Getting an NT licence

Get your driver licence

If you’re a Northern Territory (NT) resident and you're at least 16 years old, you can apply for a driver licence.

To apply for a driver licence, you must also be a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) customer. To become a customer, you must go to an MVR office with evidence of your identity and NT residency.

Before getting an open/full licence, you must get all of the below in the following order:

  • learner licence (L plate)
  • provisional licence (P plate).

If you live in a remote region, read about driver licences for remote residents.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you must learn the road rules by:

DriveSafe NT urban program

DriveSafe NT is a driver education training and licensing program for all motorists in Darwin, Palmerston Katherine and Alice Springs.

As a DriveSafe NT participant, you will receive:

  • education and training by qualified driving instructors and assessors
  • more than $600 in subsidies towards getting a driver licence.

To find out more about the DriveSafe NT program and to enrol, go to the DriveSafe NT website.

How to apply

Once you've learned the road rules, you can apply for your licence by following the steps below.

After you've studied the NT Road Users' Handbook or attended all your DriveSafe NT theory classes, you can take the driver knowledge test (theory test).

Prepare for the test

Before you take the theory test, you can do any or all of the below:

About the theory test

The test has 30 multiple choice questions about the road rules in the NT. The questions are selected at random from a pool of more than 300 questions.

You must get at least 26 out of 30 questions correct to pass.

If you’re not confident with your reading or writing, or have difficulty understanding English, you can request the below at some MVR offices:

  • a verbal theory test or
  • an interpreter.

If you want an interpreter or a verbal theory test, you must call MVR on 1300 654 628 or attend an MVR office and:

  • check if verbal theory test or an interpreter is available in your area
  • book the test
  • pay the theory test fee before you can sit it.

How to take a test

To take a test, go to an MVR office and submit all of the following:

You must also pay the theory test fee. If you’re a DriveSafe NT participant, you don't have to pay.

If you pass and don't want to immediately apply for your licence, the result will remain valid for 12 months.

After the theory test

After you pass the theory test, you must:

  • pass an eye test at an MVR office
    • you can also provide a recent eye examination from your doctor or optometrist instead
  • pay the learner licence fee
    • if you’re a DriveSafe NT participant, you don't have to pay the first time you get your learner licence.

Renew your learner driver licence

If your learner licence is about to expire, you can renew it six weeks before it is due to expire.

To renew your learner licence, you need to redo the following:

By doing so, you will avoid breaking the six month period needed to take your practical test.

If you reapply for the licence after your learner licence expires, you must hold it for six months from the date it is reissued before you can take your practical test.

Receiving your licence

When your learner licence is ready, it will be mailed to the address shown on your driver licence receipt. If the address is not correct, you must contact MVR.

You must allow standard mail delivery times for your area.

After you get your driver licence receipt, you can start learning to drive.

Your learner licence has driving conditions, which include all of the following:

  • having a zero blood alcohol concentration
  • not exceeding 80 kilometres per hour
  • displaying L plates in a visible position at the front and rear of the car you're driving
  • having a fully licensed driver sit in the front passenger seat at all times while you're driving.

Prepare for the practical driving test

To get your P plates, you must hold your learner driver licence continuously for at least six months.

If your licence has been suspended, disqualified, cancelled or expired and you take a practical test, it won’t be valid. This means you must take another practical test after another six continuous months from when it is reactivated.

You should:

  • get as much practice as possible in different driving conditions and
  • use the NT Learner Drivers' Guide to record your progress.
Recommended practice hours

Your lessons can take about:

  • 20 or more hours to learn how to operate the controls of a car
  • another 80 hours to learn how to become a low-risk driver.

Supervising driver

Your supervising driver must have a full Australian driver licence and can be any of the following:

  • an adult relative
  • a friend
  • a driving instructor.

Before you take the driving test, you should read the following guide:

A guide to the driving test DOCX (3.5 MB)
A guide to the driving test PDF (938.4 KB)

You must also have held your learner licence for a continuous period of at least six months.

Find out how to book a practical driving test with an authorised driving examiner.

After you pass the test

After you pass the driving test, you must go to an MVR office and:

  • submit your test sheet
  • pay a provisional licence fee
    • if you’re a DriveSafe NT participant, you don't need to pay.

You must do this before your licence expires.

