{"id":"commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003","name":"COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (COURTESY VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 2003","slug":"commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174444,"registerId":"nt-commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (COURTESY VEHICLES) REGULATIONS 2003","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nCOMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (COURTESY\nVEHICLES) REGULATIONS 2003\nAs in force at 21 January 2026\nTable of provisions\n1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1\n2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n3 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\n4 Operator to maintain records ........................................................... 1\n5 Operator to furnish information ........................................................ 2\n10 Plying for hire prohibited .................................................................. 2\n11 Hiring arrangements ........................................................................ 2\n12 No touting or soliciting ..................................................................... 3\n16 Purchase of intoxicating liquor prohibited ........................................ 3\n19 Illegal purpose ................................................................................. 4\n20 Driver to have identity card or approved form of identification ......... 4\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 21 January 2026\n____________________\nCOMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (COURTESY\nVEHICLES) REGULATIONS 2003\nRegulations under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport\nAct 1991\n1 Citation\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Commercial Passenger\n(Road) Transport (Courtesy Vehicles) Regulations 2003.\n2 Commencement\nThese Regulations come into operation on the commencement of\nPart 5B of the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 1991.\n3 Definitions\nIn these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears:\ndriver means the person driving or in charge of a courtesy vehicle.\nhiring, of a courtesy vehicle, means the use of the courtesy vehicle\nto carry passengers for hire or reward.\noperator means a person who operates a courtesy vehicle\notherwise than only as a driver.\n4 Operator to maintain records\n(1) An operator must make a written record of:\n(a) the courtesy vehicle;\n(b) the dates and times during which the courtesy vehicle is\noperated for hiring;\n(c) the full name and residential address of the driver during those\nperiods and the number of the driver's licence issued to him or\nher under the Motor Vehicles Act 1949;\n(d) each hiring made by the courtesy vehicle; and\n\nCommercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Courtesy Vehicles) Regulations 2003 2\n(e) any other matter that the Director requires as a condition of\nthe operator's licence.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n(2) An operator must ensure that the record referred to in\nsubregulation (1):\n(a) is kept in a safe place at the principal place of business of the\noperator; and\n(b) is produced whenever required by an inspector.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n5 Operator to furnish information\nAn operator must, whenever requested by the Director to do so,\nfurnish to the Director within the time specified by the Director full\nand correct information about any details specified in the request\nrelating to any hiring made by the courtesy vehicle.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n10 Plying for hire prohibited\nA person must not use a courtesy vehicle for the purpose of\nstanding or plying for hire.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n11 Hiring arrangements\n(1) A person must not use a courtesy vehicle (whether as the driver or\na passenger) for a hiring unless the carriage of passengers:\n(a) is offered as an inducement in respect of an agreement for the\nprovision of accommodation or an activity for recreation or\npleasure; and\n(b) is provided without payment of a fare.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n(2) A driver must not ask for, or accept, payment of a fare for a hiring of\nthe courtesy vehicle.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n\nCommercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Courtesy Vehicles) Regulations 2003 3\n(3) If:\n(a) the carriage of passengers by a courtesy vehicle is offered as\nan inducement in respect of an agreement for the provision of\naccommodation or an activity for recreation or pleasure; and\n(b) a person enters into an agreement for the provision of that\naccommodation or activity,\nthe operator must provide:\n(c) the courtesy vehicle; or\n(d) if unable to do so – another commercial passenger vehicle,\nto carry the person in accordance with the offer but otherwise\nsubject to the Act and any regulations under the Act.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n12 No touting or soliciting\n(1) A person must not tout or solicit for passengers for a courtesy\nvehicle.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n(2) A person does not commit an offence against subsection (1) if the\nperson:\n(a) publicises or promotes the provision of accommodation or an\nactivity for recreation or pleasure; and\n(b) as part of that publicity or promotion, offers to carry\npassengers in a courtesy vehicle as an inducement in respect\nof an agreement for the provision of that accommodation or\nactivity.\n16 Purchase of intoxicating liquor prohibited\n(1) An operator or a driver must not agree to a hiring of the courtesy\nvehicle under which the driver is required to purchase intoxicating\nliquor for or on behalf of another person whether or not that other\nperson is a passenger.