As we all know, the Queensland Government has introduced a new licensing system which will adversely affect young motorists on a Learner or Provisional License. There has been plenty of confusion over these new laws and in particular the transition of existing provisional license holders to the new system whilst under a license suspension.
But with the help of a Queensland Transport Operators Manual I have compiled a comprehensive guide to the changes to the licensing system and answered many of the commonly asked questions.
New provisional licence
From 1 July 2007 changes will be implemented for provisional licence holders who obtain their licence from this date. A provisional licence holder aged under 25 years will commence the first stage of the provisional period on a P1 type licence.
The P1 stage will be a minimum 12 month cumulative period and will have greater restrictions and conditions than the second provisional stage (P2).
A P1 provisional licence holder must:
- display red P plates for a minimum 12 month period
- carry only one passenger aged under 21 from 11pm to 5am (excluding family members)
- adhere to a ban on using a mobile phone, including hands-free kits and blue tooth accessories
- adhere to vehicle power restrictions
- display green P plates for the rest of the provisional licence period
- adhere to vehicle power restrictions.
- display green P plates for a minimum 12 month period.
Will all provisional licence holders be required to undergo P1 and P2 stages?
These changes will only apply to persons who are issued with a provisional licence from 1 July 2007.
What happens if my licence is suspended, cancelled or disqualified?
Periods of licence suspension, cancellation or disqualification will not contribute to the time
required for the P1 or P2 stages. For example, a 3 month suspension will mean a minimum P1 stage of 15 months.
What if I transfer from interstate?
If your provisional licence was first issued prior to 1 July 2007, the changes will not affect you, until you renew your licence. However, if you were issued a licence after 1 July 2007, upon transfer to Queensland, the new laws will apply to you.
What is a P Plate?
A P plate is a plate that displays a red (for P1) or green (for P2) P with a white background and measures at least 146mm x 146mm, with the character on the plate visible from 20 metres away at any point within an arc of 45 degrees.
Where do I display the P plates?
The plates must be conspicuously displayed on both the front and rear of a vehicle. The plate's cannot obstruct the vision of the driver.
When do I display my P plates?
You will be required to display your P plates once your provisional licence has been issued and when driving any vehicle. If you intend to drive away when you pass your practical driving test, you will be required to attach P plates.
Will all provisional licence holders be required to display P plates?
Provisional licence holders (classes C, CA) licensed after 1 July 2007 will be required to:
- display red P plates during the P1 phase
- display green P plates (when they progress to the P2 stage).
What are the new restrictions to mobile phone use?
Provisional licence holders under 25 years of age in the P1 phase can not use a mobile phone at any time while driving, including the use of hands free kits and blue tooth accessories.
Why are these changes being introduced?
Young drivers are at greater risk of distraction than more experienced drivers. Banning mobile phone use for provisional drivers (while on P1) removes the potential for distraction.
Can my passengers use a mobile phone?
Passengers of a provisional driver (while on P1) are prohibited from using a phone that is on loudspeaker but can use a hand held or hands free mobile phone where only a one-way conversation can occur and not distract the driver.
Logbook Overview
What is it?
The logbook will be used to record the supervised on-road driving experience that learner license holders (under the age of 25) will now be required to meet. The requirement to record driving experience in a logbook is not applicable for learner drivers over 25 years of age, however it is highly recommended.
Supervised On-Road Driving Experience
The amount of time that will need to be recorded in the logbook will depend on:
- The learner's age at 1st issue (under 25 years or over 25 years)
- The date the license was obtained
- Being able to meet the transitional requirements
- Issued before 01/07/07, there is no requirement to record supervised on-road driving experience in a logbook.
- Issued or renewed on / after 01/07/07, 100 hours supervised on-road driving experience including 10 hours night driving must be recorded.
- Additionally, there are specific transitional arrangements for the first time learner license applicants who turn 16 and a half between 01/06/07 and 31/12/07 and apply for a learner license within the first six months of implementation. These applicants are required to complete 60 hours supervised on-road driving experience including 5 hours of night driving.
- 10 hours (10 x 1 hour sessions = a total of 30 hours) for the 100 hour requirement.
- 5 hours (5 x 1 hour sessions = a total of 15 hours) for the 60 hour requirement.
How is the logbook checked?
Once the supervised on-road driving experience requirement has been met the learner will then be required to lodge the completed logbook for checking.
