High powered vehicle restrictions that apply if you obtained your probationary licence after 1 July 2007
From 1 July 2007, new restrictions on driving high powered vehicles were introduced for probationary licence drivers who obtained their licence from this date.
A probationary licence holder cannot drive a vehicle if it has:
- An engine of eight or more cylinders;
- a turbocharged or supercharged engine (except diesel powered vehicles. Exemptions can apply for lower performance turbo and supercharged cars);
- an engine that has been modified to increase its performance; and/or
- any of the following high performance six cylinder vehicles as published in the Government Gazette:
| Make | Model | Release Year/s | Cylinders |
| BMW | M | 1998 | 6 |
| BMW | M3 | 1994 - 2004 | 6 |
| BMW | M5 | 1990 | 6 |
| BMW | Z4 (3.0L variants. 2.5 L variants are not restricted) | 2006 onwards | 6 |
| Nissan | 350Z | 2002 onwards | V6 |
| Nissan | 370z | 2009 onwards | v6 |
| Honda | NSX 2 Door Coupe | 1991 – 2002 | V6 |
| Porsche | 911 | 1993 - 2006 | 6 |
| Porsche | Boxster | 1999 - 2006 | 6 |
| Porsche | Cayman | 2006 onwards | 6 |
| Mercedes Benz | SLK 350 | 2004 onwards | V6 |
| Mercedes Benz | C350 | 2005 onwards | V6 |
| Mercedes Benz | C36 | 1995 | 6 |
Vehicles which are excluded from these restrictions are:
- Turbocharged or supercharged diesel powered vehicles (without engine performance modifications);
- all models of the Smart car, produced by Mercedes Benz; and
- the following vehicles with low powered turbocharged or supercharged engines as published in the
Government Gazette:
| Make | Model | Release Year/s |
| Smart | All models | 1998 onwards |
| Suzuki | Cappucino | 1992 - 1997 |
| Daihatsu | Copen | 2003 onwards |
The previous power to weight restrictions will continue to apply for drivers who obtained their probationary licences before 1 July 2007.
If you want to buy a vehicle but you are unsure whether it has eight or more cylinders, or if it has a modified engine, or is either turbocharged or supercharged, or has any other features which would make it illegal for you to drive under the high powered vehicle restrictions, then your first step is to ask the car dealer who is selling the car. You could also contact the manufacturer directly for more information. If you are still unsure or doubt the information given, seek further advice from a licensed mechanic.
Permission to Drive Lower-Performance Turbocharged or Supercharged Cars
Drivers who obtained their probationary licence on or after 1 July 2007 can drive some lower-performance turbocharged or supercharged vehicles. These vehicles generally have improved safety features and greater fuel-efficiency and can be driven by probationary drivers.
Probationary drivers may apply to drive vehicles with 6 cylinders or less that are:
- turbocharged or supercharged with a power to weight ratio of less than 100kW per tonne;
- turbocharged or supercharged with a power to weight ratio between 100kW and 125kW per tonne and that are considered to be a family type vehicle (4 seats or more) rather than a sports type vehicle.
A family type vehicle is a sedan, station wagon or hatch normally used to carry families/passengers with 4 or more seats and is equipped with child restraint anchorages and does not include sports cars eg a two door coupe.
Vehicles with eight cylinders or more, family type-type vehicles with more than 125KW per tonne or other vehicles with more than 100KW per tonne will NOT be granted under this scheme.
Probationary drivers may drive diesel-powered supercharged and turbocharged vehicles provided they have no more than 6 cylinders. No exemption is required.
Examples of vehicles that are NOT lower performance turbocharged or supercharged cars and must not be driven by probationary drivers include::
| AUDI | TT QUATTRO 2D COUPE 4 1781 cc TURBO Multi 6 speed Manual |
| BMW | 335i E92 2D COUPE 6 2979 cc TWIN TURBO F/INJ 6 speed Automatic |
| FORD | FALCON XR6 TURBO BA 4D SEDAN 6 3984 cc TURBO Multi 5 speed Manual |
| MAZDA | 6 MPS 5D SEDAN 4 2261 cc TURBO F/INJ 6 speed Manual |
| SUBARU | IMPREZA WRX 4D SEDAN 4 1994 cc TURBO Multi 5 speed Manual |
Probationary drivers can apply to drive lower-performance turbocharged or supercharged cars by completing an application form.