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n\nCommercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Courtesy Vehicles) Regulations 2003 4\n(2) A driver must not during a hiring of the courtesy vehicle purchase\nintoxicating liquor for himself or herself or for or on behalf of a\npassenger or another person.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n(3) A passenger must not during a hiring of the courtesy vehicle\npurchase intoxicating liquor for himself or herself or for or on behalf\nof another passenger or other person.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n19 Illegal purpose\nAn operator or a driver must not:\n(a) use the courtesy vehicle for an illegal purpose; or\n(b) cause or permit the courtesy vehicle to be used for an illegal\npurpose.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n20 Driver to have identity card or approved form of identification\n(1) For section 74 of the Act, a courtesy vehicle is a prescribed class of\ncommercial passenger vehicle.\n(2) An identity card issued under section 74 of the Act to a driver is to:\n(a) display the name of the driver;\n(b) display a recent photograph of the driver;\n(c) specify the expiry date of the card; and\n(d) indicate that the holder of the card is authorised to drive a\ncourtesy vehicle.\n(3) A driver must during a hiring of the courtesy vehicle:\n(a) display his or her identity card issued under subregulation (2)\nor other form of identification approved by the Director under\nsection 74(10) of the Act in a conspicuous place in the\ncourtesy vehicle while driving the courtesy vehicle; and\n(b) produce that identity card or other approved form of\nidentification when requested by a passenger or an inspector.\nMaximum penalty: 25 penalty units.\n\nENDNOTES\nCommercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Courtesy Vehicles) Regulations 2003 5\nENDNOTES\n1 KEY Key to abbreviations\namd = amended od = order\napp = appendix om = omitted\nbl = by-law pt = Part\nch = Chapter r = regulation/rule\ncl = clause rem = remainder\ndiv = Division renum = renumbered\nexp = expires/expired rep = repealed\nf = forms s = section\nGaz = Gazette sch = Schedule\nhdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision\nins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation\nlt = long title sub = substituted\nnc = not commenced\n2 LIST OF LEGISLATION\nCourtesy Vehicle Regulations (SL No. 49, 2003)\nNotified 1 October 2003\nCommenced 1 October 2003 (r 2, s 2 Commercial Passenger (Road)\nTransport Amendment Act (No. 2) 2003 (Act No. 40, 2003)\nand Gaz G38, 24 September 2003, p 2)\nFees and Charges (Transport) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SL No. 45, 2012)\nNotified 14 December 2012\nCommenced 1 January 2013 (r 2)\nPenalties Amendment (Miscellaneous) Act 2013 (Act No. 23, 2013)\nAssent date 12 July 2013\nCommenced 28 August 2013 (Gaz G35, 28 August 2013, p 2)\nCommercial Passenger Vehicle Legislation Amendment Regulations 2017\n(SL No. 34, 2017)\nNotified 29 November 2017\nCommenced 1 December 2017 (r 2)\nStatute Law Amendment (Territory Economic Reconstruction) Act 2022 (Act No. 5,\n2022)\nAssent date 14 April 2022\nCommenced pt 7: 25 May 2023 (Gaz G11, 25 May 2023, p 2);\nrem: 25 May 2022 (Gaz G21, 25 May 2022, p 1)\nTransport Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 23, 2025)\nAssent date 12 September 2025\nCommenced pts 2, 4, 5 and 6: 21 January 2026 (Gaz S5,\n19 January 2026); rem: 18 November 2025 (Gaz S69,\n17 November 2025)\n\nENDNOTES\nCommercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Courtesy Vehicles) Regulations 2003 6\n3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS\nGeneral amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table\nof amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation\nAmendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: rr 1, 2 and 4.\n4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 1 amd Act No. 23, 2025, s 66\nrr 4 – 5 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nrr 6 – 9 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nrep No. 34, 2017, r 11\nrr 10 – 12 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nrr 13 – 15 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nrep No. 34, 2017, r 11\nr 16 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nrr 17 – 18 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nrep No. 34, 2017, r 11\nr 19 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nr 20 amd Act No. 23, 2013, s 4; Act No. 5, 2022, s 67\nr 21 amd No. 45, 2012, r 4\nrep No. 34, 2017, r 11","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose: regulating courtesy vehicles as a specific category of commercial passenger transport. The amendments shown in the endnotes are minor — penalty updates, fee adjustments, and removal of obsolete provisions (regulations 6-9, 13-15, 17-18, and 21 were repealed in 2017). The core scheme has not expanded beyond regulating free transport services offered as tourism inducements."},"complexity_factors":["Only 5 defined terms in the interpretation section (regulation 3)","Straightforward offence structure with uniform penalty (25 penalty units) across all provisions","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic — only one simple exception in regulation 12(2) for promotional activities","Minimal cross-referencing — only references to the parent Act (Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 1991) for identity card provisions and commencement","Short length — approximately 6 pages with only 11 substantive regulations (many regulation numbers skipped due to repeals)","Clear, plain language drafting with minimal legalese"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese regulations set the rules for **courtesy vehicles** in the Northern Territory — think hotel shuttle buses, resort transport, or free rides offered by tourism businesses to their guests. They're not taxis or Uber; they're vehicles provided as a **free perk** when you book accommodation or a recreational activity.