MOTOR VEHICLES (FEES AND CHARGES) REGULATIONS 2008 (Northern Territory)

These Regulations prescribe the fees and charges payable under the Motor Vehicles Act 1949, and set the mechanics for several related financial and administrative interactions between vehicle owners, operators and the Registrar. Regulation 2 expressly prescribes the fees and charges in Schedules 1 and 2 for the Act. Regulation 3 establishes a specific discount rule, reducing registration fees for certain vehicles used in primary production and small-scale mining or hunting occupations to one-half of the otherwise applicable charge (see r 3(1)-(3)). Regulation 1A identifies all provisions of these Regulations as excluded provisions for the purposes of section 5A(2)(h) of the Act, which affects the application of that Act’s excluded-provision regime (r 1A).

Schedule 1 contains definitions relevant to fee categories, and a long Part 2 that lists prescribed fees across many Act sections: driver licences, registration and renewal of registration for a wide range of vehicles, replacement or transfer of number plates, trader’s licences for use of trader’s plates, inspection and examination fees, fees for exempting vehicles from parts of the Act (axle mass increases and other exemptions under s 59), and various administrative fees such as searching records and issuing particular or corporate plates (sch 1, pt 1 and pt 2). Schedule 2 contains heavy vehicle registration charges, with detailed definitions for vehicle types, axle grouping rules, mass rating definitions, special purpose vehicle categories and multi-year tables of annual registration charges indexed to specific date ranges (sch 2, cll 1-6B). Schedule 2 also prescribes permit fees for indivisible loads over 125 tonnes using a formula based on equivalent standard axles and estimated kilometres (sch 2, cl 7).

Mechanically, the instrument sets fee quantum, the bases for calculation (engine capacity per 500 ml, tare mass per 200 kg, Mass Rating for Charging (MRC), number of axles, etc), exemptions and reductions, and administrative fees. It also repeals earlier subordinate legislation listed in Schedule 3 (r 4; sch 3). Several fees are stated in revenue units and therefore are indexed under the Revenue Units Act 2009 unless noted otherwise; a small set of fees are fixed-dollar amounts and are reviewed on advice from the National Transport Commission (sch 1, note). The heavy vehicle schedule contains time-staged annual charges for specified 12-month periods starting 1 October in each year (sch 2, cls 5-6B), which fixes the fee applicable by reference to the registration period.

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA MOTOR VEHICLES (FEES AND CHARGES) REGULATIONS 2008 As in force at 1 July 2025 Table of provisions 1 Citation ............................................................................................ 1 1A Excluded provisions ......................................................................... 1 2 Fees and charges ............................................................................ 1 3 Fees and charges reduced in certain circumstances....................... 1 4 Repeal of regulations ....................................................................... 2 Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Schedule 3 Repealed Regulations ENDNOTES

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

As in force at 1 July 2025

MOTOR VEHICLES (FEES AND CHARGES) REGULATIONS 2008 Regulations under the Motor Vehicles Act 1949 1 Citation These Regulations may be cited as the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008. 1A Excluded provisions For section 5A(2)(h) of the Act, all provisions of these Regulations are excluded provisions. 2 Fees and charges The fees and charges set out in Schedules 1 and 2 are prescribed for the Act. 3 Fees and charges reduced in certain circumstances (1) The fee for registration or renewal of registration of a vehicle is one-half of the fee that would, but for this regulation, be applicable under Schedule 1 or 2 if the vehicle is of a type mentioned in subregulation (2) or (3). (2) This regulation applies to a vehicle that is: (a) either: (i) a goods vehicle; or (ii) a motor tractor; or (iii) a trailer; and (b) owned by a grazier or farmer; and (c) used solely for the carting of the owner's own produce or the requisites of the owner's occupation; and (d) not let on hire or for any reward.

Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 2 (3) This regulation also applies to a vehicle that is: (a) either: (i) a goods vehicle; or (ii) a trailer; and (b) owned by a person engaged personally, and not in association with more than 2 other persons, in mining, or in hunting or trapping buffaloes, crocodiles, kangaroos or dingoes; and (c) used solely for the purposes of the owner's occupation. 4 Repeal of regulations The Regulations specified in Schedule 3 are repealed.

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 3 Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act regulation 2 Part 1 Definitions In this Schedule: classic motor vehicle means a motor vehicle that is more than 30 years old. corporate number plate means a number plate displaying a logo, or other letters or figures, identifying the corporation or other organisation to which the plate is to be issued, in colours chosen by the corporation or organisation. dedicated rally car means a production vehicle that has been modified for rally competition use. eligible enthusiast vehicle means an enthusiast vehicle that is owned by a person who has agreed to comply, does comply and does not have a history of failing to comply, with conditions imposed by the Registrar on the registration of the vehicle under a scheme that provides for concessional registration of enthusiast vehicles. enthusiast vehicle means a classic motor vehicle, an individually constructed vehicle, a dedicated rally car or a street rod, that is accepted for registration by the Registrar. individually constructed vehicle means a motor vehicle that is not a production vehicle. national heavy vehicle number plate means a number plate bearing the words "National Heavy Vehicle" issued in relation to a heavy vehicle determined by the Registrar to be eligible to be issued with the plate. production vehicle means a motor vehicle manufactured and marketed in volume for normal road use. Note for definition production vehicle Production vehicles manufactured for use in Australia will normally have an identification device. slimline number plate means a number plate that is: (a) to be issued in respect of a particular motor vehicle; and

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 4 (b) narrower than the number plates normally issued by the Registrar for motor vehicles of the same class. street rod means a motor vehicle that has a body and frame that were built before 1949, or a replica of such a vehicle, that has been modified for safe road use. Part 2 Prescribed fee Item Description Section of the Act Fee (revenue units, unless otherwise indicated) 1 Issue or renewal of driver licence (a) for 12 months 13(1) 27 (b) for 2 years 13(1) 41 (c) for 5 years 13(1) 82 (d) for 10 years 13(1) 141 (e) for a number of years greater than 2 but less than 5 13(1) 16.4 for each year of the licence (f) for a number of years greater than 5 but less than 10 13(1) 14.1 for each year of the licence (g) learner licence 9(3) 20 (h) AIL licence 13(1) 48 (i) for a period the Registrar considers appropriate having regard to a matter mentioned in section 104(2)(b)(ii) of the Act 13(1) 14.1 for each year of the licence 2 Registration or renewal of registration of motor vehicles or trailers (other than those vehicles for which another fee is prescribed by this Schedule or Schedule 2) (a) motor vehicles (other than motor cycles) with engine capacity 13(1)

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 5 (i) not greater than 1 L 36 per 500 ml and any excess (ii) greater than 1 L but not greater than 2 L 39 per 500 ml and any excess (iii) greater than 2 L but not greater than 3 L, except engines with more than 4 cylinders and rotary engines 156 (iv) greater than 2 L but not greater than 3 L and not included in subparagraph (iii) 33 per 500 ml and any excess (v) greater than 3 L but not greater than 4 L 35 per 500 ml and any excess (vi) greater than 4 L but not greater than 5 L 36 per 500 ml and any excess (vii) greater than 5 L but not greater than 6 L 39 per 500 ml and any excess (viii) greater than 6 L but not greater than 7 L 76 per L and any excess (ix) greater than 7 L but not greater than 9 L 69 per L and any excess (x) greater than 9 L but not greater than 12 L 68 per L and any excess (xi) greater than 12 L 68 per L and any excess (xii) maximum charge for any motor tractor or plant 198 (b) any vehicle powered solely by electricity (other than a motor cycle) 13(1) 72 (c) trailers, and caravans, having a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 4.5 t 13(1)

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 6 (i) not greater than 200 kg tare mass 12 (ii) greater than 200 kg tare mass but not greater than 1 t tare mass 12 per 200 kg tare mass and any excess (iii) greater than 1 t tare mass but not greater than 2 t tare mass 15 per 200 kg tare mass and any excess (iv) greater than 2 t tare mass 70 per t tare mass and any excess (d) motor cycles with engine capacity 13(1) (i) not greater than 600 ml 24 (ii) greater than 600 ml 36 3 Registration or renewal of registration of an eligible enthusiast vehicle (a) being a motor cycle 13(1) 10 (b) not being a motor cycle 13(1) 35 4 Registration or renewal of registration of a powered wheelchair capable of travelling at a speed exceeding 10 km/h 13(1) 6 5 Inspection by an inspector who is not an employee within the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993 (a) for a motor vehicle not exceeding 4.5 t gross vehicle mass or a trailer not exceeding 4.5 t gross mass 13(2) 43 (b) in any other case 13(2) 98

