One last chance at Beaudesert
In this Beaudesert special hardship order case study, Boorman Lawyers appeared at Beaudesert Magistrates Court on a special hardship order application. Our lawyer, Joshua Boorman, explains that this kind of application is available when a driver loses all their points, goes on a good behaviour licence and then breaches it, or when they are caught for high range speeding.
The client had lost all his points and gone on a good behaviour licence, which allowed him two points over 12 months. Halfway through that period he was caught speeding and got three points, breaching the good behaviour licence. Our lawyer describes the application as asking the court for one last chance for him to keep his licence.
Proving financial hardship
Josh needed to prove to the court that the client would suffer significant financial hardship if he could not keep driving. The client is a tow truck driver, so driving is a critical part of his job: if he can’t drive, he can’t work.
His boss prepared an affidavit confirming his work duties and his need to drive. The client also swore a carefully planned affidavit covering his work duties and obligations and his home and family life. He is a single income earner with four children of his own and, as our lawyer describes it, a huge blended family that also includes four foster children. The affidavit broke down his income against his expenses, to show that not much is left at the end of the day and that without his job the family would suffer financial hardship.
A fit and proper person
The court also had to be satisfied that the client was a fit and proper person to be granted a special hardship order. Our lawyer explains that the court looks closely at the person’s traffic record.
The client completed the Traffic Offenders Program, which Josh says always works in clients’ favour on these applications, because it shows they have done traffic education on how to be a better and safer driver.
The outcome
The special hardship order was granted. The client can drive:
- 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
- only a tow truck, the only vehicle he drives for work; and
- while wearing his work uniform at all times,
for a period of six months. Our lawyer says the client was very grateful and relieved to keep his licence, maintain his job and continue to provide for his family.
What this Beaudesert special hardship order case study shows
Breaching a good behaviour period can lead to a longer suspension, which can be very serious for someone who drives for a living. A special hardship order depends on strict eligibility rules and on clear evidence about work, family and finances. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on the facts.
Key general information (QLD)
General information only, not legal advice, as at October 2026. Every case turns on its own facts.
- Demerit points and good driving behaviour periods: TMR’s open licence demerit points page explains that a Queensland open licence holder who gets 12 or more demerit points within 3 years is sent a notice to choose between serving a licence suspension and continuing to drive under a 1-year good driving behaviour period.
- Choosing between a suspension and a good driving behaviour period: According to TMR, a driver may receive a warning letter at 7 or more demerit points in a 3-year period.
- Special hardship orders: A special hardship order is a court order that allows a driver with a suspended Queensland provisional or open licence to keep driving under restricted conditions. TMR’s special hardship order page explains that it is different from a restricted (work) licence for drink or drug driving.
Further reading and related videos
Boorman Lawyers has more on appearing at Beaudesert Magistrates Court, special hardship licences in Queensland and the Traffic Offenders Program in Queensland. Its Queensland DUI site covers traffic and drink driving matters across Queensland.
On this site, see a Southport special hardship order case and a Cleveland work licence case, or browse all Queensland and court town videos.
This post has no DIY DUI link because it is a special hardship order application after a demerit point breach, not a drink or drug driving plea.
