In South Australia, young drivers are required to follow learner driver restrictions to ensure they stay safe behind the wheel. As a parent, you should know which restrictions apply to the licence your child holds.
Licence restrictions for L and P-plate drivers were put in place so that new drivers could learn how to drive but also learn from their mistakes. By following these rules, new drivers can practice following SA road rules and gain awareness around common car accident causes, including speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving and drunk driving.
Before applying for your learner driver's licence you must complete the myLs online course and theory test. The myLs road safety course takes around four hours to complete and covers driving attitudes, signs and road rules and sharing the road with other vehicles.
South Australia
| Learner Licence Restrictions | |
|---|---|
Eligibility |
To be eligible for a learner's permit you must have evidence of your identity; verifying your full name, date of birth, signature, residential address and email address. You must provide this evidence at any Service SA customer service centre. Keep in mind you must be at least 16 years old to apply for your learner's permit. |
Licence conditions |
If their licence has a conditional code then learner drivers must comply. You must hold this licence for younger drivers under the age of 25 and only six months if you are 25 or over. |
Displaying L-plates |
Learner licence holders must display the L-plates on the front and back of their vehicles. |
Learner licence |
L-plate drivers must carry a learner’s licence at all times whilst driving. |
Supervised driving experience |
Learners must have a supervising driver in the passenger seat while driving. All qualified supervisors must hold a full Australian licence for at least one year, in the same class of motor vehicle you’ll be learning in. |
Learner hours |
L-plate drivers must record at least 75 hours of supervised driving (including 15 hours of night driving) in the learner driver log book over 12 months. This must be completed before you can take a practical driving test. |
Posted speed limit |
Learner licence holders must not exceed the 100 km/h maximum speed limit at any time and not exceed the speed limit by more than 10 km/h at any time. |
Demerit points |
Learners must not accumulate four or more demerit points during the learner’s permit period. |
Mobile phones |
Learner drivers must not use a mobile phone or any of its functions while driving. This includes hands-free mobile devices, Bluetooth technology or the loudspeaker function on a mobile phone. |
Alcohol and drugs |
Learners must drive with a zero blood alcohol concentration and no illegal substances in their blood or saliva. |
See more learner driver rules in South Australia.
South Australia
| Provisional Licence Restrictions | |
|---|---|
Eligibility |
Before applying for a P1 licence you must be at least 17 years old and pass a practical driving test and hazard perception test. And if you're eligible the transition to a P2 licence can be automatic once the initial 12 month period is completed. |
Displaying red P-plates |
For a minimum of 12 months, P1 provisional drivers must display their red P-plates clearly on the front and back of the car. The plates must be outside the car and not hidden from view. |
Displaying green P-plates |
Once you’re a P2 licence holder you’re no longer required to display your green P-plates for the remaining 2 years of your provisional licence. |
High-powered vehicles |
P1 and P2 provisional drivers under 25 cannot drive a high-powered motor vehicle unless a certificate of exemption has been issued or once they get a full driver's licence. |
Speed limit |
P-plate drivers must not drive over 100 km/h even if the local speed limits exceed 100 km/h and not exceed the speed limit by more than 10 km/h at any time. |
Passengers |
P1 provisional drivers under 25 must not drive with more than one passenger over the age of 20 between midnight and 5am (excludes immediate family members). |
Mobile phones |
Once you’re a P2 licence holder you’re allowed to use mobile phone functions (e.g hands-free, Bluetooth and the GPS function). |
See more provisional licence rules in South Australia.
Learner Driver Insurance Solved® with Budget Direct
Before jumping in the car, make sure you and your learner are protected with Budget Direct’s Car Insurance.
To insure your child while driving in your car, you’ll need to add them to your existing policy (if they still live in your household). Remember that on top of the basic excess for this policy, you’ll also need to pay any additional excesses that may apply (age and licence type).
