QUEENSLAND

At risk of losing your Qld drivers licence? There may be options in a Special Hardship Order Licence!

By Joshua Boorman · Published · QLD posts

In shortIn Queensland, drivers convicted of specific offences may incur driving disqualification or licence suspension for long periods. For many Australian drivers, a licence suspension or disqualification can bring severe economic hardship, preventing them from getting to work and creating obstacles to gainful opportunities.

  • What is a Special Hardship Order Licence (SHO)?
  • Eligibility Criteria for a Special Hardship Order Licence
  • When to file for Special Hardship Order?

Queensland law · law checked 21 Oct 2026

What's on this page

In Queensland, drivers convicted of specific offences may incur driving disqualification or licence suspension for long periods. For many Australian drivers, a licence suspension or disqualification can bring severe economic hardship, preventing them from getting to work and creating obstacles to gainful opportunities. If you are facing a charge for driving at an excessive speed or other offences that can lead to a suspension or disqualification of your driving licence, you may have options that can allow you to continue driving on a Special Hardship Order Licence (SHO) drivers licence in Queensland.

What is a Special Hardship Order Licence (SHO)?

One of the options available to drivers whose licences have been suspended or are about to be suspended is the special hardship order. As the name implies, the hardship order is a court order that allows a driver to operate a motor vehicle while their standard driving licence has been suspended.

Drivers must apply for this order in court and establish to the satisfaction of the court that they meet all the criteria to apply for the hardship order, and are fit and proper to hold a licence.

Eligibility Criteria for a Special Hardship Order Licence

An application for the issuance of a Special Hardship Licence must show that:

• The applicant was a holder of a valid provisional or open driver licence at the time the licence was suspended; • The applicant’s Queensland driving licence had not been suspended or cancelled during the last 5 years; • The applicant’s non-Queensland driving licence has not been suspended in the last 5 years; • The applicant had not been convicted of major traffic offence in the last 5 years; and • Losing the driving licence will cause the applicant or their family to suffer extreme hardship or severe and unusual hardship due to an inability to work arising from the loss of the driving licence.

The issuance of a special hardship order is purely discretionary, and a court may refuse a driver’s application even when the application cites good reasons for the issuance of the hardship order. The Magistrate must be convinced that the applicant is a ‘fit and proper person’ and will suffer ‘significant hardship’.

Do you qualify for a special hardship order? Talk to an experienced driving offence lawyer and get legal advice.

When to file for Special Hardship Order?

Timeliness of your application for the hardship order is also important. You may apply for the issuance of the Special Hardship Order on the day the court suspends your licence, or you can file your application and all supporting evidence within 21 days of its suspension. But you will need a lawyer to help you determine first whether you are qualified for a hardship order, where to apply, and what types of documents to attach to your application.

Next steps after a refusing a breath test charge

In summary: 1300 941 900 1300 941 900 Email: jboorman@boormanlawyers.com.au Email: jboorman@boormanlawyers.com.au Special Hardship Order Licence by Josh Boorman a Drink Driving Lawyer. We appeared on this matter at courts across Queensland. Preparation here involved evidence of hardship. Facing refusing a breath test in Queensland? Call 1300 941 900 to discuss the charge and your record.

Penalties for refusing a breath test as they stand now: Queensland traffic law. This account of the courts across Queensland matter is general information only, not legal advice; past results do not predict yours. Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

At Boorman Lawyers, we have helped clients obtain special hardship orders and other appropriate court orders to ensure that their work life and businesses are not severely affected. Our law firm has years of proven experience in criminal defence and can readily assess whether you are qualified to apply for a special hardship order. Call us today at 1300 941 900 to learn more about how we can help you.

Special Hardship Order Licence by Josh Boorman a Drink Driving Lawyer.

FAQs about this post

What happened at courts across Queensland?

In Queensland, drivers convicted of specific offences may incur driving disqualification or licence suspension for long periods. For many Australian drivers, a licence suspension or disqualification can bring severe economic hardship, preventing them from getting to work and creating obstacles to gainful opportunities.

What did the magistrate order?

One of the options available to drivers whose licences have been suspended or are about to be suspended is the special hardship order.

Does the Queensland refusing a breath test law in this post still apply?

Published 10 June 2018. Read it with the dated notes on this page and the up-to-date Queensland guides.

Sources and date checked

Sources and references for this page, checked 21 Oct 2026.

This page is general information about Queensland law only. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts.

Enquire about legal representation

Enquire about legal representation

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

What to have ready

  • Court & next listing date: Which court is on your paperwork and when your matter is listed.
  • Charge or reading (if known): Tell us the charge or reading if you have it — you do not need your full police facts yet.
  • Work & driving needs: Let us know if you rely on your licence for work or family responsibilities.
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