A South Australian driver who killed two men in separate crashes at the same country intersection deserves a learner's permit to show she can overcome her flaws, a court has heard.

Pompoota farmer Michelle Thiele was responsible for the deaths of two men in separate accidents in 2000 and 2007 near Mannum, east of Adelaide, when she failed to give way at the same corner.

The first crash killed John Eric Mitchell, 69, and the second claimed the life of motorcyclist Graham Bryant, 51.

An inquest found Thiele was an incompetent driver who probably failed to look for other traffic just before each smash.

Her driver's licence was suspended and then cancelled in 2010.

In 2013, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles denied her a learner's permit and a review committee upheld the decision.

The matter has now gone to trial in the District Court, with Thiele's lawyer saying she should be given the opportunity to drive again, at least under the supervision of a driving instructor.

Joana Fuller said her client was "denied procedural fairness" because the registrar and review committee formed an "unreasonable" view that she should not drive again.

"Both the registrar and the review committee have held and continue to hold an intractable view that Ms Thiele should never drive again," she said

"The registrar is intent on ensuring that Mrs Thiele does not ever drive again even pursuant to a learner's permit."

Ms Fuller said Thiele would pass a driver's test and should be given a learner's permit.

"She's not asking for a probationary or provisional licence, she is simply asking for the opportunity, under supervision, to be able to produce evidence to satisfy the registrar that she can get to the next stage," she said.

"It effectively means she will never ever drive again ... how can she ever demonstrate that she has overcome these deficiencies?"

Thiele showed 'significant change' during driving lessons

Driving instructor Mark Fraser gave Thiele lessons in 2011 and said she showed a "significant change" in driving skills, including patience and keeping a proper look out.

"Two or three sessions later I noted that there was very good look-out observation from then on," he said.

A lawyer for the registrar, Anthony Keane, said his client had not taken the view that Thiele was beyond change.

But he said while Thiele would pass a driving test, her future risk to others on the road was not known.

"The issue that my client [the registrar and review committee] has is that you need to satisfy us because the risks are great, and you haven't satisfied us," Mr Keane said.

"It is a very difficult thing to address and it cannot be addressed simply by sitting in a test scenario.

"It has to be quantifiable ... when you're alone in a vehicle in two years, three years, seven years down the track that you will not break the road rules.

"How do you demonstrate that and how does the registrar assess that when it's about your attitude into the future?"

The court heard then-police commissioner Gary Burns opposed giving Thiele a learner's permit.

Driver training in the United States was considered, but found unsuitable by the registrar.

The trial continues in the civil jurisdiction before Judge Geraldine Davison.