Your South Australia licence, from L’s to full

Moving to South Australia with a licence

With an interstate licence, switch to a South Australian one within three months of living here. You generally get the same class and conditions without a theory or practical test. Service SA listed a $22 transfer fee in November 2026, and you can pay the renewal fee instead to extend the expiry date.

With an overseas licence, you switch within three months of becoming a resident of South Australia, once you’re a permanent resident or citizen. A licence from a recognised country can be exchanged, in most cases for the car and motor bike classes only. From a country that isn’t recognised, you pass a theory test, the hazard perception test and a practical driving test.

Learner’s permits and learner’s licences from overseas can’t be converted. With an interstate learner’s permit, you pay the learner’s permit fee instead of the transfer fee.

These switching rules are for residents. The handbook counts as a resident someone who lives permanently in South Australia, and also an overseas person on a permanent visa or an interstate person once they’ve lived here for three months. It doesn’t cover visitors driving on an overseas licence or an International Driving Permit, so phone Service SA on 13 10 84 before you drive.

Medical fitness to drive

You must declare any illness, disease or disability that could affect your driving on every licence or permit application or renewal. For conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, a sleep disorder or needing glasses to drive, you may need a medical certificate from your doctor.

If your eyesight is fine with glasses or contact lenses, your licence will say you must wear them to drive. If a condition develops after you’re licensed, tell the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in writing as soon as possible, at GPO Box 1533, Adelaide SA 5001.