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 7 6 Replacement of damaged or defaced number plates that are not corporate number plates, slimline number plates or national heavy vehicle number plates unless the damage or defacement is a result of reasonable wear and tear or defective manufacturing (a) where replaced by number plates consisting of numerals and letters identical to those on the damaged or defaced number plates 17(2) 57 (b) in any other case 17(2) 33.5 7 Replacement of damaged or defaced corporate number plates or slimline number plates 17(2) 57 7A Replacement of damaged or defaced national heavy vehicle number plate or plates (a) if replaced by national heavy vehicle number plate or plates consisting of numerals and letters identical to those on the damaged or defaced number plate or plates 17(2) 57 (b) if replaced by national heavy vehicle number plate or plates in any other case 17(2) $31.10 8 Replacement of number plates declared lost or destroyed that are not corporate number plates, slimline number plates or national heavy vehicle number plates (a) where replaced by number plates containing numerals and letters identical to those on the lost number plates 18(2) 57 (b) in any other case 18(2) 33.5 9 Replacement of corporate number plates or slimline number plates declared lost or destroyed 18(2) 57

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 8 9A Replacement of national heavy vehicle number plate or plates declared lost or destroyed: (a) if replaced by national heavy vehicle number plate or plates containing numerals and letters identical to those on the lost plate or plates 18(2) 57 (b) if replaced by national heavy vehicle number plate or plates in any other case 18(2) $31.10 10 Transfer of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer 20(3) 15 11 Test or examination to determine suitability to be a driving instructor 25E(2) 84 12 (1) Motor vehicle trader's licence for the use of trader's plates for trailers or motor vehicles other than motor cycles (a) single plate 34(3) 90 (b) each additional plate 34(3) 12 (2) Motor vehicle trader's licence for the use of trader's plates for motor cycles (a) single plate 34(3) 24 (b) each additional plate 34(3) 12 13 Transfer of motor vehicle trader's licence to the person taking over a business 38(2) 40 14 Exemption of a vehicle from the operation of provisions of Part 5A of the Act, the Standards or Schedule 4 to the Act (a) permitting an increase of the mass on the steer axle of a motor vehicle (i) to more than 6.0 t but not more than 6.5 t 59 100 per annum (ii) to more than 6.5 t but not more than 6.6 t 59 200 per annum

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 9 (iii) to more than 6.6 t but not more than 6.7 t 59 300 per annum (iv) to more than 6.7 t but not more than 6.8 t 59 400 per annum (v) to more than 6.8 t but not more than 6.9 t 59 500 per annum (vi) to more than 6.9 t but not more than 7.0 t 59 600 per annum (vii) to more than 7.0 t but not more than 7.1 t 59 610 per annum (viii) to more than 7.1 t but not more than 7.2 t 59 1 220 per annum (c) an exemption (from axle mass limits) of a heavy vehicle approved for volumetric loading of livestock 59 24 per annum (d) an exemption (from axle mass limits) of a semi-trailer, with an unladen mass of more than 13 t but less than 14 t, that is used to carry livestock 59 300 per annum (e) an exemption (from axle mass limits) of a semi-trailer, with an unladen mass of 14 t or more but less than 15 t, that is used to carry livestock 59 600 per annum (f) any other exemption 59 56 15 Provision of certified copy of (a) certificate of registration that has been lost or destroyed 96(2) 12 (b) licence that has been lost or destroyed 96(2) 18 16 Obtaining a new certificate of registration or licence where a certificate or licence has been defaced and is returned to the Registrar (a) certificate of registration 100(3) 12 (b) licence 100(3) 18

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 10 17 Inspection or examination of a motor vehicle or trailer produced in accordance with a direction in a defect notice (a) for a motor vehicle or trailer not exceeding 4.5 t gross vehicle mass 128A(16) 43 (b) in any other case 128A(16) 98 18 Fee to be deducted for the purposes of a refund under section 132(2)(d) 132(2) 18 19 Issue of a licence permitting the operation on a public street of an unregistered vehicle, or of a registered vehicle for a purpose in relation to which a greater compensation payment is payable than that paid (a) if the vehicle is to be operated as a heavy vehicle 137 for each week of the permit – 1/52 of the annual registration charge that would be payable in accordance with Schedule 2 for registration as a heavy vehicle in the configuration in which the vehicle is to be operated (b) in any other case 137 12 20 Pastoral vehicle permit (a) grant 137B(1) 18 (b) renewal 137B(1) 12 (c) transfer 137B(3) 12

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 11 22 Replacement of identification plate for pastoral vehicle 138 12 23 Searching and supplying information in respect of records of registrations and licences (a) per search of the records of a vehicle 138(1)(y) 17 (b) per list of records of vehicles 138(1)(y) 166 24 Provision of extract of a record certified by the Registrar for the purposes of section 118(2) 138(1)(y) 12 25 Transfer of number plates 138(1)(af) 18 26 Issue of particular number, personalised or special number plates other than corporate number plates 138(1)(af) 207 per set 27 Issue of corporate number plates (a) for first pair of corporate number plates 138(1)(af) 360 plus cost of plate design and set up (b) for each subsequent pair of corporate number plates 138(1)(af) 180 27A Issue of number plates other than under item 26, 27 or 27B 138(1)(af) 33.5 per set 27B Issue of national heavy vehicle number plate or plates (a) for a heavy vehicle previously registered under a corresponding law, where the Registrar registers the vehicle using the same registration number as shown on the plate or plates originally issued by the other jurisdiction 138(1)(af) Nil (b) in any other case 138(1)(af) $31.10 28 Add new or additional classifications to licence 6

Schedule 1 Certain fees prescribed for Act Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 12 29 Endorsement to licence classifications (a) for endorsement with the letter "h" under regulation 4C(5) of the Motor Vehicles Regulations 1977 (i) from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 138(1)(af) 25 (ii) from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 138(1)(af) 58 (iii) on and from 1 July 2021 138(1)(af) 83 (b) for any other endorsement 138(1)(af) 6 30 Administration fee for each transaction for registration or renewal of registration of a motor vehicle or trailer 138(1)(af) 11 31 Driving test conducted for licence applications 13(1B) 72 per test 32 Inspection or examination of a motor vehicle or trailer other than under item 5 or 17 (a) for a motor vehicle or trailer not exceeding 4.5 t gross vehicle mass 138(1)(af) 43 (b) in any other case 138(1)(af) 98 33 Change to the registered configuration of a heavy vehicle 107A 18 34 Issue of temporary permit for heavy vehicle 107B 18 Note for Schedule 1, Part 2 The fees prescribed for items 7A(b), 9A(b), and 27B(b) are indicated in dollar amounts and are not indexed in accordance with the Revenue Units Act 2009. These fees are reviewed on advice from the National Transport Commission of an adjusted national fee.

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 13 Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges regulation 2 Part 1 Interpretation 1 Definitions In this Schedule: articulated bus means a bus consisting of more than 1 rigid section with passenger access between the sections and the sections connected so as to allow rotary movement between the sections. axle means 1 or more shafts positioned in a line across a vehicle, on which 1 or more wheels intended to support the vehicle turn. axle group means a single axle group, tandem axle group, twinsteer axle group, tri-axle group or quad-axle group. B-double combination means a combination consisting of a prime mover towing 2 semi-trailers. B-double lead trailer means a semi-trailer that is nominated for use as the lead trailer in a B-double combination. B-triple combination means a combination consisting of a prime mover towing 3 semi-trailers. B-triple lead trailer means a semi-trailer that is nominated for use as the lead trailer in a B-triple combination. B-triple middle trailer means a semi-trailer that is nominated for use as the second trailer in a B-triple combination. bus means a motor vehicle, built mainly to carry people, that seats more than 9 adults (including the driver). bus (type 1) means a rigid bus that has 2 axles and an MRC not exceeding 12 t. bus (type 2) means: (a) a rigid bus that has 2 axles and an MRC exceeding 12 t; or (b) a rigid bus that has 3 or 4 axles.

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 14 compliance plate means a plate authorised to be placed on a vehicle, or taken to have been placed on a vehicle, under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cth). converter dolly means a trailer with a fifth wheel coupling designed to support a semi-trailer for hauling purposes. dog trailer means a trailer with: (a) a single axle group or single axle at the front that is steered by connection to the towing vehicle by a drawbar; and (b) a single axle group or single axle at the rear. drawbar means a part of a trailer (other than a semi-trailer) that connects the trailer body to a coupling for towing purposes. driver means the person driving or in control of a motor vehicle. fifth wheel coupling means a device, other than the upper rotating element and the kingpin (which are parts of a semi-trailer), used with a prime mover, semi-trailer or a converter dolly to permit quick coupling and uncoupling and to provide for articulation. lead trailer, in a combination, means the trailer that is, or that is to be, attached to the prime mover. load carrying vehicle means a vehicle designed and constructed to haul or carry goods and wares in addition to any fuel, water, lubricants, tools and any other equipment or accessories necessary for normal operation of the vehicle. loaded mass, in relation to a vehicle, means the sum of the mass of the vehicle and the mass of the load on the vehicle that is imposed on the surface on which the vehicle is standing or running. long combination truck means a truck nominated to haul 2 or more trailers. low loader means a gooseneck semi-trailer with a loading deck no more than 1 m above the ground. low loader dolly means a mass-distributing device that: (a) is usually coupled between a prime mover and low loader; and (b) consists of a gooseneck rigid frame; and (c) does not directly carry any load on itself; and

