Should learner drivers practise in the rain?

Yes, absolutely. Wet-weather driving is a core skill, not something to avoid. Practising in the rain with a professional instructor in a dual-control car is the safest possible way to learn it, and it means a rainy test day will not rattle you.

How much bigger should my following gap be in the wet?

On a dry road keep at least a 3-second gap to the car in front. In rain, at least double it. Wet bitumen can dramatically increase stopping distances, and the first rain after a dry spell is the slipperiest of all because built-up oil and rubber lift off the road surface.

Do driving lessons still run in winter and in wet weather?

Yes. Lessons run all year round, rain or shine. Wet-weather lessons are some of the most valuable sessions you can book, because you learn braking distances, demisting, visibility and smooth car control with an instructor beside you in a dual-control car.

Why is winter the best time to log night driving hours in SA?

SA learners must log at least 15 hours of night driving as part of their 75 supervised hours. Night hours are any driving after sunset and before sunrise. In an Adelaide winter the sun sets soon after 5pm, so an early-evening drive counts as night driving without keeping anyone up late.

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Safety · 3 July 2026

Winter Driving in Adelaide: A Learner's Guide to Rain, Fog and Glare

Q: Do driving tests get cancelled when it rains in Adelaide?

Ordinary rain rarely stops a driving test in Adelaide. Tests generally go ahead in wet weather, and examiners expect you to adjust: slower speeds where sensible, bigger following gaps, headlights on and smooth inputs. In genuinely dangerous conditions the examiner can postpone, but do not count on it. The best preparation is practising in the rain before test day.

Q: When are you allowed to use fog lights in South Australia?

Under the Australian Road Rules you may only use front or rear fog lights when driving in fog, mist or other conditions that restrict visibility. Using fog lights in clear conditions is an offence and you can be fined, because they dazzle other drivers.

Adelaide winters bring wet roads, foggy mornings, low blinding sun and darkness before dinner time. None of that should stop you learning to drive. In fact, winter is one of the best seasons to build real skill, and the easiest time of year to log your night driving hours. Here is how to handle the season safely, whether you are on your L's, your P's, or getting ready for a test.

Why winter driving in Adelaide feels different

Most of the year Adelaide serves up dry, predictable roads. Winter changes four things at once:

Wet bitumen. Braking distances grow, painted lines and tram tracks turn slippery, and puddles hide near blocked gutters.
Early darkness. In July the sun sets soon after 5pm, so the evening commute happens at night.
Low sun glare. When it is not raining, the winter sun sits low on the horizon in the morning and late afternoon, right in your eyes on east-west roads.
Fog and mist. Cold, still mornings can bring patchy fog, especially near the foothills, parks and creek lines.

Each of these is very manageable once you have practised it. The learners who struggle are the ones who only ever drove on dry, sunny afternoons.

Rule one in the rain: leave much more room

On a dry road you should keep at least a 3-second gap to the vehicle in front. In the wet, at least double it. Count it out loud from when the car ahead passes a pole or sign: if you arrive before you finish counting, drop back.

Wet roads can dramatically increase your stopping distance, and the car behaves differently under brakes. Everything you do should become smoother and earlier: brake earlier and more gently, accelerate gradually, and slow down before corners and roundabouts rather than in them.

One thing many learners do not know: the first rain after a dry spell is the slipperiest. Weeks of built-up oil, dust and rubber lift off the surface and float on the water before washing away. If it has just started drizzling after a dry fortnight, treat the road as if it were ice-skating practice, because it nearly is.

Aquaplaning: what it is and what to do

Aquaplaning happens when your tyres ride up on a layer of water instead of gripping the road, usually through standing water at speed. The steering suddenly feels light and floaty, and the car stops responding normally.

If it happens: ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, and keep the steering straight until the tyres grip again. The real fix is prevention: slow down in heavy rain, avoid the deep water that collects near kerbs and in the left wheel path, and make sure your tyres have plenty of tread.

Seeing and being seen

A big share of winter crashes come down to visibility, in both directions.

