Category: Northern Territory

Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Northern Territory is one of only two places in Australia where health professionals have a legal duty to report drivers who may be unsafe. Under section 11 of the NT Motor Vehicles Act 1949, a doctor, occupational therapist, optometrist or physiotherapist who reasonably believes a licensed patient is physically or mentally unable to drive safely must notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in writing. You also have your own duty: NT law requires drivers and intending drivers, including learners, to tell the Registrar about any medical condition that could affect safe driving.

This page explains the law, not your health. Ask your doctor whether your condition affects your driving.

Who must report in the NT

Who	Duty	Where it comes from
You (or your personal representative)	Notify the Registrar of a physical or mental incapacity that may affect your ability to drive safely	Motor Vehicles Act s.11(3); the NT handbook applies it to intending drivers too
Medical practitioners	Must notify the Registrar in writing if they reasonably believe a patient they examined is licensed and unsafe or unfit to drive	s.11(4)
Occupational therapists, optometrists and physiotherapists	Same duty as doctors (registered practitioners only, not students)	s.11(1A) and s.11(4)

The notice must give the patient’s name, address and the nature of the incapacity or unfitness. A practitioner who reports in good faith is not civilly or criminally liable, and is not in breach of any professional code of conduct, for doing so (s.11(5)).

What this means for learner drivers

• Declare at application. When you apply for your learner licence, you must say whether any medical condition could affect your driving. Depending on the condition, you may need a fitness-to-drive assessment by a health professional.
• The Registrar can ask for an exam. Section 11(2) lets the Registrar require an applicant or licence holder, including a learner, to be examined by an approved practitioner if the Registrar thinks they may be unfit.
• An on-road assessment may be needed. Some conditions require an on-road driving assessment with an occupational therapist.
• Most people still get licensed. The NT handbook says very few conditions prevent a licence being issued, and conditions such as wearing glasses or driving only automatic cars are common.

What conditions does this cover?

The NT handbook says to notify the Registrar of any medical condition, “including disability, mental illness or eyesight”, that could affect your ability to drive safely and legally. Having a condition is not the test; the question is whether it could affect safe driving. National standards for specific conditions are explained in driving with a medical condition or disability in Australia.

Licences with conditions

Section 11A of the Act lets the Registrar issue a licence to a person with a physical disability on conditions the Registrar thinks appropriate. A condition may limit you to:

• a specified kind of vehicle, or
• a vehicle specially built or adapted for you.

The Registrar can also exempt a person with a disability from specified provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act or the Traffic Act, by endorsement on the licence.

What happens after a report

1. The Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) reviews the report.
2. You may be asked for a medical examination by an approved practitioner, or an on-road assessment.
3. MVR decides whether to issue, renew, suspend or cancel your licence, or issue a conditional licence. Decisions consider both health and driving performance.

Remote communities

If you live in a remote community, getting to a GP, OT or optometrist for an assessment can take time. Start early, and ask MVR what can be done locally. Licensing in remote areas is covered in getting a licence in remote NT communities.

Contact

For questions about medical fitness, call MVR on 1300 654 628 or ask your health professional.

Related guides

• Driving with a medical condition or disability in Australia (series overview)
• Learning to drive in the Northern Territory
• NT learner licence rules
• South Australia health professional reporting
• Medical conditions and fitness to drive: reporting in each state

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, Motor Vehicles Act 1949 (as in force at 18 November 2025), sections 11 and 11A (legislation.nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook” (August 2020), Medical fitness to hold a licence (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Chris Olszewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you live in a remote Northern Territory community, you can get your learner, provisional and full licence through the DriveSafe NT remote program, which visits communities on a schedule. If you are not in the program, your local police station handles the eye test, theory test, driving test and fees. This guide sets out both routes step by step. The licence rules themselves are the same as everywhere in the NT: see learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

Two ways to get a licence in a remote community

Step	DriveSafe NT remote program	Not in DriveSafe NT
Learn the road rules	Attend a theory class	Online modules and practice test on the DriveSafe NT website
Eye test, theory test, photo	With DriveSafe NT staff	At your local police station
Learner licence fee	Covered	Pay at the police station
Driving lessons	With trained supervisor drivers, where available	With your own supervising driver
Driving test	With a DriveSafe NT testing officer, in their car or your registered car	At your local police station, in a registered car with L plates
Provisional licence fee	Covered	Pay at the police station, in cash

How to join a DriveSafe NT remote visit

The DriveSafe NT remote team visits communities on a schedule. Find the next visit:

• on the DriveSafe NT website
• on the Bushtel website
• on posters around your community

At the visit you fill in forms with a DriveSafe staff member, who also tells you the lesson times. Staff can help if you have trouble providing evidence of identity and residency. You can also phone DriveSafe NT on 1800 121 411 or email [email protected]. More on the program: DriveSafe NT.

Step 1: get your learner licence

Through DriveSafe NT

1. Attend a theory class.
2. Provide your identification documents.
3. Pass the eyesight test.
4. Have your photo taken.

At a police station

1. Work through the online modules on the DriveSafe NT website and do the online practice test. The modules come in English and with instruction in Warlpiri, Yolngu Matha, Murrinh Patha and Kriol.
2. At the police station, pass the eyesight test and the theory test, pay the learner licence fee and have your photo taken.

Either way, your learner licence comes by mail. You need to be at least 16. The theory test has 30 questions and you need 26 correct: see NT driver knowledge test.

Step 2: learn to drive

Learner conditions in remote areas are the same as in town:

• zero blood alcohol
• no faster than 80 km/h
• L plates on the front and rear
• a full Australian licence holder (an adult relative, a friend or an instructor) in the front passenger seat at all times

You must hold your Ls for at least 6 continuous months before the driving test. Practise by day, at night and in the rain. The recommended total is about 100 hours: 20 or more on the controls and another 80 to become a low-risk driver. Full rules: NT learner licence rules.

Remote roads bring hazards town learners may not see much of: unsealed roads, dust, road trains, stock and floodwater. Read outback and remote driving with your supervisor.

Step 3: take the driving test

With DriveSafe NT, a testing officer runs the test, and you drive either their car or your registered car. Bring your learner licence.

If you are not in DriveSafe NT, driving tests in remote areas are held at your local police station. Bring:

• your learner licence
• a registered car in good working order, with L plates on display
• an adult driver to go with you

The test takes about 40 minutes, with the testing officer in the front passenger seat. They check your observation (mirrors and blind spots), speed management, road positioning, response to hazards and vehicle control. You will not pass if you:

• fail to give way
• fail to stop at a stop sign, even with no other traffic around
• drive without due care or attention, or dangerously
• go over the speed limit
• make the testing officer step in to prevent a crash or danger
• fail or refuse to follow reasonable directions

You get the result at the end. The full test standard, including manoeuvres, is in the NT practical driving test.

Step 4: your provisional licence

DriveSafe NT participants do not pay for their provisional licence. Everyone else pays the fee at the police station in cash. The licence comes by mail with the same photo as your learner licence. You stay on Ps for 2 years if you are under 25, or 1 year if you are 25 or older. Conditions: zero alcohol, 100 km/h maximum, P plates front and rear. See NT P plate rules.

