There are about 1.7 million people carrying smartphones and 1.5 million registered vehicles on SA roads. Statistically there are more phones than cars – a potentially fatal combination.

The ongoing mobile phone detection camera roll-out means the rules are suddenly more prominent in our recent memory.

But laws banning motorists from holding and using a phone while driving have been in place in SA for almost two decades, with a handful of changes and updates made along the way.

And as our phones rapidly absorb more of what used to live in our wallets, the rules have had to keep being fine-tuned along the way.

Here are four times you can legally use your mobile phone while sitting behind the wheel of a running vehicle.

1. To pay

It’s been 10 years since tap-to-pay smartphone technology started nudging physical cards out of our wallets, making using a phone to pay while behind the wheel a bit of a grey area.

South Australian Road rules state that a driver can be stationary in a road-related area, engine running and keys in ignition – and legally hold their phone to make a payment – provided that the payment is required in the road related area. That can be when you’re at:

• A fast food drive-thru payment window, before stowing your phone  (not on your lap) before driving on to collect your meal
• A car park boom gate requiring payment to exit
• A grocery service window to present a digital gift card, QR code or voucher
• A car wash payment terminal.

This means you can’t pay back your passenger for your share of the meal as you drive away, or at lights, intersections or times when stopped in traffic.

2. To show ID

In October 2017, SA became the first Australian state to launch a digital driver’s licence, pipping NSW by one month and giving wallet manufacturers further cause for anxiety.

Through the mySA GOV app, South Australians could leave their physical wallet at home, instead presenting their phone to verify age for entry into pubs and clubs, and for roadside police checks.

Like paying for goods and services, holding a phone for purposes of ID has been cleared up in the legislation. You may hold your phone in your hand when your car is stationary in a road-related area to:

• Open the mySA GOV app and show your digital driver’s licence when asked by police
• Display a digital pass (such as when entering a gated car park) or staff access card at a boom gate for entry or exit
• Present digital proof of concession at a car park entry for discounted rate
• Show a digital boat registration or permit (as of November 2024) at a boat ramp entry point.

Again, this doesn’t mean you can hold your phone when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights.

3. To get from A to B

Gone are the days of carefully plotting your route page by page using a Gregorys Street Directory (and definitely not balancing it precariously on your knees while driving).

While digital navigating has been around since the 1990s, messing about with navigation on any touch screen (phone or otherwise), is just as distracting as balancing the street directory on your knees.

Many cars on the road predate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto entirely. Even in newer cars, built-in map updates can cost hundreds of dollars and may already be out of date on arrival. Smartphone apps with real-time traffic rerouting remain, for many drivers, simply more reliable.

What does this mean under SA’s phone laws? Unlike the previous two examples, using a mobile phone as a navigation aid can be done while the car is moving (unless you’re a L or P1 licence holder), but only under specific conditions.

The Australian Road Rules state that you can use your phone as a navigational tool while moving, but only if it’s secured in a proper mount and you can’t touch or tap any part of the phone or screen at any point while driving.

4. To make or receive an audio call

The car-phone was the original mobile phone, with technology so large it needed a vehicle to make and take calls transportable. Today, it’s still possible to use your phone to make or receive an audio call while driving, but only under certain circumstances.

• If your phone is securely mounted in a cradle attached to the vehicle, you may touch it to accept or end a call
• If your phone isn’t mounted (say, in your centre console or pocket) you may still make or receive an audio call without touching the phone. For example, you can use Bluetooth or voice activation. You can’t hold or look at the phone, rest it on your body (including your lap) or press or manipulate it in any way.

A quick note on what audio call means. You can’t make video calls, read or write text messages, or scroll through social media. It’s best to pull over and park, so you can give your recipient your full attention.

Rules for learners and P1 licence holders

If you have a learner’s permit or are a P1 provisional licence holder, there are special rules. You can use a mobile function to: pay for goods and services or show a code or coupon, or show identification.

You can’t use a smartphone as a navigation tool, even mounted in a cradle, or use any phone function while the car is moving, like hands-free or Bluetooth.

And, like all other motorists on the road, you still can’t use it when stopped at traffic lights or stationary in traffic.

The post 4 scenarios where you can use your phone at the wheel appeared first on samove.com.au.

In this short and sharp quiz, we test your knowledge on a new speed-rule that’s catching people out, the definition of a common SA pedestrian crossing, and the law to keep students safer near the school bus.