Headlights on whenever visibility drops, day or night. Not parkers, actual headlights. A grey car in grey rain with no lights is close to invisible in someone's mirror.
Demist before you drive off. Fastest method: air-conditioning on, warm air aimed at the windscreen, rear demister on. The air-con dries the air, which clears fog off the glass in seconds rather than minutes.
Wipers that actually wipe. If they smear or squeak, the rubbers need replacing. They are cheap and take minutes to fit.
Keep the inside of your windscreen clean. The oily film that builds up inside the glass is what turns low sun and oncoming headlights into a wall of glare.

Fog lights: when you may and may not use them

Under the Australian Road Rules, you may only use front or rear fog lights when driving in fog, mist or other conditions that restrict visibility. Once conditions clear, switch them off. Driving around with fog lights on in clear weather dazzles other drivers and is an offence that can attract a fine.

Genuine fog tip: slow down, use your low beam (high beam reflects off fog and makes it worse), use fog lights if your car has them, and increase your gap. If fog is truly thick, pulling over somewhere safe and waiting is a legitimate choice.

Low winter sun: the glare nobody warns you about

Some of the most dangerous winter moments in Adelaide happen in bright sunshine. In the weeks around the winter solstice the sun rises late and sets early, sitting low and directly in drivers' eyes during both peak commutes, especially on long east-west roads.

What helps: sunglasses within reach in the car all winter, the sun visor down before you turn towards the sun, a clean windscreen inside and out, and extra following distance because the driver behind you may be squinting at their own windscreen glare. Be extra careful approaching pedestrian crossings and intersections with the sun behind you: oncoming drivers may genuinely not see you or the pedestrian.

Floodwater: the one hard rule

If water is flowing across the road, or you cannot see the road surface under it, do not drive through it. It takes surprisingly little moving water to shift a car, and hidden potholes or debris can end your engine even in shallow-looking water. Find another way, every time. For storm-level events, we cover this in more detail in our guide to driving safely in severe weather.

Winter is the best time to log your night hours

Here is the silver lining. SA learners must log 75 supervised hours including at least 15 hours of night driving, and night driving means any time after sunset and before sunrise. In summer that means keeping your supervisor out past 8:30pm. In an Adelaide winter, a 5:30pm drive counts as night driving.

A couple of short early-evening drives each week through winter will quietly knock over your 15 night hours months before your summer-starting friends manage it. Full details on what counts are in our 75-hour logbook rule guide.

Rainy test day? Good.

Driving tests in Adelaide generally go ahead in ordinary rain. Examiners are not looking for sunshine, they are looking for judgement: sensible speed for the conditions, bigger gaps, lights on, smooth control and proper observation. A learner who has practised in the wet often looks better on a rainy test day, because the conditions showcase exactly those skills. In genuinely dangerous weather the examiner can postpone a test, but plan on driving.

If your test is booked for the coming months, ask us to schedule at least one lesson in proper rain. We also cover what examiners look for in our guide to 10 things examiners actually check on test day.

Five-minute winter car check

Tyres: good tread across the whole width, pressures checked monthly. Tread is what clears water away.
Wipers and washers: no smearing, washer bottle full.
Lights: headlights, brake lights and indicators all working. Ask someone to walk around the car while you test them.
Demister: front and rear working, air-con blowing dry air.
Windscreen: clean inside and out, chips repaired before cold nights turn them into cracks.

Frequently asked questions

Do driving tests get cancelled when it rains in Adelaide?

Ordinary rain rarely stops a test. Expect it to go ahead, adjust your driving to the conditions, and treat the weather as a chance to show good judgement. Only genuinely dangerous conditions lead to a postponement, and that call belongs to the examiner.

Should learners practise in the rain?

Yes. Avoiding rain just delays a skill you will need for the rest of your driving life. The safest way to learn it is with a professional instructor in a dual-control car.

When can you use fog lights in SA?

Only in fog, mist or other conditions that restrict visibility. Using them in clear conditions is an offence and can attract a fine.

How much bigger should my gap be in the wet?

At least double your dry-weather gap: six seconds or more instead of three. More again in heavy rain or behind trucks throwing up spray.

Do lessons run in winter and in wet weather?

Yes, lessons run all year round. Winter lessons are some of the most valuable you can book: rain, fog, glare and night driving are all skills best learned with an instructor beside you.

Want confident wet-weather skills before test day? Book a winter lesson with Mohit at My Driving Trainer. Dual-control car, patient teaching, pickup included across Adelaide, and every hour counts toward your logbook. Book a lesson or see lesson packages and prices.