From 1 December 2024, South Australian drivers need a U class licence to drive an ultra high powered vehicle in South Australia.

An ultra high powered vehicle is defined in regulation 3 of the Motor Vehicles Regulations 2010 (SA) as a motor vehicle

To obtain a U class licence, a person must hold a full or probationary car (C class) driver’s licence and must complete the online U Class Licence Course (accessible by creating a mySAGOV account and paying a fee of $61). Further information is provided on the mylicence website.

From 1 December 2024, it is an offence to drive an ultra high powered vehicle without a U class licence, with a maximum penalty for a first offence of $2,500 and for a subsequent offence imprisonment for 1 year.

It is also an offence to drive an ultra high powered vehicle with its automated intervention system disabled, with a maximum penalty of $5,000 and 6 demerit points.

Ultra high powered vehicles are to be distinguished from high powered vehicles which are prescribed in regulation 3A of the Motor Vehicles Regulations 2010 (SA) or by gazette notice. They include light vehicles made on or after 1 January 2010 with a power to weight ratio greater than 130 kilowatts per tonne in tare mass, and light vehicles manufactured before 2010 modified to increase engine performance or with certain other specifications. It is an offence for drivers under the age of 25 on a provisional licence (P1 or P2) to drive a high powered vehicle without an exemption granted by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles [Motor Vehicles Act 1959 (SA) s 81A(13), (14)].

Answers to frequently asked questions about the new rules that apply to ultra high powered vehicles can be found on the mylicence website. Drivers can check whether their car is a high powered vehicle or an ultra high powered vehicle via the ezyreg website.