{"id":"motor-vehicles-regulations-1977","name":"MOTOR VEHICLES REGULATIONS 1977","slug":"motor-vehicles-regulations-1977","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"nt","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":177033,"registerId":"nt-motor-vehicles-regulations-1977-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"MOTOR VEHICLES REGULATIONS 1977","content":"NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\nMOTOR VEHICLES REGULATIONS 1977\nAs in force at 18 November 2025\nTable of provisions\n1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1\n2 Repeal of regulation repealing former regulations ........................... 1\n3 Commencement .............................................................................. 1\n4A Definitions ........................................................................................ 1\n4B Meaning of construction or agricultural vehicle ................................ 4\n4BA Excluded provisions ......................................................................... 4\n4C Classification of licences ................................................................. 4\n4D Excluded vehicles ............................................................................ 8\n5 Novice motor cycle riders ................................................................ 8\n5A Exemption........................................................................................ 9\n6 Prescribed time for examination ...................................................... 9\n7 Prescribed conditions ...................................................................... 9\n7A Conditions of AIL licence ............................................................... 10\n7B Exemption...................................................................................... 11\n7C Prescribed registration period for prescribed trailers ..................... 11\n8 Prescribed period of licence .......................................................... 11\n9 Notice to be displayed ................................................................... 11\n9A Fitness to hold licence ................................................................... 12\n10 Ownership of national heavy vehicle number plates...................... 12\n15 Information sharing ........................................................................ 13\n17 Notices of destruction .................................................................... 16\n18 Register of Written-off Vehicles ..................................................... 18\n19 Exemption...................................................................................... 18\nENDNOTES\n\n\n\nNORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA\n____________________\nAs in force at 18 November 2025\n____________________\nMOTOR VEHICLES REGULATIONS 1977\nRegulations under the Motor Vehicles Act 1949\n1 Short title\nThese Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles\nRegulations 1977.\n2 Repeal of regulation repealing former regulations\nRegulations 1976, No. 14 are repealed.\n3 Commencement\nThese Regulations shall come into operation on the date of\ncommencement of the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1972.\n4A Definitions\n(1) In these Regulations:\napproved motor cycle means a motor cycle of a make and model\napproved by the Registrar under regulation 5.\narticulated motor omnibus means a motor omnibus consisting of\n2 rigid sections connected so as to allow:\n(a) rotary movements about the vertical and horizontal axes; and\n(b) passenger movement,\nbetween the 2 rigid sections.\nconstruction or agricultural vehicle, see regulation 4B.\ncorresponding law, in relation to the registration of a heavy\nvehicle, means a law of a State or another Territory that provides\nfor the registration of heavy vehicles.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 2\nmoped means a motor vehicle:\n(a) that is categorised as a moped in the Australian Design Rules;\nand\n(b) in relation to which at least one of the following applies:\n(i) the identification device attached to the vehicle identifies\nthe vehicle as a moped;\n(ii) the vehicle is recorded on the RAV as a moped;\n(iii) the vehicle is approved by the Registrar for use as a\nmoped.\nmotor cycle includes:\n(a) a motor cycle that has attached to it a side car supported by a\nthird wheel; and\n(b) a motor vehicle that has 3 wheels and that is designed to be\nridden in the same manner as a motor cycle.\nnational heavy vehicle number plate, see Schedule 1 to the\nMotor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008.\nrepairable write-off means a vehicle that is assessed as a total\nloss but is not a statutory write-off.\nroad has the same meaning as in the Australian Road Rules.\nroad-related area has the same meaning as in the Australian Road\nRules.\nstatutory write-off means a vehicle that is assessed as a total loss\nand is any of the following:\n(a) a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle) that has been:\n(i) immersed in salt water above the doorsill level for any\nperiod; or\n(ii) immersed in fresh water up to the dashboard or steering\nwheel for more than 48 hours;\n(b) a motor cycle that has been:\n(i) fully immersed in salt water for any period; or\n(ii) fully immersed in fresh water for more than 48 hours;\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 3\n(c) a motor vehicle or trailer that is burnt to such an extent that it\nis fit only for wrecking or scrap;\n(d) a motor vehicle or trailer that is stripped of all, or a\ncombination of most, interior and exterior body parts, panels\nand components (for example, the engine, wheels, bonnet,\nguards, doors or boot lid);\n(e) a motor vehicle (other than a motor cycle) that is damaged by\nat least 3 of the following impact damage indicators:\n(i) damage to an area of the roof equal to or exceeding\n300 mm by 300 mm in size;\n(ii) damage to an area of the cabin floor pan equal to or\nexceeding 300 mm by 300 mm in size;\n(iii) damage to an area of the firewell equal to or exceeding\n300 mm by 300 mm in size;\n(iv) any damage to the suspension;\n(v) damage (in the form of cracks or breaks) to major\nmechanical components (for example, the engine block\nor transmission casings);\n(f) a motor cycle that has impact damage (excluding scratching)\nto the suspension and at least 2 areas of structural frame\ndamage.