Licence guidance reviewed
You can drive in NSW as a visiting Queensland learner, provided your licence is current, you are entitled to drive there and you meet the applicable learner requirements. Crossing the border means checking NSW road rules as well as the conditions attached to your Queensland licence.
This guide is for a Queensland car learner licence. If you hold P plates, a motorcycle licence or an overseas licence, check the guidance for that licence type. Different restrictions may apply.
Does the NSW 90 km/h learner limit apply?
The NSW 90 km/h learner limit is specified for learner licences issued in NSW. Queensland does not set a separate reduced speed limit for its learners. A visiting Queensland learner must obey the applicable NSW road speed limit and any lower individual licence condition.
That does not mean you should aim for the posted maximum in every situation. Reduce your speed when traffic, visibility, weather or the road conditions require it. Plan a drive that suits your current experience and discuss it with your supervisor before setting off.
Prepare for the learner requirements
Read NSW's guidance for visiting learners and provisional drivers before the trip. Keep any individual Queensland conditions, such as corrective lenses, in force too.
Key checks for a Queensland car learner visiting NSW
| Check |
What to arrange |
| Supervisor |
Have a suitable supervisor beside you. NSW requires a full Australian car licence. Choose someone who also meets Queensland's requirement to have held the appropriate open licence for at least one year. |
| L plates |
Display clearly visible L plates at the front and rear exterior of the car. |
| Alcohol and drugs |
Keep a zero blood alcohol concentration and do not drive under the influence of drugs. |
| Passengers |
Everyone needs a proper seat and the required seatbelt or child restraint. |
| Towing |
Do not tow another vehicle as a visiting learner in NSW. |
| Your licence |
Carry your current licence and follow any conditions recorded on it. |
Keep your phone out of the driving task
Apart from the narrow exceptions below, NSW learner drivers must not use a phone while driving or stopped in traffic, including hands-free use. This includes using the phone for navigation or music. Being old enough for different phone permissions in Queensland does not remove NSW's learner restriction.
Have your supervisor help with directions without distracting you. For ordinary phone use, park safely out of the traffic first. NSW permits digital-licence presentation when a police officer instructs you, and certain payment or access functions while stationary in a road-related area. These exceptions do not allow ordinary phone use at traffic lights. Read the NSW phone and navigation rules for the detail.
Make the first cross-border drive manageable
Agree on the route, likely traffic and places to stop before you leave. A familiar supervisor can help you prepare for different intersections and signs without trying to explain everything at the last moment.
- Check that your licence is current and that no suspension, disqualification or withdrawal prevents you from driving.
- Confirm your supervisor, L plates and any personal licence conditions before starting.
- Plan breaks and leave time for delays or a change of driver.
- Set up permitted equipment before moving off and keep phone use out of your driving.
- Review what went well and what needs more practice once you have parked.
For preparation closer to home, our Queensland driving lessons for learner drivers can help you work on everyday skills such as observation, lane choice and judging gaps. Talk to your instructor about the situations you expect to encounter.
If your plans involve moving to NSW or an extended stay, read the current NSW visiting and transfer requirements. This short-trip guide does not establish how long you may continue using an interstate licence after moving.