COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (MINIBUSES) REGULATIONS 1998 (Northern Territory)

These regulations set mandatory operational rules for Northern Territory commercial minibuses — identity cards, record-keeping, displayed fares and conduct rules — and require fitted, functioning on‑board security cameras in declared areas with signage, approved models and data‑handling procedures. They affect minibus operators (who bear installation, maintenance and record‑keeping costs), drivers and passengers, and give the Director and authorised officers power to approve systems, grant exemptions and access recordings; non‑compliance attracts specified penalties and licence fees.

These Regulations set detailed operational, record-keeping, safety and surveillance requirements for minibuses operating under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 1991 in the Northern Territory. They specify prescribed classes for identity cards (regulation 4), operator record-keeping and production obligations (regulation 5), fare display rules and associated strict liability offences (regulations 7 and 7A), and specific obligations concerning carriage of passengers in wheelchairs for multiple purpose minibuses (regulation 7B). They govern driver conduct and passenger control (regulations 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17 and 18), including requirements around minibus ranks and where a minibus may be parked or stand (regulations 11 and 12).

A distinct operational regime for onboard security camera systems is created in Part 3A (regulations 18A to 18Q). That Part applies only where the Minister declares a minibus area by Gazette notice (regulation 18B). In declared minibus areas, operators of Part 3A minibuses must ensure an onboard system is fitted and functioning whenever the vehicle is carrying passengers for hire or is available for hire (regulation 18C). Only approved systems may be fitted (regulation 18H), the Director may publish system specifications and approve makes and models (regulation 18Q), and operators must display signage warning persons of surveillance (regulation 18D). The Director may authorise persons to inspect, maintain and copy recordings from onboard systems (regulation 18J), and authorised purposes for examination or copying are enumerated (regulation 18K). Requirements for keeping a register of examinations and copies (regulation 18M), disposal of copies (regulation 18P), and limited exemptions where repairs cannot be effected promptly (regulation 18R) are also provided.

The Regulations allocate decision-making powers and discretions to the Director and the Minister. The Director may approve identity forms of identification under section 74 of the Act and may require operators to provide additional matters as licence conditions (regulation 4(2) and 5(1)(c)). The Minister may declare the geographic operation of Part 3A (regulation 18B). The Director may approve camera makes and models and issue operational requirements for onboard systems (regulation 18Q) and may grant written exemptions where systems are not functioning and cannot be repaired quickly (regulation 18R).

Operational costs and compliance points are explicit. Operators must maintain records at their principal place of business and produce them to inspectors on demand (regulation 5). Fees are prescribed in the Schedule and payable under regulation 24; the Schedule sets differing annual licence fees by minibus area and reduced fees for multiple purpose minibuses. Several contraventions attract specified maximum penalty units; for example, failure to keep operator records is up to 60 penalty units (regulation 5), fitting an unapproved camera system attracts up to 40 units (regulation 18H), and interfering with an onboard system draws a maximum of 60 units (regulation 18G).

Mechanically, the Regulations therefore do four things: codify day-to-day operational rules for minibus drivers and operators (including rank conduct and fares); impose record-keeping and disclosure obligations on operators (including journey data on request); create a controlled surveillance regime for minibuses in declared areas with administrator oversight and technical approval pathways; and set fees and penalties to enforce compliance. The instrument cross-refers repeatedly to the parent Act for licensing and enforcement frameworks, for example sections 38J, 38K and 74 of the Act, and uses the Director and inspectors provided for under the Act as enforcement actors.

The Regulations organise obligations and powers around a small number of legal and technical concepts. These concepts structure who does what, how surveillance information may be used, and how compliance is enforced.

Operator and driver. The distinction between operator and driver is central. "Operator" is defined as a person who operates a minibus other than only as a driver (regulation 3). Many duties fall on operators, notably record-keeping (regulation 5), ensuring onboard systems are fitted and functioning (regulation 18C), fitting signage (regulation 18D), ensuring driver competence with onboard systems (regulation 18E), and responding to Director requests for journey information (regulation 22). Driver-specific duties include displaying identity cards (regulation 4(3)), not charging above displayed fares (regulation 7A), not refusing wheelchair passengers for multiple purpose minibuses in specified circumstances (regulation 7B), and ensuring the onboard system is functioning while operating the minibus (regulation 18F).
Part 3A minibus and minibus area. Part 3A applies only to Part 3A minibuses, defined as minibuses licensed to stand and ply for hire at a minibus rank or an approved place within a minibus area to which Part 3A applies (regulation 18A). The Minister decides the geographic scope by Gazette notice (regulation 18B). The regulatory consequences follow from that declaration, meaning the surveillance regime is geographically limited until a declaration is made.
Onboard system and approved minibus security camera system. An onboard system is either an approved system fitted to a minibus or a system already fitted before these rules commenced (regulation 18A). A system is "functioning" if visual indicators on the camera or associated equipment show it is working and capable of recording images (regulation 18A). Only approved systems may be fitted in Part 3A minibuses (regulation 18H). The Director may publish specifications and approve makes and models (regulation 18Q). This sets a technical gatekeeping function with control over acceptable hardware and possibly its operational characteristics.
Authorised person, officer and authorised purpose. The Director may, in writing, authorise persons to inspect, maintain, repair and test onboard systems and to examine and copy recordings (regulation 18J). "Officer" is defined to include inspectors, police officers and members of the Australian Federal Police (regulation 18A). The regulations list the authorised purposes for which recordings may be examined or copied: ensuring compliance with applicable laws by operators, drivers or passengers liable for a fare; investigating offences; locating missing persons or furthering welfare/safety investigations; and inspecting, maintaining or testing onboard systems (regulation 18K). Explicit purpose limitation constrains secondary uses.

