Photo: John Robert McPherson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
In the Q-Safe car test in Queensland you do two manoeuvres, and at least one of them involves reversing. This checklist lists every manoeuvre the examiner can choose, the limits in TMR’s Q-SAFE assessment manual, and how long you wait to re-sit if you fail.
The Q-Safe manoeuvres and their limits
| Manoeuvre | Limit to stay within |
|---|---|
| Reverse parking | Finish within 45 cm of the kerb and 1 m to 2 m from the vehicle in front, using no more than 2 reverse movements and 1 forward movement |
| Reverse in a straight line | Reverse 25 m to 30 m along a straight stretch, staying within about 50 cm of the kerb, looking mainly over your shoulder through the rear window |
| Turn around | On a street 6 m to 8 m wide, turn between the kerbs using forward and reverse gears, without touching the kerbs; it should not need more than four direction changes |
| U-turn | Turn around in one forward movement where a U-turn is legal, signalling right and giving way to all traffic |
| Hill start | Stop parallel to the kerb where the examiner asks, then move off smoothly up the slope without rolling back |
| Automatic gear change | Select gears correctly in an automatic when asked |
These limits come from TMR’s Q-SAFE assessment manual (April 2026 edition), which examiners follow. The examiner picks two. You will not know which in advance, so practise all of them.
Manoeuvre checklist
Every manoeuvre
- Check mirrors and blind spots before you start and keep looking all the way through.
- Signal where needed.
- Stop and give way if another road user or pedestrian approaches.
- Do not mount or hit the kerb.
- If the car has a reversing camera, you must still use mirrors and look around yourself.
Reverse parking
- Pull up alongside the car in front of the space, about level with it.
- Look all around, signal, then reverse slowly.
- Steer in once your rear passes the other car’s rear, then straighten.
- Check the gap: within 45 cm of the kerb and 1 m to 2 m behind the car in front. Use no more than 2 reverse movements and 1 forward movement.
Hill start
- Hold the car on the brake (park brake in a manual if you need it).
- Check mirrors and blind spot, signal.
- Find the point where the car wants to move, release the brake and move off smoothly.
- There is no allowance for rolling back: the Q-SAFE manual asks you to move off smoothly up the incline without rolling back. If the car has hill start assist that cannot be turned off, the examiner may choose another manoeuvre.
For general parking rules, such as distances from intersections and how to parallel park, see parking rules in Australia.
If you fail: Queensland cooling-off periods
| Fail | Earliest re-sit |
|---|---|
| First | The next day |
| Second | 8 days later |
| Third and later | 29 days later |
You pay the test fee each time ($69.40 from 1 July 2026). Book again through TMR’s online service or on 13 23 80.
Worked example
You fail on a Monday. You can re-sit as early as Tuesday. If you fail again on that Tuesday, the earliest next test is 8 days later. A third fail moves your next test about four weeks out, so use the gap for lessons on the errors the examiner pointed out.
Overseas or interstate licence holders
Under the Driver Licensing Regulation, if you hold an interstate or overseas licence and fail a Queensland practical driving test, your authority to drive in Queensland on that licence is withdrawn. Do not fail and drive home alone. See moving to Queensland.
Common questions
Which two manoeuvres will I get?
The examiner decides on the day. At least one involves reversing.
Is a three-point turn the same as a turn around?
Yes, a turn around in a narrow street is usually done as a three-point turn, or more points if the road is very narrow.
Does touching the kerb fail the reverse park?
Hitting or mounting the kerb is not safe control. Aim to finish close to it without touching it.
Can I fail just for a manoeuvre?
Yes. Manoeuvres are part of the assessment, and going outside the limits counts against you.
How soon can I re-sit after a first fail?
The next day, if a booking is available.
Related: the Q-Safe practical driving test and learning to drive in Queensland.
Sources
- Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Your keys to driving in Queensland”, No. 19, November 2022, complete PDF, Q-Safe practical driving test (pp. 29 to 34): manoeuvres p. 33 to 34, cooling off periods p. 34 (publications.qld.gov.au)
- Department of Transport and Main Roads, “Q-SAFE Queensland Driver Licence Assessment” manual, April 2026: test time (section 2.2) and class C manoeuvre requirements (publications.qld.gov.au)
- Queensland Government, “Practical driving tests” (qld.gov.au)
- Queensland Government, “Licence fees” (qld.gov.au)
- Queensland Government, “Transport Operations (Road Use Management: Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021” (legislation.qld.gov.au)