First driver fined $670 after new licence rule introduced in Aussie state
Motorists driving ultra high-powered vehicles (UHPV) in South Australia now face steep fines if they haven't obtained a U-class licence.
A Lamborghini driver has become the first person to cop a $670 fine under one state's new ultra high-powered vehicle legislation. From Sunday, South Australian motorists who own sports and luxury cars are required to hold a "U-class licence" or risk facing a $2,500 penalty and up to six demerit points.
Just hours after the new requirement — introduced after the tragic death of 15-year-old Sophia Naismith, who was killed after she was hit by an out of control Lamborghini in 2019 — came into effect, police stopped a 36-year-old man on a suburban Adelaide street for not having a rear number plate.
Officers identified the driver's Lamborghini Huracan as a ultra high-powered vehicle (UHPV), but it was revealed he did not have a U-class licence. A South Australia Police spokesperson told Yahoo News the man was issued an expiation notice totalling $671 for driving with an expired licence for that class of vehicle.
The $2,500 first-offence penalty would apply to anyone who "did not hold an unconditional car C-class licence or higher prior to December 1", the spokesperson said. The penalty for subsequent offences is one year imprisonment. A court can also issue a maximum penalty of up to $5,000. Last week, the state's Department of Transport told Yahoo that since July almost 1,500 drivers have undertaken training to apply for a U-class licence.
Drivers urged to comply or risk steep fines
The move applies to any of the state's roughly 1.2 million registered drivers wanting to drive a high-powered vehicle. A spokesperson for SA's Department for Infrastructure and Transport said drivers also face copping six demerit points if they're caught without the new document.
The new laws "will strengthen both education and enforcement to help ensure drivers of ultra-high-powered vehicles are well informed, responsible and safe on the roads," they told Yahoo.
They said the U-class training course is designed to better educate drivers on the additional risks posed by these vehicles and their features. The course cost is $61 and the licence replacement fee is $20.
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What is a UHPV?
According to South Australian road authorities, an ultra high powered vehicle (UHPV) is defined as any vehicle, other than a bus, motorbike 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.
According to the SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher, there are about 200 makes of vehicles covered by the law. The Lamborghini that hit Sophia meets this criteria.
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