Criminal Code (Dangerous Driving) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026

Introduced: 26/6/2026By: Hon D Frecklington MPStatus: Referred to Committee

Justice & Rights Transport & Roads Children & Families

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Plain English Summary

Overview

This bill overhauls Queensland's dangerous driving laws, replacing the single existing Criminal Code offence with a new set of offences that separate motor vehicles from non-motor vehicles like bikes, skateboards, trains and vessels. It raises maximum penalties, lengthens minimum licence disqualifications, and adds new aggravating circumstances such as drink/drug driving, fleeing police and advertising the offence on social media. The changes commence on 1 March 2027.

Who it affects

It affects all Queensland drivers, with the harshest consequences for repeat and high-risk offenders who face longer bans and, in some cases, mandatory jail. Riders of bikes and skateboards and operators of trains and vessels are also covered by a new offence, while e-scooters and e-bikes are deliberately excluded.

Key changes

Replaces the old single dangerous driving offence (section 328A) with four offence categories covering dangerous driving and interference for both motor and non-motor vehicles.
Increases maximum penalties, with up to 16 years (or 25 years if aggravated) imprisonment for dangerously driving a motor vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm.
Lengthens minimum licence disqualification periods and lets a court disqualify a person from driving even where they are not convicted, if it is in the public interest.
Adds new aggravating circumstances, including being drink/drug affected, excessively speeding (more than 40km/h over the limit), racing, fleeing police, leaving the scene, or advertising the offence on social media.
Requires the court to impose imprisonment for certain repeat offenders and keeps the new offences within the youth 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' framework.

How this affects you

Justice & Rights

•Under the bill, dangerous driving causing death or serious injury could be punished by up to 25 years in prison when aggravating circumstances applyClause 6 (new s 334I)The maximum penalty is 16 years imprisonment, rising to 25 years if there is a circumstance of aggravation.
•Under the bill, some repeat dangerous drivers would have to be sent to prison, as the court would be required to impose imprisonment for certain prior convictionsClause 6 (new s 334I(5))The court must impose imprisonment if the offender has been previously convicted of specified serious driving offences.
•Under the bill, filming or advertising your dangerous driving on social media would become a separate, more serious offenceClause 6 (new s 334I(3))An offender commits a crime punishable by up to 600 penalty units or 7 years if they publish material to advertise the offence.
•Under the bill, a court could ban you from driving even if you are not convicted, where it decides this is in the public interestClause 6 (new s 334N)The court may make a disqualification order if satisfied it is in the public interest, decided on the balance of probabilities.

Transport & Roads

•Under the bill, driving while drink or drug affected, disqualified, racing or fleeing police would make a dangerous driving charge far more seriousClause 6 (new s 334I(4))Offences are aggravated if the offender is over the high alcohol limit, has a relevant drug present, is excessively speeding, disqualified, or commits an evasion offence.
•Under the bill, losing your licence after a dangerous driving conviction would mean longer minimum bans, ranging from six months up to five yearsClause 6 (new s 334M)Minimum disqualification periods are relocated to the Criminal Code and increased depending on the offence and prior convictions.
•Under the bill, dangerously riding a bike or skateboard, or operating a train or vessel, would become a specific offence, though e-scooters and e-bikes are not affectedClause 6 (new s 334K)Operating a non-motor vehicle dangerously is a misdemeanour, with a separate framework recognising different risks; e-mobility devices are unchanged.
•Under the bill, excessive speeding would be defined as driving more than 40km/h over the limit and count as an aggravating circumstanceClause 6 (new s 334G)Excessively speeding means driving more than 40km/h over the speed limit applying under the TORUM Act.

Children & Families

•Under the bill, children found guilty of the new dangerous driving offences would face the same adult maximum penalties under the 'Adult Crime, Adult Time' frameworkClause 43 (Youth Justice Act s 175A)The new offences are retained in the Adult Crime, Adult Time framework, exposing children to adult maximum penalties and possible detention.
•Under the bill, a finding of guilt from childhood could still be used against you as a prior conviction when you are sentenced as an adultClause 41 (Youth Justice Act s 148B)The bill retains the admissibility of a childhood finding of guilt as a previous conviction for the purposes of the new offences.

Bill Journey

Introduced26 June 2026

First Reading

Committee

Referenced Entities

Legislation

Organisations

District Court of Queensland Legal Aid Queensland Queensland Human Rights Commission Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service Bar Association of Queensland Queensland Law Society Queensland Council for Civil Liberties RACQ

Programs & Schemes

Adult Crime, Adult Time alcohol ignition interlock program

Sectors Affected

Courts Criminal Law Youth Justice Road Transport

Classified using AGIFT/ANZSIC Australian government standards

Source Documents

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