Section 2 licences - Road Users Handbook

2 nt.gov.au

licences

WHO’S YOUR SOBER BOB?

Sober Bob is someone willing to get you home safely: a mate, bus driver, taxi driver,

mum, brother, girlfriend or uncle. Sober Bob is about planning how you get home

before you go out. Remember to ask yourself, ‘Who’s Your Sober Bob?’.

towardszero.nt.gov.au

If you’re going to

drink, don’t drive.

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

Your responsibilities are clearly stated throughout this

handbook, and it is expected that you will use any vehicle

that you operate with safety, efciency, courtesy and

common sense at all times.

Having a driver’s licence will increase your opportunities

for employment and recreational activities and can also

give you independence. However, do not forget that

it will also bring increased responsibilities. If you lose

your licence by failing to meet your responsibilities, the

consequences could be serious and many opportunities

will disappear.

Obligations of licence holders

Think of your licence as a ‘contract’ or an agreement

between you as a driver and the rest of the community.

The Motor Vehicle Registry and the Northern Territory

Police administer this contract.

Your licence is also an important identity document and

should be kept safe at all times. Do not abuse your licence

or allow it to be misused. There are heavy nes if you

fraudulently alter or use a licence, if you lend a licence

to another person, or if you allow a licence to be used by

another person.

Northern Territory roads are provided for drivers to use if

they meet certain conditions.

Drivers must:

• show that they understand the road rules, most of which

are written in this handbook in plain English

• show the skills necessary to drive safely

• obey the laws and drive responsibly

• pay a licence fee, which goes towards the administration

of the licensing system

• show that they understand the community’s concerns to

reduce the impact of trafc on the environment and to

use the road system efciently.

The contract between you as a driver and the

community can be broken by trafc offences that

cause inconvenience, costs or suffering to others.

These offences carry penalties such as nes, licence

cancellation, disqualication or suspension. In extreme

cases, the offence could lead to a prison sentence.

The licensing system

The Northern Territory licensing system helps to make

travel on our roads safer for all road users. It provides

rules and conditions for licence holders and penalties

for drivers who do not meet their responsibilities. The

licensing system also ensures that licence holders have

the required knowledge and skills to safely operate the

vehicle they are licensed to drive or ride.

To drive on public roads in the NT you must be licensed

and have the correct licence class for the type of vehicle

you are driving.

4 nt.gov.au

To legally drive on public roads in the NT:

• you must have the right class of licence for the vehicle

you are operating

• you must hold a current NT licence if you are an

NT resident

• you must hold a current interstate licence if you are

visiting from interstate

• if you are visiting from overseas, you must hold a

current licence from your country, and if your licence

is not in English you must also carry an International

Driving Permit or an ofcial English translation of your

overseas licence.

You cannot drive on public roads in the NT if you have:

• a licence that is expired

• a licence that has been cancelled or suspended

• had your driving privileges withdrawn in the

Northern Territory

• been disqualied from driving by a court of law in

Australia or overseas.

Heavy penalties apply for driving a

vehicle without a licence.

If you have been in the NT for more than

three months and wish to continue to

drive, you must apply for an NT licence.

When your licence is checked

Police can check your licence at any time, and they will

also check that you have the correct licence when:

• you are involved in a crash, whether you were at fault

or not

• you have been stopped because you committed a

trafc offence

• you have been stopped for a random breath test either

by a stationary breath testing unit or by a mobile breath

testing unit.

C class graduated licensing scheme

The Northern Territory has a graduated licensing scheme

for new drivers. The scheme prepares inexperienced

drivers for a lifetime of safe and efcient driving.

New drivers are required to pass both the learner and

provisional licence testing stages before obtaining a

full licence.

A new driver will progress through four stages to obtain

a full licence.

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

Stage 1

Pass the driver knowledge test to obtain a learner licence.

Stage 2

Practice driving, with supervision, for a minimum of six

consecutive months.

Stage 3

DRIVING

TEST

Pass the driving test to obtain a provisional licence.

Stage 4

FULL

LICENCE

If you are under 25 years old, you will need to hold your

provisional licence for at least two years before you can

upgrade to a full licence. If you are 25 or older, your

provisional licence needs to be held for at least one year.

If your licence is suspended or cancelled during your

provisional period, you will need to spend a longer time

with a provisional licence once your suspension is lifted,

or you will need to start the provisional period again if your

provisional licence is cancelled.

At the end of your provisional period you can apply for a

full licence. Phone the MVR on 1300 654 628 or renew

your licence online using MVR Quick Pay at nt.gov.au (you

may be eligible for a free 10 year licence).

