Driver licence classes and conditions

Your Northern Territory (NT) licence has information about you, which vehicles you can drive and the conditions you must follow while driving.

Find out more about the design and security features of your NT driver licence.

Licence classes

The class on your licence shows the types of vehicle you're allowed to drive.

You can check if your licence class is current.

If you have a class C licence, you can drive a vehicle that:

  • has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) up to 4.5 tonnes
  • is a construction or agricultural vehicle*
    • check if you need to hold a high-risk work licence or other certification before operating - go to the NT WorkSafe website

*These include tractors, harvesters, front end loaders, bull dozers, road rollers, forklifts and graders.

You can't drive construction and agricultural vehicles on a class C learner licence.

Find out how to get your driver licence.

A heavy vehicle has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of more than 4.5 tonnes.

Each heavy vehicle type requires a specific driver licence class. Read about heavy vehicle licence classes and conditions.

Find out how to get your heavy vehicle licence.

If you have an R licence, you may ride a motorcycle.

This includes a:

  • motorcycle that has a side car attached to it supported by a third wheel or
  • motor vehicle that has 3 wheels and is designed to be ridden the same as a motorcycle.

Find out how to get your motorcycle licence.

Licence conditions

You must obey any conditions listed on your licence at all times while driving.

A - Drive automatic vehicle only

You must only drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission.

B - Synchromesh transmission (heavy vehicle)

This is a condition for heavy vehicle licences only.

Read heavy vehicle licence classes and conditions.

I - Alcohol ignition lock

You may only drive a motor vehicle that is fitted with an approved alcohol ignition lock.

R - LAMS Learner Approved Motorcycle restriction

You may only ride a Learner Approved Motorcycle that has:

  • a power to weight ratio not exceeding 150 kilowatts per tonne
  • an engine capacity not exceeding 660 cubic centimetres (cc).

S - Vision aids required

You must:

  • wear corrective lenses at all times while driving or
  • be receiving treatment as prescribed by an eye care professional.

Z - Zero % blood alcohol when you drive

You must observe zero blood alcohol concentration restriction.

If you've been issued with a V condition, you may only drive a motor vehicle fitted with any of the following specified driver aids or modification as directed in writing by the Registrar of Motor Vehicle.

VA - Steering spinner knob - left

You may only drive vehicles fitted with a left-hand spinner knob.

VB - Steering spinner knob - right

You may only drive vehicles fitted with a right-hand spinner knob.

VC - Power steering only

You may only drive vehicles fitted with power steering.

VD - Automatic vehicle only

You may only drive vehicles fitted with an automatic transmission.

VE - Modified indicator arm - left

You may only drive vehicles fitted with an extended indicator arm - left.

VF - Modified indicator arm - right

You may only drive vehicles fitted with an extended indicator arm - right.

VG - Head operated indicators

You may only drive a vehicle fitted with indicators operated by head movements.

VH - Accelerator left of brake

You may only drive a vehicle with an accelerator pedal fitted to the left of the brake pedal.

VI - Hand operated foot controls

You may only drive a vehicle fitted with hand-operated controls for brakes and accelerator.

VJ - External mirrors left and right

You may only drive vehicles fitted with external mirrors to the left and right-hand side of the vehicle.

Where necessary or if recommended by a health professional, auxiliary or fish eye mirrors must be attached to the external mirrors.

VK - Wide-angle interior mirror

You may only drive vehicle fitted with a wide-angle interior rear view mirror.

VL - Electronic embedded steering spinner knob

You may only drive a vehicle fitted with an electronic embedded steering spinner knob.

VM - Moped restriction

This is applied when your class R licence is restricted to mopeds.
A moped is a small two or three wheeled motorcycle that has:

  • a piston engine with a maximum engine capacity of 50ml
  • a maximum speed of 50km/h.

If you've been issued with an X condition, you are subject to any of the following conditions or limitations.

XA - Periodic medical review required

Your licence is subject to a periodic medical review.

XB - Annual criminal history check

Your licence is subject to an annual criminal history check.

XC - For training and assessment only

Your licence is for training and assessment purposes only.

This is usually issued if you need a driving test or rehabilitation assessment before your licence renewal or re-licensing after a medical suspension.

XD - No driving between sunset and sunrise

You must not drive between sunset and sunrise.

XF - Licence class area restricted

Your licence is only valid in a specific area.

XG - Drive in company of rehabilitation service

You can only drive when accompanied by an instructor experienced in rehabilitation training.

This is applied if you are suffering from a medical condition and require training prior to re-applying for your driver licence.

XH - In company of full licence holder

You may only drive when accompanied by a person holding a full licence for the class of vehicle being driven.

XI - Not to exceed 80 km/h in car

You must not drive a motor vehicle, not including a motorcycle, at a speed of more than 80km/h.

XJ - Zero % BAC

You must observe zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC).

XK - Zero % BAC when riding a motorcycle

You must observe zero blood alcohol concentration while riding a motorcycle.

XM - Not to exceed 80km/h on a motorcycle

You must not exceed 80km/h while riding a motorcycle.

XN - No pillion on a motorcycle

You must not carry a pillion passenger while riding a motorcycle.

XP - Must wear approved helmet

You must wear approved motorcycle rider's helmet.

XQ - Refer to driver's instrument

You may only drive subject to specific conditions other than those listed.

XR - Visual aids required to drive a heavy vehicle or commercially

You require vision aids when:

  • driving a heavy vehicle with a gross vehicle mass of over 8 tonnes
  • operating as a driving instructor
  • driving a commercial passenger vehicle.

XS - LAMS approved motorcycles only

You may only ride a LAMS approved motorcycle.

XU - Automatic transmission (heavy vehicle)

This is a condition for heavy vehicle licences only.

Read heavy vehicle licence classes and conditions.

XV - Instructor for class R only

You (the instructor) may only teach a person to ride a motorcycle for fee or reward.

XW - DriveSafe NT remote instructor only

You (the instructor) may only teach participants of the DriveSafe NT remote program.


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