The Regulations affect a defined set of actors in the NT commercial passenger transport market and adjacent public law actors. The main categories are operators, drivers, passengers, authorised persons, the Director, and officers.

Operators. The Regulations place the bulk of ongoing compliance responsibilities on operators. An operator must keep a record of each minibus they operate, driver names and addresses and licence numbers and any other matters the Director requires as licence conditions, and must keep that record at the operator’s principal place of business (regulation 5(1)-(2)). Operators must produce the record to an inspector on request (regulation 5(3)), display and make available fares charged by distance or sector (regulation 7), ensure onboard systems are installed and functioning where applicable (regulation 18C), ensure signage and driver competence in relation to onboard systems (regulations 18D and 18E), and provide journey information to the Director when requested (regulation 22). Operators are also fee-payers under the Schedule (regulation 24). Failure by operators to comply with these duties attracts varying maximum penalties, for example up to 60 penalty units for record-keeping failures (regulation 5) and up to 40 penalty units for obligations regarding onboard systems (regulations 18C, 18D, 18E).
Drivers. Drivers are subject to practical, on-the-ground duties. Drivers must display an identity card or approved identification in a conspicuous place in a minibus while driving (regulation 4(3)), must not charge fares exceeding the displayed amounts (regulation 7A), must not refuse wheelchair passengers in multiple purpose minibuses under the conditions stated (regulation 7B), must ensure a functioning onboard system when operating a Part 3A minibus (regulation 18F) and must not interfere with onboard systems (regulation 18G). Drivers also have obligations interacting with the public: they must not tout, must comply with minibus rank rules (regulation 11), must not accept hireings that require them to purchase intoxicating liquor (regulation 15), and must remove or refuse to carry passengers under specified conduct grounds (regulation 17).
Passengers and prospective passengers. The Regulations constrain passenger behaviour inside minibuses , for example, prohibiting consumption of intoxicating liquor on a minibus (regulation 17(1)), permitting drivers to direct passengers to alight under specified circumstances (regulation 17(2)), and allowing the driver to refuse to carry luggage that the driver reasonably considers would cause injury, inconvenience or damage (regulation 10). Passengers are also a class protected by the authorised purposes in the surveillance regime , recordings may be used to investigate offences or locate missing persons (regulation 18K).

The Regulations allocate explicit duties and create limited rights tied to access, inspection and exemptions. Below are principal duties and the corresponding rights or procedural protections embedded in the text.

Key operator duties

Maintain records. An operator must record each minibus, the name and residential address of each driver, driver licence numbers and any other matter required by the Director as a licence condition. These records must be kept at the operator’s principal place of business and produced to an inspector on request (regulation 5(1)-(3)). Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units.
Display fares. Operators must display in the minibus and make available on demand the fares charged by distance or sector (regulation 7). Drivers committing to charge more than indicated is a strict liability offence (regulation 7A).
Supply journey information. Operators must provide the Director with full and correct information of journeys undertaken by the minibus whenever requested and within the time specified (regulation 22). Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units.
Onboard system obligations in declared areas. Operators must not cause or permit a Part 3A minibus to operate unless it has an onboard system and must ensure it is functioning when carrying passengers for hire or available for hire (regulation 18C). Operators must ensure signage inside and outside the minibus warns persons they may be under surveillance (regulation 18D) and ensure drivers are competent to operate the onboard system (regulation 18E). Maximum penalties: typically 40 penalty units for these obligations.
Ensure only approved systems. Operators must not fit a minibus security camera system unless it is an approved make and model (regulation 18H). Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units.

Driver duties

Identity display. Drivers must display an identity card or approved form of identification in a conspicuous place in the minibus while driving (regulation 4(3)). Maximum penalty: 30 penalty units.
Fare compliance and wheelchair hiring. Drivers must not charge fares greater than the amount indicated by the operator (regulation 7A). Drivers of multiple purpose minibuses must not refuse wheelchair passengers where the hiring is allocated by an appropriate communications or dispatch network, subject to exceptions and record-keeping (regulation 7B). Offences in both cases are strict liability.

The Regulations establish a penalty structure referencing "penalty units" and provide enforcement pathways through inspectors, officers and the Director. Specific maximum penalties vary by provision and the Act provides the inspector/officer roles that operationalise enforcement.

Penalty structure by key provisions

Record-keeping and production. Failure by an operator to keep the required records at the principal place of business, to maintain the required content, or to produce them when requested carries a maximum penalty of 60 penalty units (regulation 5(1)-(3)).
Identity card. A driver who does not display the required identity card or approved form of identification while driving commits an offence with a maximum penalty of 30 penalty units (regulation 4(3)).
Fare offences. A driver who charges a fare greater than the displayed amount commits an offence with a maximum penalty of 25 penalty units (regulation 7A(1)). That offence is one of strict liability (regulation 7A(2)).
Wheelchair hiring offences. A driver of a multiple purpose minibus who refuses a hiring that entails carriage of a wheelchair passenger, where the hiring was allocated by a communications or dispatch network and no authorised exception applies, commits a strict liability offence with a maximum penalty of 30 penalty units (regulation 7B(1)-(2)). Drivers must also record all wheelchair carriage journeys and provide records to the operator (regulation 7B(4)), with a maximum penalty of 30 penalty units for non-compliance.
Onboard system offences. A series of offences and penalties are linked to the Part 3A camera regime:
- Operator causing or permitting a Part 3A minibus to operate without an onboard system: 40 penalty units (regulation 18C(1)).
- Operator ensuring the onboard system is functioning when minibus is carrying passengers or available for hire: 40 penalty units (regulation 18C(2)).
- Operator to ensure signage is fitted and driver competence to operate system: 40 penalty units each (regulations 18D and 18E).
- Driver ensuring the onboard system is functioning while operating the minibus and not accepting hiring if system is not functioning: 20 penalty units each (regulation 18F).
- Interfering with onboard system: 60 penalty units (regulation 18G(1)). The prohibition excludes authorised persons or officers performing inspection, maintenance or authorised examination (regulation 18G(2)).