\ntotal loss means a vehicle damaged by collision, fire, flood,\naccident, trespass, dismantling, demolition or other event to the\nextent that its fair salvage value plus the cost of repairing the\nvehicle for use on a road or road-related area would be more than\nthe fair market value of the vehicle immediately before the event\nthat caused the damage.\n(2) For the purposes of these Regulations, a vehicle is destroyed if it is\na total loss, including if the vehicle is a statutory write-off or a\nrepairable write-off.\ntruck means:\n(a) a goods vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass greater\nthan 4.5 t; or\n(b) a prime mover.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 4\n4B Meaning of construction or agricultural vehicle\n(1) A construction or agricultural vehicle includes:\n(a) a motor vehicle constructed to perform agricultural tasks (for\nexample, a tractor or harvester); and\n(b) machinery constructed to perform a specific function that is\nnot related to the carriage of passengers or goods on a public\nstreet (for example, an excavator, road grader, road roller,\nbulldozer or forklift).\n(2) However, a construction or agricultural vehicle does not include:\n(a) a motor vehicle with a chassis that is substantially the same\nas a truck chassis; or\n(b) a mobile crane that has a gross vehicle mass greater\nthan 4.5 t.\n4BA Excluded provisions\nFor section 5A(2)(h) of the Act, all provisions of these Regulations\nare excluded provisions.\n4C Classification of licences\n(1) Subject to this regulation, a reference in a licence granted under\nsection 9 or 10 of the Act to a classification by letter or letters is a\nreference to the type of motor vehicle specified in the column\nopposite the letter or letters in the table that the licensee is licensed\nto drive under the licence.\nTable\nClassification Type of Vehicle\nPart A – Motor Vehicles\nC A motor vehicle:\n(a) that has a gross vehicle mass\nnot greater than 4.5 t; or\n(b) that is a construction or\nagricultural vehicle.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 5\nClassification Type of Vehicle\nLR A motor vehicle that has a gross\nvehicle mass greater than 4.5 t but\nnot greater than 8 t\nMR A rigid motor vehicle that has:\n(a) 2 axles; and\n(b) a gross vehicle mass greater\nthan 8 t\nHR A rigid motor vehicle or an articulated\nmotor omnibus that has:\n(a) 3 or more axles; and\n(b) a gross vehicle mass greater\nthan 8 t\nHC A motor vehicle that is:\n(a) a prime mover to which is\nattached a single semi trailer\nthat has a gross vehicle mass\ngreater than 9 t plus any\nunladen converter dolly; or\n(b) a rigid motor vehicle to which\nis attached a trailer that has a\ngross vehicle mass greater\nthan 9 t plus any unladen dolly\ntrailer\nMC Any motor vehicle or any combination\nof vehicles\nNote for Part A\nFor a commercial passenger vehicle of any type of motor vehicle specified in this\nPart, see regulation 4C(5).\nPart B – Motor Cycles\nRm Moped\nRe A motor cycle with an engine capacity\nnot greater than 260 mL\nRr An approved motor cycle\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 6\nClassification Type of Vehicle\nR Any motor cycle\n(2) In addition to licensing the licensee to drive a motor vehicle of the\nclass referred to in subregulation (1), the licensee is licensed to\ndrive a motor vehicle of a class that is a lower class according to\nthe hierarchy specified in subregulation (4).\n(3) A licensee may drive a motor vehicle of a higher class according to\nthe hierarchy specified in subregulation (4) than that specified in his\nor her licence but only if:\n(a) a person licensed to drive the motor vehicle is occupying the\nnearest practicable seat to the licensee; and\n(b) a notice in accordance with regulation 9 is displayed\nconspicuously on, and so as to be clearly visible from, the rear\nof the motor vehicle; and\n(c) in the case of a motor omnibus, the motor omnibus is not used\nto convey passengers for reward.\n(4) The hierarchy, from the lowest to the highest, is as follows:\n(a) C;\n(b) LR;\n(c) MR;\n(d) HR;\n(e) HC;\n(f) MC.\n(5) A licence granted under section 10(2) of the Act is to have\nendorsed on it the letter \"h\", in brackets, after the classification of\nthe motor vehicle that the licensee is licensed to drive under the\nlicence.\n(5A) A licence granted under section 10(4A) of the Act must have\nendorsed on it the letter \"I\" after the classification of the motor\nvehicle that the licensee is licensed to drive under the licence.\n(6) If:\n(a) a person is the holder of a licence that is provisional by virtue\nof section 10A of the Act; and\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 7\n(b) the motor vehicle used in the test conducted under\nsection 10(7) of the Act to determine the person's capacity to\ndrive a motor vehicle was fitted with automatic transmission,\nthe Registrar may endorse the licence with the letter \"A\".\n(7) A licensee whose licence is endorsed with the letter \"A\" is licensed\nto drive only a motor vehicle fitted with automatic transmission.\n(8) A licensee whose licence is endorsed with the letter \"A\" may drive a\nmotor vehicle that is not fitted with automatic transmission if a\nperson licensed to drive the motor vehicle is occupying the seat\nnext to the licensee.\n(9) If:\n(a) a licence is granted to a person to drive a motor vehicle with a\ngross vehicle mass greater than 4.5 t; and\n(b) the motor vehicle used in the test conducted under\nsection 10(7) of the Act to determine the person's capacity to\ndrive a motor vehicle of that mass was fitted with\nsynchromesh transmission,\nthe Registrar may endorse the licence with the letter \"B\".\n(10) A licensee whose licence is endorsed with the letter \"B\" is licensed\nto drive only a motor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass greater than\n4.5 t that is fitted with synchromesh transmission.\n(11) A licensee whose licence is endorsed with the letter \"B\" may drive a\nmotor vehicle with a gross vehicle mass greater than 4.5 t that is\nnot fitted with synchromesh transmission if a person licensed to\ndrive the motor vehicle is occupying the seat next to the licensee.\n(12) Subject to the Motor Vehicles (Standards) Regulations 2003, a\nlicence endorsed with the letter \"C\" or the letters \"LR\" permits the\nlicensee to draw with a motor vehicle that the licensee is licensed to\ndrive under the licence a trailer with a gross vehicle mass not\ngreater than 9 t.\n(13) In Part A of the table in subregulation (1) a reference to a motor\nvehicle includes a moped but does not include any other motor\ncycle.\n(14) Despite subregulation (13), a person who is issued a learner\nlicence under section 9 of the Act after the commencement of this\nsubregulation is not licensed to drive a moped.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 8\n4D Excluded vehicles\nFor section 5(1) of the Act, definitions motor cycle and motor\nvehicle, the following vehicles are excluded:\n(a) a motorised wheelchair that is not capable of travelling at a\nspeed greater than 10 km/h;\n(b) a motorised scooter as defined in rule 244A(1) of the\nAustralian Road Rules;\n(c) a bicycle that is designed to be propelled by pedals and an\nengine, motor or other device with a power output not\nexceeding 200 W;\n(d) a bicycle that meets European product safety standard\nEN 15194, published in 2009 and amended in 2011, entitled\nCycles - Electrically power assisted cycles - EPAC bicycle;\n(e) a vehicle that is used on a railway.\n5 Novice motor cycle riders\n(1) The Registrar may approve a model of motor cycle, with an engine\ncapacity not greater than 660ml and a power to weight ratio not\nexceeding 150 kilowatts per tonne, as a motor cycle for novice\nmotor cycle riders.\nNote\nA list of approved motor cycles will be available from Motor Vehicle Registry\noffices.\n(2) For subregulation (1), novice motor cycle rider means any of the\nfollowing:\n(a) the holder of a learner licence in relation to a motor cycle;\n(b) the holder of a licence that is provisional under section 10A of\nthe Act;\n(c) a person who has not held, in the Territory or elsewhere, a\nlicence to ride a motor cycle for a continuous period of\n12 months.\n(3) If the Registrar grants a licence to ride a motor cycle (including a\nlearner licence) to a novice motor cycle rider, the licence must be\nclassified Rr.\n(4) When a person is no longer a novice motor cycle rider, the\nRegistrar must reclassify the person's licence as R.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 9\n(5) If a person holds a licence granted before the commencement of\nthis regulation that is classified Re, the licence is, from the\ncommencement of this regulation, taken to be classified Rr.\n(6) A motor cycle of a type mentioned in subregulation (1) is not an\napproved motor cycle for a novice motor cycle rider if it has\nperformance enhancing modifications.\n5A Exemption\nThe new owner of a heavy vehicle with a national heavy vehicle\nnumber plate issued by the Registrar is exempt from the\nrequirement under section 21A(2) of the Act to surrender the plate if\nthe heavy vehicle is registered under a corresponding law under the\nregistration number shown on the plate.\n6 Prescribed time for examination\nFor the purposes of section 25E(1)(b) of the Act, the Registrar may\nrequire a person approved under section 25B(2) of the Act to\nundergo:\n(a) a test or examination referred to in section 25E(1)(c) of the Act\nat any time after the expiration of 5 years after the person is\napproved under section 25B(2) of the Act and thereafter at\nany time after the expiration of 5 years after a previous\nexamination or test referred to in section 25E(1)(c) of the Act;\nor\n(b) a medical examination referred to in section 25E(1)(d) of the\nAct at any time after the expiration of 12 months after the\nperson is approved under section 25B(2) of the Act and\nthereafter at any time after the expiration of 12 months after a\nprevious medical examination referred to in section 25E(1)(d)\nof the Act.\n7 Prescribed conditions\nWhere a licence granted under section 9 or 10 of the Act is\nendorsed with the condition indicated by the letter \"S\" it is a\ncondition of that licence that the licensee shall not drive a motor\nvehicle of a class specified in the licence unless the licensee is\nwearing corrective lenses.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 10\n7A Conditions of AIL licence\nA licence granted under section 10(4A) of the Act is subject to the\nfollowing conditions:\n(a) the licensee must not drive a vehicle unless it is fitted with an\napproved AIL;\n(b) the licensee must not drive a commercial passenger vehicle;\n(c) if the licensee is a person to whom section 24 or 25 of the\nTraffic Act 1987 applies – the licensee must not drive a vehicle\nif the licensee's breath or blood contains alcohol;\n(d) if the licensee is not a person to whom section 24 or 25 of the\nTraffic Act 1987 applies – the licensee must not drive a vehicle\nif the licensee has:\n(i) a breath alcohol content equal to or exceeding\n0.02 grams of alcohol per 210 litres of exhaled breath; or\n(ii) a blood alcohol content equal to or exceeding\n0.02 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood;\n(e) the licensee must comply with any agreement in relation to an\nAIL supplied to the licensee made between the licensee and\nthe approved supplier of the AIL;\n(f) the licensee must use the AIL fitted to a vehicle driven by the\nlicensee in accordance with any instructions for use issued by\nthe manufacturer of the AIL (the manufacturer) or the\nRegistrar;\n(g) the licensee must ensure that an AIL owned by or leased to\nthe licensee is maintained and serviced in accordance with\nany specifications of the manufacturer or approved supplier;\n(h) the licensee must not:\n(i) interfere with the proper operation of an AIL fitted to a\nvehicle driven by the licensee; or\n(ii) require or permit a person to interfere with the proper\noperation of an AIL fitted to a vehicle driven by the\nlicensee;\n(i) immediately after a request from a police officer – the licensee\nmust permit the police officer to inspect an AIL fitted to a\nvehicle driven by the licensee;\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 11\n(j) within 7 days of a request from the approved supplier of an\nAIL owned by or leased to the licensee – the licensee must\nauthorise the approved supplier in writing to provide\ninformation obtained from the AIL to the Registrar;\n(k) within 7 days of a request from the Registrar – the licensee\nmust authorise the Registrar in writing to provide information\nobtained from an AIL owned by or leased to the licensee to\nany person.\n7B Exemption\nA person is exempt from the requirement to return a number plate\nunder section 98(1) of the Act if:\n(a) the registration or licence mentioned in that section is of, or\nfor, a heavy vehicle with a national heavy vehicle number\nplate issued by the Registrar; and\n(b) the heavy vehicle is registered under a corresponding law\nunder the registration number shown on the plate.\n7C Prescribed registration period for prescribed trailers\n(1) For section 103(2)(a) of the Act, a trailer that has a gross vehicle\nmass which does not exceed 750 kg is a prescribed class.\n(2) For section 103(2)(a)(i) of the Act, the prescribed period for the\nregistration of a trailer of the prescribed class described in\nsubregulation (1) is 3 years.\n8 Prescribed period of licence\nFor the purposes of section 104(1) of the Act, the prescribed period\nis 10 years.\n9 Notice to be displayed\nA notice referred to in regulation 4C(3)(b) shall be not less than\n530 mm x 300 mm in size with the words \"DRIVER UNDER\nINSTRUCTION\" in black capital letters not less than 75 mm in\nheight on a yellow background.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 12\n9A Fitness to hold licence\n(1) The Registrar shall not:\n(a) grant a licence to drive a commercial passenger vehicle as\ndefined in the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport\nAct 1991 unless the Registrar is satisfied that the applicant is:\n(i) a fit and proper person; and\n(ii) is medically fit to drive the vehicle specified in the\napplication; or\n(b) renew a licence to drive a commercial passenger vehicle as\ndefined in the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport\nAct 1991 unless the Registrar is satisfied that the holder of the\nlicence:\n(i) is a fit and proper person; and\n(ii) is medically fit to drive the vehicle specified in the licence\ncurrently held by the person.\n(2) The Registrar must have regard to the following in considering\nwhether a person is fit and proper for subregulation (1)(a)(i)\nor (b)(i):\n(a) whether or not the person has shown a pattern of committing\noffences;\n(b) any other circumstances concerning the person that the\nRegistrar considers relevant.\n10 Ownership of national heavy vehicle number plates\n(1) A national heavy vehicle number plate issued by the Registrar is\nthe property of the Territory.\n(2) However, a national heavy vehicle number plate issued by the\nRegistrar ceases to be the property of the Territory if the heavy\nvehicle for which the plate was issued is registered under a\ncorresponding law under the registration number shown on the\nplate.\n(3) A national heavy vehicle number plate is taken to have been issued\nby the Registrar if:\n(a) the plate was originally issued under a corresponding law; and\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 13\n(b) the Registrar registers the vehicle under the registration\nnumber shown on the plate.\n15 Information sharing\n(1) The Registrar may give information of a type specified in the\nheading to each Table to a person of a class of persons specified in\ncolumn 1 of the Tables, under the circumstances set out opposite in\ncolumn 2, and subject to any conditions set out opposite in\ncolumn 3.\nTable 1 – Information relating to a registered vehicle\nItem Column 1\nClass of person\nColumn 2\nPurpose for giving\ninformation\nColumn 3\nConditions\n1 The owner or operator of a\nvehicle involved in an\naccident\nThe owner or operator's\ninsurance company or\nlegal representative\nThe information is given\nfor the purpose of\nidentifying or locating\nthe owner or operator of\nanother vehicle involved\nin the accident\nThe\nprescribed\nfee is paid\n2 The owner or occupier of\npremises into which a\nvehicle impacts, or where it\nremains, as a result of an\naccident\nThe information is given\nfor the purpose of\nidentifying or locating\nthe owner or operator of\na vehicle involved in the\naccident\nThe\nprescribed\nfee is paid\n3 An owner or occupier of\nland, or the competent\nauthority in relation to a\npublic street or public\nplace, where a vehicle is\nabandoned\nThe information is given\nfor the purpose of\nidentifying or locating\nthe owner of the\nabandoned vehicle\nThe\nprescribed\nfee is paid\n4 The administrator of the\nestate of a deceased\nvehicle owner\nThe trustee, or registered\ndebt administrator, of the\nestate of an insolvent\nvehicle owner\nThe legal representative of\nthe administrator or trustee\nThe information is given\nfor the purpose of\nascertaining the\nexistence and\nwhereabouts of a\nvehicle belonging to the\nowner\nThe\nprescribed\nfee is paid\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 14\nItem Column 1\nClass of person\nColumn 2\nPurpose for giving\ninformation\nColumn 3\nConditions\n5 The adult guardian of a\nvehicle owner\nThe legal representative of\nthe guardian\nThe information is given\nfor the purpose of\nascertaining the\nexistence and\nwhereabouts of a\nvehicle belonging to the\nowner\nThe\nprescribed\nfee is paid\n6 A charitable organisation\nregistered