recognised English translation provided by:
- a translator accredited with the National Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI)
- Multicultural NSW
- a Consul-General or authorised officer—the translation must be on official letterhead and stamped with the official consulate stamp.
Taking the test
Your driving examiner will give you instructions before you start your test. Listen carefully to the instructions and ask questions about anything you don’t understand. After the test has started, the driving examiner can’t answer questions that may influence your driving performance.
Your driving examiner will give you tasks to perform during the test. You must complete these tasks while following the road rules. The driving examiner will not ask you to do anything illegal or unsafe.
If your test vehicle is fitted with blind-spot mirrors, you must still look over your shoulder to make sure there are no vehicles in either blind spot.
If your test vehicle is fitted with Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) technology (such as Cruise Control, Active Driving Assist, Lane Centering Assist, Park Assist and Speed Assist) you must still demonstrate that you are able to drive the vehicle safely, without the assistance of these technologies. For example, if your vehicle is fitted with a reverse camera, you must still use all-round physical observation, and the vehicle's mirrors, to reverse safely.
Make sure you turn off your mobile phone before the test begins. The length of the test will depend on the licence code you are applying for. However, events such as roadworks and crashes may affect the length of your test.
| Licence class | Expected on-road test time |
|---|---|
| RE and R | 25-35 minutes |
| C and LR | 25-35 minutes |
| MR and HR | 60-70 minutes |
| HC | 70-80 minutes |
After the test
Your driving examiner will discuss the results of your test at the testing centre at the end of your test.
If you passed
- If you hold a learner licence, interstate licence or overseas licence, you must pay the licence fee before your new licence can be issued.
- If you already hold a current Queensland provisional P1, P2 or open licence, you will be issued a new licence showing the upgraded licence class at no cost.
- If a photo is required, you will need to remove glasses, sunglasses or any headwear and must maintain a neutral expression. If you wear headwear for religious reasons it must be adjusted so that all of your facial features from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead are clearly shown.
- You will be given a driver licence receipt authorising you to drive until your new licence is received in the mail. This will be sent in an unmarked envelope by standard mail.
- You must remove your L-plates before you leave the centre.
- If you are issued with a P1 or P2 licence, you must display the relevant P-plates. Not displaying a P-plate also carries a fine and 2 demerit points.
- Becoming a P-plater means you can’t drive a high-powered (performance) vehicle. This means that if you passed your driving test in a high-powered vehicle, you can't drive it away from the testing centre.
If you didn't pass
- Before you leave, make sure you know exactly what you did wrong and how you can improve.
- Come back after more practice and try again.
- There is no limit to the number of times you may take the test, but you must pay a fee every time.
If you hold an overseas licence and you fail a practical driving test, you will lose the authority to drive on your overseas licence. You will be able to use your overseas licence for the next practical driving test you take, but you will not be able to use this licence to practise driving. You will have to apply for a Queensland learner licence if you need to practise driving before taking your next test.
Cooling off period
If you fail a class C (or CA) practical test, you must wait before you can take the test again:
- if you failed your first attempt, you can resit the test the next day
- if you failed your second attempt, you can resit the test 8 days later
- if you failed your third (or higher) attempt, you can resit the test 29 days later.
You can book to resit your practical driving test before the cooling-off period has ended.