SA Driving Test (VORT): Your Complete Guide to Passing in South Australia

What Makes SA Different

South Australia has the most unusual driving test system in the country. Instead of a government examiner, your road test is run by a certified private assessor — someone you book and pay directly. This system is called the VORT (Vehicle On Road Test).

The VORT has a 90% pass mark (tied with NSW for the highest in Australia), lasts about 45 minutes, and tests all five low-speed manoeuvres — not a selection like other states. Any traffic violation ends the test instantly.

Despite the high pass mark, SA's first-attempt pass rate is actually around 82%, well above the national average of 62%. The private system seems to encourage more thorough preparation — probably because failing a $340+ test hurts more than failing a $67 government test.

This system is changing. Government examiners will replace private VORT assessors from the first half of 2027, with fees expected to drop to about $240. The reform follows a SA ICAC investigation that found 137 disciplinary actions against authorised examiners, including cases of bribery and fraud. Until the transition, this guide covers the current system.

SA Licence System

Getting Your Learner's Permit

1. Complete the myLs online course — free self-paced modules on SA road rules
2. Pass the Theory Test at a Service SA centre — ~$34
3. Pay for the learner's permit — ~$57

Building Your Hours (Under 25)

You need 75 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours at night. That's notably lower than NSW and VIC (120 hours each) and QLD (100 hours).

You must hold your learner's permit for at least 12 months (if under 25) or 6 months (if 25+) before sitting the VORT.

P1 Restrictions — More Strict Than You'd Think

P1 restrictions in SA are among the tightest in Australia, especially for drivers under 25:

• 100 km/h maximum — even on roads posted at 110
• Zero alcohol
• No phone at all — including hands-free
• Night driving ban (under 25): You cannot drive between midnight and 5 am unless a qualified supervising driver is seated next to you, or you have an approved exemption (work, study, sport, volunteering)
• Passenger restriction (under 25): Maximum one passenger aged 16-20 at any time of day or night, unless they're an immediate family member or a supervisor is present

Note: The night driving ban is separate from the passenger restriction. Many people don't realise you actually can't drive at all between midnight and 5 am as a P1 under 25, regardless of passengers.

What the VORT Covers

How the System Works

• Your test is conducted by a certified private assessor — not a government employee
• The assessor cannot be the instructor who taught you — this independence rule ensures impartial assessment
• You book and pay the assessor directly
• Tests run from locations chosen by the assessor, often near driving schools in suburbs like Glandore, Firle, Modbury, Campbelltown, or Marion

Test Format

The VORT lasts about 45 minutes and includes:

1. Five mandatory low-speed manoeuvres (see below)
2. General driving assessment — lane changes, traffic lights, roundabouts, intersections, speed management, and road law compliance

Scoring

• Pass mark: 90% — the highest in Australia (tied with NSW)
• Minor errors accumulate against your score
• Any traffic law violation = immediate termination (including 1 km/h over the limit, rolling a stop sign, running an amber)
• Assessor intervention also ends the test

The Five Mandatory Manoeuvres

Every VORT tests all five. Other states pick two or three — SA tests them all.

This video from Team Driver Training (22K views) demonstrates the reverse parallel park to SA VORT standards:

1. Angle Parking

Drive into an angled bay and straighten the vehicle within the lines. Assessed on approach speed, positioning, observation, and whether you finish straight and centred.

2. Three-Point Turn

Turn the vehicle around on a residential street. Mirror checks and head checks before each movement. Keep speed low and controlled.

3. Reverse Parallel Park

Reverse into a space between two reference points. Finish parallel to and close to the kerb without hitting it. Continuous observation throughout.

4. U-Turn

Choose an appropriate location (wide enough road, good visibility), signal, check for traffic in both directions, and complete the turn smoothly without mounting the kerb.

5. Hill Start

Stop on a hill, apply the handbrake, then move off smoothly without rolling backwards (or forwards on a downhill). Tests clutch control (manual) or brake-to-accelerator transition (automatic), plus observation before moving.

Failing one manoeuvre doesn't automatically end the test, but errors contribute to your overall score. With a 90% pass mark, even a few small manoeuvre mistakes can push you below the threshold.

Instant Fail Items

Any traffic law violation ends the test immediately. SA has zero tolerance — no margin, no second chances.

These result in immediate termination:

1. Exceeding the speed limit — by even 1 km/h
2. Running a red light — including entering on amber when you could stop
3. Rolling a stop sign — your wheels must stop completely
4. Driving in a bus lane illegally
5. Assessor intervention — verbal direction or physical intervention to avoid danger
6. Collision — with any vehicle, object, pedestrian, or cyclist
7. Mounting the kerb or leaving the road
8. Dangerous driving — causing other road users to take evasive action

Why People Fail

1. Observation Checks

Not performing visible head checks when changing lanes, moving off, or reversing. The assessor must see you physically turn your head. A subtle eye glance doesn't count.

2. Speed Management

This is where SA's 25 km/h school zones catch people. If you're used to other states (40 km/h school zones), you need to recalibrate. Also watch construction zones (often 40 km/h) — don't accelerate until you pass the end-of-zone sign.

3. Indicator Problems

Signalling too late, forgetting to cancel after a lane change, or not signalling when exiting a roundabout.

4. Roundabout Errors

Hesitating too long when a safe gap exists, or entering without adequate gap selection. Choosing the wrong lane on multi-lane roundabouts.

5. Cumulative Minor Errors

Unlike states that use a critical-error system, SA's 90% threshold means many small mistakes — slightly wide turns, brief hesitations, minor positioning errors — can add up to a fail even without a single major error.

6. Reverse Parallel Park and U-Turn

These have the highest error rates among the five manoeuvres. Common issues: poor positioning, forgetting blind-spot checks, touching or mounting the kerb.

