Do You Have to Carry Your Driver Licence in Queensland?

Drivers often assume they must carry a physical licence at all times, but Queensland’s rules are more flexible than that, particularly now that a digital licence app is available as an alternative.

Open licences do not need to be carried

If you hold an open Queensland driver licence with no special conditions, you are not required to carry it with you every time you drive. If you are asked for it and cannot produce it on the spot, police can require you to present it at a nominated police station within a set period rather than issuing an immediate penalty for simply not having it on you at that moment.

Conditional licences are different

Where a licence carries a specific condition, such as the medical certificate required for drivers aged 75 and over, that certificate or conditional documentation must be carried whenever you drive. The logic is different from an open licence: the condition itself is what must accompany you, not just proof of who you are.

Digital licence apps

Both the Queensland Digital Licence app and interstate equivalents such as the Service NSW app are treated as legally valid when produced to police. The one important caveat is timing: accessing your phone while the vehicle is moving is a separate offence in its own right, so only open the app once you have safely stopped.

Related Topics

• What Are Your Rights During a Police Roadside Stop in Queensland?
• What Happens If You’re Caught Driving Unlicensed in Queensland?
• Understanding Demerit Point Limits in Queensland
• Do passengers also have to provide their name and address if asked?
• Legal Matters Episode 31: Queensland Police Roadside Stops

This page provides general legal information only, it is not personal legal advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so please seek independent legal advice for your own circumstances.

Professional Guidance

If you have received an infringement for failing to produce your licence, or you are unsure whether a condition on your licence applies to you, contact our traffic law team at Bell & Senior Lawyers on (07) 5532 8777 or visit bellsenior.com.au .