Step 5: upgrade to a full licence

A renewal notice should arrive four to six weeks before your provisional licence expires. You pay the full licence fee, unless you qualify for the free 10-year licence: 12 months or more on an NT provisional licence with no infringements or suspensions, and you apply in the last six weeks of your Ps or within six months after. The free 10-year licence is only issued at an MVR office.

Common questions

Do I have to travel to Darwin or Alice Springs to get a licence?

No. You can do every step through a DriveSafe NT remote visit or at your local police station. Only the free 10-year full licence must be issued at an MVR office.

What if I do not have ID documents?

DriveSafe NT staff can advise you on providing evidence of identity and residency.

Can I use my family’s car for the test?

Yes, if it is registered and in good working order. At a police station test it must also have L plates.

Can I pay the police station by card?

The NT Government page says to pay the provisional licence fee at the police station using cash. Check with your station before you go.

I have unpaid fines. Can I still get a licence?

Unpaid fines can stop you getting a licence. Call the Fines Recovery Unit on 1800 111 530 about a payment plan.

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, “Driver licences for remote residents” (nt.gov.au)
• DriveSafe NT, “Everything you need to know about DriveSafe” (drivesafe.nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)

Photo: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The NT Road Users’ Handbook is the official book for the Northern Territory driver knowledge test. The handbook says questions can come from any section. The current edition is the Fifth Edition, August 2020, a free 172-page PDF from the NT Government that can also be downloaded in eight sections. This study guide summarises each section in plain English, points out the NT-specific rules learners most often miss, and links to a deeper guide for each topic. It is part of the guide to learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

Is the 2020 handbook still current?

As of November 2026 the NT Government still links the August 2020 Fifth Edition. Some newer documents have since been updated, such as A Guide to the Driving Test (2nd Edition, April 2026). Where a web page and the handbook differ, follow the current NT Government web page and check with the MVR on 1300 654 628. Example: the speed limits page adds an instructor exception to the 80 km/h learner limit that the handbook does not mention.

How to study it

1. Read sections 2, 5 and 7 closely: licences, general road rules and penalties carry most of the hard facts.
2. Read sections 3 and 4 for the safe-driving questions, and for your driving test.
3. Test yourself with the official Class C question bank PDF and the free online practice test. Details: NT driver knowledge test.

Important information (front pages)

• Tell the MVR within 14 days if your name, address or other details change, or if a licence or number plate is lost or stolen.
• Demerit limits: 5 points in 12 months or 12 in 3 years for learners and P platers, and 12 in 3 years for full licence holders.
• Living in the NT for 3 months makes you a resident, and you must transfer an interstate licence. A current one transfers free.
• Carry your licence whenever you drive. Supervisors must carry theirs too.
• Your photo is stored and must be updated every 10 years.
• Privacy: the MVR keeps your photo, licence and registration history, and can share it with police, other government bodies and the national driver and vehicle database as the law allows.
• Check a used car for money owing on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR), and check its ANCAP safety rating.

Section 1: how to use the handbook

It explains the eight sections and confirms that test questions can come from any of them.

Section 2: licences

• The four stages: learner licence, at least 6 months of supervised driving, the practical test, then the provisional licence (2 years under 25, 1 year at 25 or over).
• Licence classes: C (cars up to 4.5 tonnes GVM), LR, MR, HR, HC, MC and R.
• Medical fitness: you must tell the Registrar about any condition that could affect your driving.
• Organ donation: your NT licence does not record it. Register your decision on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
• Learner rules: zero alcohol, 80 km/h, L plates, a full licence holder beside you, no phone at all. See NT learner licence rules.
• DriveSafe NT: see DriveSafe NT.
• The practical test and P plate rules: see the NT practical driving test and NT P plate rules.

Section 3: road safety

• Phones: fully licensed drivers may only make or take audio calls, or use navigation, with the phone in a commercial mount or usable without touching. Learners and P platers cannot use a phone at all.
• Other distractions: the handbook lists talking with passengers, tuning the radio, listening to music, smoking, eating or drinking, shaving, applying make-up, reading a map, and events outside the car. For the phone rules see NT P plate rules and phone rules for L and P platers in each state.
• Duty of care: every road user must avoid crashing or causing a crash. You must not drive without due care or without consideration for others, and you can be held accountable for a crash even if you broke no road rule.
• Speeding: you can be speeding below the limit if conditions are poor.
• Alcohol and drugs: only time lowers your blood alcohol. Read medicine labels for driving warnings. See zero alcohol for learners and P platers.
• Fatigue: stop and rest as soon as you feel drowsy. See driver fatigue.
• Passengers: as the driver you must make sure every passenger is in a seatbelt or approved child restraint. Never carry more people than there are seatbelts, anyone in a ute tray, the boot or a trailer, or anyone with part of their body outside the car. Noisy passengers or friends urging you to take risks are a distraction, so limit numbers and agree the ground rules before you set off. See seatbelts and child car seats.
• Night driving: you see less and animals are more active. Slow down so you can stop within the distance your headlights show, and dip to low beam for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle. See headlights and high beam.
• Crashes and first aid: you must stop if you are involved in a crash. If you come across one and help has not arrived, call 000. The handbook recommends a first aid course (St John Ambulance NT and Red Cross run them, and St John has a free online crash-scene course called First@Scene). See what to do after a crash.
• Sharing the road with pedestrians, trucks and buses, cyclists, motorcyclists and ridden animals. A motorised wheelchair that cannot go over 10 km/h counts as a pedestrian. Users sit lower than most pedestrians, so they are easy to miss: look for them at crossings and driveways and give them extra time.

Section 4: safe driving

This section matches what the driving examiner scores. NT-specific points:

• Road trains: they can weigh over 115 tonnes, travel at up to 100 km/h and be up to 53.5 metres long. When overtaking one, wait until you see both its headlights in your mirror before moving back. See sharing the road with trucks and road trains.
• Long vehicles: a vehicle over 7.5 metres, including a car towing a caravan, must stay at least 200 metres behind another long vehicle.
• Following distance: about 3 seconds, doubled to at least 6 seconds on wet or slippery roads.
• Speed management: drive at a speed that lets you stop within the clear distance ahead. If you cannot see at least 5 seconds ahead, slow down. Brake rather than swerve when something appears.
• Crash avoidance space: keep clear space all around the car by adjusting your speed and position. To the front you need about 3 seconds: roughly 1.5 to react and 1.5 to respond. Allow more in rain or darkness, and leave space when stopped behind another vehicle so you can steer around it.
• Rollovers are a major cause of NT road deaths. If you drift off the seal, slow gradually and ease back on without braking. Never swerve at speed for an animal.
• Animals: many NT roads are unfenced. Expect cattle, kangaroos, pigs, camels and large birds, especially at dawn, dusk and night. See kangaroos and wildlife.
• Long-range driving: avoid driving more than 10 hours a day and stop at least every two hours. Rest areas are every 80 to 120 km on major roads. See driver fatigue.
• Road conditions: corrugations, dust, bushfire smoke in the dry season (May to October), floodwater and crocodiles, and what to do if you are bogged. See outback and remote driving.
• Tyres: at least 1.5 mm of tread.
• Techniques: posture, seatbelts worn low, flat and firm, two-stage braking, push-pull or hand-over-hand steering, driver assist systems and eco driving.

Section 5: general road rules

The NT applies the Australian Road Rules, so most of this section matches other states: see the Australian Road Rules explained. NT points to know:

• Speed limits: 60 km/h default in built-up areas, 110 km/h outside them, 130 km/h on signed sections of the Stuart, Barkly, Victoria and Arnhem highways. See NT speed limits explained.
• Alcohol limits: zero for learners, P platers and full licence holders on a Z condition. Under 0.05 for other full licence holders.
• Wig wags: flashing early-warning lights before some intersections, warning that the signals ahead are about to change. Slow down when they flash, even if the lights ahead are green.
• Left turn on red only where a “left turn on red permitted after stopping” sign is shown, giving way to traffic from the right.
• Processions: you must not interfere with or interrupt a funeral cortege or an authorised procession, or any vehicle or person forming part of it. Always obey police directions.
• Stock signs, injured animals and warning triangles for crashes and breakdowns. Place a triangle 50 to 150 metres behind your car, and keep a high-visibility vest in the car to wear at the roadside.
• Bridges: many are narrow. If you think two vehicles cannot fit, give way to the other driver, and slow down on bridges only wide enough for two.
• Give way, turning, roundabouts, traffic lights, markings, signs, lanes, overtaking, parking, lights, emergency vehicles, level crossings, towing and crashes. See giving way, roundabouts, road signs and parking.

Section 6: vehicle registration

• Compulsory third party (CTP) insurance is paid with your registration. The NT scheme is no-fault and is run by the Motor Accidents Compensation Commission (MACC). It does not cover damage to cars or property.
• Benefits are cut by 25 per cent for not wearing a seatbelt. Driving unregistered or unlicensed removes some benefits.
• Driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence, and you can be personally liable for injuries.
• Renewal notices arrive about five weeks before expiry. If an inspection is required, an Authorised Inspector does it, then you renew online or in the NTREGO app.
• Number plates must be readable from 20 metres within a 45-degree arc. Bike racks that cover the plate need a bike rack plate.
• Police or transport inspectors can issue defect notices for unroadworthy vehicles.

Section 7: penalties

• Demerit points, fines, suspension, disqualification and, for serious offences, prison.
• Speeding penalties rise with how far over the limit you are.
• Hooning (street races, burnouts, damaging road surfaces): police can seize your vehicle on the spot for up to 48 hours.
• Drink driving penalties rise with your alcohol level and any previous offences, and can include lifetime disqualification. Repeat offenders go on the alcohol ignition lock program.
• Unpaid fines go to the Fines Recovery Unit, which can have your licence and registration suspended.

Section 8: glossary and MVR offices

Definitions of handbook terms, plus MVR contact details. The MVR Contact Centre is 1300 654 628.

Common questions

Where do I get the NT Road Users’ Handbook?

It is free as a PDF on the NT Government website, either in full or in sections. You can also buy a printed copy at an MVR office.

Is everything on the knowledge test in the handbook?

Yes. The handbook says all the information you need to pass is in it, and that any section can be tested.

Is there a separate book for learning to drive?

Yes. The NT Learner Drivers’ Guide (January 2020) has step-by-step driving procedures and an optional logbook. A Guide to the Driving Test (April 2026) explains the practical test.

Which parts are unique to the NT?

The licence rules, the 130 km/h highway sections, road trains, the 200 metre gap for long vehicles, wig wags, unfenced roads with stock, and the wet and dry season hazards.

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook” download page (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Speed limits” (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Learner Drivers’ Guide”, Second Edition, January 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Class C Knowledge Test” question bank, January 2021 (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Bidgee, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Northern Territory speed limits default to 60 km/h in built-up areas and 110 km/h outside them, and some sections of four highways are signed at 130 km/h. Learners are capped at 80 km/h and P platers at 100 km/h, whatever the sign says. This guide covers every NT limit a learner needs, from school zones and school buses to cameras and unsigned outback roads. It is part of the guide to learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

NT speed limits at a glance

Where or who	Limit
Built-up area, no sign	60 km/h, unless the town has gazetted a lower default (many use 50 km/h or less)
Outside built-up areas, no sign	110 km/h
Signed sections of the Stuart, Barkly, Victoria and Arnhem highways	130 km/h
School zone, on school days during signed times	40 km/h
Local traffic area	40 km/h
Shared zone	Often 10 km/h. Give way to all pedestrians.
Roadworks	As signed, and enforceable
Learner drivers	80 km/h maximum
Provisional drivers	100 km/h maximum
Buses over 5 tonnes GVM and other heavy vehicles over 12 tonnes GVM	100 km/h maximum

Learner and P plate speed limits

Your licence limit applies on every road, even a 110 or 130 km/h highway. Where the posted limit is lower than your licence limit, the posted limit applies.

• Learners: 80 km/h. The NT Government speed limits page says this applies “unless accompanied by a licensed driving instructor”. The handbook and licence page give no exception, so check with the MVR before relying on it. Going over the learner limit on your driving test is a fail item. More: NT learner licence rules.
• P platers: 100 km/h. More: NT P plate rules.

On a 110 or 130 km/h road you will be slower than most traffic. Keep left, use overtaking lanes as intended (stay in the left lane unless overtaking), and let faster vehicles pass.

Which NT roads are 130 km/h?

The NT Government lists sections of the Stuart, Barkly, Victoria and Arnhem highways as having a 130 km/h maximum “as indicated”. The 130 km/h limit applies only where it is signposted. The NT Government does not publish a list of the exact stretches on its speed limits page, and limits on sections can change, so always follow the signs. Learners and P platers cannot drive at 130 km/h.

What counts as a built-up area?

A built-up area has buildings next to the road no more than 100 metres apart, or street lights less than 100 metres apart for at least 500 metres (or the whole road if it is shorter). If the town uses a lower default such as 50 km/h, you will see a sign on each road into it.

Roads with no speed signs

Many unsealed and remote roads have no speed signs. The default limit for that area or road type still applies, but you should drive to the conditions. On dirt and gravel, vehicles take longer to stop and are more likely to skid or roll over, and dust can hide ruts and potholes. See outback and remote driving.

Regulatory and advisory signs

• Regulatory signs: white with the number in a red circle. This is the legal maximum.
• Advisory signs: yellow, often before curves, bends and crests. They show a recommended maximum for an average car in good conditions.

Driving needlessly slower than the limit and conditions allow is also an offence under the handbook.

School zones and school buses

• School zones are 40 km/h between the school zone and end school zone signs, on gazetted school days and only at the times on the sign.
• Take extra care passing stationary buses from 7am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 5pm.
• When a bus shows flashing orange lights, it is picking up or dropping off school children. The handbook recommends 40 km/h or less. If the bus shows a speed limit sign between the lights, that limit is enforceable while the lights flash. The lights keep flashing for about 30 seconds after the doors close.
• On the NT driving test, exceeding 40 km/h past a bus with flashing lights is a fail item.

