Open licence

Applying for an open licence

You must be at least 20 years old to be eligible for an open driver licence. You can apply by visiting a:

transport and motoring customer service centre
participating Queensland Government Agent Program (QGAP) office
licence-issuing police station (in rural or remote areas of Queensland).

To upgrade your provisional licence to an open licence, you must:

have held your provisional licence for the required period
provide evidence of your identity
declare that you are medically fit to drive the class of vehicle. You may need to provide a medical certificate that states that you are medically fit to drive
pay the licence fee—if your current licence is expiring or expired.

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 may need to have your photo taken when you apply for your open licence. If your application is approved, you will receive a driver licence receipt which authorises you to drive. Your new driver licence will be sent to you by standard mail.

If you are using the Digital Licence app, your licence in the app will automatically update to Open once your licence has been upgraded.

Driving with an open licence

When driving with an open licence you must:

only drive the vehicles allowed on your licence class unless you are learning to drive a higher vehicle class
comply with any conditions on your licence
carry your licence with you at all times when driving a heavy vehicle and show it to a police officer if requested—you may be given 48 hours to present your licence if you are driving a class C vehicle or riding a motorcycle
not be under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs.

You must also obey the:

general alcohol limit (below 0.05) when driving a car or riding a motorcycle for private use
zero alcohol limit (0.00)

if you hold a class RE open motorcycle licence and you have held the class RE licence for less than 12 months you are required to comply with the zero alcohol limit (0.00) while riding a motorcycle
if you hold a valid licence that has an 'I' condition (for interlock) you are required to comply with the zero alcohol limit (0.00) at all times when driving.

zero alcohol limit (0.00) also applies when driving, or in charge of a:
- truck
- bus
- articulated motor vehicle
- B-double
- road train
- taxi
- limousine
- tow truck
- pilot or escort vehicle escorting an oversize vehicle
- vehicle carrying a placard load of dangerous goods
- tractor
- specially constructed vehicle
- a vehicle you are using to deliver driver training.

You can supervise a learner driver once you have held that class of open licence for a year. You can learn to drive the next higher vehicle class while you hold a provisional, probationary or open licence.

Photo requirements

When you apply for a driver licence, photo identification card, marine licence indicator or industry authority in Queensland you may need to have your photo taken.

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.

Digital Licence app available now

The Digital Licence app is now available for all Queenslanders.

If you have a driver licence, you can use the app to store and share details of your licence.

First aid training

First aid training can give you the lifesaving skills to respond to injuries from a motor vehicle crash.

Last updated:: 6 December 2024

Applying for a licence