The Regulations sit under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 1991 and make multiple explicit cross-references to that Act; they also intersect practically with criminal law and evidence law through access to recordings and the role of law enforcement. The instrument does not explicitly reference privacy or data-protection statutes in the text provided, but its design creates several interaction points with other legal regimes.

References to the parent Act

Licensing and identification. Regulation 4 explicitly implements section 74 of the Act by prescribing minibus as a class of commercial passenger vehicle and specifying the form of identity card issuable under section 74(1)(a) of the Act (regulation 4(1)-(2)). The regulation also refers to the Director’s power under section 74(10) to approve other forms of identification, linking the identity-card requirement to the licensing framework in the Act.
Minibus ranks, approved places and licence conditions. Definitions and conduct obligations repeatedly cross-reference and assume powers in the Act. For example, regulation 3 defines "minibus rank" to include a bus stop whenever a minibus is parked or standing in accordance with section 38K(1) of the Act. Regulation 5(1)(c) requires operators to keep any other matter that the Director requires as a condition of the operator's licence, tying record-keeping to licence conditions that the Act authorises. Regulation 18R references section 38J of the Act for possible exemptions.

Law enforcement and evidence

Use of recordings for law enforcement. Regulation 18K expressly lists authorised purposes that include investigating an offence committed in the Territory or elsewhere and enforcing a law in force in the Territory. The Regulations also allow officers (including police and AFP members, regulation 18A) to examine and copy recordings under authorised purposes (regulation 18L, 18N). This creates an operational bridge whereby camera-generated material can feed into criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Court proceedings. Regulation 18L(2) explicitly permits copies that form part of evidence in court proceedings to be examined by persons involved in the proceedings. Regulation 18P also preserves evidence-use: copies not required for court proceedings must be destroyed within 30 days, implying those retained for court will remain available for evidentiary processes.

Potential intersection with privacy and data protection regimes

The instrument includes a structured endnote showing notification and amendment milestones. Those details indicate the Regulations have been progressively adapted since their original 1998 inception to respond to technological and sectoral changes.

Chronology in the text

Original instrument. The Minibus Regulations (SL No. 63, 1998) were notified on 23 December 1998 and commenced on 1 January 1999, pursuant to the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Amendment Act 1998 (Endnotes, list of legislation).
Early amendments. Amendments occurred in 2003 (SL No. 11, 2003; SL No. 41, 2003) with commencement dates in March and August 2003 respectively, and a Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2003 amended r 4 (Endnotes).
2005 and subsequent technical revisions. A Statute Law Revision Act 2005 (Act No. 44, 2005) is recorded. The Regulations were later amended by the Commercial Passenger Amendment (Security Cameras) Regulations 2010 (SL No. 21, 2010) notified 29 September 2010 and commencing 1 November 2010. This 2010 instrument inserted Part 3A and the security camera regime (Endnotes indicate rr 18A-18F were inserted by No. 21, 2010, r 7).
Further updates. Fees and charges were adjusted in the Fees and Charges (Transport) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SL No. 45, 2012), commencing 1 January 2013. The Regulations were also amended via the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Legislation Amendment Regulations 2017 (SL No. 34, 2017) and associated Ridesharing Regulations (SL No. 35, 2017) in late 2017; those 2017 instruments made multiple insertions, amendments and repeals (Endnotes and list of amendments specify rr 18G was inserted by No. 21, 2010 and amended by No. 34, 2017, r 26; rr 18H-18R were inserted by No. 21, 2010).
Recent Acts. The Statute Law Amendment actions continued with the Statute Law Amendment (Territory Economic Reconstruction) Act 2021 and a subsequent Statute Law Amendment (Territory Economic Reconstruction) Act 2022 that affected commencement and repeal dates of parts (Endnotes). Most recently, the Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 23, 2025) has amendments recorded and certain parts of that Act commenced 21 January 2026 (Endnotes: r 1 amended by Act No. 23, 2025, s 66, and commencement notes).

Scope and pattern of amendment

Technology-driven insertion (2010). The insertion of Part 3A in 2010 is the most consequential policy amendment recorded in the endnotes and adds the onboard camera regime, authorised person framework, authorised purposes, and disposal and register rules. The 2010 amendment created a structured surveillance model and a corresponding enforcement apparatus.

The statutory text and endnotes provided do not record any judicial decisions, appeals or litigation directly concerning these Regulations. The instrument’s endnotes focus on legislative amendments and commencement details (list of legislation and list of amendments). No cases are cited in the text.

