You must be at least 17 years old to apply for a provisional car licence.
What you'll need
To apply for your provisional licence you must have:
- a learner's permit for at least:
- 12 months if you're between 17 and 24 years old
- 6 months if you're at least 25 years old
- completed at least 75 hours of supervised driving including a minimum of 15 hours at night with a qualified supervising driver or a driving instructor. This must be recorded in a log book.
- passed either a:
- Vehicle on Road Test (VORT) practical driving test with a VORT authorised examiner
- Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBT&A) course
- a certificate of competency for passing either the VORT test or CBT&A course
- passed the hazard perception test.
If you live more than 100 kilometres as the crow flies from a place where the test is conducted, or on Kangaroo Island, you are exempt from having to pass the hazard perception test.
- Step 1
Practical driving test
To be issued a provisional licence you must pass either:
- a Vehicle on Road Test (VORT) practical driving test with a VORT authorised examiner
- a Competency Based Training and Assessment (CBT&A) course with a qualified driving instructor, who will assess your competency in a series of practical driving sessions.
You'll need to pay your driving instructor for either the practical driving test or competency based training.
Once you've completed the practical driving test or competency based training, you'll be issued a certificate of competency.
More information - Practical driving options to progress to P1 Provisional Licence
- Step 2
Practice the hazard perception test
You must pass a hazard perception test before you can apply for your provisional licence.
Study the South Australian road rules and regulations before attempting the test.
More information - Hazard perception test.
Practice the hazard perception test online.
- Step 3
Book a hazard perception test
To book, phone Service SA on 13 10 84. Testing times are 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
- Tests can be taken at any Service SA centre except Regency Park and Mile End.
- Pay the $35 fee to do the hazard perception test. Alternatively, this can be paid when you attend in person at a Service SA centre. The fee is charged each time you attempt the test.
- Step 4
Attend a Service SA centre
Go to your hazard perception test appointment with the following documentation:
- learner's permit
- certificate of competency
- learner's permit
- Driving Companion with your completed declaration showing completion of the compulsory driving hours.
- a completed application form (237.2 KB PDF),
Take and pass the hazard perception test.
At the counter pay the provisional licence fee and you'll be issued with a temporary licence.
Provisional licence: $173 fee.
Provisional licence - concession: $96.50 fee.
What happens next
You should receive your provisional licence card in the post within 3 weeks.
If you don't receive the licence card within 3 weeks phone Service SA on 13 10 84. If you don't contact Service SA within 30 days you may need to pay a replacement fee.
Driving on your Ps
Your provisional licence is valid for 3 years - P1 for 1 year and P2 for 2 years.
On your P's you can drive independently, without a qualified supervising driver or driving instructor but there are conditions.
You must carry your provisional licence card or digital licence when driving and show it to a police officer when asked.
P1 conditions apply for a minimum of 12 months before you may progress to a P2 licence.
P2 conditions for the remaining period of your provisional licence.
If you're eligible your P1 licence will automatically be upgraded to a P2 licence when both of these apply:
- you're at least 18 years old
- you've held a P1 licence for a minimum of 12 months.
Full driver's licence
When you are due to progress to your full driver's licence, a licence renewal notice will be posted 4 to 6 weeks before your P2 licence expires. Your provisional conditions will finish midnight of the expiry of your P2 licence.
Renew online or go to a Service SA centre to get your full licence:
If you already have your provisional licence
If you already have a provisional licence you can:
Need help?
Contact Service SA
Online
Only send general enquiries online. Service SA will respond within 3 working days.
If the matter is urgent or is specifically about your current licence or registration, phone or visit a Service SA centre instead.
Phone
Call Service SA between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays:
- 13 10 84
- +61 8 8226 0206 (overseas callers).
In person
Service SA centre locations and opening hours.