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 15 (d) is equipped with 1 or more axles, a kingpin and a fifth wheel coupling. medium combination truck means a truck, other than a short combination truck, nominated to haul a single trailer. MRC or Mass Rating for Charging, in relation to a motor vehicle, means the maximum laden mass of the vehicle recorded by the Registrar. multi-combination prime mover means a prime mover nominated to haul 2 or more trailers. nominated means nominated by the person applying for registration. pig trailer means a trailer with a single axle group or single axle near the middle of its load-carrying surface, and connected to the towing vehicle by a drawbar. pole type trailer means a trailer that: (a) is attached to a towing vehicle by means of a pole or an attachment fitted to a pole; and (b) is ordinarily used for transporting loads, such as logs, pipes, structural members or other long objects, that are generally capable of supporting themselves like beams between supports. prime mover means a motor vehicle designed to haul a semi-trailer. quad-axle group means a group of 4 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is more than 3.2 metres but not more than 4.9 metres. road means an area that is open to or used by the public and is developed for, or has as one of its main uses, the driving or riding of motor vehicles. road related area means: (a) an area that divides a road; or (b) a footpath or nature strip adjacent to a road; or (c) an area that is open to the public and is designated for use by cyclists or animals; or

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 16 (d) an area that is not a road and that is open to or used by the public for driving, riding or parking vehicles; or (e) any shoulder of a road; or (f) an area that is a road related area for the purposes of the Australian Road Rules. semi-trailer means a trailer (including a pole type trailer) that has: (a) a single axle group or single axle towards the rear; and (b) a means of attachment to a prime mover or a converter dolly that results in some of the load being imposed on the prime mover, or the converter dolly, as the case may be. short combination prime mover means a prime mover nominated to haul a single semi-trailer. short combination truck means a truck nominated to haul a single trailer where, according to the nomination: (a) the combination has 6 axles or fewer; and (b) the maximum total mass that is legally allowable for the combination is 42.5 t or less. single axle means an axle not forming part of an axle group. single axle group means a group of 2 or more axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is less than 1 m. special purpose vehicle, see clause 2. special purpose vehicle (type O) means a special purpose vehicle (other than a special purpose vehicle (type P)): (a) built, or permanently modified, primarily for use on roads; and (b) that has at least 1 axle or axle group loaded in excess of the axle load limits specified in Table 1. Example Examples of this kind of vehicle are mobile cranes, fire engines, truck-mounted concrete pumps and boring plants. These kinds of vehicle may also fall within the definition of special purpose vehicle (type T) if they have no axle or axle group loaded in excess of the axle load limits specified in Table 1.

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 17 Table 1 Axle load limits Item No Type of axle or axle group Axle load limit (t) 1 Single axles (a) 2 tyres 6.0 (b) 2 wide profile tyres (i) 375 mm to 450 mm 6.7 (ii) over 450 mm 7.0 (c) 4 or more tyres (i) on pig trailers 8.5 (ii) on other vehicles 9.0 2 Twinsteer axle groups (a) non-load sharing suspensions 10.0 (b) load sharing suspensions 11.0 3 Tandem axle groups (a) 4 tyres 11.0 (b) 4 wide profile tyres (i) 375 mm to 450 mm 13.3 (ii) over 450 mm 14.0 (c) 6 tyres 13.0 (d) 8 or more tyres (i) on pig trailers 15.0 (ii) on other vehicles 16.5 4 Tri-axle groups (a) 6, 8 or 10 tyres 15.0 (b) 6 wide profile tyres (375mm or over) (i) on pig trailers 18.0 (ii) on other vehicles 20.0 (c) 12 or more tyres (i) on pig trailers 18.0 (ii) on other vehicles 20.0

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 18 special purpose vehicle (type P) means a special purpose vehicle built, or permanently modified, primarily for: (a) off-road use; or (b) use on a road related area; or (c) use on an area of road that is under construction or repair. Example Examples of this kind of vehicle are agricultural tractors, self-propelled agricultural harvesters, bulldozers, backhoes, graders and front-end loaders. special purpose vehicle (type T) means a special purpose vehicle (other than a special purpose vehicle (type P)): (a) built, or permanently modified, primarily for use on roads; and (b) that has no axle or axle group loaded in excess of the axle load limits specified in Table 1. Example Examples of this kind of vehicle are mobile cranes, fire engines, truck-mounted concrete pumps and boring plants. These kinds of vehicle may also fall within the definition of special purpose vehicle (type O) if they have at least 1 axle or axle group loaded in excess of the axle load limits specified in Table 1. tandem axle group means a group of at least 2 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is at least 1 m but not more than 2 m. trailer means a vehicle that is built to be towed, or is towed, by a motor vehicle, but does not include a motor vehicle that is being towed. tri-axle group means a group of at least 3 axles, in which the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of the outermost axles is more than 2 m, but not more than 3.2 m. truck means a rigid motor vehicle that is principally constructed as a load carrying vehicle. truck (type 1) means a truck that has: (a) 2 axles and an MRC not exceeding 12 t; or (b) 3 axles and an MRC not exceeding 16.5 t; or (c) 4 or more axles and an MRC not exceeding 20 t.

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 19 truck (type 2) means a truck that has: (a) 2 axles and an MRC exceeding 12 t; or (b) 3 axles and an MRC exceeding 16.5 t; or (c) 4 or more axles and an MRC exceeding 20 t. twinsteer axle group means a group of 2 axles: (a) with single tyres; and (b) fitted to a motor vehicle; and (c) connected to the same steering mechanism; and (d) the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of which is at least 1 m, but not more than 2 m. 2 Special purpose vehicles (1) In this Schedule: special purpose vehicle means: (a) a vehicle (other than a caravan, a mobile home, a mobile library, a mobile workshop, a mobile laboratory, a mobile billboard or a vehicle that the regulations declare not to be a special purpose vehicle for the purposes of this definition) where the primary purpose for which it was built, or permanently modified, was not the carriage of goods or passengers; or (b) any of the following vehicles: (i) a forklift; (ii) a straddle carrier; (iii) a mobile cherry picker; (iv) a mobile crane; or (c) a vehicle, or a vehicle of a type, declared by the Registrar to be a special purpose vehicle.

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 20 (2) In subclause (1)(a): goods does not include fuel, water, lubricants, tools and any other equipment or accessories necessary for the normal operation of the vehicle. Example In the case of a crane, goods would not include any chains on the crane necessary to operate the crane. passengers does not include the driver, a trainee driver or any person necessary for the normal operation of the vehicle. 3 Close-spaced axles (1) For this schedule (other than the definitions of single axle group, tandem axle group, twinsteer axle group, tri-axle group and quad-axle group): (a) 2 axles less than 1 m apart are to be regarded as a single axle; and (b) 3 axles not more than 2 m apart are to be regarded as 2 axles; and (c) 4 axles not more than 3.2 m apart are to be regarded as 3 axles. (2) A reference to a distance in subclause (1) is a reference to the horizontal distance between the centre-lines of: (a) in subclause (1)(a) – the 2 axles; and (b) in any other case, the outermost axles. 4 Determination of number of trailers For determining the number of trailers that a prime mover or truck is nominated to haul: (a) a converter dolly and a semi-trailer when used together are to be regarded as a single trailer; and (b) a low loader dolly and a low loader when used together are to be regarded as a single trailer. Note Nothing in this clause affects the requirement under Parts 2 and 3 that a separate annual registration fee be paid for each converter dolly or low loader dolly and for each semi-trailer.

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 21 Part 2 Annual registration charges 5 Annual registration charges from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 For the period commencing on 1 October 2022 and ending on 30 September 2023, the annual registration charge for a heavy vehicle is the amount set out in Table 2 for a vehicle of that type. Table 2 Annual registration charges from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 Division 1 – Load carrying vehicles Charge per vehicle ($) Vehicle Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 or more axles Trucks Truck (type 1) 548 944 920 920 Truck (type 2) 944 1 176 1 198 1 198 Short combination truck 944 1 215 2 104 2 104 Medium combination truck 8 223 8 223 8 881 8 881 Long combination truck 11 348 11 348 11 348 11 348 Prime Movers Short combination prime mover 1 158 4 649 4 965 4 965 Multi-combination prime mover 10 196 10 196 11 213 11 213 Division 2 – Trailers Charge per axle ($) Trailer type Single axle Tandem axle group Tri-axle group Quad-axle group and above Pig Trailer 548 548 548 548 Dog Trailer 548 548 548 548 Semi-trailer 548 548 589 442 B-double lead trailer and B-triple lead and middle trailers 548 548 589 442 Converter dolly or low loader dolly 393 393 393 393