If not presented earlier, the logbook should be presented to Australia Post at least 14 days before their practical driving test. Australia Post will give the learner a receipt as proof of lodgement and will then arrange to have the logbook forwarded to the CPU (Logbooks) within Queensland Transport.
In Person
Queensland Transport staff may be required to check a logbook in exceptional circumstances. Guidelines for when this may occur are currently being developed and you will be given further information closer to implementation.
Logbooks will NOT be accepted for checking at Queensland Police Stations or QGAP offices at any time!
Logbook Checked
The logbook accessing officer will need to check the relevant documentation to ensure that the logbook meets the assessment criteria.
If the logbook is not submitted within the required time and the check is not finalised before the practical driving test, the test and the booking fee may be forfeited.
Logbook Passed
If the supervised on-road driving experience requirements have been passed, the results will be recorded on the users driving record. Once the supervised on-road driving experience requirements have been met the customer may undertake their practical driving test.
Under Investigation
If the logbook is return or is determined that further review (suspicious / possible fraudulent entries), the issue is esculated and is referred to the Prosecutions Unit for further investigation. If a decision is made that the logbook entries were not genuine, a 6 week deferment from undertaking a practical driving from the date their logbook is passed on the system will be imposed.
Notification will be made to the applicant explaining the outcome, including new logbook requirements, and assessing subsequent submissions. The applicant has the right to appeal if the 6 week deferment has been imposed.
Logbook Content
The logbook is divided into 2 parts:
The first part contains instructions and information on:
- Driving supervisors
- Logbook entries (what to record)
- When and how to lodge the logbook
- Interstate & foreign logbooks
- Prior driving experience
- What to bring for the practical driving test
- Driving experience record - learner and supervising drivers complete these pages.
- Prior Driving Experience Declaration - is completed by applicants who are claiming prior driving experience.
- Driving Experience Declaration - completed and signed by the learner driver and their verifying person who will confirm that the signature on the declaration matches with the signature appearing on the learner license.
Young Drivers - Penalties
As well as the late night driving restriction (which is displayed when a license is looked up) there will be penalties for:
- If the supervisor does not hold an open license for the class of vehicle, has not held that license for at least 1 year and the supervisor does not sit next to the learner drivers.
- If the supervisor signs the logbook entry knowing it is false and misleading.
- Failure to comply with mobile phone restrictions
- Failure to display L plates
- Failure to display P plates
- Displaying a P plate when not the holder of an appropriate license type
- Failure to abide by the high powered vehicle restrictions
- Failure to abide by the late night driving restrictions
- Failure to produce an exemption certificate for a high powered vehicle or late night driving restriction.
To better understand exactly how the new systems works so there isn't any confusion, unless you have had a court revoke your license (severe cases) and you need to re-apply for a drivers license these laws will not affect you. If you obtained your license prior to July 1st as a provisional driver you will continue to be on the 'old licensing system' regardless of any existing license suspensions or good driving behaviors.
If you obtained your license after July 1st (meaning, you have to physically apply for a license) you will be automatically placed on the new system!
Q Do I need to provide a notice of exemption for my turbo car if I got my license prior to July 1st?
A No, these laws do not affect you.
Q Do I need to display P plates if I got my license prior to July 1st?
A No, these laws do not affect you.
Q I am on the new licensing system, what happens if I don't have my P plates showing?
A Failing to comply with the restrictions for P1 and P2 drivers (high performance vehicle restrictions, late night driving restrictions, passenger restrictions) all have the penalty of 3 points and $225.
Q I lost my license 6 months ago and get it back on July 2nd. Does this mean I will be placed on a P1 license?
A If you already hold a provisional license and this is prior to the new laws introduction (July 1st) you will remain on your original Provisional driving conditions. It is only that a license is cancelled and reissued after July 1st that you would you be affected.
Q My mate said to me that because I turned 16 before July 1st I can apply with the old licensing system?
A If you apply for a license, either learners or provisionals from here in (after July 1st) you will be on the new licensing system (no exceptions!)
Q I am on the new laws, what modifications can I make to my car?
A As long as you don't require a modification plate you should be ok. But if your vehicles power is enhanced beyond 200kw it will be illegal. Example, Toyota Aurion fitted with an after market exhaust will add performance to the vehicles existing output power which would tip it over 200kw.
Q How will the police enforce modified vehicles?
A Police are equipped with a booklet containing the vehicles kw output per the make and model of the car, in addition there are output examples for adding after marketing equipment which can be tallied up to check if the 200kw limit is exceeded. (Booklet will be available here shortly)