*Enter your answers, then click ‘submit’ at the end to check your score.

The post Quiz: Three tricky road rules appeared first on samove.com.au.

Whether you’re navigating turn-only lanes, zip merging or overtaking, indicator rules are less straightforward than you’d think. Here’s what the Australian Road Rules say, and what it’ll cost if you get it wrong.

Imagine a world where indicator rules didn’t exist and motorists were unable to signal their intentions on the road. It would be chaos.

When we’re on the road, we put a lot of trust in other motorists, relying on them to obey the indicator rules, whether it’s stopping at red lights, sticking to the speed limit or using their indicators.

Merging, turning and changing lanes would be extremely dangerous without prior warning, and cyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users would be at greater risk.

Thankfully, indicators are installed on all motor vehicles and must be used to show other road users your intentions. Yet, there is still some confusion about indicator rules and how, and when, we need to use the device while on the road. Below we’ve answered a few commonly asked indicator questions.

Do I need to indicate when I’m in a turn-only lane?

Staggeringly, almost two thirds of motorists don’t know that they must indicate when making a turn in a turn-only lane, according to a recent sa move quiz.

What is a turn-only lane? It’s a designated lane that requires drivers to turn in a specific direction (left or right) at an intersection.

The quiz, which tested motorists in several scenarios, revealed that 61 per cent of road users thought they didn’t have to indicate right in a lane where they were unable to turn left or travel straight.

Despite no other turning options being available, the Australian Road Rules state that a driver must indicate when changing direction, including when there’s a turn-only lane.

Making a turn in a turn-only lane, doing a U-turn and pulling over to the side of the road are all examples of changing direction.

RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says it might be obvious which direction you’re heading, but other road users can’t always see the arrow markings underneath your vehicle.

“To ensure the safety of all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, you still have to indicate when you’re in a turn-only lane,” Charles says.

“While it might seem unnecessary to indicate because once you’re in the lane you must follow the specified direction, indicating confirms the direction to other road users and pedestrians.”

How long do I need to indicate for?

You’re at the wheel and moving from a stationary position on the side of the road. How long must you indicate? Three seconds, five seconds or it doesn’t matter if other motorists see you indicate?

If you said five seconds, you’re one of the 62 per cent who answered correctly in a 2024 sa move quiz.

According to the Australian Road Rules, if you’re about to move from a stationary position on the side of the road, you must indicate for a full five seconds before pulling away from the kerb.

Remember to give way to all traffic, including cyclists or pedestrians, before moving off.

If you fail to indicate before moving from a stationary position, you risk a $392 fine plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.

On the road, the rules change slightly. When switching lanes, there isn’t a set time you need to indicate, but you must provide sufficient warning to other road users that you’re changing direction and ensure there’s enough room to do so.

You must also signal your intentions using your indicators to:

• Turn left or right, including leaving the continuing road at a modified T-junction
• Make a U-turn
• Leave a roundabout (by indicating left where practical)
• Turn left or right when moving into a parking space.

Can I be fined for not flicking my indicator off?

You’re at the wheel of your car and you indicate before turning a corner. A few hundred metres down the road you realise you’ve left the indicator switched on. Can you be fined?

Leaving your indicator on may be seen as a misuse of a direction signal, and you could be fined $262, receive a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.

Charles says leaving your indicator on could confuse other road users if you’re not planning to change directions.

“If you leave your indicator on, a person entering traffic from a side road might assume you’re turning and pull out in front of you,” Charles says.

“It’s good practice to check your indicators have switched off after you’ve completed a change-of-direction manoeuvre.”

Do I need to indicate when zip merging?

When driving on a road and the number of lanes reduces, and there are no lane markings, you must give way to the vehicle ahead of you. Vehicles take turns merging like teeth on a zipper, hence the name zip merge.

While you’re not technically required to signal when zip merging, it’s good etiquette to signal left or right as you move across into the continuing lane. This has the added benefit of helping traffic merge smoothly.

The Driving Companion also advises that when merging and moving left or right by more than one metre, drivers should indicate.

Can I indicate to tell another motorist the road ahead is clear?

You’re driving along a country road and towing a caravan. There’s a car behind looking to overtake and, to give them a heads up that the road ahead is clear, you flick on your right indicator. Courteous or confusing?

