Free driving workshops expand across Queensland
Free learner driver workshops are coming to the Gold Coast as Queensland expands road safety support.
What’s Happening?
The Queensland Government is expanding its free Ready for the Road: Guiding your learner from L to P program statewide.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) delivers the practical, face-to-face workshops for learner drivers and their supervisors.
Each session covers real-world driving challenges, major risks, safe driving behaviours and preparation for the practical driving test. Supervisors also receive practical guidance for building confidence and supporting learners during driving practice.
Strong demand and positive feedback followed the program’s earlier delivery across South East Queensland. Its expansion will make practical road safety education available to communities throughout the state.
The rollout is the first initiative completed under the Queensland Government’s Graduated Licensing System reform program.
Why It Matters
The period between supervised learning and independent driving carries a much higher crash risk for young motorists.
Young and novice drivers remain over-represented in fatal and serious crashes. Inexperience and the demands of independent driving are major contributing factors.
Transport and Main Roads Deputy Director-General of Network Services and Operations Dean Helm said supervisors greatly influenced safe driving habits.
“Learning to drive is one of the most important milestones for young Queenslanders, and supervisors play a key role in helping learners build the skills and judgement they need to stay safe on our roads,” Mr Helm said.
“We know that the learning-to-drive phase is critical, and giving supervisors the right tools and information can make a lasting difference to a young person’s safety outcomes. It gives supervisors practical tools to help learner drivers gain valuable experience and develop safer driving habits before they get behind the wheel on their own. By supporting both learners and supervisors, we’re helping create safer drivers and safer roads for everyone.”
Local Impact
Gold Coast families will have several opportunities to attend a free workshop during the statewide rollout.
Palm Beach will host a session on 6 August 2026, followed by Tamborine Mountain on 27 August. Helensvale will host a workshop on 8 September, while Robina’s session is planned for 27 October. A further Gold Coast workshop is scheduled for 21 June 2027.
These locations will give local supervisors direct access to practical advice without requiring lengthy travel. Participants can also discuss concerns with road safety specialists and refresh their understanding of current road rules.
All planned dates and locations remain subject to change.
By the Numbers
More than 40 free workshops will be held across Queensland between August 2026 and June 2027.
Young drivers represent about 14% of Queensland licence holders but are involved in 28% of road deaths.
A learner’s serious crash risk becomes six times higher after moving to solo driving on a provisional licence.
Road crashes account for about one-quarter of Australian deaths among people aged between 15 and 24.
Zoom In
The workshops focus on situations learners and supervisors may encounter during practice, rather than relying only on classroom information.
Participants can review road rules, learn practical driving tips and ask specialists questions about supporting a learner.
Maroochydore father Bruce Atkinson previously attended a workshop with his daughter. He said the session offered useful guidance for both learners and supervisors.
“Attending with my daughter was invaluable. We refreshed our knowledge of the road rules, learned practical driving tips and had the chance to ask questions of road safety experts,” Mr Atkinson said. “I’d recommend the workshop to anyone supervising a learner driver - it’s engaging, informative and well worth the time.”
Zoom Out
Cairns and Townsville will host workshops during Queensland Road Safety Week on 17 and 18 August respectively.
A review of Queensland’s Graduated Licensing System began in 2024. It found the current system provided a strong, evidence-based foundation for novice drivers.
Monash University Accident Research Centre conducted the evaluation and proposed improvements to the learner driver stage.
The broader reform program will help learners gain more varied experience and develop safer driving behaviours. It also aims to reduce crash risks during the early years of independent driving.
Other planned actions include:
Improving PrepL-S content and making support resources easier for supervisors to access.
Recognising more forms of safe, structured training towards the 100 supervised driving hours requirement.
Expanding the Learner Driver Mentor Program for regional and disadvantaged learners.
Considering competency-based assessment and new technology for driver education and hazard awareness.
The Graduated Licence System Review Phase One reports contain further information.
Planned Workshop Dates
August 2026
Sunshine Coast, 1 August
Palm Beach, 6 August
Cairns, 17 August
Townsville, 18 August
Tamborine Mountain, 27 August
September 2026
Beaudesert, 1 September
Mackay, 7 September
Rockhampton, 8 September
Helensvale, 8 September
Gladstone, 9 September
Toowoomba, 16 September
Warwick, 17 September
October 2026
Charters Towers, 14 October
Robina, 27 October
November 2026
Springfield, 11 November
Gaythorne, 12 November
Jindalee, 16 November
Sunshine Coast, 17 November
Ipswich, 18 November
Carseldine, 19 November
Logan, 25 November
December 2026
Bundaberg, 7 December
Hervey Bay, 8 December
Gympie, 9 December
January 2027
Warwick, 27 January
Toowoomba, 28 January
February 2027
Mackay, 1 February
Rockhampton, 2 February
Gladstone, 3 February
March 2027
Cairns, 1 March
Townsville, 2 March
April 2027
Bundaberg, 19 April
Hervey Bay, 20 April
Gympie, 21 April
May 2027
Carseldine, 11 May
Gaythorne, 12 May
Sunshine Coast, 13 May
Redcliffe, 14 May
June 2027
Jindalee, 1 June
Cleveland, 2 June
Ipswich, 3 June
Logan, 4 June
Gold Coast, 21 June
What To Look For Next?
Transport and Main Roads is considering online webinars alongside the face-to-face workshops. The online option could help supervisors in regional and remote communities access the same practical information.
Further licensing reforms will be introduced over time, based on recommendations from the 2024 evaluation.
Queenslanders can check updated dates and register for a nearby workshop.