Evidence of your identity is required when you apply to become the holder of a South Australian Driver's Licence/Learner's Permit, or to register a vehicle in your name for the first time in South Australia.

Identity documents must be original (unless otherwise stated), photocopies, extracts, commemorative certificates and certified copies of documents are not acceptable. All documents must be current and not expired (unless otherwise stated).

In the rare circumstance that you are genuinely unable to present documentation to satisfy each category, you will be required to complete an Evidence of Identity Verification form. Inconvenience caused by the delay, difficulty or expense of obtaining documents are not satisfactory reasons for exemption.

Applying for a Licence/Permit or registering a vehicle for the first time

Before you are able to transact any driver and vehicle licensing business you will be required to present at least three documents to verify your identity. The identification process will require you to supply one document from Category A and B. The third document may be from either Category A, B or the Evidence of residential address category.

At least one of the identity documents must show the person's signature and date of birth. If your residential address is not shown on a Category A or B document a fourth identity document from the residential address category must be produced.

Category A - Evidence of Existence and linkage between Identity and the Applicant

The following documents are acceptable as evidence of your identity:

• Australian Birth Certificate bearing both a registration and certificate number (not a Commemorative Certificate, Certified Copy or Extract)

If the Certificate is not in the name currently used – appropriate linking documentation will be required – refer Evidence of Change of Name.

• Australian Citizenship Certificate or Naturalisation Certificate
• Australian Passport (expired up to 2 years)
• Foreign Passport (expired up to 2 years if accompanied by a current Australian Visa)
• Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) travel document (valid up to 5 years after issue)
• DIMIA Certificate of Evidence of Resident Status (DIMIA no longer issue these Certificate however, a Certificate issued prior to the change in DIMIA's procedures will be accepted)
• Australian Photo Driver's Licence (expired up to 2 years)
• Photograph and/or signature stored on the LPIC system
• Australian Defence Force Photo Identity Card (excluding civilians)
• South Australian or Federal Police Officer photo identity card
• New South Wales Photo Card issued by the Roads & Traffic Authority (only Photo Cards issued after 14 December 2005 will be accepted)
• South Australian proof of age card (issued after 9 October 2006)

Category B – Evidence of Use of the Identity

The following documents are acceptable as evidence of the use of your identity in the community:

• Medicare Card
• Financial institution account card or credit card with signature and embossed name
• Student identity document from an educational institution showing photograph and signature
• Department of Veterans' Affairs, Commonwealth Pensioner Concession or Health Care concession card
• Australian issued security guard or crowd controller licence showing photograph
• Australian issued firearm licence showing photograph

Evidence of Residential Address

The following documents are acceptable as evidence of your residential address:

• Contract of purchase, lease or rental, mortgage or land ownership certificate
• A telephone, gas or electricity account (up to one year old)
• A water rates, local government council rates or land valuation notice (up to two years old)
• Certificate or Statement of enrolment from an Educational Institution (up to two years old)
• A passbook or statement from a bank, building society or credit union (up to one year old)
• A letter from the principal of a recognised educational institution (up to 1 year old)
• Current South Australian vehicle registration certificate
• South Australian driver's licence or vehicle registration renewal for the coming period
• Last or current financial year Australian Taxation Office tax assessment
• Australian Electoral enrolment confirmation

Evidence of Change of Name

If you have changed your name whether it is through marriage, divorce or a change of name through Births, Deaths and Marriages you must provide documents that prove the link between your current name and previous name.

The following documents are considered appropriate as evidence:

• Full Evidence of Identity in current or previous name

AND one of the following

• Marriage Certificate issued by Registrar Births, Deaths & Marriages (Commemorative Certificates are not acceptable)
• Change of Name Registration with Births, Deaths and Marriages
• Deed Poll Certificate (previously issued by Lands Title Office)
• Divorce papers Decree Nisi or Absolute (indicating the name being reverted to)

It is no longer acceptable to use a step-parents' name or a “common name” without legally changing your name through Births, Deaths and Marriages prior to applying for a licence, Proof of Age Card or when first registering a vehicle.

National Heavy Vehicle Driver's Licence

If you are applying to upgrade your licence to a National Heavy Vehicle Driver's Licence you will be required to provide full Evidence of Identity if you are unable to produce your current photographic South Australian driver's licence or your photograph and signature are not digitally stored on the Register of drivers' licences.

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