South Australia mandates ‘supercar licence’
New U-class license class required from December 1 for crow-eaters driving ultra-high-performance carsSouth Australian drivers of ‘ultra-high-performance’ vehicles will need to obtain a new class of driver’s license as of December 1.
According to the Department of for Infrastructure and Transport, an ultra-high-performance vehicle (UHPV) is any car, truck or van with a gross vehicle mass of up to 4.5 tonnes and a power to weight ratio of 276kW per tonne (1000kg) or more.
While motorcycles and buses are exempt, around 200 models are understood to fall into the UHPV category, including performance vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracan supercar, which has a power-to-weight ratio of 292kW per tonne, and the BMW M3 sports sedan (222kW/tonne).
And although visitors to the state can drive a UHPV in South Australia using their interstate licence, they can still receive a fine of $5000 and six demerit points if found to have disabled “automated intervention systems” like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and electronic stability control (ESC).
Dubbed U-class, the new license endorsement can be obtained by completing an interactive online course that informs and then tests applicants not only on the extra capabilities of UHPVs, but also the “danger of risk-taking behaviour” and the penalties now in place for disabling driver-assistance systems in them.
The online course, which went live last week at mySAGOV, costs $61 and takes up to 45 minutes to complete.
UHPV drivers can attempt the subsequent test as many times as they like within a 12-month period for no extra cost and, once they pass, can apply for a new U-class licence for an additional $20.
The new licence comes as a direct result of the death of 15-year-old Sophia Naismith, who was hit and killed by an out-of-control Lamborghini Huracan in Adelaide in mid-2019.
South Australian transport minister Tom Koutsantonis said the state government was proud to introduce the new legislation, which would lead to safer and better-prepared drivers of UHPVs.
“Through practical modules focusing on vehicle features, safety systems, maintenance, laws and penalties, we’re compelling drivers to take responsibility and be aware of the additional risks that come with driving a UHPV,” he said.
“Given these risks, it’s crucial that we can influence driver behaviour but also ensure that our authorities are empowered to prosecute individuals who endanger the lives of others.
“We will be undertaking a targeted education campaign to remind UHPV drivers to complete this training to obtain a U-class licence by 1 December 2024.”
The introduction of the UHPV licence follows the implementation of myriad other new driving laws in SA, including a prison sentence of up to seven years for an “offence of causing death or serious harm by careless use of a vehicle or vessel, with a licence disqualification of at least three years”, and greater powers for SA Police to suspend licenses on the spot following a “serious crash”.
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