Driving in Queensland with an expired driving permit is as severe as driving without a licence, which is illegal. In some cases, a driving licence could be used as proof of identity, such as taking an airplane. However, this regulation is inapplicable to driving permits that have expired for more than two years. According to the Queensland government, you are not allowed to renew your licence once it has expired for 5 years or more.
The government would send you a notification through email or post 6 weeks before your QLD driving permit expires. If you have received it and have no idea about what to do next, you are in the right place. In this passage, we are going to talk about driving licence renewal, including required documents and online or in-person application.
Renew the Driving Licence Online
Online service allows you to renew the licence 6 weeks at most before expiration by going through the following steps.
- Step 1. Log in
Please log in Queensland official website and provide detailed information about your licence. The officer would confirm your identity first.
- Step 2. Verify the address
You are required to provide a residential address and postal address. The former one would be printed on the licence. Please make sure it belongs to Queensland. The latter one would be where the new licence is sent. In this step, the officer would check whether you can renew the driving licence online.
- Step 3. Answer questions
There are some questions listed in this section that are used to check your eligibility and health conditions to drive.
- Step 4. Select renewal terms
It is up to you to decide the duration of your driving licence. For provisional and open licences, there are 1-5 years available while the learner licences are for 3 years.
- Step 5. Fulfill payment
Visa, credit card and debit cards are all acceptable, but BPAY is not allowed.
Renew QLD Driving Licence in Person
If you cannot renew your driving licence online, you can visit a transport and motoring customer service center in person.
Eligibility to Renew Driving Licence
For the reasons below, you are not eligible to renew your driving licence online.
- You have to retake a driving licence photo. (The photo is valid for 10 years)
- You have no medical certificate record in the authorities’ system and have to submit one.
- There are more than 6 weeks before your current QLD licence expires.
- Your licence has been expired for over 5 years.
- Your licence was disqualified, canceled or suspended in any state or territory of Australia, not only limited to Queensland.
- You are no longer a Queensland resident.
- You want a longer duration than the online application provides (new photo required).
- You have changed your name since the last issuance.
- You want to add or delete some licence conditions (not including S condition for corrective lenses).
Steps to Renew Driving Licence
The renewal process takes a few simple steps listed as follows:
- Step 1: Prepare the required and supporting documents.
Bring the original copy of your current driving licence. Show other proof of identity if your licence is lost or stolen, such as adult proof of age, photo identification card, taxi driver’s licence, marine licence indicator, etc.
Bring the proof of name change if you have changed your name.
Bring a medical fitness report to prove that you are physically fit to drive.
For more information about evidence of identity, please check here.
- Step 2: Visit the Transport and Motoring Service Centres that is closest to you.
You don’t need to fill in the application form at the Department of Transport and Main Roads Customer Service Centre, but you have to at police stations and most QGAP offices.
- Step 3: Take a photo.
Take a new driving licence photo on the spot if necessary.
- Step 4: choose validity terms and fulfill payment.
Pay the licence fees according to the duration you choose.
With all these done, just wait for the delivery of your new licence at home. If you register for an e-reminder, you will receive notifications of the delivery process and the next renewal request by email.
Renewing Driving Licence in Remote Areas
You are allowed to renew your licence by mail if you resident in remote areas except for the following conditions:
- Your licence has expired for 5 years or above.
- Your licence is under suspension or cancellation.
- You are not eligible to get Australian or other countries driving licence.
Steps to Renew Driving Licence by Mail
- Step 1: Download the Queensland driver licence remote area kit.
The kit includes instructions, remote area licence options information sheet, an application form, a specimen signature form, a medical certificate for motor vehicle driver and proof of identity requirements for individuals.
- Step 2: Fill in the application form.
Provide all the information required and sign in an approved witness’s presence. He/she could be a doctor, lawyer, judge, Justice of the Peace, police officer, Commissioner for Declarations, notary public or consular or ambassadorial officer.
- Step 3: Sign on the specimen signature form.
Please print out this form on A4 white paper and sign in both specimen signature boxes with black pen. Paper of other sizes and signature in other colors is prohibited.
- Step 4: Prepare a medical certificate (if required).
Applicants at 75 years old or older or with a mental/physical disability that possibly affects driving must offer a medical certificate signed by a registered doctor.