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 22 Division 3 – Buses Charge per vehicle ($) Bus Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 or more axles Bus (type 1) 529 Bus (type 2) 548 2 755 2 755 Articulated bus 548 548 Division 4 – Special purpose vehicles Vehicle type Charge per vehicle ($) Special purpose vehicle (type P) No charge Special purpose vehicle (type T) 344 Special purpose vehicle (type O) Calculated using the formula: 443 + (387 x number of axles over 2) 6 Annual registration charges from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 For the period commencing on 1 October 2023 and ending on 30 September 2024, the annual registration charge for a heavy vehicle is the amount set out in Table 3 for a vehicle of that type. Table 3 Annual registration charges from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 Division 1 – Load carrying vehicles Charge per vehicle ($) Vehicle Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 or more axles Trucks Truck (type 1) 564 972 948 948 Truck (type 2) 972 1 211 1 234 1 234 Short combination truck 972 1 251 2 167 2 167 Medium combination truck 8 470 8 470 9 147 9 147 Long combination truck 11 688 11 688 11 688 11 688 Prime Movers Short combination prime mover 1 193 4 788 5 114 5 114 Multi-combination prime mover 10 502 10 502 11 549 11 549

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 23 Division 2 – Trailers Charge per axle ($) Trailer type Single axle Tandem axle group Tri-axle group Quad-axle group and above Pig Trailer 564 564 564 564 Dog Trailer 564 564 564 564 Semi-trailer 564 564 607 455 B-double lead trailer and B-triple lead and middle trailers 564 564 607 455 Converter dolly or low loader dolly 381 381 381 381 Division 3 – Buses Charge per vehicle ($) Bus Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 or more axles Bus (type 1) 545 Bus (type 2) 564 2 838 2 838 Articulated bus 564 564 Division 4 – Special purpose vehicles Vehicle type Charge per vehicle ($) Special purpose vehicle (type P) No charge Special purpose vehicle (type T) 354 Special purpose vehicle (type O) Calculated using the formula: 456 + (399 x number of axles over 2)

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 24 6A Annual registration charges from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025 For the period commencing on 1 October 2024 and ending on 30 September 2025, the annual registration charge for a heavy vehicle is the amount set out in Table 3A for a vehicle of that type. Table 3A Annual registration charges from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025 Division 1 – Load carrying vehicles Charge per vehicle ($) Vehicle Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 or more axles Trucks Truck (type 1) 581 1 001 976 976 Truck (type 2) 1 001 1 247 1 271 1 271 Short combination truck 1 001 1 289 2 232 2 232 Medium combination truck 8 724 8 724 9 421 9 421 Long combination truck 12 039 12 039 12 039 12 039 Prime Movers Short combination prime mover 1 229 4 932 5 267 5 267 Multi-combination prime mover 10 817 10 817 11 895 11 895 Division 2 – Trailers Charge per axle ($) Trailer type Single axle Tandem axle group Tri-axle group Quad-axle group and above Pig Trailer 581 581 581 581 Dog Trailer 581 581 581 581 Semi-trailer 581 581 625 469 B-double lead trailer and B-triple lead and middle trailers 581 581 625 469 Converter dolly or low loader dolly 370 370 370 370

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 25 Division 3 – Buses Charge per vehicle ($) Bus Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 or more axles Bus (type 1) 561 Bus (type 2) 581 2 923 2 923 Articulated bus 581 581 Division 4 – Special purpose vehicles Vehicle type Charge per vehicle ($) Special purpose vehicle (type P) No charge Special purpose vehicle (type T) 365 Special purpose vehicle (type O) Calculated using the formula: 470 + (411 x number of axles over 2) 6B Annual registration charges from 1 October 2025 Commencing on 1 October 2025, the annual registration charge for a heavy vehicle is the amount set out in Table 3B for a vehicle of that type. Table 3B Annual registration charges from 1 October 2025 Division 1 – Load carrying vehicles Charge per vehicle ($) Vehicle Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 axles 5 or more axles Trucks Truck (type 1) 598 1 031 1 005 1 005 Truck (type 2) 1 031 1 284 1 309 1 309 Short combination truck 1 031 1 328 2 299 2 299 Medium combination truck 8 986 8 986 9 704 9 704 Long combination truck 12 400 12 400 12 400 12 400 Prime Movers Short combination prime mover 1 266 5 080 5 425 5 425 Multi-combination prime mover 11 142 11 142 12 252 12 252

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 26 Division 2 – Trailers Charge per axle ($) Trailer type Single axle Tandem axle group Tri-axle group Quad-axle group and above Pig Trailer 598 598 598 598 Dog Trailer 598 598 598 598 Semi-trailer 598 598 644 483 B-double lead trailer and B-triple lead and middle trailers 598 598 644 483 Converter dolly or low loader dolly 359 359 359 359 Division 3 – Buses Charge per vehicle ($) Bus Type 2 axles 3 axles 4 or more axles Bus (type 1) 578 Bus (type 2) 598 3 011 3 011 Articulated bus 598 598 Division 4 – Special purpose vehicles Vehicle type Charge per vehicle ($) Special purpose vehicle (type P) No charge Special purpose vehicle (type T) 376 Special purpose vehicle (type O) Calculated using the formula: 484 + (423 x number of axles over 2) Part 4 Miscellaneous matters 7 Permit fees (1) The permit fee for the grant of a permit to operate a vehicle, or a combination of vehicles, with a loaded mass of more than 125 tonnes where the load being carried is an indivisible load is: 4 cents x ESA x K where: ESA is the sum of the equivalent standard axles for each of the rows of tyres across the trailer or trailers to be hauled under the permit by the vehicle, as determined by reference to the relevant part or parts of Table 4;

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 27 K is a reasonable estimate of the number of kilometres the vehicle will travel under the permit. Table 4 Equivalent standard axles for rows of tyres across trailers Part A – Trailers with rows of 8 tyres Average load per row (tonnes) Equivalent standard axles per row 10 or more but less than 11 0.4 11 or more but less than 12 0.6 12 or more but less than 13 0.9 13 or more but less than 14 1.2 14 or more but less than 15 1.7 15 or more but less than 16 2.2 16 or more but less than 17 2.8 17 or more but less than 18 3.6 18 or more but less than 19 4.6 19 or more but less than 20 5.7 20 or more but less than 21 6.9 21 or more but less than 22 8.4 22 or more but less than 23 10.2 23 or more but less than 24 12.1 24 or more 14.4 Part B – Trailers with rows of 4 tyres Average load per row (tonnes) Equivalent standard axles per row 5 or more but less than 6 0.1 6 or more but less than 7 0.3 7 or more but less than 8 0.5 8 or more but less than 9 0.9 9 or more but less than 10 1.5 10 or more but less than 11 2.2 11 or more but less than 12 3.2

Schedule 2 Heavy vehicle registration charges Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 28 Average load per row (tonnes) Equivalent standard axles per row 12 or more 4.6 (2) For Table 4, the average load per row is the loaded mass (in tonnes) of the trailer divided by the number of rows of tyres that the trailer has. (3) In this clause: indivisible load means a load comprising a single item or a number of similar items that cannot, without disproportionate effort, expense or risk of damage, be divided into 2 or more smaller loads for the purpose of transport. 8 Vehicles in 2 or more categories If a vehicle falls within 2 or more categories of heavy vehicle, the annual registration charge for the vehicle is the higher or highest of the charges that could apply to the vehicle.

Schedule 3 Repealed Regulations Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 29 Schedule 3 Repealed Regulations regulation 4 Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 13 of 1978 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 27 of 1980 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 24 of 1981 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 80 of 1982 Amendments of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 48 of 1984 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 9 of 1986 Amendments of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 32 of 1986 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 2 of 1987 Amendments of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 54 of 1987 Amendments of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 53 of 1988 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 26 of 1989 Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 28 of 1990 Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 39 of 1990 Amendments of the Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 41 of 1991 Amendments of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 34 of 1994

Schedule 3 Repealed Regulations Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 30 Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 49 of 1994 Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 18 of 1995 Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 23 of 1995 Amendments of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 30 of 1996 Amendments of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 23 of 1999 Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 59 of 2000 Amendment of Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations Subordinate Legislation No. 48 of 2001 Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment (Heavy Vehicles) Regulations 2005 Subordinate Legislation No. 5 of 2005 Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2006 Subordinate Legislation No. 39 of 2006

ENDNOTES Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 31 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 Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations (SL No. 26, 2008) Notified 20 October 2008 Commenced 20 October 2008 Transport Legislation Amendment (Alcohol Ignition Locks) Regulations 2009 (SL No. 9, 2009) Notified 9 April 2009 Commenced 9 April 2009 (r 2, s 2 Transport Legislation (Alcohol Ignition Locks) Amendment Act 2008 (Act No. 38, 2008) and Gaz S15, 9 April 2009) Fees and Charges Amendment Regulations 2009 (SL No. 34, 2009) Notified 14 December 2009 Commenced 1 January 2010 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendments Regulations 2010 (SL No. 12, 2010) Notified 30 June 2010 Commenced 1 July 2010 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SL No. 25, 2012) Notified 28 June 2012 Commenced 1 July 2012 (r 2) Fees and Charges (Transport) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SL No. 45, 2012) Notified 14 December 2012 Commenced 1 January 2013 (r 2) Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (Act No. 30, 2012) Assent date 18 December 2012 Commenced pts 2 and 3: 4 December 2012; pt 4: 1 January 2013; rem: 18 December 2012 (s 2)

