Special licence for ultra high-powered vehicles introduced in South Australia – UPDATE
Yesterday at 06:15 PM
Drivers in South Australia are now required to undergo a special course to get behind the wheel of ultra high-powered vehicles, while also being banned from turning off driver aids such as traction control and electronic stability control systems in these cars.
UPDATE, 2 December 2024: Drivers in South Australia are now required to have a special U-Class licence before getting behind the wheel of any car classified as an ‘ultra high-powered vehicle’ (UHPV).
The new rules came into effect on 1 December 2024, which mandates the endorsement for those driving sports cars, supercars, and hypercars with a power-to-weight ratio of at least 276kW per tonne (1000kg) – for those with a gross vehicle mass of less than 4.5 tonnes, excluding trucks and buses.
Drivers of UHPVs are also now banned from turning off driver aids including stability control, traction control, and autonomous emergency braking when on public roads.
While South Australia has been working to modernise its licence system to keep up with other states – including moving some learning requirements online – it’s the first region to introduce a special licence for UHPVs, with Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland yet to announce any plans to do the same.
Our original story continues unchanged below.
UPDATE, 5 July 2024: An online course for drivers of ‘ultra high-powered vehicles’ has been launched by the South Australian Government.
Known as a U-class licence, the endorsement will be mandatory for all South Australian drivers of ultra high-powered vehicles (UHPV) from 1 December 2024.
The online course costs $61 and takes an estimated 30 to 45 minutes to complete, after which point the driver will be subject to a test. Motorists can attempt the test as many times as they like (within a 12-month period) for no additional cost. Once passed, the driver can apply for a new U-class licence, costing an additional $20.
While visitors can drive ultra high-powered vehicles in South Australia using their interstate licence, they can still receive a fine of $5000 and six demerit points if found to have disabled advanced driver-assistance systems such as autonomous emergency braking and stability control in a UHPV.
To find out more, visit the South Australian Department for Infrastructure and Transport’s website by clicking here.
2 August 2023: South Australia has become the first state in the country to introduce a special driver licence specifically for ‘ultra high-powered vehicles’, set to come into effect on 1 December 2024.
An ultra high-powered vehicle (UHPV) is defined by authorities as having a power-to-weight ratio of at least 276kW per tonne (1000kg), with a gross vehicle mass of less than 4.5 tonnes – with around 200 models believed to fall into that category. Buses and motorcycles are exempt.
For example, a Lamborghini Huracan supercar quotes a power-to-weight ratio of 292kW per tonne – while a BMW M3 performance sedan quotes 222kW per tonne.
The new ‘U-class’ licence category was introduced as an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Regulations 2010 in late 2022 – approximately three months after Drive first reported on the proposal – however it is only now that the South Australian Government has confirmed a date for its implementation following speculation on social media.
Those wishing to obtain a U-class licence will be required to complete an online training course.
“This course is currently being developed and will ensure a person is aware of the risks associated with driving an UHPV and the use of common vehicle features within Advanced Driver Assistance Systems,” a spokesperson for the South Australian Department of Transportation told Drive.
Motorists in South Australia can now also be fined up to $5000 if they deliberately disable an ‘automated intervention system’ on an ultra high-powered vehicle – which includes anti-lock braking (ABS), automated emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control.
“Once the training is available, all existing UHPV drivers and owners will need to complete this training to obtain a U licence classification if they wish to continue driving a UHPV after 1 December 2024,” the spokesperson said.
The changes were introduced in the wake of the death of a 15-year-old South Australian girl Sophia Naismith, who was struck and killed by a Lamborghini Huracan in 2019.
The South Australian Government has also introduced new definitions and penalties for drivers who have caused a death, with the maximum penalty for driving without due care increasing from 12 months to seven years.
“Sophia Naismith's tragic death highlighted serious problems with our current laws where driving conduct causes death or serious harm,” said Kyam Maher, the Attorney-General of South Australia in a July media statement.
“These problems included the lack of an offence that takes into account driving that does not meet the threshold of 'dangerous' driving, but warrants tougher penalties than those available at the lower level of offending,” he said.
“In addition, these reforms will ensure people who drive ultra high-powered vehicles take greater responsibility for their actions while making sure that authorities have the power to prosecute those who flout our road laws and put others' lives at risk.”
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