Queensland · Your Keys to Driving in Queensland · chapter 4 · 33 min read

Motorcycles, Heavy Vehicles & Other Licences

Probationary and restricted licences

Probationary licences If you were disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence by a court and you have now served the period of disqualification, you will be issued with a probationary licence. If you held a P1 or P2 licence before you were disqualified, you will get a P1 or P2 probationary licence. You will be required to hold a probationary licence for at least one year. You must continue to comply with the conditions applicable to your P1 or P2 licence, including displaying P plates on your vehicle while driving. If you held an open licence before you were disqualified, you will get a P probationary licence. You will be required to hold a probationary licence for at least one year.

Conditions for probationary licence holders You must:

• hold the probationary licence for at least one year
• carry your licence at all times when driving. If you are waiting to receive your licence in the mail, you must carry your Driver Licence Receipt
• have a zero BAC when driving – see Alcohol and drugs, page 102
• comply with a late night driving restriction (if you held a P1 or P2 licence and were under 25 at the time of committing the offence that resulted in your disqualification), prohibiting you from driving between 11pm and 5am, if required – see Late night driving restrictions, page 169. You may:
• drive any class of vehicle shown on your licence
• learn to drive a higher class vehicle as long as you are with someone who holds an open licence for that class vehicle and has held that licence for at least one year – see Licence classes, codes and conditions, page 12. Note: High-powered vehicle restrictions also apply to probationary licence holders who return from a disqualification to a P1 or P2 probationary licence, when at the time of the offence they were under 25. These restrictions apply for the duration of the probationary period regardless of age. For further information about probationary licences visit www.qld.gov.au. Restricted licences If you are convicted of a drink or drug driving offence you may ask the court that convicts you to grant you a restricted licence, commonly known as a ‘work’ licence. You must apply to the court for this licence before your period of disqualification is imposed. To be eligible for a restricted licence you must be able to prove to the court that you will not impose a risk on other road users and you need a driver licence to earn your living. You are not eligible to apply for a restricted licence if:
• you did not hold a Queensland open licence at the time you committed, and were convicted of, the offence
• you were driving a motor vehicle that you were not authorised to drive under your open licence at the time you committed the offence
• when tested, your BAC was 0.15 or greater – see Alcohol and drugs, page 102
• when you committed the offence you were using the vehicle in an activity directly connected with your means of earning a living
• at the time of the offence, you were driving a truck, tractor, specially constructed vehicle, bus, articulated motor vehicle, B-double, road train, public passenger vehicle (for example bus, taxi or booked hire vehicle), tow truck, pilot or escort vehicle escorting an oversize vehicle, a vehicle that is licensed or required to be licensed to carry dangerous goods, or a vehicle being used by a driver trainer to give driver training
• in the past five years, your provisional or open licence has been suspended or cancelled, or you have been disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence
• you have been convicted of drink or drug driving or dangerous driving in the past five years.

• Conditions for restricted licence holders You must:
• carry your licence and court order at all times when driving. If you are waiting to receive your licence in the mail, you must carry your Driver Licence Receipt
• comply with the conditions stated on the court order when driving
• have a zero BAC when driving – see Alcohol and drugs, page 102. You may drive any class of vehicle shown on your driver licence. For further information about restricted licences, visit www.qld.gov.au. Motorcycles

Getting a class RE motorcycle learner licence To be eligible for a class RE motorcycle learner licence, you must: