In order to drive a motor vehicle in South Australia a person must hold a current drivers licence suitable to the type of vehicle being driven.
For example a person would not be permitted to ride certain motorcycles (depending on the engine capacity) or drive a prime mover truck on a car licence.
The law distinguishes offences of driving unlicenced into two categories:
a) Driving unlicenced (previously held) ie the person has previously held a drivers licence in the State or Territories of the Commonwealth of Australia, however their licence has since expired.
b) Driving unlicenced (never previously held) ie the person has never held a valid licence before or the person has never held a licence that is appropriate to the type of vehicle they were driving.
The law takes a much more serious approach to the second category of driving listed above namely driving unlicenced (never previously held).
People caught driving under these circumstances can face hefty fines, imprisonment and lengthy licence disqualifications.