under the\nAustralian Charities and\nNot-for-profits Commission\nAct 2012 (Cth)\nThe information is given\nfor the purpose of\nlocating a missing\nperson\nThe\nprescribed\nfee is paid\n7 A statutory officer or an\ninterstate regulator\ninvolved in the registration\nof vehicles\nAn entity engaged to host\nan information sharing\nsystem between driver\nlicensing and vehicle\nregistration regulators,\ndriver licensing authorities,\nlaw enforcement agencies\nand State, Territory or\nCommonwealth agencies\nCrimTrac and participants\nand users as defined in the\nNEVDIS Participation\nAgreement dated\n17 March 2018\nA Commonwealth agency\nresponsible for the\nregulation of border\ncontrol, immigration,\ncitizenship or the issue of\npassports\nThe information is given\nfor the purpose of\nidentifying and locating\nthe owner or operator of\na vehicle registered in\nthe Territory\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 15\nItem Column 1\nClass of person\nColumn 2\nPurpose for giving\ninformation\nColumn 3\nConditions\n8 The National Heavy\nVehicle Regulator\nestablished by the Heavy\nVehicle National Law\nThe vehicle is a heavy\nvehicle and the\ninformation is given for\nthe purposes of the\nnational scheme for\nfacilitating and\nregulating the use of\nheavy vehicles on roads\nin Australia\nTable 2 – Information relating to a licence to drive a motor\nvehicle or the holder of such a licence\nItem Column 1\nClass of person\nColumn 2\nPurpose for giving\ninformation\nColumn 3\nConditions\n1 A charitable organisation\nregistered under the\nAustralian Charities and\nNot-for-profits Commission\nAct 2012 (Cth)\nThe information is given for\nthe purpose of locating a\nmissing person\nThe\nprescribed\nfee is paid\n2 A statutory officer or an\ninterstate regulator\ninvolved in the issuing of\nlicences to drive a motor\nvehicle or licences to\noperate a commercial\npassenger vehicle\nAn entity engaged to host\nan information sharing\nsystem between driver\nlicensing and vehicle\nregistration regulators,\ndriver licensing authorities,\nlaw enforcement agencies\nand State, Territory or\nCommonwealth agencies\nCrimTrac and participants\nand users as defined in the\nNEVDIS Participation\nAgreement dated\nThe information is given for\nthe purpose of identifying\nor confirming the identity of\na person, and to provide\nthe person's address,\ndriver licence and\ncommercial passenger\nvehicle licence status\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 16\nItem Column 1\nClass of person\nColumn 2\nPurpose for giving\ninformation\nColumn 3\nConditions\n17 March 2018\nA Commonwealth agency\nresponsible for the\nregulation of border\ncontrol, immigration,\ncitizenship or the issue of\npassports\nA foreign licensing\nauthority\n(2) In this regulation:\ncompetent authority, in relation to a public street or public place,\nmeans the person, body or authority (including the Territory) having\nthe care, control and management of that street or place.\nCrimTrac means the CrimTrac Agency established under\nsection 65 of the Public Service Act 1999 (Cth).\ninformation means information contained in a record kept by, or\ndocument filed with, the Registrar, relating to:\n(a) a registered vehicle; or\n(b) the holder of a licence to drive a motor vehicle.\nlicence to drive a motor vehicle includes a learner licence.\nNEVDIS means the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver\nInformation System, a database of Australian driver and vehicle\ninformation operated by Austroads Ltd ACN 136 812 390.\nprescribed fee means the amount prescribed by the Motor\nVehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 for the service\nprovided.\n17 Notices of destruction\n(1) A notice of destruction referred to in section 19A of the Act:\n(a) is to contain the following information in respect of the vehicle:\n(i) the name and address of the registered owner;\n(ii) the registration number;\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 17\n(iii) the make and model;\n(iv) whether it is a motor car, motor cycle, goods vehicle,\nmotor omnibus, motor tractor or trailer;\n(v) the vehicle identification number;\n(vi) the date of manufacture stated on the RAV for the\nvehicle or, if that date is not stated on the RAV, the date\nstated by the vehicle's manufacturer on the identification\ndevice attached to the vehicle;\n(vii) whether it was destroyed by hail, water, impact, fire or\nstripping;\n(viii) the name and address of the person making the\nstatutory declaration referred to in paragraph (b);\n(ix) if the person making the statutory declaration is a\ntrader – the trader's motor vehicle trader's licence\nnumber;\n(x) if the person making the statutory declaration is an\napproved person under paragraph (b)(iv) – the person's\napproval number;\n(xi) if the person making the statutory declaration is a person\nreferred to in paragraph (b)(v) – details of the person's\nqualification or accreditation to assess damaged\nvehicles; and\n(b) is to be accompanied by a statutory declaration made by one\nof the following persons to the effect that the vehicle is\ndestroyed:\n(i) the registered owner;\n(ii) the insurer that declared the vehicle to be a total loss\nunder a contract of insurance;\n(iii) a trader;\n(iv) a person approved by the Registrar to assess damaged\nvehicles and, if appropriate, declare them to be total\nlosses;\n(v) a person who is qualified or accredited to assess\ndamaged vehicles.\n\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 18\n(2) A notice of destruction may be delivered to the Registrar on behalf\nof the owner by a person referred to in subregulation (1)(b)(ii), (iii),\n(iv) or (v).\n18 Register of Written-off Vehicles\n(1) The Registrar must keep a Register of Written-off Vehicles.\n(2) The Register may be kept in any form, including an electronic form.\n(3) The Register is to contain the information specified in\nregulation 17(1)(a) obtained from a notice of destruction referred to\nin section 19A of the Act in respect of a vehicle, other than a trailer,\nif the date of manufacture mentioned in the notice is not earlier than\n15 years before the date on which the notice is delivered to the\nRegistrar.