Key Takeaways
- South Australia introduces a new U Class license for high-performance cars with a power-to-weight ratio of 370hp/tonne.
- Drivers must complete an online course and pass a test to obtain the U Class license by Dec 2024.
- Driving a high-performance car without the U Class license post-Dec 2024 will result in a fine and potential jail time.
The state of South Australia has announced that motorists driving high-performance cars must undergo special training if they want to keep driving their powerful machines. The new UHPV (Ultra High-Powered Vehicle) License is required to drive vehicles (excludes buses, trikes, or motorcycles) with a power-to-weight ratio of 370 horsepower per tonne and a gross vehicle mass of up to 9,920 lbs. This includes supercars like the Lamborghini Revuelto and just about every modern exotic car, including many classics and track cars.
According to the provincial government website, owners or drivers of a UHPV “must obtain a U Class license by 1 December 2024 to avoid penalties.” To apply, drivers must complete an online course to learn about the risks associated with a UHPV, their electronic safety aids and driver assists, and how to safely operate one of these vehicles.
Own A Supercar? Make Sure You’ve Got Your U Class License
And UHPV drivers shouldn’t take their time getting the U Class license. From December, driving a high-performance car without the new permit will be illegal. Should you be caught behind the wheel without one, you can expect a AU$2,500 ($1,684) fine. After that? One year in jail. The South Australian government says it is the driver’s responsibility to know whether their car is considered a UHPV, including vehicles modified to make more power.
Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.
Even with a U Class license, certain limitations are placed on UHPV drivers. Deactivating any driver aids, such as traction control, stability control, or anti-lock braking, is an offense. Drivers can be fined up to AU$5,000 ($3,368) and receive six demerit points on their licenses. Should you be involved in a crash while these systems have been disabled, the penalties are much worse. “You may be charged with the offense of causing death or serious harm by careless use of a vehicle,” reads an excerpt.
What Is The Point Of The U Class License?
The online course will cost UHPV drivers AU$61 ($41) and take up to 45 minutes to complete. Only then are motorists eligible to take the test. The South Australian government says the test can be taken multiple times within 12 months. An AU$20 charge is required for the U Class license and is only available once the test is passed.
Related
VIDEO: Hyundai Ioniq 5 Robotaxi Aces Human Driving License Test
Hyundai knows that most people don’t yet trust self-driving cars, so it’s taking a novel approach to marketing the technology.
While many will dismiss this as government interference, there’s a method behind the madness. A few years ago, a young girl lost her life after the driver of a Lamborghini Huracán lost control of his car and mounted the pavement, fatally striking the pedestrian. At the time, Peter Malinauskas, Premier of the province of South Australia, called for new licensing laws after the driver of the Lamborghini was acquitted of death by dangerous driving charges. Hopefully, these new licensing requirements will make a difference and save some lives. Whether it catches on globally remains to be seen.
Source:
Government of South Australia