ENDNOTES Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 32 Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2013 (SL No. 16, 2013) Notified 1 July 2013 Commenced 1 July 2013 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2013 (SL No. 24, 2013) Notified 1 July 2013 Commenced 1 July 2013 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2013 (SL No. 15, 2014) Notified 4 June 2014 Commenced 1 July 2014 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2015 (SL No. 17, 2015) Notified 30 June 2015 Commenced 1 July 2015 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2016 (SL No. 10, 2016) Notified 27 April 2016 Commenced 1 July 2016 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2017 (SL No. 2, 2017) Notified 14 February 2017 Commenced 14 February 2017 Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (Act No. 13, 2017) Assent date 27 June 2017 Commenced 1 July 2017 (s 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations (No. 2) 2017 (SL No. 21, 2017) Notified 29 June 2017 Commenced 1 July 2017 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2018 (SL No. 8, 2018) Notified 23 May 2018 Commenced 23 May 2018 Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Further Amendment Regulations 2018 (SL No. 9, 2018) Notified 23 May 2018 Commenced 1 July 2018 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2019 (SL No. 5, 2019) Notified 15 May 2019 Commenced r 5: 1 July 2019 (r 2(2)); rem: 15 May 2019 (r 2(1)) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Further Amendment Regulations 2019 (SL No. 10, 2019) Notified 19 June 2019 Commenced 1 July 2019 (r 2) Transport Legislation Further Amendment Regulations 2019 (SL No. 20, 2019) Notified 31 July 2019 Commenced 1 August 2019 (r 2)

ENDNOTES Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2008 33 Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (Act No. 23, 2020) Assent date 10 July 2020 Commenced 1 July 2021 (Gaz G23, 9 June 2021, p 1) Amending Legislation Statute Law Revision Act 2020 (Act No. 26, 2020) Assent date 19 November 2020 Commenced 20 November 2020 (s 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2021 (SL No. 17, 2021) Notified 29 September 2021 Commenced 29 September 2021 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2022 (SL No. 11, 2022) Notified 27 September 2022 Commenced 1 October 2022 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2023 (SL No. 19, 2023) Date made 29 August 2023 Commenced 1 October 2023 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2024 (SL No. 7, 2024) Date made 16 May 2024 Commenced 1 July 2024 (r 2) Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SL No. 6, 2025) Date made 26 June 2025 Commenced 1 July 2025 (r 2) 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, 2018) to: r 1 and sch 1. 4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS r 1A ins Act No. 23, 2020, s 40 r 2 amd No. 24, 2013, r 4 sch 1 amd No. 9, 2009, r 7; No. 34, 2009, r 14; No. 45, 2012, r 20; Act No. 30, 2012, s 17; No. 16, 2013, r 4; No. 15, 2014, r 4; Act No. 13, 2017, s 20; No. 21, 2017, r 4; No. 8, 2018, r 4; No. 9, 2018, r 4; No. 5, 2019, r 4; No. 10, 2019, r 4; No. 20, 2019, r 10; Act No. 23, 2020, s 41; No. 17, 2021, r 4; No.11, 2022, r 4; No. 19, 2023, r 4; No. 7, 2024, r 4; No. 6, 2025, r 4 sch 2 amd No. 12, 2010, r 4; No. 25, 2012, r 4; No. 24, 2013, r 5; No. 15, 2014, r 5; No. 17, 2015, r 4; No. 10, 2016, r 4; No. 2, 2017, r 3; No. 9, 2018, r 5; No. 5, 2019, r 5; Act No. 23, 2020, s 42; No. 17, 2021, r 5; No. 11, 2022, r 5; No. 19, 2023, r 5

1 MOTOR VEHICLES (FEES AND CHARGES) REGULATIONS 2008

NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA

As in force at 1 July 2025

The main structural concepts in the Regulations are (1) prescription of fees and charges for the Motor Vehicles Act; (2) classification-based fee calculation; (3) targeted concessions; (4) technical formulas for special permits; and (5) staging and indexing of heavy vehicle charges.

Prescription of fees and charges. Regulation 2 anchors the Regulations to the Act by prescribing that the fees and charges set out in Schedules 1 and 2 are those payable for the Act. The schedules therefore operate as the Act’s tariff schedule for motor vehicle-related regulatory interactions. Many items reference specific sections of the Act (for example, driver licence fees refer to s 13(1) and registration fees to s 13(1) and other identified sections), linking each monetary item to the Act provision that triggers it (sch 1, pt 2).
Classification-based fee calculation. Fees are not flat. Schedule 1 uses unit bases such as revenue units for licences, engine capacity on per-500-millilitre bands for many motor vehicles, per-tonne tare mass or per-200-kg blocks for trailers and caravans, flat rates for powered wheelchairs, and specific dollar amounts for certain plate replacements. Schedule 2 for heavy vehicles uses vehicle-type definitions, Mass Rating for Charging (MRC), the number and grouping of axles, and separate divisions for trucks, trailers, buses and special purpose vehicles, each with bespoke per-vehicle or per-axle charges by axle count and by year (sch 2, cll 5-6B).
Targeted concessions. Regulation 3 halves registration fees for vehicles that meet narrow eligibility criteria. The concession applies to (a) a goods vehicle, motor tractor or trailer owned by a grazier or farmer used solely for carting the owner’s produce or requisites of occupation, not let on hire or reward (r 3(2)); and (b) goods vehicles or trailers owned by a person engaged personally, and not in association with more than two other persons, in mining, or in hunting or trapping specified animals, and used solely for the owner’s occupation (r 3(3)). Those conditions create a narrowly targeted, occupancy-and-use-based benefit that reduces fees by exactly one-half.
Technical formulas for special permits. Schedule 2 contains a numeric formula for high-mass indivisible-load permits: permit fee = 4 cents × ESA × K, where ESA is the sum of equivalent standard axles for rows of tyres across trailers (as determined by Table 4) and K is a reasonable estimate of kilometres to be travelled under the permit (sch 2, cl 7(1)-(3)). Table 4 offers discrete ESA values by average load per tyre row for trailers with rows of 8 or 4 tyres, and the calculation requires converting loaded mass to an average load per row.
Staging, indexing and fixed-dollar exceptions. The heavy vehicle charges are staged by 12-month periods commencing 1 October of consecutive years with separate tables for 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and the schedule for 2025 and onwards (sch 2, cls 5-6B). Many fees in Schedule 1 are stated in revenue units, which implies indexation under the Revenue Units Act 2009; certain small-dollar fees (items 7A(b), 9A(b) and 27B(b)) are fixed-dollar amounts not indexed and subject to review on advice from the National Transport Commission (sch 1, note).

Ancillary concepts include Registrar discretion to accept enthusiast vehicles for concessional registration (definition of eligible enthusiast vehicle and enthusiast vehicle, sch 1, pt 1), the Registrar’s power to declare special purpose vehicles in Schedule 2, and administrative transaction charges such as an $11 administration fee per registration transaction (sch 1, item 30). The Regulations also specify replacement plate fees and different pricing for corporate, slimline and national heavy vehicle plates (sch 1, items 6-9A).

These concepts define the levers by which policy is delivered: differentiated charges for different vehicle functions and designs; concessions narrowly bound by use and ownership; technical measures for exceptional heavy-load movements; and an updating mechanism that either indexes fees or fixes them subject to external review.

The Regulations affect multiple identifiable groups by creating payment obligations, establishing eligibility thresholds for concessional treatment, and defining calculation methods that determine cost. Primary affected groups include:

Driver licence holders and applicants. Schedule 1 sets licence fees by duration (12 months, 2, 5, 10 years and other multi-year options), learner licences, AIL licences and endorsements. The schedule prescribes fees at specific revenue-unit amounts (sch 1, item 1).
Private vehicle owners. Owners of standard motor cars, motorcycles, electric vehicles, trailers and caravans are affected by the registration and renewal fees in Schedule 1. Charges are calculated by engine capacity bands for motor vehicles (per 500 ml or per litre at specified rates), and by tare mass bands for trailers and caravans (per 200 kg or per tonne) (sch 1, item 2).
Owners of enthusiast and concessionally-registered vehicles. Owners of classic motor vehicles, individually constructed vehicles, dedicated rally cars and street rods can be treated as enthusiast vehicles and pay concessional rates where accepted by the Registrar and where the owner agrees to and complies with any conditions (definition of eligible enthusiast vehicle and sch 1, item 3).
Grazers, farmers, small-scale miners and certain hunters/trappers. Regulation 3 directly targets grazier and farmer vehicle owners who use eligible vehicles solely for carting their own produce or occupational requisites, and persons engaged personally in mining or in hunting/trapping stated animals, where used solely for the owner’s occupation. These groups may pay one-half registration fees when conditions are satisfied (r 3(2)-(3)).
Heavy vehicle operators and owners. Schedule 2 is highly detailed and affects truck owners, prime movers, multi-combination operators, trailers, dollies, buses, pig and dog trailer owners, and special purpose vehicle owners. Fees depend on MRC, axle grouping, vehicle type nomination, and for special permits the ESA and estimated kilometres (sch 2, cls 1-7).
Businesses using trader’s plates and motor vehicle traders. Items in sch 1 provide fees for motor vehicle trader licences and trader plates, including single and additional plate costs, and transfer of licences when taking over a business (sch 1, item 12-13).
Applicants for number plates and corporate plates. Fees for issuing particular, personalised, special or corporate number plates, transfers of number plates and cost additions for design and set-up of corporate plates apply to organisations and individuals seeking special plate identifiers (sch 1, items 26-27).
Registrars, inspectors and administrative staff. The Regulations specify fee offsets for inspections by non-employee inspectors and fees for examination of vehicles produced under defect notices, which are operational costs that the Registrar must account for and collect as part of enforcement processes (sch 1, items 5 and 17; r 3 cross-refers to defect notices via s 128A(16) reference).
Indigenous or remote operators using pastoral permits. The pastoral vehicle permit fee schedule and replacement of pastoral vehicle identification plates are relevant to operations requiring permit regimes (sch 1, items 20-22).

