Start at 15 Years and 11 Months: PrepL and Car Driving Lessons with Elite Truck & Car School

Most Queensland teenagers don’t realise they can start working towards their learner licence before they turn 16. Get the timing right and you can walk into a transport centre on your 16th birthday with the road rules assessment already done, then start real driving lessons that same week.

Here’s the step-by-step path, and how our Car Driving Lessons (Auto/Manual) fit into it.

Step 1: Enrol in PrepL at 15 years and 11 months

PrepL is the Queensland Government’s interactive online road rules course and assessment for car (C class) learner licence applicants. You can enrol from 15 years and 11 months, which gives you a month to work through it so you’re eligible for your learner licence on your 16th birthday.

• Allow 4–6 hours. PrepL takes roughly that long and finishes with a 30-question test. You need to score 90% to pass.
• Study at your own pace on a phone, tablet or computer. You’ll need a reliable connection and around 1.5GB of data for the full course.
• One fee, 12 months’ access. PrepL costs the same as the written road rules test.
• Don’t rush the final test. If you don’t pass first time, you have to wait 24 hours before trying again.

Your best study companion is TMR’s free handbook, Your keys to driving in Queensland. Everything PrepL tests is in there.

Step 2: Get your learner licence on your 16th birthday

With PrepL passed, visit a transport and motoring customer service centre with your identity documents. You’ll need to be at least 16 and medically fit to drive. Your learner licence is valid for 3 years.

Step 3: Start car driving lessons and triple your hours

If you’re under 25, you need to record 100 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, in your learner logbook before you can sit your practical test.

This is where lessons with an accredited trainer pay off twice. Every hour of daytime driving with us counts as 3 hours in your logbook, up to a maximum of 10 actual hours, or 30 logbook hours. Ten lessons with us gets you almost a third of your 100 hours, done properly, with someone teaching you rather than just sitting beside you.

Worth knowing: a night-time lesson counts as either triple time or night hours, not both. Take your bonus lessons in daylight and bank your 10 night hours with your supervisor. We’ll plan this with you in your first lesson so you don’t waste credit.

Starting lessons early also means you learn correct technique from day one, instead of unlearning habits later. In our experience, two sessions a week works best for most learners: enough repetition for skills to stick, with time to practise with your supervisor in between.

Automatic or manual? Decide early

The car you’re tested in decides what you’re licensed to drive.

For young drivers, we usually recommend learning manual. If you might need a work ute or van later, or want to drive overseas without restrictions, a few extra lessons now saves sitting a whole second test later.

Step 4: Hazard perception and your P plates

• After 6 months on your Ls, you can sit the online hazard perception test. You must pass it before booking your practical test, so book it early.
• At 17, with at least 1 year on your Ls, your logbook complete and hazard perception passed, you can sit the practical driving test for your P1 licence.

Our test packages include use of our dual-control training car for the practical test, and we’ll recommend the test centre that suits where you’ve been practising.

Your timeline at a glance

Why learn with Elite Truck & Car School

• Registered Training Organisation (RTO 45471) delivering nationally recognised driver training.
• Auto or manual in air-conditioned, dual-control cars.
• Male or female instructor, your choice. Just ask when you book.
• Pick-up and drop-off from home, school or work within our service area.
• Lessons Monday to Saturday, 8am–5pm, around school and part-time work.
• Across Logan, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Northern NSW, based at 3/40 Loganlea Road, Waterford West.

Car lesson packages

• Car Driving Lesson (1h): ideal for your first assessment lesson
• 3 Car Driving Lessons (3h): save $15
• 1 Hour Driving Lesson + Test (1CLT): warm-up lesson plus use of our car for your test
• 2 Hours Driving Lesson + Test (2CLT): save $5

See full details on our Car Driving Lessons (Auto/Manual) page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have driving lessons before I’m 16?

No. You need a learner licence to drive on the road, and that starts at 16. What you can do at 15 years and 11 months is enrol in PrepL and book your first lesson for the week of your birthday.How many lessons will I need?

It depends on where you’re starting. A brand-new learner should think in terms of ten or more lessons spread over a few months, alongside supervised practice. We’ll give you an honest assessment after your first lesson.Does one lesson really count as three hours?

Yes, for daytime lessons with an accredited trainer, up to 10 actual hours (30 logbook hours). Night lessons count as night hours or triple time, not both.Do you pick me up from school?

Yes, from home, school or work within our service area. Let us know where you’ll be when you book.Can I use your car for my driving test?

Yes. Our lesson + test packages include use of our dual-control training car for the practical driving test.

Turning 16 soon? Get a head start

Start PrepL a month early, then call us to lock in your first lesson for the week of your birthday. Tell us your age, how many logbook hours you have and whether you want automatic or manual, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s involved.

Call Ricky: 0432 453 553

Enquire about car lessons

Licensing requirements are set by the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads and can change. Check the latest rules for learner drivers and logbook requirements on qld.gov.au.