2 days ago
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South Australia has added a new rule for learner drivers, allowing them to add three hours to their logbooks for every one-hour lesson with a professional instructor.
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New drivers in South Australia can now get bonus logbook hours, thanks to an initiative introduced this week.
The South Australian Government has announced learner drivers can earn up to 10 bonus hours towards their 75 log-booked hours – the minimum required to obtain a probationary licence – if lessons are taken with an instructor.
The new rules allow learners to log three hours for every hour spent with a registered Motor Driving Instructor, with a maximum of five hours of lessons accounting for 15 hours in their logbook.
The government says an online register of qualified instructors will be established so new drivers can more easily connect with those in their area.
Officials say the change will not only incentivise learners to get professional assistance, but will also help to support the industry and its members.
It brings South Australia into line with other states, such as New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory, which all offer the 1:3 bonus ratio.
However, those regions all allow a maximum of 30 log-booked hours for 10 hours of lessons with a registered instructor, due to the minimum required hours being at least 100 hours (or 120 in New South Wales) – compared to South Australia's minimum of 75 hours.
In Victoria and New South Wales, once a learner has completed 50 hours of supervised driving (excluding bonus hours), they can complete a five-hour Safer Drivers Course – adding 20 bonus hours to their logbook.
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Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.