\n(4) On payment of the fee (if any) prescribed in the Motor Vehicles\n(Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008, a person is to be provided\nwith the information contained in the Register in respect of a\nvehicle.\n19 Exemption\nA person is exempt from the requirement under section 132(3)(a) of\nthe Act to produce a national heavy vehicle number plate issued by\nthe Registrar if the heavy vehicle is registered under a\ncorresponding law under the registration number shown on the\nplate.\n\nENDNOTES\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 19\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\nMotor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 11, 1977)\nNotified 29 July 1977\nCommenced 12 August 1977 (r 3, s 3 Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1972 (Act\nNo. 76, 1972) and Gaz No. 32, 12 August 1977, p 1241)\nAmendments of the Motor Vehicle Regulations (SL No. 17, 1980)\nNotified 9 May 1980\nCommenced 9 May 1980\nAmendments of the Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 31, 1981)\nNotified 20 November 1981\nCommenced 1 December 1981 (r 1)\nAmendments of the Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 37, 1984)\nNotified 15 June 1984\nCommenced 29 June 1984 (r 1)\nAmendments of the Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 8, 1986)\nNotified 7 April 1986\nCommenced r 4: 6 May 1986; rem: 7 April 1986 (r 1, s 2 Motor Vehicles\nAmendment Act 1985 (Act No. 38, 1985) and Gaz G16,\n23 April 1986, p 11)\nAmendments of the Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 48, 1986)\nNotified 28 November 1986\nCommenced 1 December 1986 (r 1)\nAmendments of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 27, 1990)\nNotified 1 August 1990\nCommenced 1 August 1990\n\nENDNOTES\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 20\nAmendments of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 61, 1992)\nNotified 11 November 1992\nCommenced 11 November 1992\nAmendments of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 22, 1997)\nNotified 1 July 1997\nCommenced 1 July 1997\nAmendments of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 54, 2000)\nNotified 15 November 2000\nCommenced 15 November 2000\nAmendment of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 47, 2001)\nNotified 6 December 2001\nCommenced 6 December 2001\nStatute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2001 (Act No. 62, 2001)\nAssent date 11 December 2001\nCommenced 11 December 2001 (s 2(1) and (4), s 2 Corporations Reform\n(Consequential Amendments NT) Act 2001 (Act No. 17,\n2001), s 2 Corporations Act 2001 (Cth Act No. 50, 2001) and\nCth Gaz S285, 13 July 2001)\nAmendments of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 39, 2002)\nNotified 9 October 2002\nCommenced 9 October 2002\nCommercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Consequential Amendments) Act (Act No. 41,\n2003)\nAssent date 7 July 2003\nCommenced 1 August 2003 (Gaz G30, 30 July 2003, p 2)\nCommercial Passenger Vehicles Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (Act No. 3, 2006)\nAssent date 8 March 2006\nCommenced 8 March 2006\nMotor Vehicles Amendment (Compensation Contributions) Regulations 2006 (SL\nNo. 31, 2006)\nNotified 18 October 2006\nCommenced 18 October 2006 (r 2, s 2 Motor Vehicles Amendment\nAct 2006 (Act No. 14, 2006) and Gaz G42, 18 October 2006,\np 2)\nTransport Legislation (Road Safety) Amendment Act 2007 (Act No. 10, 2007)\nAssent date 21 June 2007\nCommenced 1 July 2007 (Gaz S16, 27 June 2007)\nMotor Vehicles Amendment Regulations 2008 (SL No. 6, 2008)\nNotified 23 April 2008\nCommenced 1 July 2008 (Gaz G22, 4 June 2008, p 7)\nTransport Legislation Amendment (Alcohol Ignition Locks) Regulations 2009 (SL No. 9,\n2009)\nNotified 9 April 2009\nCommenced 9 April 2009 (r 2, s 2 Transport Legislation (Alcohol Ignition\nLocks) Amendment Act 2008 (Act No. 38, 2008) and Gaz\nS15, 9 April 2009)\n\nENDNOTES\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 21\nTerritory Insurance Office and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2010 (Act No. 35,\n2010)\nAssent date 18 November 2010\nCommenced pt 4: 1 January 2011; rem: 18 November 2010 (s 2)\nTraffic and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2011 (Act No. 22, 2011)\nAssent date 22 August 2011\nCommenced 1 September 2011 (Gaz G35, 31 August 2011, p 9)\nMotor Vehicles Amendment (Construction or Agricultural Vehicles) Regulations 2012\n(SL No. 37, 2012)\nNotified 3 August 2012\nCommenced 3 August 2012\nMotor Vehicles Amendment Regulations 2013 (SL No. 15, 2013)\nNotified 1 July 2013\nCommenced 1 July 2013 (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)\nTransport Legislation Amendment Regulations 2019 (SL No. 11, 2019)\nNotified 1 July 2019\nCommenced 1 August 2019 (r 2)\nTransport Legislation Amendment Regulations 2019 (SL No. 20, 2019)\nNotified 31 July 2019\nCommenced 1 August 2019 (r 2)\nTransport Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (Act No. 23, 2020)\nAssent date 10 July 2020\nCommenced 1 July 2021 (Gaz G23, 9 June 2021, p 1)\nAmending Legislation\nStatute Law Revision Act 2020 (Act No. 26, 2020)\nAssent date 19 November 2020\nCommenced 20 November 2020 (s 2)\nMotor Vehicle Amendment Regulations 2020 (SL No. 28, 2020)\nNotified 5 August 2020\nCommenced 5 August 2020\nTransport Legislation Amendment Act 2022 (Act No. 1, 2022)\nAssent date 1 March 2022\nCommenced 4 May 2022 (Gaz S20, 29 April 2022)\nTransport Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 23, 2025)\nAssent date 12 September 2025\nCommenced pts 2, 4, 5 and 6: nc; rem: 18 November 2025 (Gaz S69,\n17 November 2025)\n\nENDNOTES\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 22\n3 SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS\nr 4 Amendments of the Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 37, 1984)\nr 6 Amendments of Motor Vehicles Regulations (SL No. 22, 1997)\n4 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, 2018) to: rr 1, 4C, 7A, 9A, 12, 15, 16\nand 18.