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My ultra high powered vehicle (U) class licence

What vehicles are classified as ultra high powered vehicles (UHPV)?

An UHPV is 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.

This includes some vehicles that are referred to as ‘supercars’ or ‘hypercars’.

Heads up!

If your vehicle is manufactured after 2010, you can check if it is classed as an UHPV, by using the UHPV Look-Up function.

All you will need to use this function is the vehicle’s registration number.

If your vehicle is older than this, or has been modified, you can calculate your vehicle’s power to weight ratio using the following formula:

Power to Weight Ratio = Engine Power (in kilowatts) Vehicle Mass (in kilograms) × 1000

This calculation can be made from the manufacturer’s specifications.

To convert horsepower to kilowatts, multiply the horsepower by 0.746. For example 300 (horsepower) x 0.746 = 223.8 kilowatts

For modified vehicles, this calculation must account for modifications.

It is the responsibility of the driver to determine whether their vehicle is an UHPV.

Anyone who drives an UHPV must hold a U class licence. It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle on a road or road related area without holding a current driver's licence for that class of vehicle.

Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the UHPV changes.

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