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How Many Driving Hours Do You Need in South Australia?
South Australia sits in the middle of the pack with 75 supervised hours required. 15 at night, 60 during the day. There’s a small instructor bonus and two different pathways to your Ps, which gives you more flexibility than most states offer.
South Australia permit requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 75 |
| Daytime hours | 60 |
| Night hours | 15 |
| Minimum learner age | 16 |
| Minimum hold period | 12 months |
| Supervisor requirement | Full licence held 2+ years |
| Driver education required | No |
| Maximum speed on Ls | 100 km/h |
| Blood alcohol limit | Zero |
Night driving rules in South Australia
Night driving counts from sunset to sunrise. In Adelaide, sunset ranges from about 5:10 PM in June to 8:30 PM in December. Winter is the easier time to log night hours because it gets dark before dinner.
15 hours of night driving breaks down to roughly 15 one-hour sessions. One evening session per week from the start and you’ll be done well before you finish your total hours.
Supervisor requirements
Your supervisor must have held a full licence for at least 2 years. Not just any licence — a full, unrestricted licence. Provisional licence holders can’t supervise.
They sit in the front passenger seat, stay alert, and must be ready to take control. Zero blood alcohol for the learner. The supervisor should be well within their own limits too.
Instructor bonus hours
SA offers a 3-for-1 bonus with licensed driving instructors, but the cap is lower than other states. You can claim up to 5 instructor hours, which gives you 15 hours of credit in your logbook.
That brings your actual driving time down from 75 to about 65 hours. It’s a smaller bonus than NSW or Queensland, but still worth using.
Two pathways to your Ps
South Australia gives you a choice. You can go the logbook pathway — complete 75 hours, hold your permit for 12 months, and pass the practical driving test. Or you can take the VORT (Vehicle On Road Test) pathway through a registered assessment provider.
The VORT pathway involves a structured assessment rather than the standard practical test. Some learners prefer it because it’s a more controlled environment. Talk to a registered provider to understand which pathway suits you better.
Either way, you need the minimum hold period. The logbook pathway requires the full 75 hours. The VORT pathway has its own assessment criteria.
Speed restrictions
Learner drivers in SA are limited to 100 km/h regardless of the posted speed limit. On highways posted at 110 km/h, you need to stay at 100 or below. Keep your L plates displayed clearly.
How to plan your 75 hours
With a 12-month hold period, you have plenty of runway. Here’s how the schedule looks:
| Timeline | Sessions per week | Session length | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed (25 weeks) | 3 | 1 hour | ~25 weeks |
| Moderate (15 weeks) | 5 | 1 hour | ~15 weeks |
| With instructor bonus (13 weeks) | 5 | 1 hour | ~13 weeks |
The “with instructor bonus” row assumes you max out the 3-for-1 (5 instructor hours = 15 credit hours), dropping your real driving time to about 65 hours.
Night hours are 20% of the total. Mix them in regularly from the start rather than cramming them at the end.
Age exemptions
If you’re 25 or older when you get your learner’s permit, you’re exempt from the 75-hour logbook requirement. You still need the minimum hold period and must pass the practical test or VORT, but the logbook itself isn’t required.
Tracking your driving hours
75 hours across a year is a lot of entries to keep track of on paper. Moda logs every drive automatically, separates day and night hours, tracks your instructor bonus, and shows exactly where you stand. When you’re ready, export your logbook in the format SA requires.
How many supervised driving hours does South Australia require?
South Australia requires 75 total supervised driving hours. 15 must be at night and 60 during the day.
What counts as night driving in South Australia?
Night driving in SA is defined as sunset to sunrise. The times change with the seasons, so check your local sunset time before planning evening sessions.
Can I get bonus hours with a driving instructor in South Australia?
Yes. Each hour with a licensed instructor counts as 3 hours in your logbook. The cap is 5 instructor hours, giving you 15 hours of credit.
Who can supervise a learner driver in South Australia?
Your supervisor must have held a full licence for at least 2 years. They need to sit in the front passenger seat.
What are the two pathways to get your Ps in South Australia?
SA offers two pathways: the logbook pathway (75 hours plus a practical test) or the VORT (Vehicle On Road Test) pathway through a registered provider.
How old do you have to be to get a learner’s permit in South Australia?
You can apply for a learner’s permit in SA at age 16.
Do I need to complete all 75 hours if I’m over 25?
No. If you’re 25 or older when you get your learner’s permit, you’re exempt from the 75-hour logbook requirement in South Australia.
Calculate your remaining hours
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