ADELAIDE: From Dec 1, 2024, the few motorists who own a high-powered car, a supercar or hypercar in South Australia will need to hold a special driving licence if they want to continue driving these vehicles legally.
To obtain this new licence, owners of these cars will have to take a special online course for the so-called "U-class" licence.
The course costs A$61 (RM193) and covers the risks associated with driving this type of car, as well as the safety features with which they are usually equipped.
The course lasts less than an hour and ends with a knowledge test, a necessary assessment for obtaining the licence.
There is no practical element to the course, however.
In addition, applicants will have to pay A$20 (RM64) to acquire their brand-new licence. Anyone driving a car with more than 370bhp per tonne without this licence in South Australia will be liable to a fine of A$2,500 (RM7,895), or even imprisonment for repeat offences.
New driving laws already introduced in South Australia mean that it is already forbidden to disable certain onboard safety systems on these cars, such as the anti-lock braking system (ABS), automatic emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control (ESC) or traction control. Offenders face a fine of up to A$5,000 (RM15,790).
These measures were prompted by a serious accident in 2019, when a Lamborghini Huracán collided with a 15-year-old girl, who did not survive.
However, they are unlikely to affect many people — just a few hundred, mainly wealthy Lamborghini and Ferrari owners.
The aim is to ensure that the driver is fully aware of the risks associated with driving an ultra-high-powered vehicle.