Remember that learning to drive well requires lots of

experience that will only come with time and lots of

practice in different driving situations and conditions.

Use every time you drive as an opportunity to learn, and

try to continue practicing with an experienced driver as

often as you can.

Licence classes

The NT has different licence classes for the various types

of motor vehicles that use Northern Territory roads.

To be allowed to drive or ride you must hold the correct

licence class for that vehicle.

The list below shows the type of vehicle you can drive

under each class of licence.

Rider (R)

• Any motorcycle or motor tricycle.

6 nt.gov.au

Car (C)

• A vehicle that is no more than 4.5t Gross Vehicle Mass

(GVM).

• Holders of a C class licence may also drive some civil

construction and agricultural vehicles.

Light Rigid (LR)

• A vehicle that is more than 4.5t (GVM) but no more than

8t (GVM).

• Can tow a trailer of no more than 9t (GVM).

• Holders of an LR class licence can also drive any

vehicle allowed by a C class licence.

Medium Rigid (MR)

• A vehicle that has two axles and is more than 8t (GVM).

• Can tow a trailer of no more than 9t (GVM).

• Holders of an MR class licence can also drive any

vehicle allowed by an LR or C class licence.

Heavy Rigid (HR)

• A rigid vehicle that has three or more axles, more than

8t (GVM).

• Can tow a trailer of no more than 9t (GVM).

• Can drive articulated buses.

• Holders of an HR class licence can also drive any

vehicle allowed by an MR, LR or C class licence.

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

Heavy Combination (HC)

• A prime mover attached to a semi-trailer (plus any

unladen converter dolly).

• A rigid vehicle towing a trailer of more than 9t (GVM).

• Holders of a HC class licence can also drive any vehicle

allowed by a HR, MR, LR or C class licence.

Multi Combination (MC)

• Any B-double or road train.

• Holders of a MC class licence can also drive any vehicle

allowed by a HC, HR, MR, LR or C class licence.

Medical ﬁtness to hold a licence

All drivers and riders must be medically t to drive a

motor vehicle and are subject to personal and legal

responsibilities and liabilities.

In reality, very few conditions prevent the issuing of a

driver licence.

Northern Territory laws require all drivers or intending

drivers to notify the Registrar of Motor Vehicles if they

have any medical condition (including disability, mental

illness or eyesight) that could affect their ability to safely

and legally drive motor vehicles. Health professionals

are also required to notify the Registrar if they believe

a patient's medical condition could affect their ability to

drive a motor vehicle.

The MVR is responsible for issuing, renewing, suspending

or cancelling a person’s licence (including a conditional

licence), and decisions are based on a full consideration of

relevant factors relating to health and driving performance.

If you have any questions about medical tness to hold

a licence, please contact the MVR on 1300 654 628 or

consult your health professional for advice.

A medical condition does not necessarily

mean that you cannot be licensed.

8 nt.gov.au

Drivers with medical conditions

When you apply for a licence, you must state whether your

medical condition could affect your driving. Depending on

the condition, you may need to have an assessment of

your ‘tness to drive’ carried out by a health professional.

Certain medical conditions could require that you complete

an on-road driving assessment with an Occupational

Therapist who will assess your ability to drive in relation to

your medical condition.

Many drivers with medical conditions nd that they are

allowed to drive, with conditions applied. For example,

it is quite common for some drivers’ licences to have a

condition that they must wear glasses while driving or

that they can only drive automatic vehicles.

Driving and dementia

The gradual and permanent loss of mental functions

caused by dementia will, over time, reduce a driver’s

ability to drive safely. In the early stages of this

condition, doctors, family and friends should discuss

alternative methods of transport for drivers showing

signs of dementia.

Each person with dementia will have a different pattern

and timing of their reduced ability to drive as their

condition progresses, and some people may not need

to stop driving immediately. Individual assessment and

regular review are important, even though it is difcult

to predict the point at which a person will no longer be

capable of driving safely.

Organ donation

The place to register your intention to be an organ donor

is the Australian Organ Donor Register (AODR).

Organ donor information is available at www.

humanservices.gov.au or call 1800 777 203 for a

registration brochure.

If you would like more information before making

your choice, please contact Donate Life NT (the

organ donation agency for the Northern Territory) at

www.donatelife.gov.au or phone 08 8922 8349.

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

How to obtain a class C learner licence

Become an MVR customer

The rst step to getting your class C learner licence is to

become an MVR customer. You will need to:

• be at least 16 years of age

• provide evidence of your identity (prove who you are)

• provide evidence of your residency (prove that you live

in the NT)

• have your photo taken by an MVR ofcer.

