Turning Left at a Red Light in South Australia
In South Australia, turning left at a red traffic light is generally not allowed. You may only do it when a specific sign says “Left Turn on Red Permitted After Stopping.”
This rule is especially important for learner drivers, overseas licence holders and VORT candidates because rules in other countries may be very different.
The General Rule
Red means stop
If there is no sign allowing a left turn on red, you must stop behind the stop line and remain stationary until the traffic signal changes.
This still applies when the intersection appears empty, traffic is light or it is late at night.
No sign
Stop and wait for the relevant green traffic signal.
Permitted sign present
Stop completely, give way to everyone and proceed only when safe.
Red left arrow
Do not turn against a red left-turn arrow.
The Only Exception
Look for this exact sign
You may turn left while the light is red only when this sign is physically displayed at the intersection.
The sign does not mean “slow down and go”. It requires a complete stop before the turn.
Correct Procedure When the Sign Is Present
Approach at a safe speed
Check mirrors, signal left and slow down early enough to stop smoothly.
Stop completely
Stop behind the stop line. The wheels must stop moving. A rolling stop is not enough.
Check pedestrians and cyclists
Look carefully for pedestrians crossing the road you are entering and for cyclists travelling through the intersection.
Give way to all vehicles
Give way to every vehicle that may conflict with your turn, including vehicles travelling through, turning or entering from another direction.
Proceed only when safe
Turn left only when the gap is clearly safe and your movement will not cause another road user to brake or change direction.
How the Sign Is Used at an Intersection
The sign is installed only at selected intersections. Its use is based on road design, visibility, pedestrian activity, traffic speed and conflict risk.
Common Mistakes
Rolling through
Slowing down without bringing the vehicle to a complete stop.
Assuming it is always allowed
Applying a rule from another country to every South Australian red light.
Missing pedestrians
Looking only to the right and failing to check the pedestrian crossing.
Stopping in the wrong place
Crossing the stop line or blocking the pedestrian crossing before stopping.
Turning into a small gap
Entering when another vehicle must brake, slow down or avoid you.
Ignoring a red arrow
A red left-turn arrow means the turn is not permitted.
Why Overseas Drivers Can Misunderstand It
Rules may be different
In some countries, turning at a red light is common unless a sign prohibits it.
Permission must be displayed
In South Australia, the turn is prohibited unless a specific sign allows it.
This is one reason overseas licence holders should avoid relying only on previous driving experience. Local road-rule knowledge and observation habits need to be practised before a VORT or licence conversion test.
VORT and Driving-Test Risk
A road-law breach can end the test
Turning left at a red light where it is not permitted, failing to stop completely or failing to give way can be treated as a serious road-rule breach.
- Recognise whether the permitted sign is actually present.
- Stop behind the stop line.
- Make the stop obvious and complete.
- Check pedestrian crossings properly.
- Give way to every conflicting road user.
- Reject unsafe gaps instead of rushing.
Selected South Australian Locations
The source document included an appendix of sites where these signs had been installed at the time of publication. Locations can change, so this list should not be treated as a permanent or complete current list.
Official References
- Department for Infrastructure and Transport — Operational Instruction 14.04
- MyLicence — The Driver’s Handbook: Traffic Lights
- Original Adelaide Senior Road and Health Association article
This page provides general educational information only. Always check current official South Australian road-rule information.