One of the easiest mistakes for a newcomer to South Australian roads is applying a rule remembered from another country or state. A left turn at a red traffic signal is not normally permitted. The specific exception described in the South Australian Driver’s Handbook requires a sign stating Left Turn on Red Permitted After Stopping.
Permission is conditional, not automatic
Where the sign is present and applicable, a driver may turn left before the light changes to green only after stopping at the stop line, checking that the movement is safe and giving way to all other vehicles and pedestrians. Without that sign, the learner must obey the applicable red signal rather than make an assumption based on light traffic.
A red directional arrow also requires careful attention. The Driver’s Handbook separately says a driver must not proceed in the direction of a red arrow. For teaching purposes, make the learner read the actual sign and signal combination rather than assume that a remembered permission overrides other displayed controls.
Teach identification before manoeuvre
Start in a parked car with an image or written description of the sign and ask the learner to identify what makes the turn different from an ordinary red-light left turn. Then teach the actual decision in a suitable real setting if one is available and safe; do not go looking for a complex junction simply to demonstrate the exception.
The steps are: identify the permission; prepare to stop; stop completely at the appropriate line; scan the pedestrian and bicycle movement areas; check approaching traffic; recheck after waiting; and turn only when a safe gap exists. A rolling stop fails the essential first part of that procedure.
Why the second observation matters
After a driver has stopped and waited for cars approaching from the right, the pedestrian situation may have changed. Someone may enter the crossing, or a cyclist may arrive at a conflicting point. Teach the learner to restart the check rather than act on an old snapshot of the intersection.
Three useful debrief questions
Ask the learner to identify the exact sign, explain who they gave way to and identify any road user who appeared after the first stop. Emphasise that other drivers taking the turn is not evidence of permission. A following driver’s impatience never justifies ignoring the legal stop or entering an unsafe gap.
This is educational coaching and does not reproduce an official VORT marking sheet.
Official references and further learning
- South Australian Driver’s Handbook: Traffic lights
- Australian Road Rules (SA authorised legislation)
Explore DAA car driving instructor training.
Road-law information checked against the linked South Australian Government sources on 16 October 2026. Educational commentary only; always check the currently authorised rules and the requirements applicable to a specific training or assessment program.