The Regulations therefore create monetary interactions across a wide range of users, from private motorists to specialised heavy-vehicle operators and organisations seeking corporate plates. The concession provisions (r 3) and eligibility rules for enthusiast vehicles introduce administrative compliance burdens for those seeking reduced rates, and the heavy vehicle tables create ongoing operating cost implications for freight, bus and special-purpose fleets as different tables apply depending on the registration year (sch 2, cls 5-6B). Entities that must nominate vehicle types, MRCs and axle groupings have to maintain records and make nominations consistent with the definitions and counting rules in sch 2, cll 1-4.

Duties

Payment duty. Vehicle owners, applicants for licences, plate holders and permit applicants must pay the fees prescribed in Schedules 1 and 2 when the Act requires payment: registration and renewal fees, licence fees, plate issuance and replacement fees, inspection and examination fees, trader’s plate fees, pastoral permit fees, and other administrative charges are all set out in sch 1 and sch 2. Regulation 2 prescribes these fees for the Act, making payment a statutory requirement where the Act imposes the underlying obligation (r 2; sch 1 and sch 2).
Accurate classification and nomination. For heavy vehicles the owner or applicant must nominate the vehicle type, mass rating for charging (MRC) and number/arrangement of axles. The heavy vehicle charging schedule depends on accurate classification (sch 2, cll 1, 4 and Part 2 tables). Clause 3 on close-spaced axles specifies how to treat closely spaced axles for charging calculations (sch 2, cl 3).
Concessional eligibility proof and compliance. To access the one-half registration fee under regulation 3, the owner must meet the enumerated conditions: ownership by a grazier or farmer and sole use for carting owner’s own produce or requisites, or for small-scale personally engaged miners/hunters, and an absence of hiring or reward (r 3(2)-(3)). For eligible enthusiast vehicles, the owner must agree to comply with any conditions imposed by the Registrar and maintain compliance to retain concessional registration (definition of eligible enthusiast vehicle).
Permit application detail. For indivisible loads over 125 tonnes, applicants must provide the data required to calculate ESA and estimate kilometres K for the permit fee formula (sch 2, cl 7). ESA calculation requires converting loaded mass into average load per row and then applying Table 4.
Administrative obligations. Applicants must pay ancillary fees such as the $11 administration fee per registration transaction (sch 1, item 30) and fees for searches and extracts of records (sch 1, items 23-24), and comply with the Registrar’s procedural requirements when transferring registration or plates (sch 1, items 10, 25).

Rights

Right to concessional treatment if eligible. Certain owners qualify for reduced fees. Regulation 3 provides a legislated right to a one-half fee when the statutory criteria are met. Owners of eligible enthusiast vehicles have access to lower registration fees if the Registrar accepts the vehicle and the owner agrees to comply with any conditions (r 3; sch 1, pt 1 definitions and sch 1, item 3).
Right to particular and corporate plates. Applicants can obtain personalised, special or corporate number plates upon payment of the prescribed fees; corporate plates involve an additional design and set-up cost charged to the issuer (sch 1, items 26-27).
Right to replacement and certified copies. The Regulations set prescribed fees for replacement of number plates, including special rules for corporate, slimline and national heavy vehicle plates, and for certified copies of registration certificates and licences for lost or defaced originals (sch 1, items 6-9A; items 15-16).
Right to a determination by Registrar for special purpose vehicle status and eligibility for national heavy vehicle plates. The Registrar can declare special purpose vehicles (sch 2, cl 2(1)(c)) and determine heavy vehicle eligibility for national heavy vehicle number plates (sch 1, definition of national heavy vehicle number plate), which gives applicants a procedural right to seek a Registrar resolution on these matters.
Right to an itemised, time-referenced charge. The heavy vehicle schedule sets charges by reference to specific registration periods, which gives clarity to the amount payable for a given 12-month period starting on 1 October (sch 2, cls 5-6B).

Interplay of duties and rights

The Regulations map the payment duties in the Act to specific monetary amounts, and define narrowly tailored rights to relief or different treatment. Duties to pay are operationally contingent on correct vehicle classification, meeting the enumerated eligibility tests for concessions, and providing requisite information for permit calculations. Rights are conditional on Registrar approval for certain categories, and procedural compliance for transfers or replacements. The instrument also specifies which fees are subject to indexation and which are fixed dollar amounts reviewed externally (sch 1, note), creating differences in real-dollar exposure over time.

This statutory instrument primarily prescribes fees. It contains limited provisions that directly touch on enforcement activities by setting fees that apply to enforcement processes, but the regulations do not themselves create criminal offences or outline penalty levels for contraventions of the Motor Vehicles Act. The Act remains the source of offences and enforcement powers for non-compliance; these Regulations supply the charging framework for administrative elements of enforcement.

Direct enforcement-related mechanisms and costs in the Regulations

Inspection and examination fees. Schedule 1 prescribes fees for inspection by an inspector who is not a public-sector employee (sch 1, item 5) and for inspection or examination of motor vehicles or trailers produced in response to a defect notice (sch 1, item 17). Those items operationalise enforcement by defining who pays for inspections triggered by enforcement action and how much they will be charged.
Fee for vehicle operation permits that interact with enforcement. Fees for licences permitting operation of unregistered vehicles or special permits are set out in sch 1, item 19. The heavy vehicle permit fee formula in sch 2, cl 7 requires applicants to supply technical detail,these permits are an enforcement-adjacent control because they authorise movement that would otherwise breach mass limitations. The permit fee is structured to reflect ESA and expected kilometres travelled, which ties administrative permission to a cost that scales with road impact.
Defect notice reference. The Regulations specifically reference s 128A(16) of the Act in item 17 for inspection/examination following a defect notice, indicating the Regulations are meant to be used in conjunction with enforcement instruments that the Act confers on authorities (sch 1, item 17).

What this instrument does not do within its text

The Regulations do not set out offence provisions, penalty amounts or sanctioning processes for non-payment or other contraventions. Those matters remain in the Motor Vehicles Act or other connected legislation. Readers should therefore not expect to find, in these Regulations, an enforcement schedule of penalties for late payment or non-registration.
The Regulations do not specify debt recovery mechanisms, administrative suspension processes or compounding schemes for unpaid fees. Those mechanisms are typically in the parent Act and are not repeated here.

Compliance and enforcement risks

Cost push to regulated parties. The Regulations convert regulatory interventions into cost obligations. Inspections and permit-related data requirements allocate administrative and calculation burdens to operators, and the technical nature of some calculations (for example permit ESA calculations and heavy vehicle MRC and axle group nominations) raises the risk of disputes between operators and the Registrar about the correct fee quantum.
Administrative discretion and disputes. The Registrar’s role in accepting an enthusiast vehicle, declaring special purpose vehicles, or determining eligibility for national heavy vehicle plates creates points of discretionary decision-making which can generate contestable decisions, potentially requiring administrative review. The Regulations set the fees attached to these discretionary decisions but do not set out how disputes about eligibility or classification are resolved.
Fixed-dollar versus indexed fees. Most fees are in revenue units, which implies indexation and predictable updates; a subset of fees are fixed dollar amounts and reviewed by external advice (sch 1, note). This mix creates a predictable trajectory for some fees and potential abrupt jumps where discretionary reviews adjust fixed-dollar fees.

In summary, the Regulations are an instrument that operationalises enforcement and administrative activity primarily by attaching fees to them. Enforcement of non-payment, suspension for non-registration, and sanctions are matters of the Motor Vehicles Act and are not re-specified here. The practical enforcement consequence is that regulated parties bear the direct costs of inspections, permits and administrative transactions, and disputes will typically centre on classification, eligibility and technical fee calculations.

Parent Act

Motor Vehicles Act 1949. These Regulations are made under the Motor Vehicles Act 1949 and explicitly prescribe the fees and charges payable under that Act (r 2). Many items in Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 reference specific sections of the Act (for example, driver licence fees refer to s 13(1); replacement plate fees reference ss 17(2) and 18(2); exemptions reference s 59; inspection following defect notice references s 128A(16)). The Regulations therefore operate as the monetary and technical adjunct to the Act’s substantive requirements.

