Question to all Victorians

[Melbourne_VW_fan]

Hello everybody,

Been viewing the site for a few months as i am planning on buying a golf, and finally decided to join

Just a few questions:

Anybody from victoria currently driving a golf gti on their P-plates? According to vicroads, since mid-2009 its acceptable for a p-plater to drive a turbo vehicle that is between 100-125 kw per tonne, which the golf gti satisfies.

They also mention the car cannot be a 2 door, must be a 4 door or hatch, considered a family car, meaning it must have child restraint anchorages.

Can any gti owners clarify if restraints are fitted into the car?

Also if any other gti owners are on their p-plates in melbourne, please fill me in on the exemption laws.

Called vic-roads, and the man i spoke to said he couldnt give me a definate answer..you have to send off the form and apply for exemption..and in the form you have to right down license number, engines VIN number (which you cant do unless you own the car) and other similar info.

So i may be gettin a gti tomorrow, and get the feeling im going to buy it only to be told later i cant have it...

any input is highly appreciated

thanks guy

-Daniel

[Jarred]

have you only just gotten your P's recently?

Then no, you can't drive a turbo car.

[Melbourne_VW_fan]

have you only just gotten your P's recently?

Then no, you can't drive a turbo car.

yes, i did get my p's in 2008. im currently on green P's...these exemptions brought in during 2009 are meant to allow some turbos (4 cyclinders, non jap/grey imports) due to the fact they have 5 star safety ratings, and high green efficiency ratings.

Lower perfomance turbo or supercharged vehicles : VicRoads

[Diesel_vert]

...these exemptions brought in during 2009 are meant to allow some turbos (4 cyclinders, non jap/grey imports) due to the fact they have 5 star safety ratings, and high green efficiency ratings.

Yeah, but that doesn't diminish the fact that the GTI is a pretty capable car (i.e. fast).

And that's ultimately why VicRoads probably won't grant you an exemption. It doesn't mean you have to like it, but them's the breaks.

[Melbourne_VW_fan]

yeah..figured my chances arent that great. I know for a fact that the GT model is allowed, but they are pretty hard to find in melbourne. They are fairly quick cars too.

Have seen a fair few p-plates driving GTI's lately however. Not done up..just bone stock. Both guys and girls driving..which has led me to believe they are legal. A few of them had red P's..so i dont know what to believe.

As i said, a vic roads operator said he couldnt give me an answer, and the only way to find out was to lodge the exemption claim after i bought the car...i have found a great bargain on a GTI locally, and am going to see it tomorrow night...so you can understand the predicament im in.

Thanks for the input guys

[Melbourne_VW_fan]

think i may just have to go into vicroads in person tomorrow and demand an answer. im not risking 25 grand on their faulted rule system.
I know its not completely relevant, but im lookin at NSW's RTA exemption rules (apparently the toughest in the country) and the 3 door gti is banned, but not the 5 door...so maybe theres light at the end of the tunnel.

Ill be going into vicroads office locally tomorrow, and ill keep you guys posted on my result.

At this stage however..not looking very promising..

[Diesel_vert]

Have seen a fair few p-plates driving GTI's lately however. Not done up..just bone stock. Both guys and girls driving..which has led me to believe they are legal. A few of them had red P's..so i dont know what to believe.

Here is a possible explanation (see link):

Exemption to drive a probationary prohibited vehicle

1. Automatic Exemption

The Road Safety (Drivers) Regulations 2009, automatically exempt a probationary driver, from the probationary prohibited vehicle restrictions, who is driving the vehicle in the course of his or her employment and at his or her employer’s request or is self employed and an Australian Business Number (ABN) is in force in relation to the person's business. No exemption document is required from VicRoads in these circumstances. However, the onus is on the driver to provide evidence to the police if requested.

A person is not permitted to drive the vehicle at any time for social reasons or reasons unrelated to work. In these cases the onus is upon the driver to provide evidence to the police that his or her driving is work connected.

A member of the police force who is the holder of a probationary car licence and the holder of an approved Driver Certificate Endorsement for a vehicle of that class is authorised to drive a probationary prohibited vehicle in the course of duty. No exemption document is required from VicRoads.

[Jarred]

you'll have to get an exemption then I believe. But good luck with that, unless there is proper good reason why you 'need' to have the car or what ever. Unfortunately the GTI isn't really considered a family car, it is badged a GTI and most insurance companies would consider it a performance car.

Going to vicroads in person & getting an answer is probs the best option though! good luck!

[DJdt]

Not on this list... but I don't know if that means anything - Fun P plate legal cars - OCAU Wiki

How much longer do you have on your P's?

[99_FGT]

Have seen a fair few p-plates driving GTI's lately however. Not done up..just bone stock. Both guys and girls driving..which has led me to believe they are legal. A few of them had red P's..so i dont know what to believe.

Other reason may be that it is the family's only car, but the onus is on you to prove that.
There is a similar thread about this in the 6R polo thread as well, and there was mention of it not being applicable as it is a "sports variant".
Al..

[stickshift3000]

exemptions brought in during 2009 are meant to allow some turbos (4 cyclinders, non jap/grey imports) due to the fact they have 5 star safety ratings, and high green efficiency ratings.

The exemptions were brought in to allow young farmers to drive turbo diesel utes etc. In vicroads' haste they probably didn't realise just how many pedestrian turbo cars there were out there when setting teh original regulations...

The only way you'll know what you can drive (if it fits the eligible power/weight category) is to apply for an exemtion. And the result probably depends what sort of mood the officer is in who's looking at your application...

[mattchu]

I drive the TFSI Jetta on my red p's and I applied and recieved an exemption from vicroads.

I really am not sure if you will be granted an exemption due to the fact the GTI is a known sports car and although it is used as a family car and has four doors they will probably look at the sports car tag first. I think my exemption was granted on the basis that the Jetta isnt considered a sports car, but the rules are ridiculous as the Jetta can go just about as fast as the GTI...

[geralis32]

The only way you are going to find out is by sending in form, some of my mates have struggled to get it for big family cars, yet I managed to get an exemption for an 08 Audi S3 and I have been driving that for a while and I'm only 20

[Melbourne_VW_fan]

Thanks for all the input guys.

Yea, went into the vic roads office in person today, the guy gave me the same answer as when i called up: "looks like you satisfy all the fields..and while the gti is the sportier model..the r32 would be the true sports model..." but they also said they couldnt give me a definite answer..as its completely up to the exemption assessors.

I went and checked out a local gti for sale tonight, which is only making me more anxious about the whole situation. The owner was a nice guy and filled out the form for me regarding his VIN and engine numbers, i am sending the form off tomorrow.

Vicroads said i can call them, and they can check on the progress of the application in 3-4 working days, rather than waiting a few weeks to get a letter back.

fingers crossed at this point!

[VW Central]

Thanks for all the input guys.

Yea, went into the vic roads office in person today, the guy gave me the same answer as when i called up: "looks like you satisfy all the fields..and while the gti is the sportier model..the r32 would be the true sports model..." but they also said they couldnt give me a definite answer..as its completely up to the exemption assessors.

I went and checked out a local gti for sale tonight, which is only making me more anxious about the whole situation. The owner was a nice guy and filled out the form for me regarding his VIN and engine numbers, i am sending the form off tomorrow.

Vicroads said i can call them, and they can check on the progress of the application in 3-4 working days, rather than waiting a few weeks to get a letter back.

fingers crossed at this point!

And then as soon as you get it ECU flash and that takes it over the power to weight limit