According to a report by Australia’s Drive, South Australia has become the first state to introduce a new legislation that mandates a special ‘U Class’ driving licence specifically for ultra high-powered vehicles (UHPV), which will come into effect on December 1, 2024.
An UHPV is defined as having a power-to-weight ratio of at least 375 PS (370 hp or 276 kW) per tonne (1,000 kg), with a gross vehicle mass of less than 4.5 tonnes. Around 200 models are said to fall into this category, but buses and motorcycles are exempt from it.
The ‘U Class’ licence category was introduced as an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Regulations 2010 in late 2022, but the state government is now confirming a date for its implementation. To obtain one, drivers are required to complete and online training course, which is currently being developed. They must also have held a regular car licence for at least three years to be eligible.
Besides introducing a new licence class, drivers can also be fined up to AUD5,000 (about RM15,000) if they deliberately disable automated assist systems such as ABS, AEB, ESC and traction control in an UHPV. There are exemptions to this, such as if the vehicle is stuck or being drive on loose surfaces, or if the driver is unaware that such systems were disabled, but these will need to be proven.
Meanwhile, if a driver crashes while in “sport mode” or with traction control disabled in built-up areas, and that incident results in serious harm or death, the driver will be charged with an “aggravated offence” which comes with new harsher penalties, The Drive reports.
Prior to the amendments, the charge of “aggravated driving without due care causing death” carried a maximum 12-month jail penalty and six-month driving disqualification. This has now been revised to seven years in jail and three years of disqualification.
These changes come after the South Australian government pledged to amend its road laws following the death of 15-year-old Sophia Naismith, who was tragically struck and killed by an out-of-control Lamborghini Huracan driven by Alexander Campbell in 2019.
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We need something like this here, too. With great power (and presumably, wealth) comes great responsibility.
You’re completely disconnected from reality in this country, this is a complete non-issue. Ultra-low powered 30 yr old cars and motorcycles, driving like madmen by teenagers are a much bigger threat.
Here we should have special license for low powered bikes.
Haha how to not do superman while riding
We should mandate special licensing for those high powered Hilux n raptors.A lot of rogue drivers using these monstrous vehicles like F1 cars,overtaking 4 cars in a row like MrTorredo.These bastards r a clear n present danger to innocent bystanders n other drivers.
They should reclassify these high powered Trucks as they are, performance vehicles and not commercial vehicles like what they are under at the moment .
Pls include “special” license for people who are “special” for being incompetent to use turn signals too.
This should be a norm in every country. These drivers should undergo classes and tutoring on how to drive a rear-wheel drive vehicles.
Impose higher renewal license fee for pickup trucks and vehicle with more than 300hp.
In our country what vehicles cause the most accidents? Supercars? I dare say it isn’t. What percentage of supercar drivers caused so much problems that it justified this law coming into place?
Fair ask since high powered moto also need B full license
In our country we need special driving license for 90 percent people who actually are cacat otak