RACQ's history
It took Australians a while to accept cars as a mainstream form of transport because they were seen as a danger to more conventional horse-drawn vehicles when introduced in the early 1900s. With less than 50 cars in Queensland and few quality roads to drive on, motorists were a minority.Much of the RACQ’s early activity was devoted to influencing legislation aimed at restricting speed limits and travel around Brisbane. One of the first letters drafted by the earliest iterations of RACQ involved a request to police to stop gangs of youths throwing stones at passing cars.
The youths enjoyed a degree of public support, as increasing numbers of 'horseless carriages' threatened traditional transport businesses and damaged Brisbane’s already sub-par road network.
These are just some of the earliest examples of how RACQ represented the interests of Queensland motorists. More than a century later, advocacy remains at the core of our service to our over 1.7 million members.
How we’ve evolved
Since formation in 1905, RACQ has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of Queenslanders.Today, we offer member services and products including insurance, roadside assistance, banking, and travel.
1905–1920
The early years of RACQ were notable for helping the motor vehicle become an accepted part of day-to-day life in Queensland. Of the 18 foundation members, 10 were medical practitioners of some kind. The use of vehicles to transport patients helped shine a more positive light on cars.Day trips to nearby towns proved a popular member activity, and the lack of road signs resulted in the members producing and erecting 100 directional signs to help motorists on their journeys.
This important initiative gave birth to drive tourism in Queensland, which today is a multi-billion dollar industry, and RACQ's first travel service was created in 1918.
1920–1945
In recognition of RACQ's patriotic efforts during the Great War, George V approved the use of the 'Royal' prefix in 1921 and, with that, the ACQ became RACQ. It was in 1925 that RACQ commissioned two mechanics, George Clark and Eddie Henderson, to patrol the roads in search of disabled vehicles. Since then, we have rescued more than 30 million motorists from the roadside.World War II brought about a change in RACQ’s focus. With the government imposing severe restrictions on motor vehicle use amid widespread protests, RACQ was instrumental in facilitating petrol rationing and providing maps and road information to the armed forces.
1945–1969
Post-war, RACQ purchased army jeeps for use as patrol vehicles and hired many ex-servicemen. It also wielded considerable influence with government, successfully campaigning for increased speed limits and motorists’ rights. From a membership of 18,000 in 1945, in 1957 RACQ boasted 100,000 members.
1970–1989
Queensland's population explosion in the 1970s and 1980s was reflected in RACQ's rapid expansion of member services, headlined by the establishment of RACQ Insurance.Technological advances in the 1980s also had a significant effect on RACQ services, with a computer-aided dispatch system for roadside assistance and the introduction of a 24-hour road information service dramatically improving efficiency.
1990–2004
RACQ's identity in its earliest years was defined by its motoring advocacy. As RACQ approached its centenary, protecting the interests of its members remained a priority, but there was also a focus on creating new services and products.These included Free2Go, the world’s first free youth motoring club membership, the Show Your Card and Save member benefits program and discounts on insurance premiums. In 1995, RACQ membership surpassed one million, more than one quarter of Queensland’s total population, and RACQ began its naming rights sponsorship of community helicopter rescue services throughout the state with Gold Coast-based CareFlight Rescue.
2005–2017
RACQ's centenary in 2005 sparked year-long celebrations, including a state-wide travelling exhibition honouring 100 years of motoring in Queensland, a television documentary and a hardcover historical reference titled A Road Well Travelled RACQ's First 100 Years.
In 2006, RACQ’s advocacy resulted in the launch of the Learn2go program. This online education resource for learner drivers and supervisors was introduced alongside legislative changes.
RACQ also launched the Streets Ahead school program aimed to develop the road awareness of primary school children. The program has reached more than 50,000 students and won a Queensland road safety award in its first year. In 2015, RACQ launched RACQ Home Assistance and began offering pet insurance to its members.
In 2017, RACQ successfully merged with QT Mutual Bank and RACQ Bank was born. RACQ now offers its members a range of banking products, including home loans, personal loans, term deposits, transaction accounts and savings accounts
RACQ today
At RACQ, our purpose ‘to drive a positive future for all Queenslanders’ sits at the core of everything we do. It guides our strategy, operations and product offering, and the way our people show up every day.
Whether that is through the work of our roadside assistance teams who get thousands of our members back on the road, our teams on the phone in our Queensland-based call centre and in our stores supporting members with their insurance, roadside and banking needs.
The support of our members enables us to fund our advocacy, education, community and Foundation work, which makes a significant and positive contribution to the way of life for all Queenslanders. That is why we are here.
Read more on our About Us page.
While you're here
Things to note
Banking products are issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL and Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank.