Queensland drivers delay learner’s permit until early 20s

Nearly 30,000 Queensland drivers in their early 20s only have a learner driver’s licence, with a range of factors behind the delay.

Nearly 30,000 Queensland drivers in their early 20s only have a learner driver’s licence, with car expenses, supervised driving hours and the pressure of school being blamed for eligible teenagers delaying getting their licence.

New data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads shows an increasing number of drivers obtaining their learner permits years after the eligible age of 16 including more than 400 learners over the age of 70 as at June 30, 2022.

The latest data shows that 205,736 learner drivers were registered in Queensland as at June 30, 2022 compared to 185,792 in 2018.

Although the 16 and 17-year-old males and females accounted for the largest cohort of learners on the road in both 2018 and 2022, the data revealed a significant spike in learner licences for drivers aged 21 to 24.

Travis Dray said he didn’t require a licence in his early 20s as most of his friends could drive and public transport was easily accessible.

Mr Dray said eye problems also caused a “mental barrier” but now aged 29 he is determined to pass his learner’s.

Travis Dray, 29, currently holds a Queensland learner’s licence. Picture: David Clark

“It’s a pride thing,” he said.

“I actually came from Gympie, so that was quite common to have your licence in high school so I was kind of the odd one out there.

“But in Brisbane, I found that a lot of people in their mid-20s don’t have their licence for the same reason as me, they can use the train.”

Mr Dray said he thinks older learner drivers are “more common” in cities rather than country towns where public transport is less accessible.

But after having to take the train to the Gold Coast earlier this year on a trip with his girlfriend, Mr Dray has taken up some driving lessons with Roadworks Driving School and is confident that he will be able to get his licence within the next four to five months.

RACQ’s head of public policy Michael Kane said the learner licence data was reflective of trends observed overseas for young people in larger urban areas.

“Cities are getting larger, both in terms of population and density, and therefore owning and operating a car is more expensive for younger people,” he said.

“There’s also been an increase in car alternatives, such as better public transport, rideshare services, e-scooters and e-bikes.

“Many young people are also connecting more online and travelling less for work or education, so their need for their own license is perhaps not as vital as it once was.”

T2 Driving School owner Robert Moores said when he started his business 10 years ago it was “purely 16 year olds and the odd person that had moved to Australia”.

“More and more we are seeing kids put (their learner's licence) off a bit longer and just focus on getting through school and the start of university,” he said.

Mr Moores said the Queensland Government’s learner driver log book that requires anyone under the age of 25 to complete at least 100 hours of supervised driving “puts a lot of (younger drivers) off”.

He said there is also a trend of young people moving out of home “quite young” with no one to supervise them.

“People close to good transport aren’t really worried about a licence,” he said.