How school zones differ across Australia: school zones in every state.

Speed and red-light cameras in the NT

Fixed speed cameras, combined safety cameras (speed and red light) and mobile speed camera vans operate across the NT. Penalties for speeding include fines, demerit points and suspension, and they increase the further over the limit you are. On Ls or Ps, 5 demerit points in 12 months suspends your licence.

Why a few km/h matters

The handbook gives a worked example. Two cars, one at 60 km/h and one at 65 km/h, brake at the same point for a truck 38 metres ahead. The 60 km/h car hits it at 5 km/h. The 65 km/h car hits it at 32 km/h.

Common questions

Is there an open speed limit in the NT?

No. The handbook says all NT roads have a speed limit. Unsigned rural roads and highways default to 110 km/h, and the highest posted limit is 130 km/h on signed sections.

Can P platers drive 110 km/h in the NT?

No. Provisional drivers are limited to 100 km/h.

How fast can learners drive in the NT?

80 km/h, or the posted limit if it is lower.

Are school zone times the same everywhere in the NT?

The times are shown on each school zone sign. Always read the sign.

How fast do road trains travel?

Up to 100 km/h, and they can be up to 53.5 metres long. See sharing the road with trucks and road trains.

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, “Speed limits” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Demerit points” (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

DriveSafe NT is the Northern Territory Government’s driver education and licensing program. For a $110 enrolment fee, you get more than $600 in subsidies: theory classes, your L and P licence and test fees, ten $50 lesson vouchers and two attempts at the practical driving test. It is open to any Territory resident aged 16 or over. This guide explains what is included, how to enrol and each step from Theory One to your Ps. For the full licence path, see learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

What DriveSafe NT includes

• A participant pack: the Participant Handbook and Driving Log, and the Road Users’ Handbook
• Theory classes and road safety lessons
• Learner and provisional licence and test fees (car hire is not included)
• Ten e-vouchers worth $50 each towards lessons with an approved driving instructor
• Two attempts at the Practical Driving Assessment (the driving test)
• A 30-minute St John Ambulance NT online driver first aid course
• Online tools to track your progress

Lesson prices are set by each instructor. You pay anything above the $50 voucher directly to the instructor.

Is DriveSafe NT worth it?

Compare the enrolment fee with the standard costs it replaces (as of November 2026):

Cost	Without DriveSafe	With DriveSafe
Enrolment	None	$110
Theory test	$20 per attempt	Included
Learner licence	$29	Included (first issue)
Provisional licence	$61 (under 25) or $40 (25 and over)	Included
Practical test	Set by the examiner	Two attempts included
Driving lessons	Full price	$500 in vouchers off

If you plan to take paid lessons, the vouchers alone are worth far more than the enrolment fee. The trade-off is structure: you must attend theory classes and complete set driving competencies before you can test.

Where DriveSafe NT runs

The DriveSafe NT website lists Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, plus remote locations and communities. The NT Government licence page describes the urban program for Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs. If you live outside the main towns, call DriveSafe NT on 1800 121 411 or read getting a licence in remote NT communities.

How to enrol

1. Gather your evidence of identity and evidence of NT residency documents.
2. Fill in a DriveSafe NT enrolment form.
3. Fill in an L1 application for an NT driver licence.
4. Take the forms and the $110 enrolment fee to a Motor Vehicle Registry office, or a post office with MVR functions. You cannot enrol online.
5. Keep your receipt. The customer ID on it is your username for the DriveSafe NT portal, and your PIN arrives by text or email.

The DriveSafe NT steps, from enrolment to Ps

1. Theory One class. Book it in the portal. It runs over two nights (three hours each, Wednesday and Thursday) or for six hours on a Saturday. Pass it and your learner licence receipt is emailed to you the next morning. The card arrives by post in 2 to 4 weeks.
2. First five e-vouchers. Request them in the portal, one per week. Each voucher is valid for 72 hours, so request it on the morning of your lesson. Unused vouchers go back into your account.
3. Driving competencies 1 to 11 with an approved instructor, recorded in your Driving Log.
4. First aid course. Complete the 30-minute online course and save the certificate.
5. Theory Two class. Three hours on a Thursday afternoon or a Saturday. Bring your first aid certificate. It covers responsible and safe driver behaviour, hazard perception, registration and insurance, and what to do if you see a crash.
6. Last five e-vouchers and driving competencies 12 to 23.
7. Practical Driving Assessment. You become eligible once you have held your Ls for 6 continuous months and finished both theory classes and all 23 competencies. You can attempt it twice under the program. After you pass, your provisional licence receipt is emailed the next morning.

The program is designed to fit the 6-month minimum learner period, but the handbook says you can take up to two years to finish it. You cannot fast-track: the 6-month rule is set by NT law. How the assessment works: the NT practical driving test.

What is not covered

• Lesson costs above $50 per voucher
• Hire of the assessor’s vehicle for the driving assessment
• A third or later test attempt, plus extra lessons, car hire and the provisional licence fee after that point

Common questions

Can I join DriveSafe NT if I already have my Ls?

Yes. Take your learner licence, the enrolment form and the fee to an MVR office. You attend the first theory class but skip the knowledge test, and your vouchers unlock afterwards. Your new learner licence is backdated to your original issue date, and its expiry is extended.

Do I still need to study the handbook?

Yes. The Learner Drivers’ Guide says to study the Road Users’ Handbook even if you go through DriveSafe NT. Use the NT handbook study guide.

Can I pick my own driving school?

Most NT driving schools are registered with DriveSafe NT, and the program lists approved instructors. You can change instructors at any time. Book lessons directly with the instructor.

Can I join if I have a drink or drug driving charge?

You may not be eligible. Contact the MVR to check, as you might need to do a drink and drug driver education course first.

Are there lessons in Aboriginal languages?

DriveSafe NT’s online learning modules come in English and with instruction in Warlpiri, Yolngu Matha, Murrinh Patha and Kriol.

How do I contact DriveSafe NT?

Phone 1800 121 411 or email [email protected].

Sources

• DriveSafe NT, “Everything you need to know about DriveSafe” (drivesafe.nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver and rider licence fees” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Learner Drivers’ Guide”, Second Edition, January 2020 (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Cuddy Wifter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On Northern Territory P plates you must keep to 100 km/h, have zero alcohol, display red P plates and use no mobile phone function at all, not even hands-free. You hold your Ps for 2 years if you are under 25, or 1 year if you are 25 or older. This guide covers every provisional condition in the NT, the automatic-only rule, demerit limits and how to get a free 10-year full licence. It is part of the guide to learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

NT provisional licence conditions

Rule	NT P plater requirement
Speed	100 km/h maximum, even on 110 or 130 km/h roads. Obey lower limits where signed.
Alcohol	Zero blood or breath alcohol
P plates	Front and rear of the vehicle, with the letter P not hidden. Also on the back of any trailer.
Mobile phone	No use of any function of a phone or other communication device, including hands-free and loudspeaker
Screens	No TV or visual display unit operating where you or other drivers can see it
Seatbelts	You must make sure every passenger is wearing a seatbelt or approved restraint
Supervising	You must not supervise a learner driver
Licence	Carry your provisional licence every time you drive
Towing	Allowed, with a P plate on the back of the trailer

The NT has one P stage. There is no P1 and P2 split, no passenger limit and no night curfew in the NT handbook or on the NT licence pages. Compare other states in P plate rules in every state.