What the source does provide that may become litigation touchpoints

Strict liability offences. The Regulations create strict liability offences (regulations 7A(2) and 7B(2)). Jurisdictional courts may in future adjudicate due process issues, defences, or application of strict liability principles to particular factual circumstances; however no judicial interpretation is present in the source.
Director discretion and administrative decisions. The Director’s powers to publish specifications, approve camera models by Gazette, and issue operational requirements (regulation 18Q) and to grant written exemptions (regulation 18R) could give rise to administrative law litigation if a party challenges the exercise of discretionary powers, procedural fairness or the reasonableness of conditions attached to exemptions. The source contains no case law dealing with those exercises of discretion.
Surveillance and evidentiary issues. The Part 3A regime frames uses of recordings for authorised purposes and sets disposal timelines (regulations 18K, 18L, 18P). Potential litigation in the future could address admissibility of evidence, chain of custody, retention law conflicts, or privacy-based challenges. The Regulations themselves set out a structured chain for copying and disposal and allow court-use exceptions (regulation 18L(2)), but contain no judicial interpretations.
Interaction with privacy law. Although the Regulations set limits and authorised purposes, they do not reference privacy statutes. Litigation could arise where third parties assert privacy rights or where correlative Commonwealth/territory privacy regimes are engaged. There is no litigation included in the source material.

Conclusion on litigation history

The document contains no litigation history. It records a legislative amendment history but no judicial decisions. For practitioners seeking guidance on precedent, the statute does not supply it; any interpretative or compliance risks requiring judicial clarification would have to be sourced from future case law or from decisions on related statutory regimes not included in this text.

The Regulations are detailed but contain a number of areas where operational realities may create compliance exposure, ambiguous discretionary power or overlapping obligations. The following points flag practical traps and implementation risks grounded in the text.

Geographic limit of Part 3A. The onboard camera obligations apply only in minibus areas declared by Gazette notice (regulation 18B). Operators and drivers who cross declared and undeclared areas must manage differing compliance regimes. Failing to observe whether a particular minibus area is declared risks either unlawful operation without an onboard system where one is required, or unnecessary installation and compliance costs where it is not required.
Operator versus driver responsibilities. Many duties fall squarely on the operator (record-keeping, installation and maintenance of systems, signage, driver competence) while operational front-line duties fall on the driver (displaying identity, not accepting hires where camera not functioning). The practical allocation of liability may create enforcement risk if contractual arrangements between operators and drivers do not clearly allocate responsibilities or indemnities (regulations 5, 4, 18C, 18E, 18F). An operator could face a 60 unit penalty for record-keeping failure even if drivers control day-to-day data entry.
Strict liability traps. The strict liability offences for overcharging (regulation 7A(2)) and refusal to accept wheelchair hires in multiple purpose minibuses (regulation 7B(2)) reduce the evidentiary threshold for prosecution. Drivers and operators must maintain records and systems that reduce the factual risk of contravention; ignorance or mistake may not be a defence.
Interference prohibition and legitimate maintenance. Regulation 18G broadly prohibits interference with onboard systems, with a high maximum penalty of 60 penalty units. However, the regulation excepts authorised persons or officers engaged in inspection, maintenance, repair, testing or examination for authorised purposes (regulation 18G(2)). Operators and drivers must maintain documentation showing that any maintenance or access was carried out by an authorised person or under an officer’s supervision to avoid exposure.
Approved system gatekeeping and supply chain. Only approved makes and models may be fitted in Part 3A minibuses (regulation 18H). The Director approves makes and models by Gazette notice and may publish specifications (regulation 18Q). Operators face supply risk if an installed system is later deemed non-approved or if the Director’s approved list is narrow; operators should seek advance confirmation from the Director before procurement to avoid retroactive compliance penalties.

Compliance requires combining administrative systems, technical procurement and maintenance, staff training, and documented procedures for interaction with inspectors and officers. Below are concrete steps mapped to the principal regulatory provisions.

Confirm applicable geographic scope and licence conditions

Check whether the minibus area(s) where you operate are declared as Part 3A minibus areas by Gazette notice (regulation 18B). This determines whether the onboard system rules apply.
Review your operator licence for any Director-imposed conditions requiring additional record-keeping matters (regulation 5(1)(c)). Obtain those conditions in writing.

Record-keeping systems and location

Maintain a central record at your principal place of business containing: each minibus operated, the name and residential address of each driver, driver licence numbers, and any other matters the Director requires (regulation 5(1)-(2)). Keep secure backups.
Implement procedures to produce these records promptly to an inspector on request (regulation 5(3)). Retain an audit trail documenting production.

Fares and identity compliance

Display in each minibus and make available on demand the fares charged by distance or sector (regulation 7). Ensure fare cards are current and modiﬁcations are traced.
Ensure each driver carries and displays the identity card or approved form of identification in a conspicuous place while driving (regulation 4(2)-(3)). If using an alternative approved form, obtain Director approval under section 74(10) of the Act as referenced.

Wheelchair-access and multiple purpose minibuses

For multiple purpose minibuses, implement processes to accept bookings allocated by communications or dispatch networks involving wheelchair passengers unless one of the enumerated exceptions applies (regulation 7B(1)-(3)).
Maintain a log of all journeys entailing carriage of wheelchair passengers unless the dispatch network provides itemised wheelchair journey reports (regulation 7B(4)-(5)). Provide those records to the operator as soon as practicable.

Minibus rank and parking rules

Train drivers on minibus rank conduct: only park in a minibus rank when available for hire; remain in vicinity; park in first available queue position and move forward as space becomes available; accept hirings consistent with rank order (regulation 11).

