Why our car driving lessons are different!
Here at Queensland Driving Academy, we believe that defensive driving should be an integral part of our driving behaviour so that we can prevent accidents in our driving career. At Queensland Driving Academy we teach defensive driving as part of our normal lessons which would be a $350 cost incurred if you took the normal defensive driving course.
So the more driving lessons you have with us then more defensive driving skills you learn.
We have a high pass rate and believe that this high level of success will be sustained through our high level of driver training. We believe that to pass the Department of Transport P Test is only the minimum and we teach at a level so that new drivers can start their driving careers at the maximum level.
For more information on our driving lessons or course structures please give us a call or complete our online form be clicking on the contact us tab.
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Learner logbook
When you get your learner licence you will be given a Queensland Learner Logbook and information about how to download the free Queensland Learner Logbook app so you can start recording your driving experience.
Record your logbook hours
If you are under 25 you will need to record at least 100 hours of supervised driving in any of the following:
- your Queensland Learner Logbook app
- your Queensland Learner Logbook (hard copy)
- a learner logbook app from a recognised third party provider
- an approved interstate learner logbook
- or a combination of the above methods.
You don't need to duplicate your trip recordings in the hard copy logbook if you are using an app. Find out how to switch to the app from the logbook.
If you are 25 or older, you are not required to complete the learner logbook, however, it is recommended that you do.
For previous, interstate or overseas driving experience find out how to record your hours.
What to record in your logbook
You need to record the:
- date
- vehicle’s number plate
- location that you started and ended your drive (suburb or town)
- odometer reading at the start and at the end of your drive
- your supervisor’s details—name, driver licence number and contact details
- the start and finish times for the drive and total minutes spent driving.
View a sample logbook page (PDF, 496KB).
Only driving experience gained on Australian roads can be recorded in the Learner Logbook app or the Queensland Learner Logbook. Driving experience from foreign countries cannot be recorded in a Queensland logbook.
You and your supervisor are responsible for the accuracy of your logbook entries. Each entry must be verified and signed/approved by your supervisor.
If you are using the app, your supervising driver will be requested to confirm your trip details by email.
If you are using the Queensland Learner Logbook, your supervising driver will be required to sign the entry in the logbook.
If you make a false or misleading entry in your logbook, you may be fined and you will not be able to take a practical driving test until 6 weeks after the date your resubmitted logbook has been passed.
100 hours driving experience
To complete your logbook correctly:
- you must record 100 hours of supervised driving experience
- your 100 hours must include 10 hours of night driving (between sunset and sunrise)
- all entries must be recorded in minutes (instead of hours and minutes) to make it easier to calculate totals
- for the hard copy book, all entries must be recorded in the correct column. The logbook entry pages have 3 columns for you to record the different types of driving experience:
- experience with an accredited driver trainer (counted as triple time for the first 10 hours) (total 600 real minutes = 1,800 logbook minutes)
- daytime experience (between sunrise and sunset on a day)
- night experience (between sunset and sunrise on the next day).
Limited exemptions from the requirement to complete and record 100 hours of supervised driving experience are available. However, if you are granted an exemption you will need to hold your learner licence for 2 years.
Find out more about applying for a learner logbook exemption. You can apply for an exemption online.
The Queensland Learner Logbook app
The Queensland Learner Logbook app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play.
Once you sign up you can start to record your trips. The app lets you record and submit your driving hours direct to the Department of Transport and Main Roads, and enables your logbook review process to start sooner.
The app can operate without an internet connection after you have downloaded it and logged in. The app records current trips using a timer and past trips can also be entered. The app includes driver trainer and night time travel indicators to automatically calculate these driving hours.
Your app logbook entries are stored securely and can be accessed by installing and logging into the Queensland Learner Logbook app on another device.
Sign into the app
To use the Queensland Learner Logbook app you must be at least 16 years old. You will need your valid Queensland learner licence, a mobile phone or tablet using iOS (8 or above) or Android (5 or above).
You need your:
- email address
- full name
- password (that you create when you sign up)
- date of birth
- learner licence number
- phone number.
Your details entered must match the details on your learner licence.
Enter your vehicles and your supervisor's details
You need to record the registration number of each vehicle used for your trips into the app.
Your supervisor's details will need to be recorded including their:
- first and last name
- licence number and place of issue
- phone number
- email address (the email address must be different to yours).
Your supervisor details entered must match the details on their driver licence. Each supervisor you drive with will need to be added.
Supervisor approval for your trips
Your supervisor doesn't need to download or use the app but they need an email account that is different to yours. After each trip is entered into the app, your supervisor will receive an email to approve your trip hours. The email will contain the details of the trip and links for your supervisor to approve or reject the trip. Your supervisor doesn’t need to keep the email after they have actioned it.
