U class licence now required for all ultra high powered vehicle drivers

Thursday, 28 November 2024

From 1 December, all drivers of ultra high powered vehicles (UHPVs) must hold a U class licence to drive on South Australian roads.

The new licence class is an Australian-first and has been introduced as part of reforms made by the State Government following the tragic death of Sophia Naismith.

UHPV drivers must complete the interactive online course. An on-road driving assessment is not required.

After passing the course, drivers are required to apply and pay for a replacement licence that will add a U class to their driver’s licence.

Driving an UHPV without U class licence is punishable by a maximum fine of up to $2,500, with subsequent offences risking a $5,000 fine or imprisonment.

Nearly 1500 South Australians have already obtained the new licence class since its launch in July 2024.

Multiple letters have been sent to UHPV owners to remind them to obtain a U class licence, complementing a broader digital advertising campaign and engagement with UHPV dealerships and clubs to raise awareness of the new requirements.

This initiative was delivered as part of the state’s Road Safety Action Plan 2023-2025, strengthening both education and enforcement to ensure UHPV drivers are well informed, responsible and safe on the roads to reduce lives lost and serious injuries in South Australia.

A UHPV is defined as any vehicle, other than a bus, motor bike or motor trike, with a gross vehicle mass of up to 4.5 tonnes, that has a power to weight ratio of 276 kilowatts per tonne or more.

For more information on U class licence requirements and to complete the course, visit the My Licence website.