Driveways and associated roadworks within a state-controlled road for vehicular access
How to apply for a vehicular access decision under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994
The Queensland Government manages vehicular access to state-controlled roads and associated road works under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994 to protect the safety and the efficient function of the road network.
If you are seeking to establish, repair or modify a vehicular access, including a driveway or private service road from your property to a state-controlled road, you will need to obtain both:
- permitted road access location approval
- road works approval.
The following steps are a guide to help you apply for a vehicular access decision.
Step 1: Check if your property adjoins a state-controlled road
To determine if your property adjoins a state-controlled road:
- Access the Queensland Government Development Assessment Mapping System (DAMS).
- Navigate to the ‘SARA DA mapping’ section in the map layers.
- Select 'State transport', 'State transport corridor'
- Click the check box for 'State-controlled road'.
- Search for your property address using the search box and zoom in to see the mapping layer details.
If your property adjoins a state-controlled road and you want to apply for a vehicular access decision, go to Step 2.
If not, contact your local government for their specific application process and requirements.
What if your property adjoins both a local government road and a state-controlled road?
State-controlled roads often carry high volumes of traffic and play a critical role in the broader transport network. Vehicular access to a state-controlled road can directly impact the safety and efficiency of the road network.
To preserve the traffic-carrying function of state-controlled roads, access to state-controlled roads should be minimised where safe and efficient alternative access points are available via the local government road network.
Step 2: Check if your property adjoins a limited access road
Some state-controlled roads are limited access roads, for example, motorways or highways that carry large volumes of traffic at high speeds.
If the state-controlled road adjoining your property is a limited access road then your proposed new or changed access must align with the limited access road policy for the specific road.
You can find out if the state-controlled road adjoining your property is a limited access road and the associated policy on the Limited access roads and limited access policies webpage.
Step 3: Apply for a permitted road access location and associated road works
If you are proposing a new vehicular access or change to an existing vehicular access on a state-controlled road, you will need to apply for both the following approvals:
- Permitted road access location
- Road access works to construct your vehicular access.
The application process depends on whether your vehicular access relates to a development application referred to the State Assessment and Referral Agency (SARA).
If your vehicular access relates to a development application referred to SARA
A development application under the Planning Act 2016 involving a new or changed vehicular access is also taken to be an application for a permitted road access location under the Transport Infrastructure Act 1994.
Transport and Main Roads will make the permitted road access location decision as part of the development assessment process, and the decision will be attached to your response from SARA. You do not need to lodge a permitted road access application separate to your development application.
If your development application has been approved, you will need to apply directly to us for a road access works decision using the following form:
If your vehicular access does not relate to a development application referred to SARA
You will need to apply directly to Transport and Main Roads for a permitted road access location decision and road access works approval using the following form:
To lodge your application or if you require any assistance with finalising your application, contact your local regional roads office or call 132380 to find out which office is your local office.
Step 4: Transport and Main Roads will assess your application
We will assess your permitted road access location and road access works application based on the following:
- Vehicular Access to State-controlled Roads Policy
- Guide to Traffic Impact Assessment (PDF, 1.3MB)
- relevant TMR technical standards
- Road Planning and Design Manual
- State Development Assessment Provisions (for development applications referred to SARA).
Approvals and conditions
- You must get your approval before commencing any works on a state-controlled road.
- Your approval may be conditional. If your approval requires you to provide an indemnity to Transport and Main Roads for road works on a state-controlled road, use the following form: Deed of Indemnity for road works on a State-controlled road (form 5109)
- If your approval includes a requirement to provide us with details about the principal contractor who will be undertaking the works involved, use the following form: Appointment of a Principal Contractor Notice (Form 5084)
Find out more
Download our factsheets to learn more or contact your local regional roads office.
- Last updated
- 15 January 2026