If you’d like a new photo, you must request this before you pay for the licence. Otherwise, it will have the same photo as the one on your learner licence.

If you request a new photo at a later date, you must pay for another copy.

Receiving your provisional licence

Your provisional licence will be mailed to the address shown on your driver licence receipt. If the address is not correct, you must contact MVR.

You must allow standard mail delivery times for your area.

Provisional licence period

The period of your provisional licence depends on your age:

  • if you're under 25 - you will receive a two-year provisional licence
  • if you're 25 and over - you will receive a one-year provisional licence.

Conditions for all provisional drivers

Your provisional licence has driving conditions, which include all of the following:

  • having a zero blood alcohol concentration
  • not exceeding 100 kilometres per hour
  • displaying your P plates at the front and rear of the vehicle.

After you've completed the period of your provisional licence, you'll be eligible for a full driver licence.

You must pay the full licence fee - unless you qualify for the free licence for safe novice drivers.

Free licence for safe novice drivers

You can get a free 10-year open C class licence if you:

  • held an NT provisional licence for a continuous period of 12 months or more
  • have no traffic infringements or suspensions
  • apply in the last six weeks of your provisional licence, or no later than six months after it expires.

The 10-year licence can only be issued from an MVR office.

Condition

After completing your provisional period, you must continue to observe the zero blood/breath alcohol concentration (BAC/BrAC) requirements for a further 12 months or until you turn 25 - whichever is sooner.

You must comply with the condition until you apply to have it removed from your licence.

Road safety resources

For road safety resources, online modules and information on classes and instructors, go to the DriveSafe NT website.

Contact

To find out more, contact the MVR.


Get your motorcycle rider licence

If you’re a Northern Territory (NT) resident and you're at least 16 years old, you can apply for a motorcycle rider licence.

To apply for a rider licence, you must also be a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) customer. To become a customer, you must go to an MVR office with evidence of your identity and NT residency.

Before getting an open rider licence, you must progress through the different licence stages in the following order:

  • learner licence (L plate)
  • provisional (P plate) or restricted licence.

Before you apply

Before you apply, you must learn the road rules by:

Rules for novice riders

While you have a learner, provisional or restricted rider licence, you are considered a novice motorcycle rider.

As a novice rider, you can only ride an approved motorcycle listed under the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS).

To get the list of LAMS approved motorcycles for novice riders, go to the New South Wales Government website.

Motorcycles not on the list can't be legally ridden by novice riders and there are no exemptions.

LAMS approved motorcycles have:

  • a maximum power to weight ratio of 150 kilowatts per tonne (kw/t) and
  • an engine capacity not exceeding 660 cubic centimetres (cc).

How to apply

To progress through the rider licence stages, follow the steps below.

After you've studied the NT Road Users' Handbook and the Motorcycle Riders' Handbook, you can take the motorcycle riders knowledge test (theory test).

Prepare for the test

Before you take the theory test, you can:

About the theory test

The test has 30 multiple choice questions. The questions are selected at random from a pool of more than 300 questions.

You must get at least 26 out of 30 questions correct to pass.

If you’re not confident with your reading or writing, or have difficulty understanding English, you can request the below at some MVR offices:

  • a verbal theory test or
  • an interpreter.

If you want an interpreter or a verbal theory test, you must call MVR on 1300 654 628 or attend an MVR office and:

  • check if a verbal theory test or an interpreter is available in your area
  • book the test
  • pay the theory test fee before you can sit it.

How to take a test

To take a test, go to an MVR office and submit all of the following:

You must also pay the theory test fee.

The result will remain valid for 12 months.

After you pass your theory test, you must also pass a practical assessment before you can get your learner rider licence.

Before you organise your practical assessment, make sure you have the right safety gear to ride a motorcycle.

Read the Good Gear Guide for motorcycle and scooter riders PDF (3.1 MB).

Find out how to book a practical assessment with an approved provider.

After you pass the practical assessment

Once you pass both the theory test and practical assessment, you must:

  • pass an eye test at an MVR office – not required if you hold a licence in another class
    • you can also provide a recent eye examination from your doctor or optometrist instead
  • pay the learner licence fee.

Receiving your learner licence card

When your learner rider licence is ready, it will be mailed to the address shown on your licence receipt. If the address is not correct, you must contact MVR.

You must allow standard mail delivery times for your area.

While you wait for your licence card to arrive, you can use your licence receipt as your authority to ride.

Renewing your learner rider licence

If your learner licence is about to expire, you can renew it 6 weeks before it is due to expire.

By doing so, you will avoid breaking the 6 month learner period needed before you can take your next practical assessment.

To renew your learner rider licence, you need to redo the following:

If you reapply for the learner licence after your current learner licence expires, you must hold it for 6 consecutive months from the date it is reissued to be eligible to progress to the next stage of rider licence.

Once you have your learner rider licence, you can ride on the road.

As a new rider, you should start in a quiet area until your skills improve before you move on to busier roads.

A good way to build your skills is to have an experienced rider guide you from another motorcycle, receive professional tuition from a riding instructor or participate in a rider training course.

Your learner rider licence has conditions, which include all of the following:

  • zero blood alcohol concentration
  • must not exceed 80km/h
  • display an L plate at the rear of the motorcycle you're riding
  • do not carry pillion passengers
  • only ride motorcycles approved for novice riders.

To get the list of approved motorcycles for novice riders, go to the New South Wales Government's website.

Read more about your rider licence and other licence classes and conditions.

Before you can sit your next practical assessment, you must have held your learner rider licence for 6 consecutive months.

Find out how to book a practical assessment with an approved provider.

Your practical assessment result will remain valid for 12 months from the date of the assessment.

If you don't upgrade from a learner rider licence within 12 months of your practical assessment, you will need to complete another assessment.

After you pass the practical assessment

After you pass the practical assessment, you must go to an MVR office to get your next stage rider licence. You must do this before your learner rider licence expires.

Your next stage of rider licence will be either a:

  • restricted rider licence or
  • provisional rider licence.

Restricted rider licence

If you already hold an open licence of another class, such as a car driver licence, your next rider licence stage will be a restricted rider licence for 12 months.

Your restricted licence has riding conditions which include:

  • not carrying a pillion passenger
  • only riding a learner approved motorcycle.

You will have to pay the restricted rider licence fee.

Provisional rider licence

If you do not hold a licence of another class, your next rider licence stage will be a provisional licence.

You will have to pay the provisional rider licence fee.

Provisional licence period

The period of your provisional licence depends on your age:

  • if you're under 25 - you will receive a 2-year provisional licence
  • if you're 25 and over - you will receive a one-year provisional licence.
Conditions for all provisional riders

Your provisional rider licence has riding conditions, which include all of the following:

  • zero blood alcohol concentration
  • you must not exceed 100km/h
  • you must display your P plate at the rear of the motorcycle you are riding
  • you must not carry pillion passengers
  • you can only rider a learner approved motorcycle.

Receiving your licence card

When your rider licence card is ready, it will be mailed to the address shown on your licence receipt. If the address is not correct, you must contact MVR.

You must allow standard mail delivery times for your area.

While you wait for your licence card to arrive, you can use your licence receipt as your authority to ride.

After you have completed your provisional rider licence period, or restricted rider licence period, you will be eligible for an open NT rider licence.

If your licence is due to expire, you will need to pay a licence renewal fee.

Contact

To find out more, contact the MVR.


Get your heavy vehicle licence

To drive a vehicle with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) or aggregate trailer mass (ATM) of more than 4.5 tonnes, you need a heavy vehicle licence.

There are 5 types of heavy vehicles.

Each heavy vehicle type requires a specific driver licence and has different requirements.

Find out how to get a licence for:

Applying for any heavy vehicle licence includes taking a theory test and a practical test. The results from these tests remain valid for 12 months from the date of assessment.

If you don't upgrade your licence within this period, you will need to sit your test again.


Driver licences for remote residents

If you are a remote resident in the Northern Territory (NT), you can apply for a driver licence through the DriveSafe NT remote program.

This includes your:

  • learner driver licence (L plate)
  • provisional licence (P plate)
  • open/full driver licence (C class).

What you will get

When you attend DriveSafe NT, you will have access to the following:

  • learner theory classes
  • driving lessons with trained supervisor drivers - where available
  • practical driving tests for your provisional licence
  • learner and provisional driver licences.

The program can also give you advice. For example, if you need help providing your evidence of identity and residency.