You can download a copy of an application form or telephone 13 11 71 to be sent a copy.
| Make | Model | Release Year/s | Cylinders |
| BMW | M | 1998 | 6 |
| BMW | M3 | 1994 - 2004 | 6 |
| BMW | M5 | 1990 | 6 |
| BMW | Z4 (3.0L variants. 2.5 L variants are not restricted) | 2006 onwards | 6 |
| Nissan | 350Z | 2002 onwards | V6 |
| Nissan | 370z | 2009 onwards | v6 |
| Honda | NSX 2 Door Coupe | 1991 – 2002 | V6 |
| Porsche | 911 | 1993 - 2006 | 6 |
| Porsche | Boxster | 1999 - 2006 | 6 |
| Porsche | Cayman | 2006 onwards | 6 |
| Mercedes Benz | SLK 350 | 2004 onwards | V6 |
| Mercedes Benz | C350 | 2005 onwards | V6 |
| Mercedes Benz | C36 | 1995 | 6 |
Vehicles which are excluded from these restrictions are:
- Turbocharged or supercharged diesel powered vehicles (without engine performance modifications);
- all models of the Smart car, produced by Mercedes Benz; and
- the following vehicles with low powered turbocharged or supercharged engines as published in the
Government Gazette:
| Make | Model | Release Year/s |
| Smart | All models | 1998 onwards |
| Suzuki | Cappucino | 1992 - 1997 |
| Daihatsu | Copen | 2003 onwards |
The previous power to weight restrictions will continue to apply for drivers who obtained their probationary licences before 1 July 2007.
If you want to buy a vehicle but you are unsure whether it has eight or more cylinders, or if it has a modified engine, or is either turbocharged or supercharged, or has any other features which would make it illegal for you to drive under the high powered vehicle restrictions, then your first step is to ask the car dealer who is selling the car. You could also contact the manufacturer directly for more information. If you are still unsure or doubt the information given, seek further advice from a licensed mechanic.
Permission to Drive Lower-Performance Turbocharged or Supercharged Cars
Drivers who obtained their probationary licence on or after 1 July 2007 can drive some lower-performance turbocharged or supercharged vehicles. These vehicles generally have improved safety features and greater fuel-efficiency and can be driven by probationary drivers.
Probationary drivers may apply to drive vehicles with 6 cylinders or less that are:
- turbocharged or supercharged with a power to weight ratio of less than 100kW per tonne;
- turbocharged or supercharged with a power to weight ratio between 100kW and 125kW per tonne and that are considered to be a family type vehicle (4 seats or more) rather than a sports type vehicle.
A family type vehicle is a sedan, station wagon or hatch normally used to carry families/passengers with 4 or more seats and is equipped with child restraint anchorages and does not include sports cars eg a two door coupe.
Vehicles with eight cylinders or more, family type-type vehicles with more than 125KW per tonne or other vehicles with more than 100KW per tonne will NOT be granted under this scheme.
Probationary drivers may drive diesel-powered supercharged and turbocharged vehicles provided they have no more than 6 cylinders. No exemption is required.
Examples of vehicles that are NOT lower performance turbocharged or supercharged cars and must not be driven by probationary drivers include::
| AUDI | TT QUATTRO 2D COUPE 4 1781 cc TURBO Multi 6 speed Manual |
| BMW | 335i E92 2D COUPE 6 2979 cc TWIN TURBO F/INJ 6 speed Automatic |
| FORD | FALCON XR6 TURBO BA 4D SEDAN 6 3984 cc TURBO Multi 5 speed Manual |
| MAZDA | 6 MPS 5D SEDAN 4 2261 cc TURBO F/INJ 6 speed Manual |
| SUBARU | IMPREZA WRX 4D SEDAN 4 1994 cc TURBO Multi 5 speed Manual |
Probationary drivers can apply to drive lower-performance turbocharged or supercharged cars by completing an application form.
You can download a copy of an application form or telephone 13 11 71 to be sent a copy.
Application to drive a Lower Performance Supercharged/Turbocharged Vehicle
Completed application forms must be returned to:
VicRoads
Exemptions
Locked Bag 5000
KEW VIC 3101
Probationary drivers granted an exemption will receive notification in writing.
For further information contact Tel 131171.
Penalties
From 1 July 2007, the penalty for driving a high powered vehicle will be three demerit points and a maximum fine of approximately $1100. These penalties will apply to both the former power to weight restrictions and the current high powered vehicles restrictions.
More Information:
High Powered Vehicle Restrictions
New Alcohol Interlock Provisions
The Graduated Licensing System
Information for Learner Drivers
Information for P1 Probationary Drivers
Information for P2 Probationary Drivers
A summary of key changes for Learner and Probationary Drivers
Frequently asked question for the Graduated Licensing System