P plate display rules

• A red letter P on a white background, at least 150 mm by 150 mm.
• Clearly visible at the front and rear (rear only on a motorcycle). Upright mounting is recommended.
• In a window, make sure tint, louvres, spoilers or a load in a ute tray do not hide the plate.
• Remove the plates when someone who is not a provisional driver is driving.

Why 100 km/h matters on NT roads

The NT default limit outside built-up areas is 110 km/h, and some highway sections are 130 km/h. As a P plater you stay at 100 km/h on all of them. Road trains can also travel at up to 100 km/h, so expect to share the road with them at similar speeds. See NT speed limits explained and sharing the road with trucks and road trains.

Passed in an automatic? The A condition

If you pass your test in an automatic, your provisional licence carries an automatic-only condition for the first 12 months. During that time you can drive a manual only if a full licence holder supervises you. After 12 months you can have the condition removed at an MVR office. To drive a manual alone sooner, pass the driving test again in a manual car with a foot-operated clutch.

Demerit points and losing your Ps

Your provisional licence is suspended at 5 or more demerit points in any 12 months, or 12 or more in any 3 years.

Points reached	Suspension
5 to 8	3 months
9 to 12	4 months
13 or more	5 months

• A suspension is added to the end of your provisional period.
• If your licence is cancelled, the full provisional period starts again when it is reissued.
• A court can order an extra provisional period for some traffic offences.
• Points do not reset when you upgrade. Points from your Ps can still suspend your licence after you go to a full licence.
• Instead of serving a suspension, you may be eligible for a 12-month good driving behaviour option.

Moving to a full licence

When your provisional period ends, you can upgrade to an open C class licence. You pay the full licence fee unless you qualify for the free licence.

Free 10-year licence for safe novice drivers

You can get a free 10-year open licence if you:

• held an NT provisional licence continuously for 12 months or more
• have no traffic infringements or suspensions
• apply in the last six weeks of your provisional licence, or no later than six months after it expires

It is only issued at an MVR office. As of November 2026, a paid 10-year open licence costs $210.

Zero alcohol continues (the Z condition)

After your Ps you must keep to zero alcohol for a further 12 months or until you turn 25, whichever comes first. The condition stays on your licence until you apply to remove it, which you can do once you are 25 or have held your open licence for 12 months. More: zero alcohol for learners and P platers.

Common questions

How long are you on your Ps in the NT?

2 years if you are under 25 when you get them, 1 year if you are 25 or older.

Can NT P platers use a phone for maps?

No. Provisional drivers cannot use any function of a mobile phone while driving, including navigation, hands-free and loudspeaker.

Can I carry passengers on my NT Ps?

The NT handbook and licence pages set no passenger limit for provisional drivers. You must make sure every passenger wears a seatbelt or approved restraint.

Can I teach my sibling to drive on my Ps?

No. Only a full Australian licence holder can supervise a learner.

What does a provisional licence cost in the NT?

As of November 2026: $61 for 2 years (under 25) or $40 for 1 year (25 and over). DriveSafe NT participants do not pay.

Do my NT P plate rules apply interstate?

Rules differ between states. Read driving interstate on L or P plates before a trip.

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Demerit points” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver and rider licence fees” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Speed limits” (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Kgbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The NT practical driving test is a recorded drive of about 40 minutes with an authorised driving examiner. It includes three compulsory manoeuvres: a reverse parallel park, a three-point turn and a kerbside stop or hill start. To pass you need at least 90 per cent and no fail items. This guide explains how to book, what the examiner scores, the exact manoeuvre standards from the Northern Territory’s official guide, and every way you can fail. It is part of the guide to learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

Before you can book

• You must have held your NT learner licence continuously for at least 6 months. A test taken while your licence is suspended, cancelled or expired is not valid.
• You must test at a location nearest to where you usually live. You can ask for an exemption if, for example, you study or work full time elsewhere in the NT.
• DriveSafe NT participants must also finish the program requirements first: see DriveSafe NT.

How to book an NT driving test

You book directly with an authorised driving examiner approved by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. The NT Government lists examiners, their phone numbers, whether you can use your own car and whether they hire out cars (manual, automatic or both) for:

• Darwin City, Casuarina and Palmerston
• Alice Springs
• Katherine
• Nhulunbuy, Yulara, Tennant Creek and Jabiru (planned visits only, so contact the examiner for dates)

The MVR sets the minimum test fee, but each examiner sets their own price, and car hire costs extra. DriveSafe NT participants do not pay the test fee. Never offer an examiner extra money or gifts: bribery is against the law and ends the test. Remote residents can test through DriveSafe NT or at a police station: see remote NT licensing.

Your test car checklist

If you use your own car, the examiner checks it before you start. It must be registered and roadworthy, with L plates displayed. It cannot be used if it has:

• missing or broken seatbelts
• broken, dirty or discoloured indicators or brake lights
• a cracked windscreen that blocks your view (minor cracks are allowed)
• unsafe tyres, damaged mirrors, missing door handles, badly damaged rims or missing wheel nuts
• large fluid leaks (air-conditioning drips are fine)
• dual brakes that do not work, or sharp edges from body damage
• a convertible roof that cannot be closed
• training aids that could help you, or loose objects in the cabin
• a prohibited driver assistance feature that cannot be switched off

The Learner Drivers’ Guide also says to check the speedometer works, as the test stops if it does not. Bring your current learner licence (or licence receipt plus photo ID) and arrive at least 10 minutes early.

Driver assistance (ADAS) you cannot use

Most driver assistance features can stay on, but you must show you can drive without them. Using any of these fails the test:

Prohibited feature	What it does
Lane centering assistance	Keeps the car centred in its lane
Adaptive intelligent speed assistance	Restricts the car to the speed limit
Cruise control and adaptive cruise control	Holds a set speed
Active parking assistance	Steers the car into a parking space
Active driving assistance (“autopilot”)	Takes control for short periods

You can glance at a reversing camera or sensors, but you must still use your mirrors and head checks.

What the examiner scores

The examiner directs you around the course, scores each zone and records any fail items. You are assessed on:

• Speed management: safe and legal speed, a gap of at least 3 seconds to the car ahead, slowing down if you cannot see 5 seconds ahead.
• Road positioning: keeping at least 1 metre of space from other vehicles and hazards where you can, and keeping left on crests and curves.
• Decision-making: choosing safe gaps without forcing others to brake. Turning down clearly safe gaps can also fail you.
• Responding to hazards: covering the brake, easing off, or moving away from a car that might pull out.
• Vehicle control: smooth steering, braking and gear changes, using the park brake properly and signalling in time.

Observation runs through everything. Head-check your blind spot when leaving or returning to the kerb, changing lanes, merging, turning, reversing and manoeuvring.