Although you mean well, using your indicator for this purpose can be confusing and dangerous if the driver misinterprets your intentions and thinks you’re signalling the road ahead is clear but you’re actually turning right.

At the end of the day, it’s up to the overtaking driver to determine if it’s safe to pass. Using your indicator to show the road ahead is clear could result in a $262 fine, a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and two demerit points.

The post The indicator rules every driver needs to know appeared first on samove.com.au.

E-scooters and e-bikes are a nifty and quick way to get around in the city or suburban streets.

However, there are rules you need to follow when riding personal mobility devices like e-scooter, e-skateboards and e-solo wheels.

Break the e-scooter rules and there are some hefty consequences. According to the SA Government’s My Licence website, personal mobility device users who break the road rules could be fined up to $2500 and receive demerit points. If the e-scooter user accrues 12 points over a three-year period, they could lose their driver’s licence.

South Australians breaking e-scooter rules

Many South Australians are confused about e-scooter laws, with new RAA research revealing eight in 10 respondents don’t know the speed limits on the road (25km/h). The survey also found that 85 per cent of people don’t know the e-scooter speed limit on the footpath is 10km/h.

More than three quarters of people surveyed were unaware that 16 is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in a public area.

E-scooter riders at risk

In 2025, one person was killed and another 63 injured in e-scooter crashes, according to SA police figures.

RAA Senior Manager of Road Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says the survey results reveal a significant knowledge gap that poses a real safety risk to riders and pedestrians.

“RAA is concerned about people buying and riding e-scooters – including parents buying them for their children – without knowing the laws that exist to protect them,” Charles says.

“E-scooters can be a convenient way for people to get around and complete short trips, but riders need to know the rules to keep themselves and others safe.”

“By understanding the laws and riding responsibly, South Australians can enjoy the benefits of e-scooters while keeping themselves safe and our footpaths and roads safe for everyone.”

The other ways you can lose your licence without driving

Breaking the rules on an e-scooter isn’t the only non-driving related offence that can lead to losing your licence.  Here are a few other ways you could have your licence disqualified.

Breaking the road rules: Riding a bike doesn’t mean you’re exempt from the road rules. In fact, cyclists can get fines and demerit points for a range of infringements. For example, if you’re caught riding a bicycle while under the influence, you could be fined up to $500 and accrue up to six demerit points on your driver’s licence.

Graffiti: Those graffiti tags or ‘artwork’ might seem harmless, but they could result in severe consequences. You might even lose your licence. Vandals busted marking graffiti on multiple occasions could lose their driver’s licence for up to six months and get a fine of up to $5000 or even a 12-month prison sentence.

Unpaid fines or state debts: If you have unpaid fines or state debts, you might want to pay them sooner rather than later. You could have your licence suspended if overdue fines remain unpaid, and you won’t be allowed to drive a vehicle or supervise a learner driver.

A licence suspension is different to a disqualification and can occur regardless of the number of demerit points you have accrued. If your licence is suspended, for this reason, you’ll need to pay your fines in full to have it reinstated.

Passengers without seatbelts: If a passenger is caught not wearing a seatbelt in a vehicle, the driver can be fined $448 plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and receive three demerit points. If there’s more than one passenger not wearing the correct seatbelt or restraint, the driver can be fined $530, plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy and five demerit points.

It’s not only the driver who could be in strife if passengers aren’t wearing their seatbelts. Passengers over the age of 16 who fail to buckle up will receive a $448 fine, $105 Victims of Crime Levy and three demerit points. If they have a learners permit or provisional licence, they’ll only need one more demerit point before they have their licence disqualified.

The post Can I lose my driver’s licence for an e-scooter offence? appeared first on samove.com.au.

Whether we’re driving, walking or riding, we all have to cross roads, paths and railway lines. But, do you know your crossings?

Wherever there’s a crossing, there’s the risk of a collision, so take our quiz and get to the other side confidently and safely.

*Enter your answers, then click ‘see my results’ at the end to check your score.

1. The Fletcher Road railway crossing in Mount Barker has a 'Stop – look for trains' sign. You drive across it most days but have never seen a train pass. Do you still need to stop each time you cross the tracks?