If a supervisor does not approve a trip or rejects a trip, these hours won't count towards your total.
Moving interstate, can I still use my app?
You will need to contact the relevant licensing authority interstate to see how your learner logbook will be assessed.
You can receive a record of your driving hours in Queensland by using the Email my Progress option from the actions menu. This can be accessed from your Profile in the app.
Switch to the app from the hard copy logbook
If you are already using the paper logbook and want use the app there are 2 options.
OPTION 1
To use the app for the remainder of your trips only:
1. Make sure the records in your logbook up to date, and take note of the outstanding hours you still need to complete to reach the target of 100 hours.
2. Using the Change Hours feature accessible from the Profile screen of the app, change the default target hours from 100 to the number of outstanding hours you still have to complete. Use the app to record these outstanding hours, and submit them electronically. At the same time, submit your hard copy logbook by mail.
When both the hard copy and app logbooks are received they will be processed at the same time.
OPTION 2
You can update the app with all of the prior trips already recorded in your logbook and continue using it for the remainder of your 100 hours. If you do this, you will only need to submit the electronic logbook using the app.
Switch to the hard copy logbook from the app
If you didn’t get a hard copy logbook when you got your learners, you can get one from a transport and motoring customer service centre.
To submit the hours already completed in the app, use the Change Hours feature from the Profile screen of the app to change the app’s default target hours from 100 to the number already recorded. Then complete and record the outstanding hours in your hard copy logbook, and send it to Department of Transport and Main Roads by mail.
You must submit your app logbook at the same time as your hard copy logbook.
When both of logbooks are received, we will process your hours from the app and the hard copy logbook.
Rules for learner driving
Once you have successfully obtained your learner licence you can start driving—with a supervisor. Make sure you:
- only drive with a supervisor who holds a valid open licence for the class of vehicle you are driving and has held the licence for at least 1 year
- always display your L plates
- carry your learner licence with you
- record 100 hours of supervised driving in your learner logbook, including 10 hours of night driving
- know the rules for driving.
L plates
You must clearly display L plates when you are learning to drive.
The minimum size and colour of an L plate is 14.6cm x 14.6cm, with a black uppercase letter ‘L’ on a yellow background. You cannot use any other colour.
You can buy L plates from most service stations, major retailers and automotive outlets. Or, you can make your own if they are the right size and colour.
You can use this L plate template to create your own L plates. Just print 2 copies on a colour printer. You can also laminate them, if you want to.
How to display your L plates
You must display L plates so the letter ‘L’ on each plate can be seen clearly at the front and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motorcycles) from 20m away.
You and your supervisor may both be fined if your L plates are not correctly displayed. As the learner driver, you will get 2 demerit points recorded on your traffic history. If you get 4 or more demerit points in a 12 month period, you will be suspended from driving for 3 months.
If a person on a provisional or open licence drives the vehicle and does not remove the L plates, they may be fined. This does not apply to accredited driver trainers.
Rules for driving with a learner licence
When learning to drive you must:
- have a supervisor beside you—someone who holds a valid open licence for the class of vehicle you are driving and has held the licence for at least 1 year
- clearly display L plates at the front and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motorcycles)
- carry your learner licence, or driver licence receipt if you are waiting for your licence, and show it to a police officer if asked
- comply with the no alcohol limit
- not be affected by drugs—either illegal or prescription
- obey any conditions on your learner licence, such as only driving with corrective lenses if you have the condition code S
- follow all Queensland road rules.
Mobile phone rules for young learner drivers
All drivers are banned from using a mobile phone that is held in the hand while driving, but if you are under 25, you can’t use a mobile phone of any type at any time. This includes hands-free, wireless headsets and speaker phones. Park the vehicle safely before making or taking a call or texting.
If you are found using a mobile phone while driving, you may be given a fine and 3 demerit points will be recorded on your traffic history. Double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent mobile phone offences committed within 1 year of an earlier offence.
As a learner driver, if you get 4 or more demerit points in a 12 month period, you will be suspended from driving for 3 months.
If you are under 25, your supervisor and passengers can’t use a mobile phone on loudspeaker while you are driving. If your supervisor or passengers are found using a mobile phone on loudspeaker while you are driving, they will be given a fine.
This table explains the mobile phone restrictions. If your supervisor or passenger is on a call, they cannot use loudspeaker as this may distract you while you are driving.
Licence type and ageHands-freeWireless headsetsMobile phone on speaker settingHand-held
| Licence type and age | Hands-free | Wireless headsets | Mobile phone on speaker setting | Hand-held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learner licence holder under 25 (car class C) | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Supervisors and passengers of a learner licence holder who is under 25 | Allowed | Allowed | Not allowed | Allowed |