Queensland road rules: the main ones, and what's new

Where are the Queensland road rules written down?

In two places. Your keys to driving in Queensland is TMR's road rules handbook for all drivers, including learners. qld.gov.au covers the same ground page by page: everyday driving, sharing the road, child restraints, speed limits, school zones, bikes and scooters, and motorcycles. If the two ever disagree, go by qld.gov.au, because TMR keeps those pages current.

Speed limits

With no signs, the limit is 50 km/h in a built-up area and 100 km/h outside one. Some better roads allow 110 km/h, but only where a sign shows it. Heavy vehicles over 12 tonnes and buses over 5 tonnes are capped at 100 km/h. You can't go over the limit even to overtake, and if an electronic variable speed sign is blank, you follow the fixed signs. There are no special lower limits for learner or P-plate drivers.

Alcohol limits

Learner, P1, P2, probationary and restricted licence holders must have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of zero, whatever their age. So must anyone driving a truck over 4.5 tonnes, a bus, a taxi or a driver trainer's car, among others. Open licence holders driving a private car must stay under 0.05.

Lights, horns and level crossings

Your headlights, tail-lights and number plate lights must be on at night and in bad weather. Dip your high beam when another vehicle is within 200 m, and use fog lights only when the weather makes things hard to see. Use your horn only to warn others you're there.

At a level crossing, stop at a STOP sign or line, give way at a GIVE WAY sign or line, and don't go onto the crossing while lights flash, bells ring or boom gates move, or if the road beyond is blocked.

New Queensland driving laws in 2026

TMR says fines and penalties went up by 3.5% on 1 July 2026. From 31 August 2026, you must be 16 and hold at least a learner licence to ride an e-scooter, e-skateboard, e-unicycle or Segway.

On 17 September 2026 the Queensland Government said new laws had passed. From 1 December 2026, it says, penalties for drug driving double, drivers caught more than 40 km/h over the limit face an immediate six-month suspension, and drivers can nominate the adult passenger responsible for a seatbelt offence.

Give way, U-turns and keeping left

Giving way has its own section on the test. These rules each have a page of their own.