A. Yes, but only when the SteamRanger train is running

B. Only if you see a train coming

C. Yes, you must come to a complete stop every time before crossing

D. You only need to give way, but not stop, at this crossing because trains are rare

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2. The 25km/h speed limit in school zones applies for which of these times?

A. Whenever children are present at any time of day, but only during the school term

B. Only between 8am and 9.30am and 2pm and 4pm during the school term

C. Whenever children are present at pick-up and drop-off times, but during the school term

D. Whenever children are present in the zone at any time of day, any day of the year

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3. You’re waiting at a level crossing for a train to pass. Once the train has passed, the boom barriers rise and you drive over the crossing without waiting for the lights to stop flashing. Have you broken the law?

A. Yes

B. No

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4. You’re walking west down Rundle Mall and arrive at King William Street. You notice the numbered pedestrian timer has started counting down. Is it illegal for you to start crossing King William Street?

A. Yes

B. No

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5. In this scenario, the red car is turning right onto North Street from Military Road at Henley Beach, while the blue car is travelling straight ahead. Three pedestrians are approaching North Street to cross. Which of these statements is most accurate?

A. The pedestrians must not cross North Street until all vehicles have exited the roundabout

B. The driver of the red car can legally enter the roundabout but must give way to the pedestrians crossing North Street

C. The driver of the blue car can’t enter the roundabout legally until the pedestrians have crossed North Street

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6. Emu crossings have white road markings, orange flags, and red and white posts either side. Where will you find an emu crossing?

A. Along the North-South Bikeway on Frome Street and Frome Road

B. In areas known for collisions between vehicles and emus, such as national parks

C. Within school zones

D. Nowhere – they’re called koala crossings, not emu crossings

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7. Which of these statements about the zebra crossing on Pirie Street in the CBD is most accurate?

A. All vehicles must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on or entering the crossing, but only during office hours

B. All vehicles must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on or entering the crossing, at all times

C. All vehicles must give way to pedestrians and cyclists on or entering the crossing, but only between 7am and 7pm

D. Pedestrians and cyclists must only cross when there are no vehicles waiting

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8. You’ve pressed the button at the pedestrian crossing near Hotel Eyre in Whyalla. The symbol turns green, and you cross while sending your friend a text. Could you be breaking the law?

A. Yes

B. No

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9. You’re on a pleasant weekend bike ride to Glenelg. Is it legal to ride your bike across pedestrian crossings on the way?

A. Yes

B. No

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10. Which of the following is the most accurate definition of a wombat crossing?

A. Sub-surface tunnel to improve safety for wombats near the road

B. Pedestrian crossing with a button that activates red lights

C. Crossing that enables pedestrians to cross in every direction

D. Pedestrian crossing with white parallel stripes on a raised section of road

The post Quiz: Do you know your crossings? appeared first on samove.com.au.

The traffic light has just turned green but the car in front hasn’t moved. You wait a couple of seconds then… beep. You give your horn a little tap to get the driver’s attention. Was it too soon to toot? Let us know by voting in the poll.

What the rules say

RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says sounding your horn too soon, like in this instance, might be considered an offence.

If you thought your horn sounded good at the time, how about a $228 fine and $105 Victims of Crime Levy? This is how much you can be penalised for improper use of your horn.

The Australian Road Rules defines a vehicle’s horn as a safety device which must only be used to alert other road users of danger. For instance, if the vehicle in front starts rolling back towards you at the lights. That said, if the driver in front isn’t aware that the light has turned green then a quick toot to alert them can be helpful to avoid you and anyone behind you missing the green signal.

While tooting to get your fellow motorists’ attention sounds helpful, you could potentially risk the safety of other road users. “Not only can you receive a fine for beeping a slower driver, but you may also distract other motorists and cause a crash,” Charles says.

What you should do

Lightly tapping your horn to alert them isn’t the same as aggressively holding your hand down to deliberately intimidate other drivers. That said, beeping someone because they’re not moving as fast as you’d like isn’t reason to get too horn happy.

There are a few other scenarios where you can’t use your horn – who knew beeping bye to a mate was against the rules? We’ve outlined a few instances where beeping other road users is acceptable here.

Final word

“Give fellow drivers grace,” Charles says. “It’s important to remember we’re sharing the road and there’s no room for impatience behind the wheel.”

Paying attention at signals so that you move off safely when the light or arrow turns green helps to not only reduce delays and frustration but avoids the need for a reminder toot from the driver behind!