7. Slip Lane Errors

SA has numerous slip lanes (dedicated left-turn lanes separated by a traffic island). Not giving way to pedestrians at the end of the slip lane, or merging unsafely, is a surprisingly common fail.

VORT vs CBT&A

SA offers two pathways to your P1:

Both lead to the same P1 licence.

Costs

The SA driving test is the most expensive in Australia because private assessors set their own prices.

For comparison: A government driving test costs $70 in VIC (first knowledge test free), $67 in QLD, and is free (first attempt) in WA.

If you fail, you pay the full VORT fee again. Multiple failures get expensive fast — some learners report spending over $2,000 across several attempts.

Coming in 2027: Around 40 government examiners will replace private assessors across the state. The standardised fee is expected to be about $240 — roughly 30% cheaper than the current average. An online booking system will replace direct assessor bookings.

SA-Specific Rules

School Zones: 25 km/h (and New 40 km/h Zones)

South Australia has the lowest school zone speed limit in the country at 25 km/h (all other states are 40 km/h). If you've driven in any other state, you need to reset this in your mind. Driving at 40 km/h in an SA school zone is both a fine and an instant test fail.

New from November 2025: SA is rolling out 40 km/h time-based school speed zones on arterial roads near schools. These operate during set hours (typically 8:00-9:30 am and 2:00-4:00 pm on school days) and are marked with electronic signs. Over 150 schools will have these by late 2026. The existing 25 km/h zones on local roads remain unchanged — the 40 km/h zones are an additional layer on busier roads where 25 km/h wasn't practical.

Work Zones

Construction zones commonly have a 40 km/h limit. Don't accelerate until you pass the sign showing the end of the reduced zone.

Slip Lanes

SA has many slip lanes. Give way to pedestrians crossing at the end and merge safely. Incorrect use is a common fail item.

Default Speed Limits

• Residential streets: 50 km/h (default if unsigned)
• Main roads: As posted, commonly 60 km/h
• P1 and P2 maximum: 100 km/h regardless of posted limit

Choosing Your Assessor

Since the VORT is run privately, your experience can vary between assessors. Tips:

• Check reviews — search for the assessor's name online
• Ask your instructor for recommendations (but remember, your instructor can't also be your assessor)
• Practise in the test area — many assessors use familiar routes. Ask which suburb the test starts from and practise there
• Consider a pre-test lesson with a different instructor for an independent assessment of your readiness

Common test areas in Adelaide:

• Glandore — inner south-west
• Firle — eastern suburbs
• Modbury — north-eastern suburbs
• Campbelltown — eastern suburbs
• Marion — southern suburbs

Overseas Licence Conversion

Recognised Countries (Direct Exchange)

If you hold a full licence from a recognised country (UK, USA, Canada, NZ, EU member states, Japan, Singapore, and others), you can exchange directly without a driving test.

EDR Reform

From 1 May 2025, the Experienced Driver Recognition (EDR) pathway has been removed in SA. Drivers aged 25+ from 16 "EDR countries" — including Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and South Africa — now must pass the theory test and VORT. Previously, they could convert directly.

Non-Recognised Countries (Including China)

You must pass:

1. Theory Test — ~$34
2. VORT (or complete CBT&A) — $340+

Documents

• Original overseas licence
• NAATI-certified English translation
• Proof of identity (passport, visa)
• Proof of SA address

Deadlines

• Permanent residents: Convert within 3 months
• Temporary visa holders: Can drive on overseas licence (with IDP or translation) for up to 12 months

Tips for Passing the VORT

Before the Test

1. Only book when your instructor says you're ready. A failed $340+ VORT hurts more than a few extra lessons.
2. Practise all five manoeuvres until they're automatic. Unlike other states, you can't get lucky on which ones come up — they all do.
3. Drive in your test area repeatedly. Learn the roundabouts, school zones, slip lanes, and parking conditions.
4. Book midweek, 11 am to 2 pm. Lighter traffic, no school zones active, easier U-turns.

On Test Day

5. Make head checks obvious. Turn your head clearly and visibly.
6. Stay just under the speed limit. In a 50 km/h zone, aim for 45-48 km/h. Never exceed the limit.
7. Mirror-signal-manoeuvre — this order, every time.
8. Don't rush at intersections. Waiting for a safe gap is always better than forcing one.
9. Stay calm after a mistake. The 90% threshold allows some room. One minor error rarely fails a test — losing focus over it causes bigger problems.
10. Remember 25 km/h school zones. This catches people from other states every single time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the VORT take? About 45 minutes of driving, plus time for pre-test checks and post-test feedback.

Can I use my own car? Yes, if it's registered, roadworthy, and has a visible speedometer. Many learners use the assessor's car to avoid the stress.

How soon can I rebook after failing? There's no mandatory waiting period. Availability depends on your assessor.

Is the VORT harder than other states? It tests all five manoeuvres (others test fewer) and has a 90% pass mark. But SA's ~82% pass rate is actually above the national average — the higher cost encourages better preparation.

What's the P1 speed limit? 100 km/h — same as P2. Both are capped at 100 even on roads posted at 110.

What if it rains? The test generally goes ahead in light to moderate rain. Heavy storms may lead to rescheduling.

Can I choose my assessor? Yes. Research reviews and ask for recommendations, but your assessor can't be the instructor who taught you.

What about the 2027 reform? Around 40 government examiners will replace private assessors from the first half of 2027, with a standardised fee of about $240. During a 2-year transition, both systems will run in parallel. An online booking system will also be introduced.

This guide reflects SA rules and costs as of February 2026. Always check the SA Government website for the latest information, especially with the 2027 reform approaching.