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (MINIBUSES) REGULATIONS 1998 As in force at 21 January 2026 Table of provisions Part 1 Preliminary 1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1 2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1 3 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1 4 Identity card or approved form of identification ................................ 2 Part 2 Duties of operator 5 Operator to maintain records ........................................................... 2 7 Fares ............................................................................................... 3 7A Driver not to charge more than operator indicates........................... 3 7B Hiring by passenger with wheelchair ............................................... 3 Part 3 Conduct of drivers and passengers 8 Police officer may require to be carried as passenger ..................... 4 9 Touting prohibited ............................................................................ 4 10 Luggage........................................................................................... 5 11 Minibus ranks .................................................................................. 5 12 Minibus not to be parked in road ..................................................... 5 14 Limitation on passengers ................................................................. 6 15 Driver not to purchase intoxicating liquor ......................................... 6 17 Certain conduct prohibited ............................................................... 6 18 Illegal purpose ................................................................................. 7 Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses 18A Definitions ........................................................................................ 7 18B Declaration for application of Part.................................................... 8 18C Onboard system to be fitted and functioning ................................... 8 18D Operator to ensure signage fitted .................................................... 9 18E Operator to ensure driver is competent to operate onboard system ............................................................................................. 9 18F Driver to ensure onboard system is functioning ............................... 9 18G Interference with onboard system.................................................... 9 18H Only approved minibus security camera system to be fitted .......... 10 18J Authorised persons........................................................................ 10 18K Authorised purposes...................................................................... 10

Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 ii 18L Examining or copying recording .................................................... 11 18M Register of examination and copies of recordings ......................... 11 18N Authorised person to make copy when required............................ 12 18P Disposal of copy of recording ........................................................ 12 18Q Powers of Director ......................................................................... 12 18R Exemptions because of certain circumstances .............................. 13 Part 4 Miscellaneous 19 Plate to be displayed in minibus .................................................... 13 21 Damage or interference ................................................................. 14 22 Operator to supply information ...................................................... 14 24 Fees .............................................................................................. 14 25 Offences ........................................................................................ 14 Schedule Fees ENDNOTES

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

As in force at 21 January 2026

COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (MINIBUSES) REGULATIONS 1998 Regulations under the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Act 1991 Part 1 Preliminary 1 Citation These Regulations may be cited as the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998. 2 Commencement These Regulations come into operation on the date the Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Amendment Act 1998 commences. 3 Definitions In these Regulations: approved minibus security camera system, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A. authorised person, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A. authorised purpose, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A. driver means the person driving or in control of a minibus. functioning, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A. minibus rank includes a bus stop whenever a minibus is parked or standing in the bus stop in accordance with section 38K(1) of the Act. minibus security camera system, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A.

Part 2 Duties of operator Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 2 multiple purpose minibus means a minibus fitted to carry a passenger seated in a wheelchair and in respect of which the licence contains a condition that priority is to be given to carrying passengers in wheelchairs. officer, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A. onboard system, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A. operator means a person who operates a minibus otherwise than only as a driver. Part 3A minibus, for Part 3A, see regulation 18A. passenger means a person travelling in a minibus other than the driver. 4 Identity card or approved form of identification (1) For section 74 of the Act, a minibus is a prescribed class of commercial passenger vehicle. (2) An identity card issued under section 74(1)(a) of the Act to a driver is to: (a) display the name of the driver; and (b) display a recent photograph of the driver; and (c) specify the expiry date of the card; and (d) indicate that the holder of the card is authorised to drive a minibus. (3) A driver must display the driver's identity card mentioned in subregulation (2) or other form of identification approved by the Director under section 74(10) of the Act in a conspicuous place in a minibus while driving the minibus. Maximum penalty: 30 penalty units. Part 2 Duties of operator 5 Operator to maintain records (1) The operator must make a record of: (a) each minibus operated by the operator; and

Part 2 Duties of operator Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 3 (b) the name and residential address of each driver engaged or employed by the operator and the number of the driver's licence issued under the Motor Vehicles Act 1949; and (c) any other matter that the Director requires as a condition of the operator's licence. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units. (2) The operator must kept the record at his or her principal place of business. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units. (3) The operator must produce the record to an inspector on being requested by the inspector. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units. 7 Fares An operator of a minibus must: (a) display in the minibus; and (b) make available to a person on demand; the fares charged by the operator by distance or sector. 7A Driver not to charge more than operator indicates (1) The driver of a minibus commits an offence if the driver charges for a hiring a fare that is greater than the amount indicated under regulation 7. Maximum penalty: 25 penalty units. (2) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability. 7B Hiring by passenger with wheelchair (1) The driver of a multiple purpose minibus commits an offence if the driver refuses a request for a hiring, allocated by a communications network or dispatch network, entailing the carriage of a wheelchair passenger. Maximum penalty: 30 penalty units. (2) An offence against subregulation (1) is an offence of strict liability.

Part 3 Conduct of drivers and passengers Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 4 (3) However, a driver does not commit an offence against subregulation (1) in circumstances permitted by any of the following: (a) these Regulations; (b) a code of conduct applicable under the Act to multiple purpose minibuses; (c) the multiple purpose minibus licence applicable to the minibus; (d) the approval under the Act to operate the communications network or dispatch network. (4) The driver of a multiple purpose minibus must: (a) record all journeys, while he or she was the driver, entailing the carriage of a wheelchair passenger; and (b) provide the records to the operator of the minibus as soon as practicable. Maximum penalty: 30 penalty units. (5) Subregulation (4) does not apply if the hiring was booked through a communications or dispatch network which itemises wheelchair journeys in reports by the network. Part 3 Conduct of drivers and passengers 8 Police officer may require to be carried as passenger (1) A police officer acting in the course of duty may require a driver to carry the police officer as a passenger. (2) The driver must comply with the requirement. (3) A police officer carried as a passenger under this regulation: (a) is not required to pay a fare or charge for the carriage; and (b) is not liable to pay any amount for loss or damage occasioned by the carriage that exceeds reasonable compensation. 9 Touting prohibited (1) A driver must not: (a) tout or solicit for passengers; or

