If you’ve lost your licence, or you’re about to, the first question is usually: can I get some kind of licence to keep driving? In Queensland there are two very different options — a work licence and a special hardship order — and which one applies depends entirely on why you’re losing your licence. Here’s the difference in plain English.
The short version
- A work licence applies when you are being sentenced in court for a drink driving or drug driving offence and need to keep driving for work.
- A special hardship order (SHO) applies when your licence has been suspended for accumulating too many demerit points, or for a high speed offence, and you need relief from that suspension.
They’re not interchangeable — you apply for one or the other depending on your situation, not whichever you’d prefer. You may also hear the older informal term “limited licence” — people still use it loosely for both of these.
Work licence — for a drink or drug driving charge
A work licence lets you keep driving for work purposes only while you’re disqualified after pleading guilty to a drink or drug driving charge.
- Who can apply: people charged with low or mid range drink driving, or driving with a relevant drug present, who held an open Queensland licence and meet the eligibility criteria.
- You cannot apply if you held a learner or provisional licence — you must have held an open licence.
- You cannot apply if your licence has been suspended, cancelled or disqualified at any time in the past 5 years. The one exception is a SPER suspension where you were not caught driving on it.
- Driving for work at the time of the offence does not automatically rule you out — in some cases you can still apply, so check your situation with a lawyer for an accurate answer.
- High range drink driving (0.15 or over): a work licence is never available.
When to apply: it must be applied for before you are sentenced — once you’re sentenced, the opportunity is gone. Getting the application right matters: it’s supported by a detailed affidavit. Here’s what goes into a work licence affidavit.
Special hardship order — for a demerit point or high speed suspension
An SHO lets you keep driving where losing your licence would cause extreme hardship to you or your family, or severe and unusual hardship.
- Who can apply: a special hardship order is available only where your licence has been suspended for accumulating demerit points while on a good driving behaviour period, or for a high speed offence (more than 40 km/h over the limit).
- When to apply: within the timeframe after your suspension notice — there are strict time limits.
- Like a work licence, it’s supported by an affidavit setting out your circumstances and why you need to drive.
Side by side
Work licence
Special hardship order
Applies when
Sentenced for a drink/drug driving offence
Licence suspended for demerit points or a high speed offence
Main eligibility
Low/mid range drink driving or relevant-drug charge; open licence held
Demerit-point or high-speed suspension
Never available for
High range drink driving (0.15+)
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When to apply
When to apply
When to apply
What it allows
What it allows
Driving for work purposes, with conditions
Our fixed fee
$2,990
$2,990
Which one is you?
If you’re facing a drink or drug driving charge in court, you’re looking at a work licence. If your licence has been suspended for demerit points or a high speed offence, you’re looking at a special hardship order. If you’re not sure which applies — or whether you’re eligible at all — that’s exactly what a quick call sorts out.
Talk to us
Both applications run on a fixed fee of $2,990, quoted before you commit. Call 1300 952 255, 7am–7pm, seven days, and we’ll tell you which one applies to you and whether you qualify.
Charged and unsure what this means for you? This article is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your exact situation, call 1300 952 255 — free, 7am–7pm, 7 days — or visit ourr work licence page.