Steps from a learner to a provisional licence

Before you can get your P1 or P2 provisional licence, you will need to get lots of supervised on-road experience and learn how to be a good and safe driver.

You will get a P1 licence if you pass your practical driving test when you are under 25 years of age.

If you are at least 25 when you pass your practical driving test you will get a P2 licence.

Learner licence to P1 or P2 provisional licence

You will need to pass certain criteria before going for your P1 or P2 provisional licence. You and your supervisor should also feel that you are confident enough to begin driving on your own. You should feel that your supervisor is simply your passenger and you no longer need them for driving support or advice.

When you can get your P1 licence

To move from your learner licence to a P1 provisional licence, you must:

• be 17 or older
• have had your learner licence for at least 1 year (within the last 5 years of applying for a P1 licence)
• passed the hazard perception test
• have recorded 100 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours of night driving, in a learner logbook that has been submitted to us and approved.

Not ready yet? See getting a learner licence and rules for learner drivers for help.

Ready for the practical test

Step 1—complete the hazard perception test

You must have held your learner licence for at least 6 months before you can take the hazard perception test. We'll send you an email to let you know when you can take the test.

From 1 July 2021 you must pass the hazard perception test before you can take your practical driving test.

Step 2—submit your logbook

If you are under 25, you will need to submit a learner logbook. You can submit your learner logbook using the Queensland Learner Logbook app or you can submit your Queensland Learner Logbook at any Australia Post office. If you are over 25 years old you do not need to submit a logbook.

You can use a recognised third party app, find more information about learner logbooks.

We will then contact you to let you know whether your logbook has passed. You can choose to be notified by SMS or email. It will take at least 12 business days for us to receive and process your logbook.

Step 3—book your practical driving test

If you are over 25, or once you know that your logbook has passed, you can book your Q-SAFE practical driving test.

You can:

• book and pay online
• book and pay over the phone (call 13 23 80)
• pay the booking fee at a transport and motoring service centre and then book your test over the phone (call 13 23 80)
• pay the booking fee at a transport and motoring service centre and then have your driver trainer book the test for you.

Learn about the practical driving test, what it involves and what to bring.

Taking the practical driving test

You must:

• arrive at least 20 minutes before your appointment time for your driving test
• organise a registered motor vehicle that meets the standard test vehicle requirements for the class of licence you are applying for. Note: You must have the registered operator's authorisation to use the test vehicle. You will be asked for confirmation of this.
• bring your current Queensland learner licence with you. If you hold an overseas driver licence, you will need to provide additional evidence of identity documents
• correctly display L plates.

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.

You will need to pay for your P1 or P2 provisional licence at a transport and motoring service centre immediately after passing your practical driving test. You will receive a receipt for your driver licence which authorises you to drive until your licence is received in the mail.

When you get your P1 or P2 provisional licence

When you get your P1 or P2 provisional licence you can drive unsupervised. However, there are strict rules that apply to you specifically as a provisional driver. When you first get your licence, make sure to:

• remove your L plates and put up your red P plates (if you have been issued a P1 provisional) or green P plates (if you have been issued a P2 provisional) before driving
• study the provisional licence restrictions and rules that now apply to you.

P1 licence to P2 licence

If you hold a P1 licence and did not complete the hazard perception test as a learner driver, you must pass this test before you can move to a P2 or open licence.

Find out how to prepare for the test and what it involves.

When you get your P2 provisional licence

P2 licence holders can drive with fewer restrictions than P1 licence holders. However, it is still very important that you know the rules that apply to you.
Make sure that you:

• put up your green P plates before driving
• study the provisional licence restrictions and rules that now apply to you.