Review of Queensland’s Graduated Licensing System (GLS)

Queensland’s Learner Driver Program: Phase 1 Reports

Queensland uses a Graduated Licensing System (GLS) to help reduce road crashes, especially among young and inexperienced drivers. The system introduces driving in stages, helping new drivers build skills and experience over time while limiting exposure to higher-risk situations early on.

The Queensland Government regularly reviews the GLS to make sure it remains effective. Since the current system began in 2007, independent evaluations have shown it has helped reduce crashes involving new drivers. However, crash rates for young drivers are still too high, so further improvements are needed.

To address this, the government has begun a two-phase review of the GLS:

• Phase 1 focuses on learner drivers
• Phase 2 will focus on provisional drivers (P1 and P2)

Phase 1 Review

Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) was engaged to evaluate the learner stage of the program. This stage includes:

• PrepL and PrepL-S online learning tools
• The Hazard Perception Test (HPT)
• 100 hours of supervised driving
• The Practical Driving Test (PDT).

MUARC completed three reports as part of Phase 1:

• Final summary report of the Learner Driver Program review
• Evaluation of administrative data outcomes
• Qualitative research report.

What’s Next

The Queensland Government is now considering the findings and exploring ways to improve the learner driver experience and safety outcomes.

Short-term improvements will include:

• improving PrepL content, accessibility, and data collection
• updating PrepL-S to better support how adults learn and to provide more practical tools for supervisors
• expanding the Ready for the Road program
• recognising a broader range of safe, structured, practical driver training to count towards the 100-hour requirement (for example, through Controlled Environment Driver Training programs)
• expanding the Learner Driver Mentor Program
• improving the learner logbook app
• reviewing driving test routes, accessibility, and booking systems.

Looking Ahead

Over the longer term, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will also explore whether:

• competency-based assessment methods could play a role in future enhancements to the licensing system
• technology (for example, simulators) can be used to improve learning and hazard awareness.