\n5 LIST OF AMENDMENTS\nr 4 amd No. 27, 1990, r 1\nrep Act No. 62, 2001, s 17\nr 4A ins No. 37, 1984, r 2\namd No. 8, 1986, r 2; No. 48, 1986, r 2; No. 27, 1990, r 2; No. 22, 1997, r 2;\nNo. 54, 2000, r 2; No. 39, 2002, r 1; No. 6, 2008, r 4; No. 37, 2012, r 3;\nNo. 20, 2019, r 4; Act No. 23, 2020, s 34\nr 4AB ins No. 8, 1986, r 3\nrep No. 27, 1990, r 4\nr 4AC ins No. 8, 1986, r 3\nrep No. 27, 1990, r 4\nr 4AD ins No. 8, 1986, r 3\namd No. 48, 1986, r 4\nrep No. 27, 1990, r 4\nr 4B ins No. 37, 2012, r 4\nr 4BA ins Act No. 23, 2020, s 35\nr 4C ins No. 8, 1986, r 3\namd No. 48, 1986, r 3; No. 27, 1990, r 3; No. 61, 1992, r 3\nsub No. 22, 1997, r 3\namd No. 54, 2000, r 3; Act No. 41, 2003, s 6; Act No. 10, 2007, s 26; No. 6,\n2008, r 5; No. 9, 2009, r 4\nrenum No. 37, 2012, r 5\namd No. 37, 2012, r 5; No. 11, 2019, r 19; Act No. 23, 2020, s 36\nr 4D ins Act No. 1, 2022, s 18\nr 5 sub No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 61, 1992, r 4\nrep Act No. 10, 2007, s 27\nins No. 6, 2008, r 6\nr 5A ins No. 20, 2019 r 5\nr 6 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\nr 7 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 37, 2012, r 6\nr 7A ins No. 9, 2009, r 5\namd Act No. 22, 2011, s 44\nr 7B ins No. 20, 2019 r 6\nr 7C ins Act No. 23, 2025, s 40\nr 8 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 61, 1992, r 6\nsub No. 22, 1997, r 4\namd Act No. 10, 2007, s 28; No. 15, 2013, r 4\nr 9 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 22, 1997, r 5; No. 37, 2012, r 7\n\nENDNOTES\nMotor Vehicles Regulations 1977 23\nr 9A ins No. 61, 1992, r 5\namd Act No. 3, 2006, s 20\nr 10 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 15, 2013, r 5\nsub No. 20, 2019, r 10\nr 11 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 15, 2013, r 6\nrep No. 20, 2019, r 7\nr 12 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\nrep No. 20, 2019, r 7\nr 13 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 15, 2013, r 7\nrep No. 20, 2019, r 7\nr 14 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\nsub No. 61, 1992, r 7\nrep No. 20, 2019, r 7\nr 14A ins No. 61, 1992, r 8\namd No. 15, 2013, r 8; Act No. 23, 2013, s 4\nrep No. 20, 2019, r 7\nr 15 ins No. 27, 1990, r 4\namd No. 54, 2000, r 4\nsub No. 28, 2020, r 4\nr 16 ins No. 47, 2001\nrep Act No. 23, 2025, s 41\nr 17 ins No. 39, 2002, r 2\namd Act No. 23, 2020, s 37\nr 18 ins No. 39, 2002, r 2\namd Act No. 23, 2020, s 38\nr 19 ins No. 31, 2006, r 4\nrep Act No. 35, 2010, s 56\nins No. 20, 2019 r 8\nr 20 ins No. 31, 2006, r 4\nrep Act No. 35, 2010, s 56\nsch amd No. 17, 1980, r 1; No. 31, 1981, r 2; No. 37, 1984, r 3; No. 8, 1986, r 4;\nNo. 48, 1986, r 5; No. 27, 1990, r 5; No. 54, 2000, r 5\nrep Act No. 62, 2001, s 17","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Regulations' scope has been expanded from the original 1977 instrument by successive amendments. Endnotes show inserted or amended provisions addressing construction/agricultural vehicle definitions (reg 4B, 2012), alcohol ignition lock/AIL licensing conditions (reg 7A, 2009), data‑sharing (reg 15, inserted 1990s–2000s and amended later), national heavy vehicle plate treatment and exemptions (regs 5A, 7B, 10, 19; amendments 2019–2025), exclusions and e‑scooter/bicycle rules (reg 4D, 2022), and written‑off vehicle registers and notice requirements (regs 17–18, 2002, 2020). These additions broaden regulatory reach into equipment standards, interjurisdictional registration and data disclosure."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive technical definitions and thresholds (engine capacity, power-to-weight, gross vehicle mass) that determine licensing and vehicle classes (reg 4A, 4B, 4C, reg 5).","Layered licence endorsements and hierarchies with conditional permissions (automatic/synchromesh endorsements, provisional rules) creating many edge cases (reg 4C(2)–(14)).","Detailed equipment and behavioural conditions for specific licences (Alcohol Ignition Locks/AIL) with supplier, maintenance and inspection obligations (reg 7A).","Multiple exemptions and cross-border registration interactions for national heavy vehicle plates that change property and surrender duties (regs 5A, 7B, 10, 19).","Information‑sharing regime with tables of authorised recipients, purposes and fee conditions — mixes privacy, operational and commercial concerns (reg 15, Table 1–2).","Administrative processes for total-loss and written-off vehicles, prescribed notice content and a maintained Register with retention thresholds and fees (regs 17–18).","Frequent cross-references to the Act, other Territory laws and national systems (NEVDIS, National Heavy Vehicle Regulator), increasing interpretive complexity (multiple regs).","Numerous legislative amendments and insertions over decades, creating layered transitional and interpretive considerations (see Endnotes/list of amendments)."],"plain_english_summary":"These Regulations set technical rules for vehicle classification, driver licences and endorsements, registration (including national heavy vehicle plates), written-off vehicle notices/registering, and controlled sharing of driver and vehicle records. They spell out who can drive what, equipment and medical/fitness checks, and when plates or notices must be surrendered or may be exempted.\n\nThey affect drivers, owners, insurers, vehicle traders and the Registrar by creating compliance duties, fee‑based data disclosures and Registrar discretion (see regs 7A, 10, 15, 17–18)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"Originally enacted in 1977 as basic operational regulations for vehicle registration and licensing, the legislation has expanded significantly beyond its original scope. It now encompasses: national heavy vehicle registration schemes (interstate operability), alcohol ignition interlock programs for drink-driving offenders, detailed written-off vehicle tracking and anti-fraud measures, information-sharing frameworks with Commonwealth agencies and national databases (NEVDIS), and specific novice motorcycle safety restrictions. The original 1977 regulations likely dealt with basic licensing and registration mechanics, but the current version functions as a hub for national transport integration and road safety interventions."