How to attend

To access the program, you should attend a scheduled DriveSafe NT remote team visit.

Find about the DriveSafe NT team's scheduled visit on the DriveSafe NT website, Bushtel website, and through posters around the community.

You will need to fill in some forms with a DriveSafe staff member. They will also tell you the lesson times.

What you should do

To get your full licence, you must follow all of the steps below.

You must complete all of the following through the DriveSafe NT program:

  • attend a theory class
  • provide required identification documents
  • pass the eyesight test
  • get your photo taken.

If you're not a DriveSafe NT participant

If you don't participate in the DriveSafe NT program, you can complete some of the requirements at your local police station.

You should go to the DriveSafe NT website and:

  1. access the modules
  2. practice with the online practice test.

Once you have completed the above, you can do the following at a police station:

Receiving your licence

When your learner licence is ready, you will get it by mail.

Once you've received it, you must follow the next step.

After you get your learner driver licence, you can start learning to drive.

As well as following all road rules and traffic laws, you must also follow all of the below:

  • have a zero blood alcohol concentration
  • not exceed 80km/h
  • display L plates at the front and rear of the car you're driving
  • have a fully licensed driver sit in the front passenger seat at all times while you're driving.

To sit your P test, you must hold your learner licence continuously for at least six months.

You should get as much practice as possible in different driving conditions - such as day, night and when it's raining.

Recommended practice hours

Your lessons can take about:

  • 20+ hours to learn how to operate the controls of a car
  • another 80 hours to learn how to become a low-risk driver.

Supervising driver

Your supervising driver must have a full Australian driver licence - they can be any of the following:

  • an adult relative
  • a friend
  • a driving instructor.

Before you take the driving test, you should read the following guide:

Your driving test will be with a DriveSafe NT testing officer.

You can either drive:

  • the car provided to you by the testing officer or
  • your registered car.

You must bring your learner licence with you.

If you are not a DriveSafe NT participant

All other driving tests in remote areas are held at your local police station.

You must bring all of the following:

  • your learner licence
  • a registered car in good working order - with L plates on display
  • an adult driver to go with you to the test.

About the test

The testing officer will sit in the front passenger seat while you take your driving test on the road.

It will take about 40 minutes.

The testing officer will look at your:

  • observation skills - use of mirrors, blind spot checks
  • speed management
  • road positioning
  • response to hazards
  • vehicle control.

You will not pass the test if you:

  • fail to give way
  • fail to stop at a stop sign - even if there is no other traffic or cars
  • drive without due care, attention or consideration for other road users, or in a dangerous manner
  • exceed the speed limit
  • drive in a way that causes the testing officer to intervene to prevent a crash or a dangerous situation
  • fail or refuse to follow reasonable directions from the police officer.

At the end of the test, the testing officer will tell you the result of your driving test.

If you pass the driving test, you can get your provisional licence.

If you are a DriveSafe NT participant, you don't need to pay.

If you are not a DriveSafe NT participant

If you are not a DriveSafe NT participant, you need to pay the provisional driver licence fee. You can pay this at your local police station using cash.

Receiving your provisional licence

You will get your provisional licence by mail. It will have the same photo as the one on your learner licence.

Your provisional licence period depends on your age:

  • if you are under 25 - you will receive a two-year provisional licence
  • if you are 25 years old and over - you will receive a one-year provisional licence.

Restrictions for provisional drivers

Your provisional licence has driving restrictions which include all of the following:

  • zero blood alcohol concentration
  • not exceeding 100km/h
  • displaying your P plates at the front and rear of the vehicle.

Once you have completed the required time on your provisional licence, you can then upgrade to a full driver licence.

After you have completed your provisional licence period, you can get a full driver licence.

Four to six weeks before your provisional licence expires, you should receive a licence renewal notice.

You must pay the full driver licence fee - unless you qualify for the free licence for safe novice drivers.

Free licence for safe novice drivers

You can get a free 10-year full licence if you:

  • held an NT provisional licence for 12 months or more
  • have no traffic infringements or suspensions
  • apply in the last six weeks of your provisional licence or no later than six months after it expires.

The 10-year licence can only be issued from a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) office.

Contact

If you have any questions, email drivesafent@nt.gov.au or call 1800 121 411.