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Department of Transport and Main Roads

How to apply, renew, change or surrender

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If you hold a current driver authority in any state, territory or NZ

If you would like to apply for mutual recognition you will need to refer to Mutual recognition of other public passenger driver authorities.

Applying for restricted driver authorisation

If you are an accredited community or courtesy transport operator, refer to Restricted driver authorisation on how to apply.

Applying for driver authorisation

Information before applying for driver authorisation

We recommend that you read about:

Process for applying

Fill out the application form

To apply for driver authorisation, you will need to fill out the driver authorisation application form (F2978).

You must provide the following supporting information:

Submit your completed application

You can submit your application and supporting documents:

Incomplete applications cannot be assessed

If we ask you for further information to assess your application, you must provide this information within 3 months. If you do not provide this information your application will lapse and you will need to lodge a new application and pay the application fee again.

Assessment of your application

Most complete applications are finalised within 2 to 4 weeks. Some applications can take longer if we’re sourcing national traffic and criminal history checks from other agencies.

If your application is successful

If we approve your application, you can use an interim industry authority as evidence of driver authorisation until you receive your industry authority card.

We’ll send an industry authority card to your postal address within 21 days of the approval.

If your application is refused

We’ll notify you if your application is refused. You can request a review of our decision.

Get reminders and notices about your driver authorisation by email

You can choose to receive your interim industry authority by email, if you sign up for e-reminders before, or when you apply. This will mean you’ll also get other helpful emails, including:

  • when we mail your industry authority card
  • a reminder 3 days before your industry authority expires.

Sign up for e-reminders and notices.

Renewing your driver authorisation

Process for renewing your driver authorisation

You will receive a reminder to renew

Six weeks before your driver authorisation expires, we will post renewal forms to you. It is your responsibility to renew your driver authorisation.

If your driver authorisation expires

If you allow your driver authorisation to expire, you will not be authorised to provide passenger transport services. You have 3 months from your expiry date to renew, otherwise you will need to apply as a new applicant.

How to renew

Fill out the application to renew form

To renew your driver authorisation, you will need to fill out the driver authorisation renewal form.

You must provide the following supporting information:

Submit your application to renew form

You can submit your application:

If your application is successful

We’ll send an Industry Authority card to your postal address within 21 days of the approval.

You can use an interim industry authority as evidence of driver authorisation until you receive your industry authority card.

If you application is refused

We’ll notify you if your application is refused. You can request a review of our decision.

Changing your driver authorisation

You can change your driver authorisation by:

  • changing the category you hold, if you are adding Booked Hire/Taxi read about fees and eligibility
  • upgrading from provisional to full level
  • have your driver authorisation reinstated following a suspension.

Fill out the application to change or reinstate

To change or reinstate your driver authorisation, you will need to fill out the Driver authorisation change or reinstate form.

Submit your change or reinstate form along with evidence of your identity:

Surrendering your driver authorisation

If you no longer wish to provide passenger transport services, you can surrender your driver authorisation.

Fill out the application to surrender form

To surrender your driver authorisation, you will need to fill out the industry authority return/surrender declaration form.

Submit your surrender form

When submitting your surrender form ensure you also return your driver authorisation card.

You can submit your application by following the instructions on the form.

Replacing your lost, damaged or stolen Industry authority card

If your industry authority card which evidences your driver authorisation has been lost, damaged or stolen you can apply for a replacement. There is no fee provided you don’t hold other types of industry authorities.

Fill out the application

To change or reinstate your driver authorisation, you will need to fill out the replacement industry authority card form

Submit your form along with your evidence of your identity:

Replacing your lost damaged or stolen booked hire and taxi card

It is a requirement that drivers of taxis in certain areas display an Authorised Driver – Booked Hire and Taxi card.

You can apply for a replacement authorised driver – booked hire and taxi card if:

  • your card has been damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen
  • your card was not received in the mail
  • the photo on your industry authority card no longer resembles your appearance.

Fill out the application

To change or reinstate your driver authorisation, you will need to fill out the replacement authorised Queensland taxi driver display card form.

Submit your form along with your evidence of your identity:

Last updated
27 May 2026