Queensland’s unlicensed driver fatalities surge 75% in five years
.jpg?h=3265&iar=0&w=4898&rev=3264cb0324824a5abdcbd5b07340ca5b&hash=181D173A19EFCC30E7793E71CB62894A)
“Queensland is fortunate the death toll wasn’t higher in 2024, given the sheer number of serious injury crashes involving unlicensed drivers,” said Mr Tucker.
“These figures raise serious questions about how offenders continue to get behind the wheel and put innocent lives at risk".
To put this crisis in perspective, Queensland issued 25,135 fines for unlicensed driving last year*, showing a shocking disregard for authority.
“It’s clear we have a culture that openly flouts road rules – and fines alone aren’t working,” Mr Tucker said.
“If people have lost their licence, or never had one, we cannot allow them to keep driving - why aren’t we impounding or immobilising these vehicles?”
The consequences of unlicensed driving go far beyond fines. These drivers are frequently linked to speeding, drink driving, and drug driving – behaviours that significantly increase the severity of crashes involving those without a licence.
“In 2024, for every one death in a crash, there was 28 people hospitalised. But when we look at crashes involving unlicensed drivers, that ratio worsened to one death for every 18 hospitalisations – a stark indication of the deadly risk these drivers pose to the public.”
Through its Get Serious on Road Safety campaign, RACQ is calling for increased police visibility and tougher enforcement, including stronger impoundment and immobilisation laws for repeat offenders.
“Driving without a licence isn’t just a legal issue – it’s a major risk to the lives of Queenslanders,” said Joel Tucker.
“To reduce the risk of unlicensed driving, the Government needs to take stronger action to stop extreme and repeat offenders getting behind the wheel.”
So far in 2025, 282 lives have been lost on Queensland roads, and with the holiday season fast approaching, the State is on track to record the highest road toll in 16 years.
Related topics
Things to note
The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.
Insurance Products (excluding Travel Insurance) are issued by RACQ Insurance Limited ABN 50 009 704 152 (RACQI) and arranged by its agent, RACQ Distribution Services Pty Ltd (RDS) ABN 35 116 361 650, AFSL 567130 and RDS' authorised representatives (including RACQ Operations Pty Ltd ABN 80 009 663 414, AR No. 234978 (RACQO). Conditions, limits and exclusions apply. RDS and RACQO are in the RACQ group of companies. One of the companies in the RACQ group of companies has a minority shareholding in RACQI.
RDS and RACQO have not taken your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account when preparing advice regarding insurance products and you will need to consider whether the advice is appropriate for you. Read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and any applicable Supplementary PDS before making a purchase decision on this product. You can also access our Target Market Determinations on this website. RDS receives a commission from RACQI for the policies it arranges. RACQO receives fees paid for services it provides to RDS. Further details about remuneration are available on request prior to purchasing.
Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.
Except for RACQ Bank, any RACQ entity referred to on this page is not an authorised deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Cth). That entity’s obligations do not represent deposits or other liabilities of RACQ Bank. RACQ Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of that entity, unless noted otherwise.
RACQ Bank subscribes to the Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice which establishes higher standards than the law requires. The Code reflects modern consumer expectations and developments in approaches to issues such as consumer vulnerability, guarantors, and supporting customers through financial hardship. Please read our Customer Owned Banking Code of Practice page for more information.
RACQ Operations Pty Ltd (ABN 80 009 663 414 AR 000234978) and Members Travel Group Pty Ltd (ABN 45 144 538 803 AR 000432492) are acting as an Authorised Representative of the issuer of the insurance, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd. (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246 548). Any advice set out above is general in nature only, and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before purchasing any travel products, please consider the RACQ Travel Insurance Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the Target Market Determinations (TMDs) that apply to these products. Whilst the PDS outlines the Terms and Conditions of these products, the TMDs outline the intended class of customers that comprise the target market for these travel products. This will allow you to consider which products best suit your objectives, financial situation and needs and consider the products appropriateness to your personal circumstances. TMDs also outline matters involving the distribution and the review of these products. The PDS, Supplementary PDS and TMDs for each travel product can be found here.