Queensland proposes road rules test for licence renewals

The Queensland Government is planning to introduce an Australian-first online road rules test for motorists who are renewing their driver licences – following the deadliest 12-month period on the state’s roads in 13 years.

Queensland recorded its highest road toll since 2009 with 299 fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes in 2022 – more than any Australian jurisdiction last year, despite being the country’s the third-most populous state. 

In response to Queensland's rising road toll, the Road Safety Roundtable was established in January 2023 – consisting of representatives from the state's transport department, Queensland Police, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), and advocacy groups.

The 'think tank' recommended motorists of all ages undergo a “refresher course” at licence renewal time.

However, for now, there are still no plans to introduce annual car safety registration checks – which, many advocates say, would make a bigger dent on the road toll than an online road rules test.

In Queensland, a car's road-worthiness is never checked – except when the vehicle is sold to another used-car buyer.

In NSW, all cars must undergo road-worthiness checks once they are more than five years old.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey told ABC Radio Brisbane the proposed road rules test course would focus on new regulations – rather than the extensive theoretical examination taken by motorists applying for learner and provisional licences.

"It might look like, you go online, you have a range of questions that cover the new territory that's happened since you last got your licence," Mr Bailey told ABC Radio Brisbane earlier this week.

"It's designed to be a refresher course, that people would look to do in an easy online way, that gives you a good review of what's happened in the last four or five years, since you got your licence last time."

While the details of the proposed course are yet to be finalised, Mr Bailey said a driver’s licence would not be revoked if they get the answers wrong – instead they will be offered multiple chances to provide the right response.

“It’s not whether we take your licence off you or not, it’s about educating you as a driver. If you don’t get it right the first time, you will get another shot at it and another shot at it until you do get it right.”

RACQ CEO David Carter said the motoring club supports better driver education, but believes more information is needed before the test is implemented.

“We’re supportive of driver education. The form it might take, and it’s very early days, we’d like all of the steps here to be research and evidence based", Mr Carter said in a media conference held on Monday.

“Road rules do change over time, it's been a long time since I started driving and I know the rules have changed. I think refresher training for all age groups and all types of drivers is a good thing. Ongoing driver training is a good thing.

No Australian states or territories currently require motorists to undergo a road rules examination before applying for a renewed licence, though medical certificates are required for elderly motorists in a majority of jurisdictions.

Motorists aged 75 and above are required to undergo annual medical checks in order to retain their driver’s licence in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. In Western Australia, the age threshold is 80 years old. 

In Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, motorists are only required to self-report and disclose any conditions which could affect their driving ability as they age.