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to the parent Act (Motor Vehicles Act 1949) and other legislation (Traffic Act 1987, Heavy Vehicle National Law, Australian Road Rules)","Detailed classification table in regulation 4C with 6 vehicle classes plus 4 motorcycle classes, plus hierarchical rules and multiple endorsement letters (A, B, h, I, S)","Extensive defined terms in regulation 4A (15+ definitions) including technical distinctions between 'statutory write-off' and 'repairable write-off' with specific measurement criteria (300mm x 300mm damage areas, 48-hour immersion periods)","Nested conditional logic in regulation 4C(3) for driving higher-class vehicles and regulation 7A for AIL licence conditions with 11 separate sub-conditions","Two detailed information-sharing tables (Tables 1 and 2) in regulation 15 specifying different recipient classes, purposes, and conditions","Multiple exemption provisions (regulations 5A, 7B, 19) that operate conditionally based on interstate registration status","Fragmented structure with many regulations repealed and reinserted over time (evident from the endnotes showing 20+ amendment instruments since 1977)"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this legislation does:**\n\nThese are the **Motor Vehicles Regulations 1977** for the Northern Territory. They set out the detailed rules for how the *Motor Vehicles Act 1949* works in practice. Think of the Act as the broad framework and these Regulations as the operational manual.\n\n**Key areas covered:**\n\n*   **Driver Licences:** Explains what vehicle types you can drive with each licence class (C, LR, MR, HR, HC, MC for cars/trucks; Rm, Re, Rr, R for motorbikes). It sets out the hierarchy—if you hold a higher class, you can automatically drive lower classes. It also covers special endorsements like \"A\" (automatic transmission only) and \"B\" (synchromesh transmission only for heavy vehicles), plus conditions for learner drivers and alcohol ignition lock (AIL) licences for drink-driving offenders.\n\n*   **Vehicle Registration:** Deals with national heavy vehicle number plates (used across Australia), exemptions for when these plates don't need to be surrendered, and registration periods for light trailers.\n\n*   **Written-off Vehicles:** Creates a **Register of Written-off Vehicles** to track cars that are total losses (either \"statutory write-offs\" that can only be scrapped, or \"repairable write-offs\" that can be fixed). It defines exactly what counts as destroyed—covering flood damage, fire, stripping, and specific impact damage thresholds.\n\n*   **Information Sharing:** Allows the Registrar to share vehicle and driver information with insurers, police, other states/territories, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, and even charities looking for missing persons—usually for a fee.\n\n*   **Novice Motorcyclists:** Restricts new riders to approved motorbikes (max 660cc, power-to-weight ratio capped) and requires them to hold an \"Rr\" classification until they've had 12 months of experience.\n\n*   **Who it affects:** Anyone who drives, owns, registers, or repairs vehicles in the NT; motor traders; insurers; and government agencies that need vehicle data.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese rules keep unsafe vehicles off the road, ensure drivers are qualified for the vehicles they operate, prevent fraud with written-off cars, and allow seamless movement of heavy vehicles across state borders through national registration schemes."},"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"},"summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original Motor Vehicles Regulations 1977 were made nearly 45 years before this 2020 remake. The involvement of the Department of Treasury and Finance in Part V (alongside the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure) suggests the scope has expanded beyond pure vehicle administration to include financial or insurance-related obligations, which may not have been part of the original 1977 intent."},"complexity_factors":["Split administrative responsibility between two government departments adds jurisdictional complexity","Unusually long commencement delay (over 5 years from making to start date) may indicate layered or staged implementation","Regulations are a subordinate instrument, meaning they must be read alongside the parent Motor Vehicles Act to be fully understood","The document provided contains minimal substantive content, making it difficult to assess the full regulatory burden without reviewing the actual provisions","The reprint number (REPM020R1) suggests this is an updated version, meaning changes from prior versions must be tracked to understand what is new"],"plain_english_summary":"These regulations set detailed rules for registering, operating and managing motor vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act, affecting drivers, owners, fleet operators, insurers and related businesses. Responsibility is split between the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure and the Department of Treasury and Finance (which handles Part V). Notably, they were made in 2020 but do not commence until 18 November 2025, giving a long lead time to prepare."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/motor-vehicles-regulations-1977","history":"/api/acts/motor-vehicles-regulations-1977/history","analysis":"/api/acts/motor-vehicles-regulations-1977/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/motor-vehicles-regulations-1977/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/motor-vehicles-regulations-1977/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/motor-vehicles-regulations-1977/documents"}}