The three compulsory manoeuvres

Manoeuvre	Standard to meet
Reverse parallel park	No more than 4 direction changes. Reverse no more than 4 metres back from the rear of the car you park behind. Finish 1 to 2 metres from the car in front and parallel to the kerb (front and rear wheels within 10 cm of each other). Aim for under 50 cm from the kerb; more than 1 metre is a fail. Wheels must not touch the kerb or sit on parking lines. Active parking assistance must be off.
Three-point turn	No more than 5 direction changes, but use 3 if the road allows. Check left and right before every movement.
Kerbside stop or hill start	Parallel to the kerb (10 cm variance). Aim for under 50 cm from the kerb without touching it; more than 1 metre is a fail. Not on parking lines. Rolling back more than 50 cm when moving off is a fail.

Hitting or mounting the kerb at any point in the test is a fail.

Why you might fail: the fail items

A fail item means you do not pass, whatever your score. The test usually carries on so you get full feedback. The fail items are:

1. Disobeying signs, signals or markings: for example, not stopping within 1 metre of a stop line (with no part over it), going through a yellow light when you could safely stop, or crossing a continuous line unnecessarily.
2. Failing to give way: to traffic with priority, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, or a bus with a give way sign pulling out from a stop.
3. Colliding with anything: including mounting a traffic dome, the kerb or a roundabout.
4. An illegal act: such as an unlawful U-turn, the wrong lane at a roundabout, not wearing a seatbelt, or touching a phone or smart watch.
5. Exceeding the speed limit: including the 80 km/h learner limit, 40 km/h school zones, 40 km/h past a bus with flashing lights, and roadworks limits.
6. Examiner intervention: any verbal or physical help, even being told to release the handbrake.
7. Causing a potentially dangerous situation: unsafe overtaking, or giving way unnecessarily on a priority road.
8. Losing control: rolling back more than 50 cm, wheelspin, coasting in neutral or with the clutch down, or using a banned ADAS feature.
9. Wrong speed for conditions: too fast, too slow, or following too closely.
10. 3 or more signalling errors. Signal for at least 5 seconds before leaving the kerb.
11. Unreasonably obstructing others: such as entering an intersection when the road ahead is blocked.
12. A manoeuvre below standard (see the table above).
13. 3 or more missed observation checks.

Immediate fail and test termination

The examiner stops the test and records an immediate fail if you do something dangerous to the public or refuse to co-operate. The test is also ended if you are suspected of being affected by alcohol or drugs, offer a bribe, behave aggressively, there is a crash (whoever is at fault), the car is unsuitable or breaks down, you refuse to be recorded, you get outside help, or extreme weather makes it unsafe.

After the test

• The examiner tells you the result, gives general feedback and hands you a test sheet showing where to improve.
• Passed: take the test sheet to an MVR office and pay the provisional licence fee before your learner licence expires. The pass is valid for 12 months. If you tested in an automatic, you get an A condition for the first 12 months of your Ps. Next step: NT P plate rules.
• Failed: you cannot retest until the next day. The guide suggests waiting a few days to practise first.
• Let your supervisor drive home. Many learners find it hard to concentrate straight after the test.

Common questions

How long is the NT driving test?

About 40 minutes on the road.

What is the pass mark?

At least 90 per cent, with no fail items.

Is the NT driving test recorded?

Yes. Every test is filmed from start to finish, covering the road ahead and the inside of the car. The examiner must keep the recording for 6 months.

Can my supervisor sit in the back?

No. Only you, the examiner and, sometimes, an MVR licensing compliance officer can be in the car.

Can I use my reversing camera?

Yes, but you fail if you rely on it without checking your mirrors and looking around. Active parking assistance must be switched off.

How do I practise the manoeuvres?

The Learner Drivers’ Guide gives step-by-step procedures for each one. For parking rules in general, see parking rules in Australia.

Sources

• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Take a practical driving test with an authorised driving examiner” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Learner Drivers’ Guide”, Second Edition, January 2020 (nt.gov.au)

Photo: Cuddy Wifter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On a Northern Territory learner licence you must keep to 80 km/h, have zero alcohol, show L plates and have a full licence holder beside you every time you drive. There are no compulsory logbook hours, but the NT Government recommends about 100 hours of practice. This guide lists every learner condition, the rules for your supervisor, and what can get your Ls suspended. It is part of the guide to learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

NT learner licence conditions at a glance

Rule	What it means for you
Speed	80 km/h maximum, even on 110 or 130 km/h roads. Obey lower limits where signed.
Alcohol	Zero blood or breath alcohol. No alcoholic drinks or food containing alcohol before driving.
Supervisor	A full Australian licence holder in the front passenger seat at all times
L plates	Front and rear of the car, plus the back of any trailer
Mobile phone	No use of any function, including hands-free, loudspeaker and maps
Screens	No TV or visual display unit operating where you or other drivers can see it (mounted navigation and reversing screens excepted)
Seatbelts	You must make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt or approved restraint
Licence	Carry your learner licence every time you drive
Vehicle	Only the class your licence allows. No construction or agricultural vehicles on a C class learner licence.
Towing	Allowed, with an L plate on the back of the trailer

The 80 km/h learner limit

The handbook and the NT Government licence page set 80 km/h as the most you can drive on Ls, whatever the signs say. The NT Government speed limits page adds that the limit applies “unless accompanied by a licensed driving instructor”. That exception does not appear in the handbook, so if you plan to go faster than 80 km/h with an instructor, confirm it with the MVR first. Going over the learner limit on your driving test is a fail item. More on limits: NT speed limits explained.

L plate rules

• A black letter L on a yellow background, at least 150 mm by 150 mm.
• Clearly visible at the front and rear (rear only on a motorcycle). The handbook recommends mounting them upright, not flat on the bonnet or boot.
• A roof-mounted L sign does not replace the front and rear plates.
• If a plate is in a window, make sure tint, louvres, spoilers or a load in a ute tray do not hide it.
• Take the plates off when a fully licensed driver is driving.

Who can supervise a learner in the NT?

Your supervisor can be an adult relative, a friend or a driving instructor. They must:

• hold a current full Australian driver licence (not a learner, provisional or overseas licence)
• sit in the front passenger seat, right next to you, the whole time (including parking practice)
• carry their full licence
• have a blood alcohol concentration under 0.05 (paid driving instructors must be at zero)
• not be affected by drugs

The supervisor takes responsibility for your driving and is treated as the driver for most legal purposes. A P plater cannot supervise you.

How many hours of practice do you need?

There is no minimum. You only need to hold your learner licence continuously for 6 months before the practical test. The NT Government recommends about:

• 20 or more hours to learn how to operate the car’s controls
• another 80 hours to learn to be a low-risk driver

Practise in different conditions: day, night and rain. The NT Learner Drivers’ Guide includes a free logbook with short codes for road type (MR major road, M minor road, U unsealed), weather and traffic. Log every drive, even a five-minute trip to the shops. Professional lessons help, but paying for every hour is not required. Ask a fully licensed parent, relative or friend to practise each new skill with you between lessons.

Choosing a driving instructor

All paid driving instructors in the NT must be registered and follow a code of practice. The handbook suggests checking that your instructor holds professional indemnity and public liability insurance. You can change instructors at any time. DriveSafe NT participants get subsidised lesson vouchers: see DriveSafe NT.

