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South Australia Learner Logbook Hours: Complete 2026 Guide
SA learner drivers need 75 documented hours behind the wheel before they can sit the practical driving test. That’s 60 hours during the day and 15 after dark. Here’s how the requirements work and how to get through them.
SA learner requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total logbook hours | 75 |
| Daytime hours | 60 |
| Night hours | 15 |
| Minimum learner age | 16 |
| Minimum learner period | 12 months |
| Supervisor minimum age | 21 |
| Licensing authority | Service SA |
Night driving rules in SA
Night driving in South Australia counts from sunset to sunrise. The hours shift with the seasons — in winter (June-August), sunset can be as early as 5 PM. In summer (December-February), it might not get dark until 8:30 PM or later.
Winter is actually the best time to rack up night hours. Darkness comes early, so you can start an evening session straight after school or work and still be home at a reasonable time.
Plan to start about 30 minutes before sunset so you get comfortable in fading light. 15 hours sounds like a lot, but at one or two evening sessions per week you’ll finish within a couple months.
Supervisor requirements
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 and hold a full (not provisional) licence. They need to have held their full licence for at least 2 years.
They sit in the front passenger seat, stay alert, and must be ready to take over if needed. Zero blood alcohol — your supervisor can’t have any alcohol in their system while you’re driving on your Ls.
Instructor bonus hours in SA
South Australia offers a 3-for-1 instructor bonus. Every hour you drive with a licensed instructor counts as 3 hours in your logbook, up to a cap of 5 actual instructor hours (15 logbook hours credited).
That’s a big deal. 15 hours knocked off your total from just 5 hours of professional instruction. Most learners should max this out — it saves time and the instructor hours tend to be higher quality practice anyway.
Book your instructor lessons early in your learner period. The bonus hours give you a head start, and the skills you pick up from a professional will make your supervised sessions with family more productive.
Speed restrictions
Learner drivers in SA are limited to 100 km/h, regardless of the posted speed limit. Keep an eye on your speedometer on highways where the limit is 100 or 110 — you’ll need to stay in the left lane and be aware of faster traffic.
Age exemption
If you’re 25 or older, SA exempts you from the logbook requirement. You’ll still need to hold your Ls for the minimum period, but you don’t need to log the full 75 hours.
How to plan your 75 logbook hours
You’ve got a 12-month minimum learner period. If you spread your hours evenly across that time, that’s about an hour a week. Completely manageable.
| Timeline | Sessions per week | Session length | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steady (38 weeks) | 2 | 1 hour | ~38 weeks |
| Moderate (19 weeks) | 3-4 | 1 hour | ~19 weeks |
| Intensive (13 weeks) | 5-6 | 1 hour | ~13 weeks |
Consistency matters more than marathon sessions. Two hours spread across the week builds better habits than a single 4-hour block on Sunday.
Night hours are 20% of your total. Don’t leave them all until the end — mix in one evening session per week from the start and they’ll be done well before you finish your daytime hours.
Max out your instructor bonus early. Those credited hours take a real chunk out of your total and let you focus the rest of your time on areas that need work.
How SA compares to other states and territories
South Australia has one of the lower logbook requirements in Australia. Here’s how all states compare:
| State/Territory | Total Hours | Night Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 120 | 20 |
| VIC | 120 | 20 |
| QLD | 100 | 10 |
| ACT | 100 | 10 |
| TAS | 80 | 15 |
| SA | 75 | 15 |
| WA | 50 | 5 |
| NT | None | N/A |
See all state requirements for the full breakdown.
Tracking your logbook hours
Tracking 75 hours on paper works until you lose the book. Or forget to log a drive. Or can’t read your own handwriting three months later. Moda logs every session, breaks it down by day and night, and shows you exactly how far through SA’s requirements you are. When it’s time for your practical test, export your logbook as a PDF.
How many logbook hours do you need in SA?
South Australia requires 75 total supervised logbook hours. 15 must be at night and 60 during the day.
What counts as night driving in SA?
Night driving in South Australia is defined as sunset to sunrise. The exact times vary by season and location. You need 15 hours of night driving in your logbook.
How long do you need to hold your Ls in SA?
You must hold your learner licence for at least 12 months in South Australia before you can sit the practical driving test.
How old do you have to be to get your Ls in SA?
You can apply for your learner licence in South Australia at age 16.
Who can supervise a learner driver in SA?
Your supervisor must be at least 21 with a full licence (not provisional). They must have zero blood alcohol concentration while supervising.
Does SA offer an instructor bonus for logbook hours?
Yes. South Australia offers a 3-for-1 instructor bonus. Each hour with a licensed instructor counts as 3 logbook hours, up to the cap specified by Service SA.
Does SA accept a digital logbook?
Service SA accepts printed logbook records. Moda exports your logbook as a PDF that meets SA’s format requirements. Print it and bring it to your practical test appointment.
How long does it take to finish 75 logbook hours?
At 2-3 sessions per week, most learners finish in 25 to 38 weeks. With the instructor bonus, you can reduce the total significantly.
Calculate your remaining hours
Enter the hours you've already completed to see what's left.