Indexing and revenue units

Revenue Units Act 2009. Schedule 1 uses revenue units for many fees, indicating those fees are subject to the indexing regime under the Revenue Units Act 2009. The schedule also notes that specified small-dollar items are not indexed and are reviewed on advice from the National Transport Commission. The interaction means that some fees rise in accordance with a central revenue-unit method, while others are fixed unless administratively reviewed (sch 1, note).

Commonwealth vehicle standards

Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cth). Schedule 2 refers to a "compliance plate" authorised under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (Cth). That cross-reference identifies an overlap with Commonwealth vehicle standards and certification regimes. Where a vehicle has Commonwealth compliance plate implications, the Northern Territory charging regime interfaces with federal certification practices (sch 2, cl 1 definition of compliance plate).
National transport policy and National Transport Commission. The note in Schedule 1 referencing review by the National Transport Commission indicates an intended coordination point with national transport policy bodies for certain fees. The Regulations therefore interact institutionally with national-level policy advice.

Statutory exemptions and exclusions

Section 5A(2)(h) of the Act. Regulation 1A declares that, for s 5A(2)(h) of the Act, all provisions of these Regulations are excluded provisions. That is a legal cross-reference included in the instrument, and it affects how the Act’s excluded-provision regime applies to these Regulations. The precise legal effect depends on the wording of s 5A(2)(h) in the Act, but the instrument self-identifies as being excluded for that particular statutory reference (r 1A).

Administrative and record laws

Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993. Schedule 1 distinguishes inspection fees when the inspector is not an employee "within the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993" (sch 1, item 5). That cross-reference controls the fee quantum depending on inspector employment status, linking these Regulations to public-sector employment law.

Interstate and national schemes

National Heavy Vehicle number plates and corresponding law interaction. Schedule 1 provides a nil-fee route for issuance of national heavy vehicle number plates when the vehicle was previously registered under a corresponding law and the Registrar uses the same registration number (sch 1, item 27B(a)). That creates an accommodation for interstate portability and interacts with the "corresponding law" concept, implying coordination with other jurisdictions’ registration regimes.

Other subordinate legislation

Repeals and historical amending instruments. Schedule 3 lists repealed subordinate instruments and the Endnotes list a long series of amendments and subordinate instruments that have modified these Regulations over time. Those historical instruments are part of the legal scaffolding and show how the current schedule interacts with earlier fee regimes and transitional arrangements.

What this instrument does not do in the inter-legislative context

It does not replace or restate the substantive licensing, registration or enforcement duties set out in the Act. Those remain in the parent statute and associated regulations. It also does not amend Commonwealth laws; references to Commonwealth regimes are limited to definitional cross-references such as compliance plates.

In sum, these Regulations are a tariff and technical schedule that interacts with the Motor Vehicles Act for substantive obligations, with revenue-indexing machinery for price movement, with Commonwealth standards for compliance plates, and with national transport agencies for occasional fee reviews and the handling of national heavy vehicle plates. Administrative cross-references to public-sector employment and the Registrar’s discretionary functions are also notable points of legal interaction.

The Endnotes and the Reprint list the legislative and subordinate instruments that have amended the Regulations since their notification and commencement in 2008. The instrument was notified on 20 October 2008 and commenced the same day as Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Regulations (SL No. 26, 2008) (Endnotes, list of legislation). Key amendment and development features visible in the source are:

Initial making and commencement. The Regulations were established in 2008 (SL No. 26, 2008), notified 20 October 2008 and commenced 20 October 2008 (Endnotes, list of legislation).
Early and periodic fee adjustments. Multiple subordinate amendments adjusted fees and fee structures over time, including in 2009 (Transport Legislation Amendment (Alcohol Ignition Locks) Regulations 2009; Fees and Charges Amendment Regulations 2009), 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 (Endnotes list). Those instruments typically amended Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 to reflect indexation, policy changes, or reclassification of vehicle types.
Transport Legislation Amendment (Alcohol Ignition Locks) Regulations 2009 (SL No. 9, 2009) and similar targeted subordinate instruments introduced specific changes tied to other legislative programs, indicating that fee changes were sometimes connected to broader transport policy measures (Endnotes, list).
Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2012 (Act No. 30, 2012) and later Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (Act No. 13, 2017) made amendments that affected the Regulations. The Endnotes record these Acts and their commencement dates and show that statutory amendments at the parliamentary level influenced the subordinate fee regime (Endnotes, list of legislation).
Transport Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (Act No. 23, 2020) inserted regulation 1A (r 1A ins Act No. 23, 2020, s 40) and made other changes that affected sch 1 and sch 2 indexing and structure (Endnotes, list and list of amendments). The amendment history lists Act No. 23, 2020 among amending legislation with specified commencement dates.
Recent staged heavy vehicle charge tables. Schedule 2 contains separate tables for annual registration charges for the periods 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 (Table 2), 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024 (Table 3), 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025 (Table 3A), and a table commencing 1 October 2025 (Table 3B). These staged tables reflect explicit, dated adjustments of heavy vehicle charges via subordinate amendments, notably Instruments: Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2022 (SL No. 11, 2022), 2023 (SL No. 19, 2023), 2024 (SL No. 7, 2024) and 2025 (SL No. 6, 2025) with commencement dates aligning to 1 October of each year for those tables (Endnotes, list of amendments; sch 2, cls 5-6B).
Ongoing technical and administrative amendments. The Endnotes list numerous amendment regulations across 2009-2025 addressing items such as plate fees, inspection fees, exemption fees and the structure of the heavy vehicle schedule. Examples include Fees and Charges (Transport) Amendment Regulations 2012 (SL No. 45, 2012), Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2013 (SL No. 16 and SL No. 24, 2013), and others noted through to Motor Vehicles (Fees and Charges) Amendment Regulations 2025 (SL No. 6, 2025) (Endnotes, list).
Formal amendments and technical reprints. The Interpretation Legislation Amendment Act 2018 made formal textual amendments of a technical nature to r 1 and sch 1 (Endnotes, general amendments). The Schedule 3 list of repealed Regulations and the Endnotes collectively constitute the instrument’s reprint history.

Practical implications of amendment history

Regular adjustments. The history shows the schedules are regularly adjusted, particularly the heavy vehicle charges which are updated annually with staged tables. Users should expect periodic changes and consult the version of the schedules that applies to their registration period.
Parliamentary Acts can alter the Regulations. Changes at parliamentary level (Revenue and Other Legislation Amendment Acts, Transport Legislation Amendment Acts) have modified the Regulations, indicating that fee structure can be altered by statute rather than only by administrative instrument.
External review triggers. The note in sch 1 that some fixed-dollar fees are reviewed on advice from the National Transport Commission reflects an institutional mechanism for periodic adjustment outside of automatic indexation.

For practitioners advising clients, the amendment history demonstrates the need to check the operative version for any registration period, to track indexed revenue units, and to be aware that heavy vehicle charges are explicitly time-staged.

The text of the Regulations and the Endnotes do not record any court or tribunal decisions about these Regulations. The instrument’s Endnotes and Schedules set out legislative amendments, repealed subordinate instruments and the dates of notification and commencement. There are no cases, judgments or litigated determinations cited or embedded in the Regulations themselves.

Practical relevance of the absence of litigation history in the instrument

No precedent recorded here. Because the Regulations do not themselves contain litigation references, they provide no statutory interpretation guidance from courts or tribunals within the instrument. Any legal disputes arising from fee classification, eligibility for concessions, procedural decisions by the Registrar, ESA calculations for permits or the application of axle-group rules will need to be located in case law searches outside this instrument. The instrument does not identify reported decisions.
Likely loci of dispute. Based on the language and technical requirements herein, disputes where litigation might arise include classification disputes (which vehicle type or axle group applies), eligibility for the r 3 concession (proof of sole use and ownership criteria), calculation of ESA and K for indivisible-load permits under sch 2, clause 7, and questions about the Registrar’s exercise of discretion (for example, accepting an enthusiast vehicle or declaring a special purpose vehicle). The instrument’s technical tables and definitional rules create concrete points of contention but no adjudicative history is recorded in the text.
Administrative review routes. The Regulations reference Registrar decisions and fees; in practice, individuals and businesses contesting Registrar decisions would typically exhaust administrative review processes under the Act or seek merits review or judicial review in relevant tribunals or courts. The instrument does not specify those review mechanisms but recording none in the instrument is not evidence that they do not exist in related legislation.

Recommendation for practitioners

Conduct external searches. Because the Regulations contain no litigation history, practitioners should search court and tribunal databases, and administrative appeal records, for disputes on classification, concessions, ESA calculations, and heavy vehicle charging. Any analysis or advice should cross-reference the Motor Vehicles Act, relevant administrative law principles and jurisprudence outside this instrument.

