Crashes, insurance and registration in South Australia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can list the steps you must take at the scene of a crash.
• You can explain when and how quickly a crash must be reported to police.
• You can explain what CTP insurance covers and what it does not.
• You can describe the registration steps when buying, selling or moving a car to South Australia.

What you need to know and understand

• If you are involved in a crash you must stop. Failing to stop is an offence, and failing to stop and help after a crash causing injury or death carries 5 demerit points and a court penalty.
• Call 000 for fire, death or serious injury. For non-emergency police help, such as a blocked road, call 131 444.
• If anyone is killed or injured, the driver must report to police at the scene or a police station within 90 minutes, for alcohol and drug testing.
• Other crashes must be reported as soon as possible and normally within 24 hours, unless the only damage is to your own property or the damage is under $3000.
• CTP insurance is part of your registration and covers injuries you cause to other people, not damage to cars or property.
• If you move to South Australia, you must transfer your car's registration within 90 days.

At the scene

1. Stop safely and switch on your hazard warning lights.
2. Check for injuries and help where you can. Call 000 if anyone is seriously hurt or there is a fire.
3. Exchange details with the other drivers and any property owner: your name and address, the owner's name and address, and the registration number.
4. Clear broken glass and debris once it is safe to do so.
5. Report to police within the required time if needed. You will receive a Vehicle Collision Report number to quote later.
6. If you are injured and go to hospital, expect a blood sample to be taken and tested for alcohol and drugs.

Towing after a crash in metropolitan Adelaide

In greater metropolitan Adelaide, only tow trucks rostered under the Accident Towing Roster Scheme may attend crash scenes. The driver must give you an Authority to Tow form. Read it fully and write in where you want the car taken before you sign. The decision is yours. Outside the metropolitan area you can contact any available tow operator.

Insurance and registration basics

• CTP: you choose your insurer from the government-approved list when you register or renew, comparing price and claimant service ratings. Cover is the same with every insurer.
• Third party property insurance: optional, but covers damage you cause to other people's cars and property, which can be very costly.
• Comprehensive insurance: optional, and also covers damage to your own car.
• Lifetime Support Scheme: a no-fault scheme for people left with very serious lifelong injuries, such as major spinal or brain injuries, from a road crash in South Australia.
• Buying a used car: check its registration, stolen, written-off and defect status with Service SA, and its finance status on the Personal Property Securities Register, then lodge the transfer within 14 days.
• Selling: lodge the Disposal Notice within 14 days to protect yourself from later camera fines.

Common mistakes

• Driving off after a minor bump without exchanging details. You must stop and share information.
• Signing a tow form with the destination left blank. Fill it in first.
• Thinking CTP will pay to fix your car. It only covers injuries to other people.
• Forgetting to change interstate registration after moving. You have 90 days.

Test yourself: Crashes, insurance and registration in South Australia

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• South Australia Health Professional Reporting
• High-Powered Vehicles and the U Class Licence in South Australia
• Learning to Drive in South Australia