Queensland · Your Keys to Driving in Queensland · chapter 3 · 23 min read

Practical Test & Provisional Licences

You will not have to do this if you are using the Queensland learner logbook app. The information contained in your logbook is valuable. It’s a good idea to keep a copy of the driving experience pages or to keep an electronic logbook. You cannot take your practical driving test until you lodge your completed logbook and it has been assessed and passed. Every time you gain on-road driving experience it should be recorded accurately as an entry in your logbook. Your supervisor can be a family member, a friend or an accredited driver trainer, or a combination of all three of these. An accredited driver trainer is a professional driving instructor with a driving school – see Accredited Driver Trainer page 24. Driving experience (day or night) with an accredited driver trainer counts as triple the amount of actual time you spend driving up to a maximum of 10 hours. For example 10 hours tripled (x 3) = 30 hours which is 1800 minutes that may be recorded in your logbook. If you have undertaken driving experience in Australia or New Zealand under an Australian or New Zealand learner licence, record that experience on a Prior Driving Experience Application (form F4450). You can also use a combination of that experience on Prior Driving Experience Application (form F4450) with driving experience recorded in your logbook. If you have undertaken driving experience in a recognised country under a foreign learner licence, record a combination of that experience on a Prior Driving Experience Application (form F4450) (no more than 50 hours) and driving experience gained on Australian roads recorded in your logbook (at least 50 hours, including the required 10 hours of night driving). For more information on recognised countries visit www.qld.gov.au. If you are unable to gain 100 hours of supervised on-road driving experience, you may be eligible to apply for an exemption. If an exemption is granted, you must hold your learner licence for two years before undertaking your practical driving test. Your supervising driver(s) must approve every entry in your logbook. If you are submitting a Prior Driving Experience Application, your supervising driver(s) must also sign this form. When you have completed 100 hours, you will need to agree to a declaration that the logbook entries are true and correct. Penalties apply to you and your supervisor if you record false or misleading information in your logbook. Hazard perception test All learner drivers are required to pass the hazard perception test before they can take the practical driving test. You can take the hazard perception test once you have held your learner licence for six months. To pass the hazard perception test you need to demonstrate your ability to identify hazards through watching and reacting to situations in a series of high- quality 3D computer generated clips. The hazards you will be tested on are the most challenging for novice drivers based on road crash data. The test is only available online at www.qld.gov.au. It is not available at driver licence issuing centres. If you pass the test, you will not be required to sit it again. There is also a motorcycle hazard perception test for learner motorcycle riders. Just like the car hazard perception test, you have to demonstrate your ability to identify hazards by watching and reacting to situations in a series of high- quality 3D computer generated clips. The hazards in this test are depicted from the perspective of a motorcycle rider and are the most challenging for novice riders based on road crash data – see Getting a class RE provisional or open licence, page 43. Visit www.qld.gov.au for more information.

Mobile phones Mobile phones can be a major distraction to young drivers. This is why learner licence and P1 licence holders under 25 are banned from using mobile phones at any time while driving. This includes using hands-free kits, Bluetooth® accessories and loudspeaker functions. Your supervisor and any passengers are also banned from using mobile phones on loudspeaker function. If you are under 25, a learner licence holder and need to use your mobile phone, you may use it only when you are legally and safely parked. All drivers can also use their phone when stopped to pay at a drive through, gain access to/from a car park or similar area, or present a digital driver licence.

Ready to drive – for the learner When you receive your learner licence you can choose between the Queensland learner logbook app or the Queensland learner logbook to record your 100 hours of supervised on-road driving experience (including at least 10 hours night driving). Visit www.qld.gov.au for everything you need to know to progress from your learner licence to your provisional and open licence. Use your time as a learner to make yourself the best possible driver. You don’t want to just pass. You want to be the best driver you can be.

Q-Safe practical driving test

You must pass the hazard perception test before you can undertake a practical driving test – see Hazard perception test, page 28. To be able to drive solo, you must demonstrate your driving ability by passing the Q-Safe practical driving test. Please check the Queensland Government website at www.qld.gov.au for up-to-date information about the Q-Safe test.

Booking your Q-Safe practical driving test If you have an accredited driver trainer, they may arrange an appointment time for your Q-Safe practical driving test at a testing centre. If not, you’ll need to do this yourself. You will be required to pay the practical driving test fee. You will not be able to take the practical driving test if you have not passed the hazard perception test. You can book and pay for your practical test online at www.tmr.qld.gov.au or by calling 13 23 80. If you are a learner licence holder under 25, you must lodge your completed and certified logbook via Australia Post ,or via your app, at least 12 business days before your practical driving test. The Department of Transport and Main Roads will carefully check your logbook and will then notify you of your assessment result. Your logbook must be approved before you can take your practical driving test. For more information about booking a practical driving test, call the Department of Transport and Main Roads on 13 23 80, visit Services online at www.tmr.qld.gov.au, or check the information in your logbook. Note: If you wish to obtain a motorcycle licence or heavy vehicle licence, see pages 42 and 54 respectively.