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Learner's Permit

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a C class Learner's Permit an applicant must:

  • be of or above the age of 16, and
  • have passed a theoretical exam.

Practice questions for the theory exam are available on the RAA's website.

Time held

If aged under 25 years, must be held for a minimum of 12 months. If aged 25 or over, must be held for a minimum of 6 months [Motor Vehicles Act 1959 (SA) s 79A].

Conditions and rules
  • must be accompanied whilst driving by a Qualified Supervising Driver* (unless the vehicle is a motor bike)
  • must not drive a motor vehicle, or attempt to put a motor vehicle in motion, on a road whilst there is any concentration of alcohol in their blood or prescribed drugs in their blood or oral fluid
  • must not drive a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding 10 km/h or more of any speed limit under the Road Traffic Act 1961 (SA)and the Motor Vehicles Act 1959 (SA)
  • must not exceed the 100 km/h speed limit
  • must not accumulate 4 or more demerit points during the Learner’s Permit period
  • must display prescribed L plates when driving a motor vehicle (cars must display two plates whilst motor bikes need only display one)
  • must carry the Learner’s Permit at all times whilst driving
  • no mobile phone use while driving (see also Mobile phones).

* A Qualified Supervising Driver (QSD) must hold an unconditional licence (i.e. cannot be on provisional or probationary licence or be subject to a good behaviour bond) of the class appropriate to the vehicle being driven and have held this licence for the previous 2 years without disqualification. They must occupy the seat next to the permit holder and must not have a blood alcohol reading of more than 0.05. As a consequence of the minimum time requirements for having a full licence, a Qualified Supervising Driver must be aged at least 21 years.

Breach of a Learner's Conditions

(including accumulation of 4 or more demerit points)

  • a disqualification period of 6 months, and
  • cancellation of the permit
Appeals - Breach of Conditions

Learner’s permit drivers cannot appeal a disqualification resulting from breach of conditions.

After disqualification

For applicants under 25 years of age, the total amount of time they must have held a Learner’s Permit is a period totalling 12 months, of which there must be a continuous period of not less than 3 months since the end of the period of disqualification.

For applicants aged 25 or over, the total amount of time they must have held a Learner’s Permit is for a period totalling at least 6 months, of which there must be a continuous period of not less than 3 months since the end of the period of disqualification [Motor Vehicles Act 1959 (SA) s 79A].

For more information see the My Licence SA - Learner's Permit website.

Learner's Permit  :  Last Revised: Tue Apr 14th 2020
The content of the Law Handbook is made available as a public service for information purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for legal advice. See Disclaimer for details. For free and confidential legal advice in South Australia call 1300 366 424.