For information about evidence of identity and residency

requirements, please contact MVR on 1300 654 628 or

visit the nt.gov.au website.

To obtain a class C learner licence in the NT you

can either:

• pass a Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) at an MVR ofce

• or, enrol in the DriveSafe NT program.

Applying for a learner licence

To apply for a learner licence at MVR you must:

• be an MVR customer

• be at least 16 years of age

• pass an eyesight test

• pass a knowledge test

• pay the learner licence fee.

You can also apply for a learner licence through the

DriveSafe NT program. For more information visit the

drivesafe.nt.gov.au website.

Renewal of a learner licence

If your learner licence is nearing expiry and you are not

ready to sit the driving test to obtain a provisional licence

you can re-sit the theory test to renew your learner licence

for another two years. If you wait until after your learner

licence has expired to re-sit the theory test, you will also

need to wait another six consecutive months before you

can sit the driving test.

Driver Knowledge Test

Passing the Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) will prove

that you have an understanding of the road rules in the

Northern Territory.

To prepare for the DKT you should study this handbook

carefully; all the information you need to pass the test is

covered in it.

You can test your knowledge of the road rules by taking

the practice DKT on the mvr.nt.gov.au website.

When studying this guide, be careful not to skip any

sections. All the information in this guide is relevant to you.

10 nt.gov.au

Where to go for the Driver Knowledge Test

A DKT can be taken at any MVR ofce up to one hour

before the MVR ofce closes.

How the Driver Knowledge Test works

The DKT consists of 30 questions, randomly selected from

a question bank of approximately 300.

During the test you are not allowed to:

• receive any assistance

• refer to any resource materials that would help you

to pass the test (such as this handbook, other books,

notes, websites, mobile phones etc)

• use a mobile phone or other communication device

• speak or signal to any other person (except the registry

ofcer when necessary)

• leave the test area.

People caught cheating will fail the test immediately and

be banned from taking another DKT for two weeks.

Unsuccessful Driver Knowledge Test

If you do not pass the DKT, you can try again as many

times as you need to in order to pass it.

The next time you attempt a DKT you will be given a

different set of questions to answer.

You should only re-attempt the test when you are ready.

To check if you are ready, test your knowledge by taking

the practice Driver Knowledge Test on the

mvr.nt.gov.au website.

Applicants requiring assistance

Special needs

If you have special needs, such as a physical or mental

impairment, you or your representative should discuss

your needs for taking the test with the MVR before booking

a DKT. This allows time for the necessary arrangements

to be made for you on the day of the test.

DifcultyreadingandwritingEnglish

If you have difculty reading or writing in English, you

can choose to attempt a verbal (spoken) test, with

or without an interpreter. You can book a verbal test

through any MVR ofce in urban areas.

An interpreting service is provided by Interpreting and

Translating Service NT (ITSNT).

If you are not an Australian resident or citizen, you may

need to pay a fee directly to ITSNT for this service.

Arrangements for verbal testing services can be made by

calling 1300 654 628.

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

DriveSafe NT

DriveSafe NT is a driver education and licensing program

across the Northern Territory.

DriveSafe NT equips Territorians with essential knowledge

of road rules, safe driving practices and attitudes.

It provides access to professional, modern driver training,

supervising drivers and works towards being safer on our

roads.

DriveSafe NT gives participants various subsidies

towards gaining their learner licence and progressing to a

provisional licence, including:

• course materials

• classroom based theory education

• licence fees

• test fees

• subsidised driving lesson e-vouchers

• St John Ambulance NT online rst aid course –

rst@scene

• access to online tools to track and manage progress

Enrolment fees apply.

DriveSafe NT has been designed so that all elements of

the program can be completed over six-months in line

with the current minimum learner licence period. However,

participants can take up to two years to complete the

program.

DriveSafe NT participants are encouraged to take their

time and get as much driving practice as they can before

continuing to their provisional licence and completing the

program.

You can still enrol in DriveSafe NT if you already have

your learner licence.

For more information about the DriveSafe NT program,

visit www.drivesafe.nt.gov.au, call 1800 121 411 or email

[email protected].au.

12 nt.gov.au

Licence restrictions for class C learners

As well as complying with all road rules and trafc laws,

there are some additional requirements for class C learner

licence holders:

• Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC/BrAC):

Your BAC/BrAC must be zero. This means you must

not have any alcohol in your system when you drive

a vehicle.

