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A guide to the road rules in South Australia

09 February, 2026
4 min

The model Australian Road Rules provide a national basis, but some rules vary by state and territory. Here’s the lowdown on how things differ in South Australia (SA).

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Why do we have road rules?

Put simply, road rules help save lives. They provide road users with standards that guide behaviours and make actions on the road predictable, helping to keep people safe by lowering the likelihood of crashes that can cause damage to people and property. 

The road rules also exist to help facilitate efficient navigation and traffic flow, whether you’re in the city, suburbs or regional areas. While the road rules are mostly consistent across Australia, there are some variations between states and territories.

Some background on the model Australian Road Rules

Settle round for a short history lesson, readers! The model Australian Road Rules were introduced in 1993 to provide the basis for nationally consistent road safety and traffic regulations. Before its introduction, each state and territory in Australia had different laws, making it difficult for drivers crossing borders to know what was and wasn’t allowed.

While the framework underpins the rules in each state and territory, not every provision has been exactly copied. This is because the model law allows for states and territories to add or adjust laws to meet their own needs. For example, if you’re driving in Melbourne, you can make a hook turn, and in New South Wales, you’re prohibited from splashing mud on bus passengers.

So what rules do you have to be aware of in South Australia (SA) that might differ to other parts of Australia?

School speed limits in SA

If you’re planning on passing through a school area, you’ll need to familiarise yourself two specific limits:

25km/h limit in school zones

  • A 25km/h limit applies in South Australian school zones whenever a child is in the zone or on the road, footpath or median strip.
  • It applies in school zones, at children's crossings when the lights are flashing, and when passing a school bus that has stopped to pick up or drop off children. 
  • Signs and white zigzag lines are marked on the road to indicate where the school zone is located. 
  • The limit applies regardless of school times. 

40km/h school speed limit

Like other states, 40km/h speed limits apply specifically at school pick up and drop off times in SA.

  • Signs on the road will indicate you’re approaching a 40km/h speed limit zone.
  • The limits apply from 8am to 9:30am, and from 2pm to 4pm weekdays.

Getting your P1 licence in SA

Unlike NSW and VIC, which require learner drivers (under 25) to complete 120 hours of supervised driving before getting their P1 licence, SA only require drivers to complete at least 75 hours of supervised driving (including 15 at night).

In addition to supervised driving hours, new drivers also need to hold a learner’s permit for at least 12 months (if under 25) and pass the Hazard Perception Test.

Speed limits for P-platers in SA

P-platers must not exceed a 100km/h speed limit at any time. This is notably different from Victorian P1 drivers, who can drive up to the signed speed limit, and NSW, where P1 drivers are capped at 90km/h and P2 drivers at 100km/h.

No toll roads in SA

Much to the envy of motorists in QLD, NSW and VIC, drivers in SA needn’t worry about a fine or penalty from driving on a toll road, because they haven’t existed in the state since 1847. Yep, you read that right!

Speed limits around emergency vehicles

Broadly, all states and territories adopt the Australian Road Rules requiring drivers to keep clear of and give way to police and emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights or sounding an alarm. However, some states enforce an additional measure of precaution, requiring motorists to slow to specific speeds when passing emergency vehicles. Such is the case in SA, where drivers must slow to 25km/h.

The 25km/h limit is significantly less than in VIC and TAS, where the limit is 40km/h. It also differs from NSW and the ACT, where the 40km/h limit is only imposed on a road where the signed limit is above 90km/h.

QLD and NT don’t have a specific limit, only requiring motorists to slow down and change lanes where possible.

Summing it all up

Alright, that was quite the journey! Here’s what we covered in a nutshell:

  • Speeds around schools: 25 km/h whenever children are present; 40 km/h during school pick-up/drop-off times (8–9:30 am, 2–4 pm weekdays).
  • Learner drivers: L-platers in SA need 75 supervised hours (15 at night) before going for their P’s, that’s 45 hours less than what’s required in NSW and VIC.
  • P-Plater rules: The maximum speed a P1 driver can travel in SA, is 100 km/h.
  • Toll free roads: there's no toll roads in SA, unlike QLD, NSW and VIC.
  • Slowing down for emergency vehicles: drivers in SA must slow to 25 km/h when passing emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

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All content on the NRMA Insurance Blog is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be professional advice.

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