High-powered (performance) vehicle restriction
High powered (performance) vehicle restrictions apply for the duration of P1 and P2 licence periods for licence holders under the age of 25 years.
These restrictions also apply to probationary licence holders who return from a disqualification to a P1 or P2 probationary licence, where at the time of the offence they were under 25 years of age. These limits apply for the duration of the probationary period regardless of age.
High powered (performance) vehicles include those with:
- eight or more cylinders
- a turbo-charged or super-charged engine that is not diesel powered
- an engine that has a power output of more than 200 kW as per the manufacturer's specifications
- a rotary engine that has an engine capacity of more than 1146cc as per the manufacturer's specifications
- a modified engine that must be approved under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management — Vehicle Standards and Safety) Regulation 1999, section 30.
The following vehicles are exempt and can be driven:
- Suzuki Cappuccino 2D Cabriolet Turbo 3 657-698cc (1992-1997)
- Daihatsu Copen L880 2D Convertible Turbo 4 659cc (2003 or later)
- Smart fortwo coupe 2D Turbo 3 698cc (2000 or later)
- Smart fortwo Cabriolet Turbo 3 2D 698cc (2000 or later)
- Smart Roadster Turbo 3 2D 698cc (2000 or later).
Check your vehicle's power specifications on the vehicle manufacturer's website, or a car guide website such as http://www.redbook.com.au* or http://www.carsguide.com.au*.
Exemptions
You are eligible to apply for an exemption to drive a high powered (performance) vehicle if:
- you need to drive a high-powered (performance) vehicle:
- to, or from, your place of employment
- in the course of your employment
- to, or from, the education institution you attend
- to get medical treatment for yourself or a family member
- the only car available to you is a high-powered (performance) vehicle:
- that you owned before 30 June 2007 and you have owned since, including the date you apply for the exemption
- that is owned or leased by a member of your immediate family†, or
- that an immediate family member† uses as part of an employment or salary package agreement
and
- there is no other transport available to you
and
- not issuing an exemption will cause severe hardship.
Your traffic history will also be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.
† An immediate family member includes your:
- approved carer or guardian
- grandparent, or spouse of a grandparent
- spouse
- parent or step-parent.
Note: A spouse includes a de facto partner.
For further details of the definition of an immediate family member see section 22E of the Transport Operation (Road Use Management — Driver Licensing) Regulation 1999.
To apply for an exemption you must:
- complete a Certificate of exemption for driving a high powered vehicle application form (F4467)
- pay the application fee
- require the use of a high-powered (performance) vehicle.
Penalties
There are penalties for failing to comply with these restrictions. Drivers of high powered (performance) vehicles that hold an exemption must produce this certificate when asked to by a police officer. Failure to do so will lead to a fine and demerit points.
Related information
*The content found by using this link is not created, controlled or approved by this department. No responsibility is taken for the consequences of viewing content on this site. This link will load into a new window.
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Last updated 10 September 2009
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