South Australia · Theory testLearner’s permit conditions
These are conditions of the permit. Breach one and you lose your permit and are disqualified, on top of any other penalty:
- No alcohol in your blood, and no THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA or cocaine in your blood or saliva
- Don’t exceed any speed limit by 10 km/h or more
- Drive only with a qualified supervising driver in the seat next to you
- Don’t build up four or more demerit points while you’re a learner
What else do L plates in SA mean?
These are laws rather than conditions. Break them and you may get a fine, demerit points or lose your licence:
- Drive only the class of vehicle on your permit
- Show L plates, a black L on yellow, clearly visible from the front and rear
- Carry your permit, the card or the digital one, whenever you drive
- Never go over 100 km/h, even where the limit is higher
- Don’t use any mobile phone function while driving, hands-free and Bluetooth included
You may use a phone while the car is stationary in a road-related area, for example to pay at a drive-through, or where you need it to get in or out of one.
You can learn in a high-powered vehicle, because a qualified supervising driver is always with you, but not in an ultra high-powered vehicle.
Who can supervise you
Your qualified supervising driver can be a parent, friend or relative, as long as they:
- Have held a full licence for your vehicle class for the past two years (a learner’s permit, provisional or probationary licence doesn’t count)
- Haven’t been disqualified or suspended in the past two years
- Aren’t on a good behaviour condition
- Sit right next to you whenever you drive, parking practice included
It’s an offence for them to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.05 or more, or cannabis, speed, ecstasy or cocaine in their blood or saliva.
A driving instructor who charges you a fee must hold a driving instructor’s licence.
Your hours and the log book
You need at least 75 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours at night, recorded in the log book in The Driving Companion. Your supervising driver signs off each session.
Service SA lists the printed log book at $5, or you can download a free PDF. The handbook says the first copy comes free with your permit, so ask at the centre. It also says you may use a log book app if it prints the same details as the paper version.
You must hold your permit for at least 12 months if you’re under 25, or 6 months if you’re 25 or over.
Permit fees and renewals
Service SA listed these learner’s permit fees in November 2026. Concessions don’t apply to them:
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| First learner’s permit (2 years) | $78 |
| 6 month renewal | $36 |
| 1 year renewal | $50 |
| 2 year renewal | $78 |
| 3 year renewal | $106 |
| Replacement card | $22 |
If you let your permit expire for more than 12 months, you have to pass myLs or the theory test again. Motor bike learners have extra rules of their own.
Sources: My Licence · Service SA · Government of South Australia and 2 more. Checked November 2026.
- My Licence (Government of South Australia): Learner’s stage ↗
- Service SA: Complete your learner’s test at Service SA (updated 2 November 2026) ↗
- Service SA: Complete the myLs course online ↗
- Service SA: Find driver’s licence and permit fees ↗
- Government of South Australia: The Driver’s Handbook (MR200, February 2026) ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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