• Displaying L plates: L plates must be clearly displayed

on the front and back of the vehicle. If towing a trailer,

an L plate must also be displayed on the back of

the trailer.

• Licence: You must carry your learner licence at all times

while driving.

• Licence class: You can only learn to drive the type of

vehicle allowed by your licence class.

• Mobile phone: You must not use any function of a

mobile phone while driving, including hands-free or

loudspeaker options.

• Visual display unit: You must not drive a vehicle that

has a television or Visual Display Unit (VDU) operating

and visible to you or drivers of other vehicles.

• Seatbelts: You must make sure all people in the vehicle

are wearing seatbelts or approved restraints.

• Speed limit: You must not drive faster than 80 km/h

at any time, regardless of the sign posted speed limit,

and you must observe the speed limit where it is below

80 km/h.

• Supervision: A person who has a full Australian licence

(not a learner or provisional licence or an overseas

licence) must sit next to you at all times.

You are allowed to tow a trailer on a

class C learner licence.

Learning to drive

Driving lessons

How you are taught to drive is extremely important. For

that reason, some lessons with a professional driving

instructor who is aware of modern driving practices and

training techniques could be helpful.

All professional driving instructors in the NT that provide

driver training in return for payment must be registered.

Driving instructors are bound by the Conditions of

Registration and the Code of Practice for Driving

Instructors in the Northern Territory.

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

For your own peace of mind, important factors in selecting

a driving instructor include making sure the instructor

holds Professional Indemnity and Public Liability insurance

and is fully qualied to provide the training you seek.

It is important that you nd a driving instructor you are

comfortable learning with. If for any reason you are not

comfortable with your chosen driving instructor, you can

change instructors.

Supervised driving practice

While you are a learner driver, it is strongly recommended

that you get as much supervised driving practice as

possible before going out on the road solo.

Even if you are having professional driving lessons you

will benet from supervised driving between your lessons.

Ask parents, relatives or friends who are fully licensed to

take you out to practice each new driving skill. That way,

you can maximise the benets from each paid lesson and

minimise the cost of getting your licence.

The supervising driver must obey the following rules at

all times while the learner is driving the vehicle (including

parking practice):

• hold a current full driver licence (not provisional)

• be seated immediately next to the learner

• fully supervise the learner and take responsibility for the

learner’s actions—the licensed driver is deemed to be

the driver for most legal purposes.

• professional driving instructors must have a blood/

breath alcohol concentration (BAC/BrAC) of zero.

• fully licenced supervising drivers must have a BAC/

BrAC of lower than 0.05%.

Although there is no minimum number of supervised

driving hours required before a learner can get their

provisional licence in the NT, learners are encouraged

to get as much practice as they can before moving on to

driving unsupervised.

Learner drivers with 50 or more hours of

supervised driving practice reduce their

risk of crashing once they are on their

Ps by about one third.

Remember, your learner licence will

be suspended if you incur ﬁve or more

demerit points within 12 months, or 12

points within a three year period.

14 nt.gov.au

L plate rules

150 mm

L plates consist of a black letter ‘L’ against a yellow

background. The minimum size for L plates is shown in

the diagram.

L plates must be displayed and clearly visible on the front

and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motorcycles).

If you are towing a trailer, an L plate must also be

displayed on the back of the trailer.

The L plates must be easily seen by other road users and

must not block or obscure the driver’s view.

It is recommended that L plates are displayed vertically

on the vehicle—not facing upwards on the bonnet or boot.

Brackets for mounting L plates next to the number plate

can be purchased at most automotive supply stores.

Roof-mounted L plates do not replace the L plates that

must be displayed at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Where an L plate is displayed in the window of the vehicle,

make sure that the angle of the window, any tinting or

louvers on the window or anything on the outside of the

vehicle (like spoilers or items in the tray of a ute) do not

obscure other road users clear view of the L plate.

L plates must not be displayed when the driver of the

vehicle is not a learner driver.

Appropriate placement of L plates on a car

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

How to obtain a class C provisional licence

To obtain a class C provisional licence (your ‘Ps’) you

must successfully complete a practical driving test. This is

a formal assessment to conrm your driving ability meets

the minimum requirements to drive unsupervised.

To attempt a practical driving test you must have:

• held your learner licence for a continuous period of at

least six months immediately prior to your test

• your current NT learner licence with you

• a registered and roadworthy vehicle of the correct

classication for the test.

The practical driving test

Getting your provisional licence is based on your ability to

demonstrate consistent and appropriate use of the system

of vehicle control.