Demerit points on your Ls

Your learner licence is suspended if you get 5 or more demerit points in any 12 months, or 12 or more in any 3 years. You are suspended for 3 months at 5 to 8 points, 4 months at 9 to 12, and 5 months at 13 or more. A suspension also breaks your 6 continuous months: a practical test taken while your licence is suspended, cancelled or expired is not valid. After the licence is reactivated, you need another 6 continuous months before you can test.

Keeping your 6 months unbroken

• A learner licence lasts 2 years.
• You can renew it in the six weeks before it expires by passing the theory test again and paying the fee.
• If it expires first, you must hold the reissued licence for 6 months before you can sit the practical test.

Common questions

Do NT learners need a logbook?

No. The logbook in the Learner Drivers’ Guide is optional. DriveSafe NT participants use their own Participant Handbook and Driving Log.

Can I drive on the highway on my Ls?

Yes, but never above 80 km/h. On high-speed highways, keep left and let faster traffic, including road trains, pass. See sharing the road with trucks and road trains.

Can my older brother on his Ps supervise me?

No. Your supervisor must hold a full licence. Provisional drivers are banned from supervising learners.

Can I use Google Maps on my phone as a learner?

No. Learners cannot use any mobile phone function while driving, including navigation, hands-free calls or loudspeaker.

Can I tow a trailer on my Ls?

Yes. You must put an L plate on the back of the trailer as well. For towing rules, see towing on L or P plates.

Do NT learner rules apply if I drive interstate?

Interstate rules can differ. Check driving interstate on L or P plates before you travel.

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Learner Drivers’ Guide”, Second Edition, January 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Speed limits” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Demerit points” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver licence classes and conditions” (nt.gov.au)

Photo: DaHuzyBru, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The NT driver knowledge test (the theory test, often called the learners test) has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 26 right to pass. It is the first step to a Northern Territory learner licence. This guide covers who can sit it, where, the $20 fee, what the questions cover, and what happens after you pass or fail. For the full licence path, see learning to drive in the Northern Territory.

Key facts

• 30 questions picked at random from a pool of more than 300.
• Pass mark: 26 out of 30 (you can get no more than 4 wrong).
• Fee: $20 per attempt as of November 2026. Free for DriveSafe NT participants.
• Minimum age: 16, and you must be an MVR customer.
• Verbal test or interpreter available at some MVR offices.
• A pass stays valid for 12 months if you do not get your licence straight away.

Who can sit the NT theory test?

You must be at least 16 and a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) customer. If you are not one yet, bring evidence of your identity and NT residency when you sit the test. You also need a completed L1 application for an NT driver licence form.

Where and when you take it

• At any MVR office, up to one hour before the office closes.
• You can book an appointment at MVR Darwin online through Territory Services.
• DriveSafe NT participants sit the knowledge test at the end of their first theory class instead.
• In remote areas, non-participants can sit it at their local police station: see getting a licence in remote NT communities.

How the test works

Each question has three answer options, (a), (b) and (c). The questions come from the official Class C question bank, which covers the whole NT Road Users’ Handbook. During the test you must not:

• get help from anyone or use the handbook, notes, websites or a phone
• speak or signal to anyone except the registry officer
• leave the test area

Anyone caught cheating fails immediately and is banned from taking another test for two weeks.

What topics are in the NT question bank?

The NT Government publishes the full question bank (“Class C Knowledge Test”, January 2021) as a free PDF. Its questions cover:

• traffic signs and what they mean
• intersections, give way rules and turning
• lanes, merging and road markings
• speed limits, including the learner limit
• alcohol, drugs and penalties
• seatbelts and passengers
• pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and long vehicles
• wet weather, fog, night driving and parked vehicles
• crashes: what you must report and what details you must give
• licence rules, such as whether a P plater can supervise a learner (they cannot)

How to prepare

1. Read the whole NT Road Users’ Handbook. The handbook says any section can be tested. Use the NT handbook study guide as a checklist.
2. Work through the official question bank PDF. Cover the answers and test yourself.
3. Take the free practice driver knowledge test on the NT Government website as many times as you like.
4. Learn the NT numbers that come up: speed limits, zero alcohol for L and P drivers, and demerit point limits.
5. Spend extra time on give way rules, intersections and signs, which come up again and again in the bank. The giving way in Australia guide covers the national rules.

Help with reading or English

If you are not confident with reading or writing, or find English difficult, you can ask for a verbal (spoken) test or an interpreter at some MVR offices. To arrange one:

1. Call MVR on 1300 654 628 or visit an MVR office to check what is available in your area.
2. Book the test.
3. Pay the theory test fee before you sit it.

Interpreters come from the Interpreting and Translating Service NT (ITSNT). If you are not an Australian resident or citizen, you may need to pay ITSNT a fee. If you have a physical or mental impairment, talk to the MVR before booking so arrangements can be made.

After you pass

1. Pass an eye test at the MVR office, or hand in a recent eye examination from your doctor or optometrist.
2. Pay the learner licence fee ($29 for 2 years as of November 2026; free the first time for DriveSafe NT participants).
3. Your learner licence is mailed to you. You can start driving once you have your driver licence receipt.

Then read the NT learner licence rules before your first drive.

If you fail

You can resit as many times as you need, but each attempt costs the fee again. The Learner Drivers’ Guide says you cannot sit it more than once a day. You get a different set of questions each time.

Common questions

How many questions can I get wrong on the NT learners test?

Four. You need at least 26 of the 30 correct.

Can I do the NT knowledge test online?

No. Only the practice test is online. The real test is at an MVR office, through DriveSafe NT, or at a police station in remote areas.

Is the NT test the same as other states?

No. Each state and territory runs its own theory test. The NT test is based on the NT Road Users’ Handbook, including NT rules such as the 80 km/h learner limit.

Do I have to renew my learner licence by resitting the test?

Yes. To renew a learner licence you pass the theory test again and pay the learner licence fee. Do it in the last six weeks before expiry so your 6 months on Ls is not broken.

How long is my pass valid?

12 months. After that, you must pass the test again to get your learner licence.

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver and rider licence fees” (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Class C Knowledge Test” question bank, January 2021 (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Learner Drivers’ Guide”, Second Edition, January 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• DriveSafe NT, “Everything you need to know about DriveSafe” (drivesafe.nt.gov.au)

Photo: Lobster1, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Learning to drive in the Northern Territory starts with a learner licence at 16. You must hold it for at least 6 continuous months, then pass a practical driving test to get your P plates. There is no hazard perception test and no compulsory logbook hours. This guide covers each stage of the NT C class (car) licence, the conditions on your Ls and Ps, and the fees as of November 2026.

Key facts

• Minimum age: 16. You must first become a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) customer.
• Theory test: 30 multiple-choice questions, 26 correct to pass.
• Learner licence: at least 6 continuous months before the driving test. Zero alcohol, 80 km/h maximum, a full licence holder beside you.
• Recommended (not compulsory) practice: about 20 hours to learn the controls, plus about 80 hours to become a low-risk driver.
• Provisional licence: 2 years if you are under 25, 1 year if you are 25 or older. Zero alcohol, 100 km/h maximum.
• DriveSafe NT, the NT Government’s driver education program, covers your theory test, licence and test fees and gives more than $600 in subsidies.

