Got A Fast Car In Australia? You’ll Soon Need A Special Licence To Drive It

A state in Australia has introduced new driving laws that mean you’ll need a special licence to drive high-performance cars. The new rules in South Australia say that anyone wanting to drive a car with a power-to-weight ratio higher than 370bhp per tonne will need a special U-class licence, and will have to pass a test to get one.

The rules concerning “ultra high-power vehicles” come into force on 1 December 2024, and cover around 200 models of car. Most of these are in supercar territory; as an example, a Porsche 911 (992) Turbo S Cabriolet is covered at 375bhp/tonne, but a BMW M4 CSL would be exempt at 334 bhp/tonne.

To get the U-class licence, drivers will need to complete an online training course that focuses on the risks associated with more powerful cars and the use of advanced driver assistance systems. The change in rules also means drivers of the most powerful cars face a fine of up to $5,000 Australian if they turn off an “automated intervention system” like automatic emergency braking, stability control or traction control.

The new laws were drawn up following the death of a 15-year-old pedestrian, Sophia Naismith, in a 2019 crash in Adelaide involving a Lamborghini Huracan. They also introduce a new offence of “causing death or serious harm by careless use of a vehicle or vessel”, punishable by up to seven years in prison. The harshest penalties will be given to those that cause a death after turning off a car’s safety systems.

The South Australia government says the new laws should ensure that drivers of the most powerful cars have a greater responsibility for their actions, and face stricter punishments.