You must understand the major controls of a motor

vehicle, complete a number of low-speed manoeuvres,

be safe and efcient while driving, have good observation

skills and be able to deal with hazards.

More information about the system of vehicle control and

the practical driving test can be found in the "Learner

Drivers' Guide" and "A Guide to the Driving Test". Both

publications are available online at nt.gov.au.

Where can I do my test?

You must attempt your practical driving test at a location

nearest to your usual place of residence. In special

circumstances, you can ask for an exemption from this

requirement if you can demonstrate an alternative location

within the Northern Territory; for example, if you are

studying or employed full time away from home.

When can I sit a test?

You can sit the practical test when you and your supervising

driver or driving instructor believe your driving skills are

adequate.

You must have held a learner licence for at least six

consecutive months before you can sit a practical driving test.

If either the driver or a passenger

of the vehicle does not have a working

seatbelt, the test cannot be conducted.

You must present your practical test sheet and learner

licence to the MVR to upgrade your licence to a

provisional before your learner licence expires.

Licence restrictions for provisional

class C drivers

In the Northern Territory, a provisional licence is for two

years (one year if you are 25 or older).

If at any time during your provisional period your licence

is cancelled, the full provisional period starts all over

16 nt.gov.au

again on reissue. If your provisional licence is suspended,

the period of suspension will be added onto your

provisional licence period.

In some cases, the courts could order an additional

provisional period when the licence holder is convicted of

certain trafc offences.

As well as complying with all road rules and trafc laws,

there are additional conditions for provisional class C

licence holders:

• Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC/BrAC):

Your BAC must be zero. This means you must not have

any alcohol in your system when you drive a vehicle.

• Displaying P plates: P plates must be clearly displayed

on the front and rear of the vehicle. The letter ‘P’ must

not be hidden. If towing a trailer, a P plate must also be

displayed on the back of the trailer.

• Licence: You must carry your provisional licence at all

times while driving.

• Mobile phone: You must not use any function of a

mobile phone or other communication device while

driving, including hands-free or loudspeaker options.

• Visual display unit: You must not drive a vehicle that

has a television or Visual Display Unit (VDU) operating

and visible to you or drivers of other vehicles.

• Seatbelts: You must make sure all people in the vehicle

are wearing seatbelts or approved restraints.

• Speed limit: You must not drive faster than 100 km/h,

regardless of the sign posted speed limit, and you must

observe the speed where it is below 100 km/h.

• Supervising a learner: You must not supervise a

learner driver.

P plate rules

150 mm

A P plate consists of a red letter ‘P’ against a white

background. The minimum size for P plates is shown in

the diagram.

P plates must be displayed and clearly visible at the front

and rear of the vehicle (rear only for motorcycles).

The P plates must be easily seen by other road users and

must not block or obstruct the driver’s view.

It is recommended that P plates are displayed vertically

on the vehicle—not facing upwards on the bonnet or boot.

Brackets for mounting P plates next to the number plate

can be purchased at most automotive supply stores.

You are allowed to tow a trailer when on a provisional licence.

section 2. licences

MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRY road users’ handbook

Where a P plate is displayed in the window of the vehicle,

make sure that the angle of the window, any tinting or

louvers on the window or anything on the outside of the

vehicle (like spoilers or items in the tray of a ute) do not

obscure other road users clear view of the P plate.

If you are towing a trailer, a P plate must also be displayed

on the back of the trailer.

P plates must not be displayed when the driver of the

vehicle is not a provisional driver.

Appropriate placement of P Plates on a car

If you pass your driving test in an automatic vehicle

If you pass your driving test in a vehicle with automatic

transmission, you can only drive an automatic vehicle

during the rst 12 months of your provisional licence. You

can drive a manual vehicle during this rst 12 months if

you are supervised by a full licence holder.You cannot

drive a manual vehicle unsupervised until the automatic

vehicle condition has been removed from your licence.

You can do this after 12 months at an MVR ofce.

If you want to drive a manual vehicle unaccompanied

before the 12-month period is up you must pass the

driving test in a manual vehicle with a foot-operated clutch.

Z BAC/BrAC (zero Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration)

condition

After completing your provisional period, you must

continue to observe the zero Blood/Breath Alcohol

Concentration (BAC/BrAC) requirements for a further

12 months or until you turn 25, whichever is sooner.

Remember, your provisional licence will

be suspended if you incur ﬁve or more

demerit points within 12 months, or 12

points within a three year period.

For information about how to obtain your class R motorcycle riders licence, refer to the

Motorcycle Riders' Handbook.