The four stages of the NT graduated licensing scheme

Stage	What you do	Minimum time
1. Learner licence (L)	Pass the driver knowledge test and an eye test	Age 16
2. Supervised driving	Practise with a full licence holder beside you	6 consecutive months
3. Provisional licence (P)	Pass the practical driving test	2 years (under 25) or 1 year (25 and over)
4. Full (open) licence	Upgrade at the end of your P period	Zero alcohol continues for a further 12 months or until you turn 25, whichever is sooner

Before you apply: become an MVR customer

Go to an MVR office with evidence of your identity and evidence that you live in the NT. You must be at least 16, and an MVR officer takes your photo. You learn the road rules one of two ways:

• study the NT Road Users’ Handbook and take the practice theory test, or
• enrol in DriveSafe NT, which runs theory classes for you.

Use the NT Road Users’ Handbook study guide to work through the handbook section by section. If you live in a remote community, the process runs through DriveSafe NT visits or your local police station: see getting a licence in remote NT communities.

Step 1: pass the theory test and get your learner licence

The driver knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions drawn at random from a pool of more than 300. You need at least 26 correct. A verbal test or an interpreter is available at some MVR offices. After you pass, you take an eye test (or bring a recent report from your doctor or optometrist) and pay the learner licence fee. An unused pass stays valid for 12 months.

Full details, including what is on the test and how to prepare: NT driver knowledge test.

Step 2: learn to drive on your Ls

Your learner licence conditions:

• zero blood alcohol
• no faster than 80 km/h, even where the sign shows more
• L plates (black L on yellow) at the front and rear, and on the back of any trailer
• a full Australian licence holder in the front passenger seat at all times (not a learner, P plater or overseas licence holder)
• no use of any mobile phone function, including hands-free

The NT has no minimum logbook hours. The NT Learner Drivers’ Guide includes an optional logbook to track your practice. Rules on supervisors, towing and demerit points: NT learner licence rules.

Your learner licence lasts 2 years. If it is about to expire, renew it in the last six weeks by redoing the theory test and paying the fee. That keeps your 6-month clock running. If you let it expire, you must hold the reissued licence for another 6 months before you can sit the driving test.

Step 3: pass the practical driving test

You book directly with an authorised driving examiner once you have held your Ls continuously for 6 months. The test takes about 40 minutes, is recorded on camera, and includes three compulsory manoeuvres: a reverse parallel park, a three-point turn and a kerbside stop or hill start. You need a score of at least 90 per cent and no fail items. You must sit the test at a location nearest to where you usually live, unless you get an exemption (for example, if you study or work full time elsewhere in the NT).

What examiners check and every fail item: the NT practical driving test.

After you pass, take your test sheet to an MVR office and pay the provisional licence fee before your learner licence expires. A pass is valid for 12 months.

Step 4: drive on your Ps, then upgrade

Provisional drivers must have zero alcohol, keep to 100 km/h or less, display red P plates front and rear (and on a trailer), use no phone function at all and never supervise a learner. If you passed in an automatic, you are limited to automatics for the first 12 months unless a full licence holder supervises you. Details: NT P plate rules.

At the end of your P period you can upgrade to a full licence. If you held an NT provisional licence for at least 12 continuous months with no traffic infringements or suspensions, you can get a free 10-year open licence. Apply in the last six weeks of your Ps, or within six months after they expire, at an MVR office.

NT licence fees (as of November 2026)

Item	Fee
Theory test	$20
Learner licence (2 years)	$29
Provisional licence, under 25 (2 years)	$61
Provisional licence, 25 or over (1 year)	$40
DriveSafe NT enrolment	$110
Open licence: 1, 2, 5 or 10 years	$40, $61, $122 or $210
Practical driving test	Set by the examiner you book

Fees are subject to regulatory change, so check the NT Government driver and rider licence fees page before you go. DriveSafe NT participants do not pay the theory test fee, the first learner licence fee, the provisional licence fee or the practical test fee: see DriveSafe NT lessons and subsidies.

Demerit points on Ls and Ps in the NT

Your learner or provisional licence is suspended if you reach 5 or more points in any 12 months, or 12 or more in any 3 years.

Points	Suspension
5 to 8	3 months
9 to 12	4 months
13 or more	5 months

Points stay active for up to 3 years and do not reset when you move from Ps to a full licence. A suspension on your Ps is added to your provisional period. If your provisional licence is cancelled, the full period starts again.

Licence classes and medical fitness

• Class C covers vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass (GVM). You cannot drive construction or agricultural vehicles on a C class learner licence.
• Heavier vehicles need a heavy vehicle class (LR, MR, HR, HC or MC). Motorcycles need class R.
• You must tell the Registrar of Motor Vehicles about any medical condition, disability or eyesight problem that could affect your driving. Most conditions do not stop you being licensed. Conditions such as glasses (S) or automatic only (A) may be added.

Important information for every NT licence holder

• Carry your licence every time you drive. A supervisor must also carry their full licence.
• Tell the MVR within 14 days if your name, address or other details change.
• Moved from interstate? After 3 months living in the NT you must transfer to an NT licence. A current interstate licence transfers at no cost. Read driving interstate on L or P plates for visiting rules.
• Learn the NT speed limits, including the 130 km/h highway sections you cannot use at full speed on Ls or Ps: NT speed limits explained.

Compare the NT with other states: learner rules in every state and P plate rules in every state. NT driving brings its own hazards, so also read outback and remote driving and sharing the road with road trains.

Common questions

Do I need logbook hours in the NT?

No. There is no minimum number of supervised hours. The NT Government recommends about 100 hours in total: 20 or more to learn the controls and another 80 to become a low-risk driver.

Is there a hazard perception test in the NT?

No. The NT car licence path has a theory test and a practical driving test only. Hazard response is assessed during the practical test.

How long does it take to get a full licence in the NT?

At least 2 years and 6 months if you are under 25 (6 months on Ls plus 2 years on Ps). At least 18 months if you are 25 or older.

Can I get my Ls at 15 and a half in the NT?

No. You must be at least 16 to become an MVR customer and apply.

Who can supervise me?

Anyone with a full Australian licence: an adult relative, a friend or a driving instructor. Their blood alcohol must be under 0.05 (zero for paid instructors).

Can I drive a manual if I passed my test in an automatic?

Only with a full licence holder supervising you, for the first 12 months of your Ps. After that you can have the condition removed at an MVR office, or pass a test in a manual earlier.

Sources

• Northern Territory Government, “Get your driver licence” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Road Users’ Handbook”, Fifth Edition, August 2020 (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver and rider licence fees” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Demerit points” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Driver licence classes and conditions” (nt.gov.au)
• Northern Territory Government, “Take a practical driving test with an authorised driving examiner” (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “A guide to the Driving Test”, 2nd Edition, April 2026 (nt.gov.au)
• Motor Vehicle Registry, “Learner Drivers’ Guide”, Second Edition, January 2020 (nt.gov.au)