Before visiting the doctor, please fill out the driver’s health assessment form and the first part of the medical certificate for motor vehicle driver form.
- Step 5: Attach photos.
It is required to attach 2 identical colored photos in your application and both are signed by the approved witness stated in step 2 and endorsed with words like “I certify this is a true photograph of [applicant’s name] in my presence”. Please refer to the photo requirement to learn about what qualified photos should be.
- Step 6: Provide Evidence of identity.
Please include a photocopy of your current licence in the mail. If you fail to provide this, you have to include 3 forms of identity documents. If your name has changed, additional evidence is required to verify your identity. All these documents must have the signature of the approved witness and endorsement stating that “I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original”.
- Step 7: Fulfill payment and submit application.
Renewing a driving licence by mail requires you to pay by cheque or money order. Don’t include cash in your post.
Final check what you prepared according to the checklist in the driver licence renewal kit to see if there are omissions before sending out all the documents and certificates. If not, mail the package to the following address.
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Attention: Manager
Dalby Customer Service Centre
PO Box 767
DALBY QLD 4405
Driving Licence Photo Requirements
In order to avoid rejection, the photo must be:
- 35mm in width and 45mm in length.
- taken in the last 6 months.
- be of passport quality: colored, clear and high-definition. Don’t make it in photo booths.
- be printed at a resolution of 600 dpi or clearer on premium paper.
- not modified by software like Photoshop. For example, removing blemishes or adding special effects.
- clear of glasses, sunglasses or colored contact lenses.
For more information about the photo standards, please check the kit.
Renewing Licence Interstate/Overseas
Supposing that you are travelling or living outside Queensland, you can renew your driving licence online or by mail. The required documents, eligibility and process are similar to what we have introduced before.
When choosing the mail service, you have to download the interstate or overseas driver licence renewal kit first. Then follow the steps listed in Renewing Driving Licence in Remote Areas Section. Please note that there is a file called “temporary residence statement—interstate or overseas” in the kit. Complete the statement and sign it in front of the approved witness (step 2).
If you are in another state of Australia, payment by cheque or money order is accepted.
If you are overseas, you must pay through a personal or bank cheque in Australian dollars and from an Australian-affiliated bank, payable to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
In addition, as you have an account linked to your QLD driver licence number at a transport and motoring customer service centre, QGAP office or police station, you can pay to the account directly.
FAQs: QLD Driving Licence Renewal
Q: How do I change my name on driving licence?
A: You must inform the Department of Transport and Main Roads of the name change within 14 days. It charges no fees to change the name. You must visit the transport and motoring customer service centre with your application, proof of identity with old name, proof of name change, current driving licence.
Q: How do I change the address on driving licence?
A: You must inform the Department of Transport and Main Roads of the address change within 14 days. You can change your address online, by calling the Department of Transport and Main Roads at 13 23 80, visiting the transport and motoring customer service centre in person, and sending a letter to the Department of Transport and Main Roads (PO Box 5232, BRISBANE QLD 4001). The letter must include your full name, driver licence number, date of birth, old and new address and signature.
Q: How do I change the gender on driving licence?
A: Queensland canceled the gender indicator on driving licence on Oct. 1st, 2016. If you do want to change it, you must visit a transport and motoring customer service centre by carrying proof of your identity, evidence of your name change (if any) and one of the certificates that confirms the update of your sex (such as passport/birth certificate/a letter endorsed by a doctor or psychologist)
Q: How much does it cost to renew driving licence in Queensland?
A: It is subject to the duration. It costs AUD 64.20 for 1 year, AUD 89.5 for 2 years, AUD 110.75 for 3 years, AUD 128.15 for 4 years, AUD 143.75 for 5 years,
Q: How long does it take to make a new driving licence?
A: Within 21 days. If you don’t receive it, please contact the issuance department.
Summary
Australia has strict rules and regulations on traffic safety, please make sure to hold a valid Australian driving licence when you are going on a road trip. Luckily, there are multiple methods to renew a driving licence in QLD, whether you are in or out of Australia. We hope you fully understand the preparation, process, cost, and processing time of driving licence renewal online, in person or by mail.
Dolores Xiao