Two clear paths: brand new learners, and experienced drivers (including overseas licence conversions). Every step verified against sa.gov.au and Austroads. Updated May 2026.
The path depends on whether you have ever held a licence before.
You have never held a driver's licence anywhere. You are starting from scratch. The journey takes around 4 years for under-25s, or 3.5 years for 25 and over.
See the 4 steps → Path BYou hold a current licence from another Australian state, New Zealand, or another country. Your path is much shorter, sometimes no test at all.
See your conversion path →If you have never held a driver's licence, the South Australian Graduated Licensing System (GLS) takes you through four stages. Here is the journey.
You must be at least 16 years old. You can start the myLs online course from 15 years and 9 months.
You have two ways to take the Theory Test:
You will also need full evidence of identity: 1 primary document plus 2 additional primary or secondary documents. Originals only.
Once you pass, you pay the learner's permit fee and get your L's. The permit is valid for 2 years.
Everyone must log a minimum of 75 hours of supervised driving, including at least 15 hours at night, in your Driving Companion logbook.
You must also hold the L permit for a minimum period before you can attempt the practical test:
Hours can be logged with any qualified supervising driver (someone who has held a full Australian licence for at least 2 years) or with a driving instructor. Every hour you spend with us counts and we sign your logbook on the spot.
While on your L's, key conditions apply: a supervising driver next to you at all times, L plates displayed, zero blood alcohol, no mobile phone use at all, and you cannot exceed 100 km/h.
You have two options to demonstrate you are ready to drive solo:
Both lead to the same outcome: a Certificate of Competency.
The Hazard Perception Test (HPT) is a touchscreen test at a Service SA centre. You watch video clips of real traffic and tap when you would act (slow down, change lane, etc.).
Pass the HPT, hand in your Certificate of Competency and Driving Companion, and you get your P1 provisional licence. Valid for 1 year, then automatically upgrades to P2 (which lasts another 2 years before you become eligible for a full licence).
If you are under 25: minimum 4 years total (12 months L + 1 year P1 + 2 years P2).
If you are 25 or older: minimum 3.5 years total (6 months L + 1 year P1 + 2 years P2). The age-based shortcut only applies at the L stage. Once you reach P1, you and a younger driver face the same holding times.
If you already hold a current licence somewhere else, your path to a South Australian licence depends entirely on where that licence was issued. The rules changed significantly on 1 May 2025 and again on 1 February 2026.
When you become a permanent resident of South Australia, you have 3 months to convert your interstate licence to an SA licence.
Visit any Service SA centre with:
No tests required. Your SA licence is issued the same day on a temporary card, with the photo card posted to you.
New Zealand licence holders are issued the equivalent South Australian driver's licence directly. No Theory Test, no Hazard Perception Test, no practical test.
Exception: NZ paper licences are not accepted. You need the current plastic photo card.
You must still convert within 3 months of becoming a permanent SA resident.
If your current licence comes from any of the 28 countries below, you can transfer to an SA licence without sitting any tests. Your licence must be current or expired within the last 5 years, and must not be a learner permit.
Visit any Service SA centre with:
After your photo is taken and the fee is paid, you receive a temporary licence and the plastic card is posted to you.
The Australian Recognised Overseas Licence Scheme was updated on 1 May 2025. Drivers from the following 16 countries now must complete extra training and testing to get an SA licence. The previous "Experienced Driver Recognition" exemption for drivers aged 25 and over has been removed.
These rule changes do not affect drivers who already hold an Australian licence, or visitors driving on their overseas licence under the conditions of that licence. The new rules apply only to permanent residents converting from one of these 16 countries.
If your licence was issued by any country not on the 28-country recognised list, you are treated the same as drivers from the 16 newly-tested countries. You will need to complete the SA tests below to convert.
You must pass the SA Learner Theory Test. Either online via the myLs course or in person at a Service SA centre.
The HPT is a video-based test at a Service SA centre. You watch real traffic scenarios and tap the screen when action is required. Pay the fee each attempt.
You must pass either a Vehicle On Road Test (VORT) or a Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBT&A) with a qualified driving instructor.
Most experienced drivers do not need many lessons. Our typical 45-minute assessment shows us exactly where you stand against SA test standards. Usually 2 to 7 hours of focused practice is enough.
Once you become a permanent SA resident, you have 3 months to convert your licence. After that, driving on your foreign licence may not be legal. Plan your tests early.
If you are visiting SA on a temporary visa (tourist, student, working holiday), you can drive on your current overseas licence as long as:
You do not need to convert your licence as a temporary visitor.
All information on this page is verified against official South Australian government and Austroads sources. Use the links below to check the latest details directly:
Primary sources verified May 2026: sa.gov.au (Steps to getting a driver's licence; Apply for learner's permit, page updated 19 February 2026; Complete the myLs course online; Tests required for overseas licence transfer); mylicence.sa.gov.au (myLs FAQ, The Driver's Handbook, Pre-learners stage, Learner's stage, P1 provisional licence, P2 provisional licence); dit.sa.gov.au (News - Stricter rules for transferring overseas licences); thinkroadsafety.sa.gov.au; Austroads (Recognised Overseas Licences Scheme; 30 April 2025 policy review); Motor Vehicles Act 1959 (SA). The list of recognised countries is governed by Austroads on behalf of all state and territory licensing authorities and can change at any time.
Disclaimer: This page is general guidance for South Australian drivers and visitors. It is not legal advice. Licence requirements, fees, country recognition status, and test requirements are set by the South Australian government and Austroads, and can change at any time. Always confirm current requirements with sa.gov.au or by phoning Service SA on 13 10 84 before making decisions. Page last verified 30 May 2026.
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