2Interpretation

### 2 Interpretation > *\[Section 2 Amended by No. 18 of 1974, s. 2 \]**\[Section 2 Amended by No. 94 of 1975, s. 2 \]**\[Section 2 Amended by No. 91 of 1982, s. 3 \]**\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 100 of 1995, s. 97 and Sched. 7 \]* > > > (1)  *\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 1994, s. 3 and Sched. 1 \]*In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears –[*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpa@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpa@EN) ***approved analyst*** means a person appointed as an approved analyst under [section 3](#GS3@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpb@EN) ***approved operator*** has the meaning assigned to that expression by [section 3(5)](#GS3@Gs5@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 28 of 2005, s. 6, Applied:01 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-01/act-2005-028#GS6@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpc@EN) ***breath analysing instrument*** means any apparatus that is designed for ascertaining, by analysis of a person's breath, the concentration of alcohol present in his breath (being apparatus of a type approved by the Minister by notice in the *Gazette*); > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 28 of 2005, s. 6, Applied:01 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-01/act-2005-028#GS6@Hpb@EN) ***breath analysis*** means a procedure carried out by a breath analysing instrument for the purpose of ascertaining, by analysis of a person's breath, the concentration of alcohol present in his breath; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 28 of 2005, s. 6, Applied:01 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-01/act-2005-028#GS6@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpd@EN) ***breath test*** means a test for the purpose of indicating the concentration of alcohol present in a person's breath or blood, carried out on that person's breath by means of a device (not being a breath analysing instrument) of a type approved for the purposes of such a test by the Minister by notice in the *Gazette*; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpe@EN) ***crash*** has the same meaning as in the *Road Rules*; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 72 of 2007, Sched. 1, Applied:28 Apr 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-04-28/act-2007-072#JS1@Ja33@GC1@EN) ***Director, MPES*** means the Director, Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service appointed under section 8 of the [Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2005-057) ; > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 68 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:19 Dec 2007\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-12-19/act-2007-068#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpf@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2010, s. 4, Applied:14 Dec 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-12-14/act-2010-038#GS4@Hpa@EN) ***GVM*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpg@EN) ***oral fluid analysis*** means – > > > > > > > > (a) a procedure carried out, by means of a device of a type approved for the purposes of such an analysis by the Minister by notice in the *Gazette*; or > > > > > > > > > (b) such other procedure as is prescribed – > > > > > > for the purpose of ascertaining, by analysis of a person's oral fluid, whether a prescribed illicit drug is present in that fluid; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2005, s. 4, Applied:01 Jul 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-07-01/act-2005-018#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hph@EN) ***oral fluid test*** means a test, for the purpose of indicating whether a prescribed illicit drug is present in a person's oral fluid, carried out on that person's oral fluid by means of a device of a type approved for the purposes of such a test by the Minister by notice in the *Gazette*; > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja21@GC1@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 28 of 2005, s. 6, Applied:01 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-01/act-2005-028#GS6@Hpd@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 28 of 2005, s. 6, Applied:01 Feb 2006\]*](/view/html/inforce/2006-02-01/act-2005-028#GS6@Hpd@EN) ***prescribed concentration*** means a concentration of 0·05 of a gram of alcohol in 210 litres of breath or a concentration of 0·05 of a gram of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 18 of 2005, s. 4, Applied:01 Jul 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-07-01/act-2005-018#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***prescribed illicit drug*** means a drug prescribed in the regulations as an illicit drug; > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 3 of 2010, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-07-01/act-2010-003#JS1@Ja66@GC1@Hpa@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 3 of 2010, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-07-01/act-2010-003#JS1@Ja66@GC1@Hpa@EN) ***qualified nurse*** means a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse; > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 2008, s. 4, Applied:04 Jun 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-06-04/act-2008-009#GS4@Hpa@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpi@EN) > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpi@EN) ***qualified person*** includes – > > > > > > > > (a) a medical practitioner and a qualified nurse; and > > > > > > > > > (b) a person who holds a qualification, or has the experience, prescribed for the purposes of this definition; and > > > > > > > > > (c) any other person, or class of persons, as is prescribed; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpi@EN) ***relevant time*** – see [section 2A](#GS2A@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpi@EN) ***road safety disqualification notice*** means a notice given in respect of an offence committed in the circumstances set out in [section 18B(1)](#GS18B@Gs1@EN) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpi@EN) ***supervision***, of an action, includes the direct or indirect supervision of that action and does not require the person who is supervising the action to be at the location while the action is being performed; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (1) amended by No. 9 of 2008, s. 4, Applied:04 Jun 2008\]*](/view/html/inforce/2008-06-04/act-2008-009#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***trace particle detection test*** means a test for the purpose of detecting traces of a prescribed illicit drug carried out by means of a device approved for the purpose of such a test by the Minister by notice in the *Gazette*. > > > (2)  [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2) amended by No. 68 of 1997, s. 4, Applied:01 Mar 1998\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-01/act-1997-068#GS4@Hpa@EN) *\[Section 2 Subsection (2) amended by No. 44 of 1991, s. 4 \]*[*\[Section 2 Subsection (2) substituted by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja21@GC2@Hpa@EN) In this Act – > > > > > ***Australian driver licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > ***foreign driver licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2) amended by No. 68 of 2007, s. 4, Applied:19 Dec 2007\]*](/view/html/inforce/2007-12-19/act-2007-068#GS4@Hpb@EN) ***full licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > ***international driving permit*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > ***learner licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2) amended by No. 3 of 2010, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-07-01/act-2010-003#JS1@Ja66@GC1@Hpb@EN) > > > > > ***motor vehicle*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > ***provisional licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > ***public street*** has the same meaning as in the [Traffic Act 1925](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1925-038) ; > > > > > ***restricted driver licence*** has the same meaning as in the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) ; > > > > > ***vehicle*** has the same meaning as in the [Traffic Act 1925](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1925-038) . > > > (2A)  *\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) inserted by No. 44 of 1991, s. 4 \]*[*\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) amended by No. 68 of 1997, s. 4, Applied:01 Mar 1998\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-01/act-1997-068#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) amended by No. 68 of 1997, s. 4, Applied:01 Mar 1998\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-01/act-1997-068#GS4@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) substituted by No. 53 of 1997, Sched. 1, Applied:26 Jun 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-06-26/act-1997-053#JS1@Ja4@GC1@EN) In this Act, ***prescribed vehicle*** means – > > > > > > (a) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) amended by No. 60 of 2011, Sched. 1, Applied:01 Jul 2013\]*](/view/html/inforce/2013-07-01/act-2011-060#JS1@Ja8@GC1@EN) a motor vehicle that is being used to operate a passenger transport service within the meaning of the [Passenger Transport Services Act 2011](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2011-999) ; or > > > > > > > (b) a vehicle, other than a vehicle referred to in [paragraph (a)](#GS2@Gs2A@Hpa@EN) , that is designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of 13 or more adult passengers, including the driver; or > > > > > > > (c) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) amended by No. 38 of 2010, s. 4, Applied:14 Dec 2010\]*](/view/html/inforce/2010-12-14/act-2010-038#GS4@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpj@EN) a vehicle that is not designed and constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers but has a GVM exceeding 4.5 tonnes; or > > > > > > > (d) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (2A) amended by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpk@EN) a vehicle that is being used to transport dangerous goods within the meaning of the [Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act 2010](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-2010-016) . > > > (3)  *\[Section 2 Subsection (3) substituted by No. 91 of 1982, s. 3 \]*[*\[Section 2 Subsection (3) substituted by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpl@EN) A reference in this Act to the liability of a person to submit to a breath analysis, oral fluid analysis, medical examination or the taking of a sample of blood is a reference to such a liability arising, or a requirement made, in respect of the person under [section 7A](#GS7A@EN) , [7B](#GS7B@EN) , [8](#GS8@EN) , [8A](#GS8A@EN) or [9](#GS9@EN) . > > > (3A)  *\[Section 2 Subsection (3A) inserted by No. 91 of 1982, s. 3 \]*[*\[Section 2 Subsection (3A) amended by No. 18 of 2005, s. 4, Applied:01 Jul 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-07-01/act-2005-018#GS4@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (3A) amended by No. 18 of 2005, s. 4, Applied:01 Jul 2005\]*](/view/html/inforce/2005-07-01/act-2005-018#GS4@Hpd@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (3A) omitted by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpl@EN) .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   > > > (4)  *\[Section 2 Subsection (4) amended by No. 91 of 1982, s. 3 \]*[*\[Section 2 Subsection (4) substituted by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpl@EN) For the purposes of this Act, a reference to the driving of a vehicle or a motor vehicle includes any of the following acts or omissions: > > > > > > (a) having charge of the vehicle or motor vehicle; > > > > > > > (b) being in control of the vehicle or motor vehicle; > > > > > > > (c) having control of the steering, braking or other system on the vehicle, or motor vehicle, including while it is being towed; > > > > > > > (d) attempting to drive the vehicle or motor vehicle; > > > > > > > (e) an act or omission – > > > > > > > > > > (i) done, or made, with the intention to drive; and > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) that forms part of a series of events that, if it were not interrupted, would constitute the actual act of driving. > > > (5)  [*\[Section 2 Subsection (5) amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja21@GC2@Hpb@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (5) inserted by No. 68 of 1997, s. 4, Applied:01 Mar 1998\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-01/act-1997-068#GS4@Hpd@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (5) substituted by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpl@EN) For the purposes of [subsection (4)](#GS2@Gs4@EN) , a person may be taken to be driving a vehicle or motor vehicle even if – > > > > > > (a) the vehicle or motor vehicle is stationary at the time the relevant act or omission under [subsection (4)](#GS2@Gs4@EN) occurred; or > > > > > > > (b) the person leaves, or is removed from, the vehicle or motor vehicle after the relevant act or omission under [subsection (4)](#GS2@Gs4@EN) occurred. > > > (6)  [*\[Section 2 Subsection (6) amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja21@GC2@Hpc@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (6) inserted by No. 68 of 1997, s. 4, Applied:01 Mar 1998\]*](/view/html/inforce/1998-03-01/act-1997-068#GS4@Hpd@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (6) amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja21@GC2@Hpd@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (6) amended by No. 90 of 1999, Sched. 1, Applied:14 Aug 2000\]*](/view/html/inforce/2000-08-14/act-1999-090#JS1@Ja21@GC2@Hpe@EN) [*\[Section 2 Subsection (6) substituted by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpl@EN) For the purposes of [subsection (4)](#GS2@Gs4@EN) , if the holder of a learner licence is driving a vehicle, or motor vehicle, within the meaning of that subsection, each of the following persons is taken to be driving the vehicle or motor vehicle at the time: > > > > > > (a) the holder of the learner driver licence; > > > > > > > (b) the holder of an Australian driver licence who is or was – > > > > > > > > > > (i) seated in or on the vehicle or motor vehicle; and > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) instructing the holder of the learner driver licence to drive the vehicle or motor vehicle; > > > > > > > (c) if the holder of the learner driver licence is undertaking a test or assessment for the purposes of the [Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999](/view/html/inforce/2026-04-12/act-1999-070) , the person who is or was – > > > > > > > > > > (i) seated in or on the vehicle or motor vehicle; and > > > > > > > > > > > (ii) testing or assessing the holder of the learner driver licence for the purposes of that Act. > > > (7)  [*\[Section 2 Subsection (7) inserted by No. 38 of 2017, s. 5, Applied:03 Dec 2018\]*](/view/html/inforce/2018-12-03/act-2017-038#GS5@Hpl@EN) It is a defence to an offence under this Act if the holder of an Australian driver licence referred to in [subsection (6)(b)](#GS2@Gs6@Hpb@EN) proves that, while in the vehicle or motor vehicle with the learner driver – > > > > > > (a) he or she did not consent to being in the vehicle or motor vehicle while the holder of the learner driver licence was driving the vehicle or motor vehicle; or > > > > > > > (b) he or she did not know, and could not have reasonably been expected to have known, that the person driving the vehicle or motor vehicle did not hold a full licence, or provisional licence, for the vehicle or motor vehicle.