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Trialling an automated vehicle in Queensland
To trial an automated vehicle in Queensland, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria and comply with the permit conditions identified in the Automated Vehicle Trial Permit Framework.
You can get advice and access to the Automated Vehicle Trial Permit Framework by contacting the Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration Team, Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
This guide explains the process for submitting an application to trial an automated vehicle, including the assessment, approval processes and time frames.
Apply for an automated vehicle trial permit
Before applying for a permit to trial an automated vehicle in Queensland, you must have:
- obtained comprehensive insurance, including public liability and product liability insurance, of at least AU$20 million, with the State of Queensland named as a party on the insurance certificate
- obtained or be in the process of obtaining, all relevant permits, approvals, accreditation or consents
- consulted your relevant local government(s) and received their support for the trial.
Applying for a permit
To apply for a permit, you will need to:
- Email the Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration team at LAVR@tmr.qld.gov.au to confirm application time frames, processes and approvals (if required).
- The application form will be emailed to you if you have met all the eligibility requirements.
- Check you have all the supporting documentation by using the application checklist.
- Complete the application form and email to LAVR@tmr.qld.gov.au.
Your application will take up to 4 weeks to assess and process. Delays may occur if your application is incomplete or additional accreditations are required.
Contact the Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration team to ensure you understand your full application requirements, and can submit a complete application to minimise processing time frames.
Contact the Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration team
Email LAVR@tmr.qld.gov.au for more information.
Automated vehicle trial application checklist
Before submitting your automated vehicle trial application, use the information and checklist below to make sure you have attached all the relevant supporting information.
Contact the Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration team
Before you submit your application, contact the Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration team.
To get further information or to discuss trialling automated vehicles in Queensland, email the Licensing, Automated Vehicles and Registration team at LAVR@tmr.qld.gov.au.
Supporting information requirements checklist
Before completing and submitting your trial application, check that you have attached the following supporting information.
Evidence of incorporation
Submit any of the following documents that are relevant to your organisation, for example:
- certificate of registration issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
- certificate of incorporation (issued by the registrar of Incorporated Associations)
- copy of the section of the relevant Australian Act of Parliament declaring your organisation to be a body corporate.
Local council support
- Support evidence from the relevant local government(s) confirming they support your trial application.
Trial location
- Location outline and maps – include where you propose to undertake the trial, a map of specific roads, types of roads, routes and regions.
Details of trial vehicles
- Vehicle modifications – include details of any modifications made to the vehicle since its manufacture
- Import approval(s) – attach copies of all import approvals
- Australian Design Rules (ADRs) compliance – for a vehicle(s) not fitted with a compliance plate, provide a report listing applicable ADRs and compliance details (i.e. full, partial or non-compliance) as issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
- Level of automation (SAE J3016 June 2018)
- Types of equipment relied on to perform the dynamic driving task
- Operational design domain (ODD)
- Human machine interface (HMI)
- Object and event detection and response
Proposed dates of trial
- Proposed time and dates for commencement and completion of your trial.
Public passenger service
If you plan to carry passengers, you must show how your obligations have been met under the following:
- Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Act 1994
- Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Regulation 2018
- Transport Operations (Passenger Transport) Standard 2010
- Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (DSAPT) – include details of how the vehicle, infrastructure and premises comply with DSAPT.
Safety management plan
Your safety management plan must include:
- key safety criteria as outlined in part 5 of the Guidelines for Trials of Automated Vehicles in Australia (PDF, 3.5MB)
- and
- comply with workplace health and safety laws.
Traffic management plan
Your traffic management plan must identify anticipated traffic risks and mitigating actions, including:
- traffic density/vehicles
- speed environment
- pedestrians
- signage
- irregular events (construction, road detours, flooding)
- complex intersections and merges
- regional variations in the road design
- rail-road or other interfaces
- traffic controllers/Queensland Police Service
- segregation from other traffic.
Passenger transport infrastructure or network requirements
- Provide the appropriate approvals for bus route(s) or bus stop(s) impacted by your trial.
Engagement with the public and other stakeholders
Show how you have engaged or intend to engage, with the public and other key stakeholders as part of your trial, including:
- road managers (i.e. Department of Transport and Main Roads, local councils, toll road operators)
- the public (i.e. local residents, businesses, schools, road users and the general public)
- government agencies (including Queensland Police Service)
- education and training for the public to interact with trial vehicles.
Evidence of insurance
Include evidence of the following:
- comprehensive insurance policy of at least AU$20 million for the duration of the trial including the State of Queensland as a party on your comprehensive insurance certificate
- workers compensation insurance policy.
Managing change to vehicle and road infrastructure
Address how you intend to manage changes to the vehicle or issues with road infrastructure during the trial period, including:
- modification to the vehicle or automated driving system (ADS) physical and digital/software updates
- roadworks
- changes to road infrastructure
- recharging infrastructure for the vehicle being trialled.
Data and information records
Supply an outline of how participants in the trial will record information for the following:
- journeys taken by the automated vehicles, supervisors, locations and times and dates
- serious and non-serious incidents (refer to part 8 of the Guidelines for Trials of Automated Vehicles in Australia (PDF, 3.5MB))
- errors, failures and other issues arising from the use of the ADS during the trial
- circumstances and reasons why a vehicle supervisor takes back control
- public complaints process
- end of trial reporting.
Also consider…
- Find out more about importing an automated vehicle.
- Read about the Cooperative and Automated Vehicle Initiative (CAVI) and the technology used.
© The State of Queensland 1995–2024
- Last reviewed: 08 Sep 2021
- Last updated: 08 Sep 2021