Hi Jola.
You should be able to renew it (emphasis on the should). According to the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) you can renew a learner’s permit for a third time, but “if applying for a third or subsequent Learner permit, documentary evidence must be submitted that you have either sat a driving test (statement of driving test outcome dated within two years) or an acknowledgement of a forthcoming test.” So if you can do that, you should be alright. That said, the fact that you have been out of the state for a time may throw a spanner in the works, so the best thing would be to contact NDLS directly and ask.