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ratio

Can a P-plater drive it?

NSW, Victoria and Queensland stop provisional drivers from driving cars with more than 130 kW per tonne, measured against tare mass. Enter the figures from the registration papers to check.

On the registration papers. Not kerb weight.

Power to tare mass

120.0kW/t

Within the 130 kW/t limit

On power-to-weight alone, P-platers can drive this in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. Engine modifications, a banned listing in Victoria's database, or pre-2010 rules in Queensland can still apply.

The rules by state

NSW

New South Wales

P1 and P2 drivers

Power to tare mass ratio greater than 130 kW per tonne.

Also restricted: Significant engine modifications, or other specifications that make the car high risk for novice drivers.

Official vehicle lookupSource

VIC

Victoria

P1 and P2 drivers

Power to mass ratio of more than 130 kW per tonne (exactly 130 is allowed), using tare mass and original factory power.

Also restricted: A 'banned' rating in the probationary vehicle database, or an engine modified to increase performance.

Official vehicle lookupSource

QLD

Queensland

P1 and P2 drivers under 25

For cars built from 1 January 2010: more than 130 kW per tonne of tare mass.

Also restricted: Approved engine modifications. Cars built before 2010 are restricted instead if they have 8 or more cylinders, a non-diesel turbo or supercharger, more than 210 kW, or a rotary over 1146 cc.

Official vehicle lookupSource

Other states and territories set their own rules for provisional drivers. This page is a guide, not legal advice: the official lookup for your state is the final word.

P-plate status of popular cars

Worked out on kerb weight, which is heavier than tare, so cars within about 7% of the limit are marked borderline.

Under the P-plate limit (38)

Borderline for P-platers (3)

Over the P-plate limit (49)

P-plate questions

What is the power-to-weight limit for P-platers?

130 kilowatts per tonne in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. NSW and Victoria apply it to all P1 and P2 drivers; Queensland applies it to P1 and P2 drivers under 25, for cars built from 2010. Victoria treats exactly 130 kW/t as allowed.

How do you calculate power to tare mass ratio?

Divide the engine's maximum power in kilowatts by the car's tare mass in kilograms, then multiply by 1,000. A 150 kW car with a 1,250 kg tare mass is 150 ÷ 1,250 × 1,000 = 120 kW per tonne. The states use the manufacturer's original power and tare figures.

What is tare mass?

The car's unladen mass as recorded for registration, without passengers or load. It is lighter than the kerb weight most brochures quote, so a car's ratio on tare mass is a little higher than on kerb weight.

Can P-platers drive a car with a modified engine?

Generally no. NSW, Victoria and Queensland all restrict P-platers from cars with engine modifications that increase performance, even if the car's standard ratio is under 130 kW/t. Detuning a banned car doesn't make it legal in Victoria either: the original specification counts.

Are there exemptions?

Limited ones. NSW and Queensland grant them only in exceptional circumstances. Victoria allows a banned car with a fully licensed supervising driver beside you, for some work purposes, or with an approved hardship exemption. Check your state's page before relying on one.