Supercar Licence Course Launched In Australia – Should Malaysia Consider?

News reports coming out of Australia this week revealed that the state of South Australia launched a new online licence course for ultra high performance vehicles (UHPVs) this week. Drivers need to pass it before obtaining the new ‘U class’ licence that's set to be issued by the South Australia government this year.

As a refresher, the South Australia government defines UHPVs as vehicles with power-to-weight ratios exceeding 276 kW (375 PS or 370 HP) per tonne. This applies to both high-end luxury and performance cars, as well as modified cars.

According to the South Australian government, it’s the responsibility of the driver to know and ascertain whether they’re driving a UHPV. Much of this new ruling stems from a 2019 case that saw the death of a 15-year-old girl pedestrian who was run over by a reckless supercar driver.

Motorist in South Australia will now require a 'U class' licence if they wished to drive ultra high performance vehicles (UHPV) -  performance cars with power-weight-ratio exceeding 276 kW (375 PS or 370 HP) per tonne.  

Starting from Dec 1 this year, South Australia motorists found driving UHPVs without a U class licence face a maximum fine amounting up to AUS$2,500 (RM7,924.39) for their first offence. As for repeat offenders, they potentially face imprisonment of up to one year.

Said course, which has no hands-on ‘practical’ element, costs AUS$61 (RM193.36) and lasts for 30 to 45 minutes. It is reportedly designed to educate drivers about safely operating their UHPVs, the risks associated with driving them, as well as the core safety features equipped in such vehicles.

The South Australia government have launched a new U class licence course online that UHPV owners will need to pass to obtain said new licence.

Upon passing this course, UHPV drivers will then need to pay a one-off AUS$20 (RM63.40) fee to replace their standard licence. Besides the new licence class and category requirement, the South Australia government will also enforce a new set of UHPV-specific laws starting Jan 1, 2025.

Regarding the latter, it includes banning UHPV drivers from disabling safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), electronic stability control/program (ESC/ESP) or traction control systems (TCS). Failing this see drivers face stiff fines of up to AUS$5,000 (RM15,848.78).

Notably, the U class licence requirement doesn’t just apply to UHPV owners driving on public roads. Said new licence class will be required for luxury supercar rentals, as well as guests invited for UHPV driving ‘experiences’ or events.

There is some leeway allowed despite the strict new ruling. For instance, regular licence holders are permitted to test-drive a UHPV through dealerships. However, said exemption doesn’t apply to private UHPV sales scenario.

Starting Dec 1, South Australia motorists will need to bear a U class licence if they wished to drive UHPVs. Drivers un UHPVs caught without a U class licence face stiff fines or even jail time.

Clearly, these stricter new ruling for motorists piloting high-powered cars in South Australia were meant to bolster road safety better. It also arguably stands as a perfect model of a practice to deter reckless driving by irresponsible individuals.

Closer to home, such a ruling could perhaps prevent and deter similar instances and cases. Presently, neither the Ministry of Transport (MOT) or Road Transport Department (JPJ) have mulled such rulings yet, though we cannot argue its merits.

Should MOT and JPJ consider implementing a special licence ruling as such for high-powered vehicles here in Malaysia? Would you agree to such a ruling should it be enforced locally? Share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as our social media pages…