P Plate Laws against Convertibles ??

**vampzzz** · 15-05-2008 07:20 PM

are there any P plate laws against convertibles in melbourne?? thinking of buying an s2000. Thanks for the help!

**rawr** · 15-05-2008 07:24 PM

nope but there are power to weight ratios and im pretty sure in vic that means as a p plater your restricted to own an s2000

**EKVTIR-T** · 15-05-2008 07:28 PM

According to Vicroads S2k is ok for P's. http://arrivealive.vic.gov.au/node/197

**bennjamin** · 15-05-2008 07:29 PM

You can drive any convertible , as long as it falls within the power/weight ratio rule.

Perhaps look at a tida or astra convertible ?

**vampzzz** · 15-05-2008 08:20 PM

so power to weight ratio restricts me from driving an s2000?

**EKVTIR-T** · 15-05-2008 08:23 PM

Did you even read my link..............?
High powered vehicle restrictions that apply if you will obtain 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 obtain their licence from this date.

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);
* 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 2006 onwards 6
Nissan 350Z 2002 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 obtain their probationary licences before [[[1 July 2007.]]]

**vampzzz** · 15-05-2008 08:25 PM

okay thanks for that, it's just what the other guys said. Thanks for you help!

**kiet88** · 15-05-2008 08:56 PM

I have had this debate with my friend and this was our conclusion.. if you got license before 1 july 2007, power-to weight only comes into consideration if you wanna driveV8, v6 supercharged, turbo or any of the above restircted vehicles.

If you got your license after 1 july 2007, you just have ther restrictions as mentioned by EKVTIR-T.

s200 = power to weight = 176/1.255 = 140 kw/tonne.

but since its one of the restricted vehciles = you can drive it dude under any law.

http://arrivealive.vic.gov.au/node/196

As part of Victoria’s new graduated licensing system, new restrictions on driving high powered vehicles will apply to all drivers who obtain their probationary licence after 1 July 2007.

The previous power to weight restriction will continue to apply to any probationary driver who obtained their licence before 1 July 2007.

However, if a probationary driver with a pre-July 2007 licence has a car that does not meet the power to weight restrictions, but it does comply with the new high powered vehicle restrictions effective from July 2007, then the probationary driver may drive the car.

These new restrictions on probationary licence drivers will make it easier for them to identify the cars they can and can’t drive.

**DC4Integra98** · 15-05-2008 09:04 PM

So can I drive turbocharged vehicle because i got my license before 1 July 2007 or did the previous law not allow that either?

**kiet88** · 15-05-2008 09:36 PM

under previous law you could not drive any car that was above the 125 kw/tone threshold.

But now, if the car is above is 125kw/tone and is not v8, v6 supercharge or tubro you can drive.

so in your case you can only drive turbo charged car if it is less than 125 kw/tonne - which i think is highly unlikely

**aaronng** · 15-05-2008 09:48 PM

Old laws were good because you could drive heavy, underpowered V8 and turbo cars.. New laws don't allow even the low pressure turbo Saab 9-3 with only 129kW, but allow you to have your 170+kW S2000.