The post Too soon to toot? appeared first on samove.com.au.

Is your side mirror hanging on by a thread? Are your headlights busted? There’s nothing a roll of duct tape can’t fix – temporarily, of course. Here are the rules when driving around with sticky taped mirrors and lights.

The scenario

You pull up next to a car with duct tape wrapped around the side mirror. “That’s bound to be defected,” you think to yourself. Your mind wanders to whether it’s Gorilla or Scotch tape… perhaps let’s stick (pun intended) to the topic.

While the type of tape you use is neither here nor there, surprisingly, in most cases, you won’t immediately be handed a defect notice if your mirrors or headlights are held together by tape.

The (Band-Aid) solution

It’s true that a vehicle can be deemed unroadworthy if the rear-view or side mirrors and lights are missing or damaged. If it’s the latter, stashing sticky tape in your glove box may come in handy.

According to RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain, you can legally drive with sticky taped mirrors and lights, provided the tape is a temporary repair.

“It’s important that the sticky taped mirrors or lights are securely attached and the tape doesn’t obscure the driver’s view of the road or prevent the light being visible to other drivers when it’s illuminated,” Charles says.

Drivers are required to have a clear view of what’s behind them and to the side of their vehicle. If a driver doesn’t have a clear view due to, in this instance, tape obstructing their vision of the road and traffic, they can be fined $228 and a $105 Victims of Crime Levy.

“In the case of cracked headlights, using tape temporarily is acceptable provided the unit is still functioning correctly and the alignment of the headlamp doesn’t dazzle oncoming drivers,” Charles says.

Final word

Regularly checking your vehicle’s lights and mirrors is important. If they’ve been damaged, consider sticky tape a Band-Aid solution until you can head to a reputable repairer (preferably sooner than later). Ensure the mirror or light is repaired or replaced as soon as possible to avoid a sticky (yes, we went there) situation.

Learn about other car problems that could put you at risk of receiving a defect notice.

The post Can I repair my car with sticky tape? appeared first on samove.com.au.

For the first time in 25 years, the Disability Parking Permit (DPP) scheme has changed.

In November 2025, the criteria for the DPP scheme were broadened to help more South Aussies access a permit.

What’s the DPP scheme?

The DPP scheme provides eligible people with access to designated parking spaces, marked with the international access symbol.

This access also extends to other Australian states, subject to local rules.

DPPs are issued to people who have limited mobility and/or other impairments as determined by an eligible health practitioner.

Permits are issued on a permanent (five years) or temporary (up to one year) basis. They must be displayed in vehicles used to transport people with disabilities so they’re clearly visible from the outside.

What’s changed?

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) website has outlined the following expansions to DPP eligibility criteria.

• Legally blind applicants are included, and they needn’t meet further mobility criteria. A legally blind person being transported in a vehicle is eligible and doesn’t need a driver’s licence.
• Applicants with a significant intellectual, cognitive, behavioural or neurological impairment are included and they must be unable to mobilise without the continuous support of another person.
• The requirement that the impairment must significantly inhibit an applicant’s ability to use public transport has been removed.
• The term ‘disabled person’ has changed to ‘person with disability’.
• Existing physical mobility impairment criteria are unchanged.

Accessible parking spaces

The changes affect a person’s ability to qualify for a DPP, but not the enforcement of accessible parking spaces or their availability.

According to DIT, the Australian Government sets the minimum number of accessible parking spaces for people with disabilities.

This is outlined in the national Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010. Standards are applied through the National Construction Code.

Properties can choose to provide more accessible parking spaces.

How are other road users affected?

The inclusion of broader criteria, including non-physical disabilities, underscores the fact that road users shouldn’t judge a DPP holder’s eligibility purely by sight.

RAA’s Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain welcomes these changes.

“Not all DPP holders have disabilities that are obvious to other people,” Charles says.

“Everybody’s circumstances are different, and it’s important for road users to be understanding and respectful of DPP holders’ needs.”

Stopping in a designated parking area without a valid permit could result in a $460 fine plus a $105 Victims of Crime levy.

DPP application process

You can apply for a DPP here or call Service SA on 13 10 84.

As of December 2025, the fees were $13 for a temporary permit and $24 for a permanent permit.

The changes don’t affect current DPP holders.

The post Updates to Disability Parking Permits appeared first on samove.com.au.