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NEWS
NSW to lift turbo ban for provisional drivers
Power-to-weight guidelines set to replace blanket ban on turbo-petrol vehiclesThe NSW State Government is set to overturn a ban which prevents provisional drivers from getting behind the wheel of efficient modern turbocharged vehicles.
In 2005 the NSW Road Traffic Authority introduced legislation that prohibited the use of “certain high-performance vehicles” for P1 and P2 drivers. The blanket ban included all vehicles with engines of eight or more cylinders, or that were turbo or supercharged (unless diesel).
From next year, Fairfax Media reports, provisional drivers in NSW will be subject to a fairer set of guidelines. The model, adopted from national guidelines drafter by Austroads Registration and Licensing Task Force, will better reflect vehicle performance and allow young drivers access to efficient, lower-capacity turbocharged vehicles.
The system will use a formula that calculates the power-to-weight ratio of a vehicle. The limit will be set at 130kW per tonne, which will allow dozens of economical European and locally-built Small cars to be driven on a P1 or P2 license – and help drivers to save fuel.
It is reported that the rethink will also apply to high-powered diesel vehicles. Currently, provisional drivers in NSW can drive performance-oriented diesel-powered vehicles due to a glaring loophole in the legislation.
Victoria, South Australia and Queensland are also said to be considering a similar contingency for provisional and probationary drivers.
NSW provisional drivers unsure of prohibited vehicles can access the current guide of prohibited eight-cylinder, turbo and supercharged high-performance vehicles here.
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Written byCarsales Staff
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