Part 3 Conduct of drivers and passengers Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 5 (b) cause another person to tout or solicit for passengers on his or her behalf. (1A) A person does not commit an offence against subregulation (1) if the person marshals passengers for minibuses at an event or place, and in accordance with conditions, approved by the Director. (2) A driver must not prevent, or attempt to prevent, another driver from obtaining a passenger by force or otherwise. 10 Luggage Unless permitted by the driver, a person must not bring into or carry on a minibus any article or thing that in the opinion of the driver would be likely to: (a) cause inconvenience to or injure any person travelling in the minibus; or (b) damage the minibus. 11 Minibus ranks The following apply to the use of minibus ranks: (a) the driver of a minibus must not park or leave the minibus in a minibus rank unless it is available for hire; (b) the driver of a minibus must remain in the vicinity of the minibus when it is parked in a minibus rank; (c) unless directed otherwise by an inspector – the driver of a minibus must park the minibus in a queue in the first position then available in the minibus rank and must move the minibus up the queue as space becomes available; (d) if more than one minibus is parked in a minibus rank – the driver of the minibus that is in the first position in the minibus rank is entitled to accept any hiring then offered unless the hirer selects another minibus in the minibus rank; (e) subject to these Regulations and any code of conduct applicable to minibuses under the Act, the driver of a minibus parked in a minibus rank must not refuse a hiring. 12 Minibus not to be parked in road (1) In this regulation, minibus means a minibus that is available for hire.

Part 3 Conduct of drivers and passengers Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 6 (2) The driver of a minibus must not park or stand the minibus in a road or public place other than in: (a) a minibus rank; or (b) an approved place. (3) Subregulation (2) does not prevent the driver parking or standing the minibus for the purposes of: (a) picking up or setting down passengers; or (b) waiting under the instructions of a passenger; or (c) by direction or with the consent of an inspector. (4) Subregulation (3) applies only if the parking or standing of the minibus is otherwise lawful. 14 Limitation on passengers The driver of a minibus must ensure that: (a) the number of passengers carried in the minibus does not exceed the maximum number permitted to be carried; or (b) a passenger is not carried in any part of the minibus that is not designed to carry passengers. 15 Driver not to purchase intoxicating liquor The driver of a minibus must not: (a) accept a hiring under which the driver is required to purchase intoxicating liquor for or on behalf of another person, whether or not that other person is a passenger; or (b) in the course of a hiring – purchase intoxicating liquor for or on behalf of a passenger. 17 Certain conduct prohibited (1) A person must not consume intoxicating liquor in a minibus. (2) The driver of a minibus may direct: (a) a passenger to alight from the minibus; or (b) a prospective passenger not to board the minibus;

Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 7 if the passenger or prospective passenger: (c) appears to be suffering from an infectious disease; or (d) appears to be under the influence of drugs or intoxicating liquor; or (e) soils or damages, or is likely to soil or damage, the minibus; or (f) causes a nuisance, or is likely to cause a nuisance, in the minibus; or (g) is carrying something that is causing, or is likely to cause, inconvenience to the driver or passengers; or (h) is smoking; or (j) is consuming intoxicating liquor; or (k) is using profane or objectionable language. (3) A person who fails to comply with a direction given under subregulation (2) commits an offence. 18 Illegal purpose The operator or driver of a minibus must not: (a) use the minibus for an illegal purpose; or (b) cause or permit the minibus to be used for an illegal purpose. Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses 18A Definitions In this Part: approved minibus security camera system means a minibus security camera system approved under regulation 18Q(2). authorised person means a person authorised as mentioned in regulation 18J. authorised purpose means a purpose as mentioned in regulation 18K.

Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 8 functioning, in relation to a minibus security camera system, means one or more visual indicators on the camera (or equipment associated with the camera) indicate the system is working correctly and is capable of recording images. minibus security camera system means a system designed to be fitted to a minibus to record images of persons in or near the minibus. officer means an inspector, police officer or member of the Australian Federal Police. onboard system means: (a) an approved minibus security camera system fitted to a minibus; or (b) a particular minibus security camera system that is not an approved minibus security camera system but, immediately before the commencement of this regulation, was fitted to a particular minibus as a minibus security camera system for it. Part 3A minibus means a minibus that is licensed to stand and ply for hire at a minibus rank, or an approved place, within a minibus area to which this Part applies. Note See regulation 18B for declarations about minibus areas to which this Part applies. 18B Declaration for application of Part The Minister may, by Gazette notice, declare this Part applies in relation to a minibus area. 18C Onboard system to be fitted and functioning (1) The operator of a Part 3A minibus must not cause or permit the minibus to operate unless it has an onboard system. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. (2) The operator must ensure the onboard system is functioning when the minibus is: (a) carrying passengers for hire or reward; or

Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 9 (b) available to carry passengers for hire or reward. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. Note for regulation 18C There may be an exemption under section 38J of the Act or regulation 18R that applies to the operator. 18D Operator to ensure signage fitted The operator of a Part 3A minibus that has an onboard system must ensure signs are conspicuously placed inside and outside the minibus, that advise persons they may be under surveillance when in or near the minibus. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. 18E Operator to ensure driver is competent to operate onboard system The operator of a Part 3A minibus that has an onboard system must not permit a driver to operate the minibus unless satisfied the driver is competent to operate the system. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. 18F Driver to ensure onboard system is functioning (1) A driver of a Part 3A minibus that has an onboard system must ensure the system is functioning when the driver is operating the minibus. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. (2) If the onboard system is not functioning, the driver must not accept a hiring. Maximum penalty: 20 penalty units. Note for regulation 18F There may be an exemption under section 38J of the Act or regulation 18R that applies to a driver. 18G Interference with onboard system (1) A person must not interfere with, or cause or permit another person to interfere with, an onboard system. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units.

Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 10 (2) Subregulation (1) does not apply to an authorised person or officer: (a) inspecting, maintaining, repairing or testing the onboard system; or (b) examining or copying a recording made by the system for an authorised purpose. 18H Only approved minibus security camera system to be fitted A person must not fit a minibus security camera system in a Part 3A minibus unless the system is an approved minibus security camera system. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. 18J Authorised persons (1) The Director may, in writing, authorise a person to do either or both of the following: (a) inspect, maintain, repair and test onboard systems; (b) examine and copy recordings taken by onboard systems. (2) However, the Director may only authorise a person if satisfied the person has the necessary technical knowledge and equipment for performing the functions the person is authorised to do. (3) Without limiting the conditions the Director may impose on an authority under subregulation (1), it is a condition of each authority that the authorised person must maintain all the person's equipment for performing the functions the person is authorised to do. 18K Authorised purposes The following are authorised purposes for which an authorised person or officer may examine or copy a recording taken by an onboard system: (a) ensuring compliance by any of the following persons with requirements that apply to the person under a law in force in the Territory; (i) the operator of a Part 3A minibus; (ii) a driver of a Part 3A minibus; (iii) a passenger of a Part 3A minibus with an obligation to pay the fare for a hiring of the minibus;

Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 11 (b) investigating an offence committed in the Territory or elsewhere (including locating a person in connection with such an offence) or otherwise enforcing a law in force in the Territory; (c) locating a missing person or furthering an investigation into the safety or welfare of any person; (d) inspecting, maintaining, repairing or testing an onboard system. 18L Examining or copying recording (1) A person must not examine a recording taken by an onboard system, or copy a recording from the system, unless the person is an authorised person or officer or is under the direct supervision of an authorised person or officer. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. (2) Subregulation (1) does not apply in relation to a copy of a recording taken by an onboard system that: (a) forms, or is to form, part of evidence in court proceedings; and (b) is examined by persons involved with or as part of the proceedings. (3) An authorised person or officer must not examine or copy a recording taken by an onboard system, or supervise another person who examines or copies a recording, unless the examination or copying is for an authorised purpose. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. 18M Register of examination and copies of recordings (1) An authorised person must maintain a register containing the following details in relation to each examination or copying of a recording taken by an onboard system: (a) the registration number of the minibus in which the system was fitted when the recording was taken; (b) the date and time of the examination or copying; (c) the purpose of the examination or copying; (d) the location of any copy made;

Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 12 (e) the name of the person who carried out the examination or copying. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. (2) The authorised person must make the register available for inspection at any reasonable time on demand by an officer or the Director. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. 18N Authorised person to make copy when required If an officer asks an authorised person to do either or both of the following, the authorised person must comply with the request: (a) make a copy of a recording from an onboard system and give the copy to the officer by a specified date; (b) take other action in relation to the copy as specified by the officer. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. Example for paragraph (b) If the copy does not reveal evidence of any offence, the officer may direct the authorised person to erase or destroy the copy. 18P Disposal of copy of recording If a copy was made of a recording taken by an onboard system and it is not required for use in court proceedings, the person in control of the copy must ensure it is disposed of, within 30 days after the copy was made, by: (a) deleting, or recording over, an electronic record; or (b) physical destruction of media containing an electronic record; or (c) physical destruction of a printed copy of a record; or (d) any other approved way of deleting or destroying the copy. Maximum penalty: 40 penalty units. 18Q Powers of Director (1) The Director may publish, in a way the Director considers appropriate, specifications about minibus security camera systems.

Part 4 Miscellaneous Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 13 (2) The Director may, by Gazette notice, approve a make and model of a minibus security camera system as a system that is an approved minibus security camera system. (3) The Director may issue operational requirements in relation to onboard systems, including, for example, requirements about any of the following: (a) management of complaints related to onboard systems; (b) record keeping related to onboard systems; (c) responsibilities of authorised persons. 18R Exemptions because of certain circumstances (1) On application by the operator of a Part 3A minibus, the Director may, if satisfied it is appropriate, exempt the operator and any driver of the minibus from specified provisions of this Part if: (a) the minibus is a Part 3A minibus that has an onboard system; but (b) the system is not functioning and the operator cannot have it repaired so it is functioning, or replaced, within a reasonable period. (2) An exemption under subregulation (1) must be in writing and must specify each of the following (a) the minibus to which the exemption relates and the name of the operator; (b) the provisions of this Part from which the operator and any driver or the minibus is exempted; (c) the period for which the exemption applies; (d) any conditions the Director considers appropriate. Part 4 Miscellaneous 19 Plate to be displayed in minibus The driver of a minibus must not operate the minibus unless an approved plate showing the number of the minibus is affixed inside the minibus in a conspicuous position.

Part 4 Miscellaneous Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 14 21 Damage or interference A person must not damage or interfere with a minibus unless the person is authorised to do so by the operator. 22 Operator to supply information (1) The operator of a minibus must provide to the Director full and correct information of journeys undertaken by the minibus whenever requested by the Director. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units. (2) The operator must provide the information within the time specified by the Director. Maximum penalty: 60 penalty units. 24 Fees The fee specified in the Schedule is payable in relation to the matter specified opposite the fee. 25 Offences A person who contravenes or fails to comply with these Regulations commits an offence. Maximum penalty: 25 penalty units.