This instrument contains numerous technical and scope traps that generate practical surprises for users who treat fees as simple flat charges. Key pitfalls to watch are:

Narrow eligibility for 50 per cent concession (r 3). The reduction in registration fees to one-half is strictly conditional. For the grazier/farmer route (r 3(2)) the vehicle must be a goods vehicle, motor tractor or trailer; must be owned by a grazier or farmer; used solely to cart the owner’s own produce or occupational requisites; and not let on hire or for reward. For the mining/hunting/trapping route (r 3(3)) the owner must be engaged personally and not in association with more than two other persons. Each element is a potential disqualifier. "Solely used" is an exacting test that excludes incidental commercial use. Practitioners advising clients should ensure documentary proof of occupation, ownership and exclusive use is retained.
Complexity of heavy vehicle classification and charging. Schedule 2 combines MRC, vehicle-type nomination (short, medium or long combination; prime mover types), and axle grouping and spacing rules in cl 3. Careful counting of axles is required: close-spaced axles are treated as single axles under certain distance thresholds (sch 2, cl 3). If a vehicle falls into multiple categories, the instrument requires payment of the higher charge (sch 2, cl 8). Misclassification can lead to underpayment and later liability.
ESA and permit formula uses non-linear lookups. Permit fees for indivisible loads rely on converting loaded mass to average load per row, then mapping to ESA values in Table 4, and then multiplying by kilometres K. A small error in computing average load per row changes ESA and therefore the permit fee. Clause 7 defines "indivisible" with a subjective element (disproportionate effort or expense), which could be contested.
Mix of revenue units and fixed-dollar fees. Many fees are stated in revenue units and are index-linked, but a few small items are fixed in dollars (e.g., sch 1 items 7A(b), 9A(b), 27B(b) $31.10 etc) and are reviewed on advice of the National Transport Commission. Practitioners must check whether a fee is a revenue unit or a fixed-dollar item and confirm current revenue unit value.
Multiple bases of calculation for similar outcomes. For motor vehicle registration, private cars are charged by engine capacity in 500 ml bands for a number of bands and exceptions (sch 1, item 2(a)). Electric vehicles have a flat fee under sch 1, item 2(b). That can produce non-intuitive outcomes where a low-capacity petrol car pays more than an electrified equivalent, or where rotary engines and engines with more than four cylinders are treated differently (sch 1, item 2(a)(iii)-(iv)).
National heavy vehicle plate exceptions and costs. Issuance of national heavy vehicle plates can be nil for vehicles previously registered under a corresponding law where the same registration number is used, yet in other cases a small fixed fee applies (sch 1, item 27B). Replacement of national heavy vehicle plates uses both a revenue-unit fee and a fixed-dollar option, which can differ depending on whether the replacement is identical numerals or different (sch 1, items 7A-9A).
Corporate plate costs beyond per-pair fees. Corporate number plates carry an extra cost "plus cost of plate design and set up" for the first pair (sch 1, item 27(a)). That setup cost can be material for organisations issuing branded plates.
Eligibility for enthusiast concessional registration is subject to Registrar acceptance and conditions. The owner must have agreed to comply and have a history of compliance; the Registrar’s discretion to accept or impose conditions can be a significant gatekeeper (sch 1, pt 1 definitions).
Administrative transaction fees. Every registration or renewal transaction is subject to an $11 administration fee (sch 1, item 30). For fleets with frequent small transactions, the administration fees can substantially add to the per-transaction cost.
Inspection fee variability by inspector status. The inspection fee differs if the inspecting officer is not a public-sector employee within the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993 (sch 1, item 5). That requires careful invoice scrutiny for inspections done by contracted inspectors.
Vehicles falling into multiple heavy-vehicle categories pay the highest charge. Clause 8 in sch 2 avoids double counting by charging the higher applicable charge, but this elevates the importance of accurate initial nomination and classification (sch 2, cl 8).
Time-staged heavy vehicle charge tables. Heavy vehicle charges change by registration period, with separate tables for each 12-month window (sch 2, cls 5-6B). Operators must ensure they calculate fees using the table applicable to the registration period rather than calendar year assumptions.

These "gotchas" create compliance and cost risks that are precise and documentable under the Regulations. They also create administrative friction because they require operators to maintain technical records (axle spacings, MRC documentation, proof of occupation) and to engage with the Registrar on classifications and special-purpose determinations.

To comply with these Regulations, practitioners should advise clients to implement a set of checklists and operational controls that ensure correct classification, documentation and timely payment. Key compliance steps are:

Identify the applicable fee schedule and effective date. For heavy vehicles, use the table corresponding to the registration period (sch 2, cls 5-6B). For other fees consult Schedule 1 and verify whether the fee is stated in revenue units or fixed dollars. Confirm the current value of the revenue unit under the Revenue Units Act 2009 before calculating index-linked charges (sch 1, note).
Classify the vehicle precisely. Determine whether the vehicle is a motor vehicle, motor tractor, trailer, caravan, heavy vehicle, special purpose vehicle (type P, T or O), prime mover, short/medium/long combination, bus (type 1 or type 2), pig or dog trailer, semi-trailer, etc. Use definitions in sch 1 (part 1) and sch 2 (cl 1 and cl 2). For heavy vehicles, calculate MRC, count axles according to the close-spacing rules (sch 2, cl 3), and nominate the vehicle type as required (sch 2, cl 4).
Calculate fees using the stated base. Apply the correct base: engine capacity per 500 ml bands for many passenger vehicles (sch 1, item 2(a)), tare mass per 200 kg or per tonne for trailers and caravans (sch 1, item 2(c)), flat fees for electric vehicles and powered wheelchairs (sch 1, items 2(b) and 4), and per-axle or per-vehicle charges for heavy vehicles (sch 2, tables). For heavy vehicle permits with indivisible loads, compute ESA using Table 4 and an accurate average load per tyre row, then multiply by estimated kilometres K and 4 cents (sch 2, cl 7).
Apply concessions and exceptions carefully. Where an owner seeks the one-half registration fee under r 3, ensure documentary proof of ownership, occupation (grazier/farmer or the small-scale mining/hunting engagement), evidence of sole use for owner’s produce, and that the vehicle is not let on hire. For eligible enthusiast vehicles, obtain and retain the Registrar’s acceptance and record the conditions of concessional registration (r 3; sch 1, pt 1).
Maintain records for Registrar verification. Keep records that prove axle spacings, MRC, tare mass, engine capacity certificates, compliance plates (if relevant), records of sole-use claims, and minutes or evidence of corporate plate design decisions and costs. These documents will support fee calculations and responses to any Registrar queries.
Budget for administration and replacement costs. Include the $11 administration fee per registration transaction, the fees for search and certified extracts of records (sch 1, items 23-24), and the replacement plate fees that vary by plate type and whether the replacement is identical to the original (sch 1, items 6-9A).
Engage early for permits and special-purpose declarations. For heavy indivisible load permits, start permit ESA and K calculations early and consult the Registrar if there is ambiguity about average load per tyre row. For special purpose vehicle declarations, apply to the Registrar with complete technical documentation so that any declaration under sch 2, clause 2 can be obtained in advance of registration.
Check plate issuance procedures and corporate plate costs. If seeking corporate plates, budget for the initial set-up cost in addition to per-pair fees (sch 1, item 27(a)). Confirm whether national heavy vehicle plate portability applies if the vehicle was registered under a corresponding law, since in some cases issuing the same registration number attracts a nil-fee route (sch 1, item 27B).
Ensure compliance with inspection and defect-notice regimes. If a vehicle is produced following a defect notice, be aware that inspection fees apply (sch 1, item 17). If an external inspector is used, confirm whether the inspector is an employee within the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 1993, because different fees apply (sch 1, item 5).
Monitor regulatory updates. The heavy vehicle charges are explicitly updated on an annual schedule in the Regulations via separate tables for each 12-month period; check for instrument amendments before computing fees for upcoming registration periods. Confirm whether any fee items have moved from revenue units to fixed-dollar status or vice versa, or whether the National Transport Commission has issued advice that affects fixed-dollar items (sch 1, note).
Prepare for disputes. Keep a file showing the fee calculation rationale, supporting documents and any communication with the Registrar. For contentious items such as "solely used", ESA, or special purpose declarations, obtain contemporaneous records and consider seeking an early administrative review or written opinion from the Registrar when classifications are borderline.
Consider aggregated transactional impacts. For businesses operating fleets, calculate administration fees and transaction-frequency effects, because the $11 per-transaction fee can aggregate to a substantial administrative cost for frequent renewals, transfers or plate changes (sch 1, item 30).

Following these steps will place vehicle owners and operators in a position to calculate and pay the correct fees, and to document entitlement for concessions or special treatments. Because the Regulations are technical and frequently amended, compliance requires both an initial correct classification exercise and ongoing monitoring of scheduled updates.

MOTOR VEHICLES (FEES AND CHARGES) REGULATIONS 2008

Plain English Summary

Deep Dive

What it does

Current sections

MOTOR VEHICLES (FEES AND CHARGES) REGULATIONS 2008

Source text: opening excerpt

1 MOTOR VEHICLES (FEES AND CHARGES) REGULATIONS 2008

Main concepts

Who it affects

Key duties and rights

Penalties and enforcement

How it interacts with other laws

Amendment history

Litigation history

Gotchas

How to comply