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n\n- **Operators** — businesses running courtesy vehicle services (like hotels, resorts, tour companies)\n- **Drivers** — people actually driving these vehicles\n- **Passengers** — tourists and guests using the service\n\n**Key rules:**\n\n- **No fare charging** — The ride must be completely free. Drivers can't ask for or accept payment (regulation 11).\n- **No taxi behaviour** — Courtesy vehicles can't \"ply for hire\" (cruise around looking for random passengers like taxis do) or tout for business (regulations 10 and 12).\n- **Record keeping** — Operators must keep detailed written records of vehicles, drivers, trip times, and every hiring. These must be stored safely and shown to inspectors when asked (regulation 4).\n- **Information sharing** — Operators must give information to the Director (the transport regulator) when requested (regulation 5).\n- **No grog runs** — Drivers and passengers can't use the vehicle to buy alcohol — the driver can't be sent to buy booze for passengers, and passengers can't buy it during the trip (regulation 16).\n- **No illegal activities** — Obviously, can't use the vehicle for crime (regulation 19).\n- **ID on display** — Drivers must show an official identity card with photo and expiry date in a visible spot in the vehicle, and produce it when asked by passengers or inspectors (regulation 20).\n- **Backup plan** — If a business promises a courtesy vehicle as part of a package but can't provide it, they must arrange another commercial passenger vehicle instead (regulation 11(3)).\n\n**Why it matters:**\n\nThese rules draw a clear line between **courtesy vehicles** (free add-ons to tourism packages) and **commercial taxis/ride-share** (which need different licences and can charge fares). Without these regulations, a hotel could effectively run an unlicensed taxi service by calling it \"courtesy transport.\" The rules protect consumers (ensuring they get what was promised), ensure road safety (through driver ID and record-keeping), and maintain fair competition with proper taxi services."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The instrument has been amended multiple times (see endnotes and List of amendments). Regulations were amended or repealed across several provisions (eg rr 4–5, 10–12, 16, 19, 20 amended; rr 6–9, 13–15, 17–18 repealed), and later Acts (2012, 2013, 2017, 2022, 2025) updated commencement, cross-references and certain requirements, indicating the regulatory scope and mechanisms have been altered since original enactment."},"complexity_factors":["Narrow, transaction-level obligations (recordkeeping, ID display, prohibitions) reduce legal complexity.","Frequent cross-references to the parent Act (Part 5B; s 74) create dependency on external provisions for full effect.","Directorial discretions (requests for information, approval of ID) introduce administrative judgement and variability (rr 5, 20).","Uniform penalty level applied across varied offences simplifies sanctioning but requires understanding of penalty-unit value.","Enforcement relies on inspectors and production of records, creating practical compliance and evidentiary burdens for operators (r 4).","Amendment history and repeals noted in endnotes mean the text has evolved and must be read with amendment notes."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set operational rules for courtesy vehicles: operators must keep and produce written records and supply information to the Director (r 4–5); drivers must display approved ID (r 20); plying for hire, fare-taking, touting, soliciting, buying alcohol during hirings, and using vehicles for illegal purposes are prohibited (rr 10–12, 16, 19). Penalties (generally 25 penalty units) apply to operators, drivers or passengers who breach the rules. The Director has discretion to require information and approve identification forms."},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Based on the available information, the regulations appear to have maintained their original focused scope — governing courtesy vehicles specifically within the commercial passenger road transport framework. The multiple reprints suggest refinements rather than fundamental scope changes, though without the full text this cannot be confirmed with certainty."},"complexity_factors":["Regulations operate as subordinate legislation under a parent Act, requiring understanding of both instruments together","The definition of 'courtesy vehicle' and its boundaries likely involves nuanced distinctions from commercial passenger vehicles","Multiple reprints (REPC060R9) indicate the regulations have been amended numerous times, creating potential layering of obligations","Intersection with broader transport licensing, accreditation, and safety frameworks adds contextual complexity","Limited metadata provided (no gazette details, no maker identified) makes full interpretation difficult without the actual regulatory text"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations govern “courtesy vehicles” — free passenger shuttles provided by businesses (hotels, dealers, airports) — clarifying when such services are exempt from full commercial passenger vehicle licensing while still subject to basic safety and compliance rules. They affect businesses operating courtesy services, their drivers and passengers, and regulators, creating a practical legal framework that preserves safety without imposing full commercial licensing burdens."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003","history":"/api/acts/commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003/history","analysis":"/api/acts/commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/commercial-passenger-road-transport-courtesy-vehicles-regulations-2003/documents"}}