Schedule Fees Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 15 Schedule Fees regulation 24 1 Annual fee for minibus licence to operate minibus (other than multiple purpose minibus) in minibus area Minibus Area Darwin $3 000 Alice Springs $2 600 Katherine $1 625 Any other area $975 1A Annual fee for minibus licence to operate multiple purpose minibus $300 1B Application for substitute minibus licence $300 2. Application for refund of fee on surrender of licence $20 3. Application for exemption under section 38J of Act $50

ENDNOTES Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 16 ENDNOTES 1 KEY Key to abbreviations amd = amended od = order app = appendix om = omitted bl = by-law pt = Part ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule cl = clause rem = remainder div = Division renum = renumbered exp = expires/expired rep = repealed f = forms s = section Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation lt = long title sub = substituted nc = not commenced 2 LIST OF LEGISLATION Minibus Regulations (SL No. 63, 1998) Notified 23 December 1998 Commenced 1 January 1999 (r 1 and s 2 Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Amendment Act 1998 (Act No. 83, 1998)) Amendments of Minibus Regulations (SL No. 11, 2003) Notified 28 February 2003 Commenced 1 March 2003 (r 1, s 2 Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Amendment Act 2003 (Act No. 1, 2003) and Gaz S3, 28 February 2003, p 3) Statute Law Revision Act (No. 2) 2003 (Act No. 44, 2003) Assent date 7 July 2003 Commenced 7 July 2003 Amendments of Minibus Regulations (SL No. 41, 2003) Notified 1 August 2003 Commenced 1 August 2003 (r 1, s 2 Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport Amendment Act (No. 2) 2003 (Act No. 40, 2003) and Gaz G30, 30 July 2003, p 13) Statute Law Revision Act 2005 (Act No. 44, 2005) Assent date 14 December 2005 Commenced 14 December 2005 Commercial Passenger Amendment (Security Cameras) Regulations 2010 (SL No. 21, 2010) Notified 29 September 2010 Commenced 1 November 2010 Fees and Charges (Transport) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SL No. 45, 2012) Notified 14 December 2012 Commenced 1 January 2013 (r 2)

ENDNOTES Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 17 Commercial Passenger Vehicle Legislation Amendment Regulations 2017 (SL No. 34, 2017) Notified 29 November 2017 Commenced 1 December 2017 (r 2) Ridesharing Regulations (SL No. 35, 2017) Notified 29 November 2017 Commenced pts 5 and 6: 1 February 2018; rem: 1 December 2017 (r 2) Statute Law Amendment (Territory Economic Reconstruction) Act 2021 (Act No. 19, 2021) Assent date 31 August 2021 Commenced pt 6: 2 October 2021; rem: 29 September 2021 (Gaz G39, 29 September 2021, p 1) Statute Law Amendment (Territory Economic Reconstruction) Act 2022 (Act No. 5, 2022) Assent date 14 April 2022 Commenced pt 7: 25 May 2023 (Gaz G11, 25 May 2023, p 2); rem: 25 May 2022 (Gaz G21, 25 May 2022, p 1) Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Act No. 23, 2025) Assent date 12 September 2025 Commenced pts 2, 4, 5 and 6: 21 January 2026 (Gaz S5, 19 January 2026); rem: 18 November 2025 (Gaz S69, 17 November 2025) 3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22 of 2018) to: rr 1 and 5. 4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS r 1 amd Act No. 23, 2025, s 66 r 3 amd No. 41, 2003, r 3; No. 21, 2010, r 6; No. 34, 2017, r 19 r 4 sub No. 11, 2003, r 2 amd Act No. 44, 2003, s 6;No. 21, 2010, r 15; No. 34, 2017, r 20; Act No. 5, 2022, s 71 r 5 amd No. 21, 2010, r 15; No. 34, 2017, r 21 r 6 rep No. 34, 2017, r 22 r 7 amd No. 21, 2010, r 15 rr 7A – 7B ins No. 34, 2017, r 23 r 8 hdg amd No. 21, 2010, r 15 r 8 amd Act No. 44, 2005, s 35; No. 21, 2010, r 15 r 9 amd No. 41, 2003, r 4 r 11 amd No. 41, 2003, r 5 r 12 amd No. 21, 2010, r 15 r 13 amd No. 21, 2010, r 15 rep No. 34, 2017, r 24 r 16 rep No. 34, 2017, r 24 r 17 amd No. 21, 2010, r 15; No. 34, 2017, r 25 pt 3A hdg ins No. 21, 2010, r 7 rr 18A – 18F ins No. 21, 2010, r 7

ENDNOTES Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 18 r 18G ins No. 21, 2010, r 7 amd No. 34, 2017, r 26 rr 18H – 18R ins No. 21, 2010, r 7 r 20 amd No. 21, 2010, r 8 rep No. 34, 2017, r 27 r 22 amd No. 34, 2017, r 28 r 23 rep No. 34, 2017, r 29 r 25 amd No. 21, 2010, r 9 sch amd No. 11, 2003, r 3; No. 45, 2012, r 8; No. 34, 2017, r 30; No. 35, 2017, r 30; Act No. 19, 2021, s 10

1 COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (MINIBUSES) REGULATIONS 1998

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

As in force at 21 January 2026

Part 3A Security camera systems in certain minibuses Commercial Passenger (Road) Transport (Minibuses) Regulations 1998 9 (b) availabl

COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (MINIBUSES) REGULATIONS 1998

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COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (MINIBUSES) REGULATIONS 1998

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1 COMMERCIAL PASSENGER (ROAD) TRANSPORT (MINIBUSES) REGULATIONS 1998