Register your heavy vehicle in the NT

National heavy vehicle number plates

You can apply for national heavy vehicle (NHV) number plates if:

  • you own an NT heavy vehicle or trailer with a GVM more than 4.5 tonnes
  • you're eligible for general issued number plates.

The following heavy vehicle types are not eligible:

  • plant
  • special purpose
  • commercial passenger.

How to apply

To apply, fill in the R48 application for right to display an NHV number plate PDF (357.8 KB) and submit it when you register your heavy vehicle.

You can't personalise NHV plates. They're issued in sequence.

You can apply for the right to display NHV plates when you're applying to:

  • register a new heavy vehicle
  • re-register an unregistered heavy vehicle
  • transfer state or territory registration to a participating jurisdiction
  • replace lost, damaged, destroyed or stolen number plates.

Benefits of NHV plates

You can:

  • transfer your NHV plates to other states and territories except for Western Australia
  • get free access to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) portal to check its registration or by using the NHVR checker app.

For more information, go to the NHVR website.


Nominate an operator

If you're registering your vehicle for the first time or renewing your registration, you can choose to nominate an operator.

A nominated operator is the person who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the vehicle.

If the vehicle is over 4.5 tonne gross vehicle mass (GVM), you must nominate an operator.

Who can be a nominated operator

A nominated operator can be:

  • the owner of the vehicle
  • an individual - they must be at least 18 years old
  • a representative from a body corporate or incorporated association.

You can't nominate a business or an association.

A vehicle can only have one nominated operator. This includes a vehicle that is registered in joint names.

Responsibilities

The nominated operator is responsible for all of the following:

  • renewing registration
  • having the vehicle inspected
  • providing proof of the vehicle's garage address
  • any traffic infringements detected by red light or speed camera.

If you're a nominated operator but not the registered owner of the vehicle, you must provide a written permission from the owner confirming consent to act on their behalf to cancel or refund the vehicle registration.

The nominated operator must also advise the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) within 14 days if:

  • they change garaging address or postal address for service of renewal notices
  • the vehicle is a write-off
  • a change to the vehicle affects its description
  • there are changes to the vehicle's configuration that would require payment to upgrade its registration
  • they stop being the nominated operator.

They can’t nominate a new operator. This must be done by the registered owner.

How to apply

Read below to find out what steps you should take to nominate an operator.

If you have current NT registration, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the R13 application to nominate the operator of a vehicle PDF (886.9 KB).

It must be completed and signed by both the registered owner and nominated operator.

Step 2. Submit the application to MVR:

Transfer ownership of an NT vehicle

If you want to transfer ownership of an NT vehicle and nominate an operator, follow these steps:

Step 1. You can either fill in the:

Step 2. Prepare the following supporting documents:

Step 3. Submit your forms and supporting documents by email to mvr@nt.gov.au.

Nominate an operator at the same time when applying to:

  • register a vehicle in the NT for the first time or
  • transfer an interstate registered vehicle.

Nominate yourself

To nominate yourself as an operator of your vehicle, do it when you apply in person to register or transfer your vehicle.

Nominate another person

To nominate an operator for your vehicle that is not you as the registered owner, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the R13 application to nominate the operator of a vehicle PDF (886.9 KB).

  • Both the registered owner and nominated operator must complete and sign the form.

Step 2. Submit the completed R13 form when you apply in person to register or transfer your vehicle.

To change the details of an existing nominated operator or to nominate a new operator of a vehicle, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in the R13 application to nominate the operator of a vehicle PDF (886.9 KB).

Step 2. Submit the completed application by:


Conditional registration

Conditional registration is available for vehicles in special circumstances e.g. pastoral vehicles.

This allows you to:

  • drive on public roads under restrictions
  • compensate for the vehicle's non-compliance with safety on public roads.

All heavy vehicles under conditional registration must be:

  • identified with applicable conditions on their certificate of registration
  • carry a full statement of the conditions at all times when on a public road.

How to apply

To apply for conditional registration, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Fill in the VS47 apply for conditional registration form PDF (582.8 KB).

Step 2. Submit your application:

After you apply

A transport inspector will contact you within 10 business days once they receive your application.

They may also ask you to provide more information to support your application.

If you are approved

If approved, you will get an approval letter with all your registration conditions.

You should then follow the steps below:

Step 1. Get your vehicle inspected

You must get a roadworthy inspection from an authorised vehicle inspector.

If you're registering the vehicle in the Northern Territory (NT) for the first time, you also need to get a compliance check at a government inspection facility.

Step 2. Prepare documents and collect your number plates

You must provide the following documents at an MVR office:

You can pay the fees by EFTPOS, Mastercard, Visa, BasicsCard or cash.

You will get your number plates immediately.

Conditions

It's expected most heavy vehicles will have more than one condition listed below.

Vehicles who need operational limits or support including:

  • a pilot vehicle
  • an observer to meet field of view
  • a heavy un-braked trailer that may only be towed by a heavy vehicle.

This covers units used in special areas including:

  • remote areas (LO3)
  • construction zones
  • snowfields (LO1)
  • national parks (LO2).

Each jurisdiction would define the permitted or excluded areas and any unique locations.

Vehicles that should not have unrestricted ownership (fire tenders with heavy front axles) and should be reassessed before transfer to another owner.

Units that:

  • have over-dimensional length or width
  • need special visible treatment to alert other road users.

This may include mobile crane booms, lift forks and mulcher elevators that would otherwise be hazardous due to their poor visibility.

Machines where braking, steering and stability are of concern. One way of accepting these for road use is to apply speed limitations (engine governing). The onus for setting the safe operating speed limit would be on the vehicle manufacturer.

Speed limit must be specific to the nearest whole 10 eg. 50, 60 or 70 kilometres per hour.

This can apply to units where complying lighting is impractical for example:

  • special purpose machinery for road maintenance
  • over width cranes or mulching machines which could comply in every other aspect.

Register special purpose vehicles

If your heavy vehicle is oversize or overmass, you must register it as a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

This includes vehicles under the three categories below:

  • plant special vehicle - includes bulldozers, backhoes, graders and front-end loaders used for:
    • off-road use
    • use on a road related area
    • use on an area that is under construction or repair.
  • truck special vehicle - includes mobile cranes, truck mounted concrete pumpers and boring plants that are:
    • built or modified for use on roads
    • have no axle group loaded more than the mass limits.
  • overmass special vehicle - includes mobile cranes, truck mounted concrete pumpers and boring plants that are:
    • built or modified for use on roads
    • have at least one axle or axle group loaded more than the limits.

What's not included

The following vehicles can't be considered special purpose vehicles:

  • police vans
  • caravan, mobile home, converted bus as mobile home, mobile laboratory
  • desludger, eductor, water tanker or sprayer, bitumen tanker or sprayer, sludge or septic tanker, garbage compactor
  • mobile billboard, display bus, mobile library, mobile workshop, mobile kitchen and workshop
  • pole erectors with provision for carrying poles
  • tow trucks - including trucks with retractable trays
  • concrete mixer and agitator
  • prime mover used to tow or power circus or entertainment equipment
  • general access vehicles fitted with equipment to lift loads on and off.

Before you apply

You must make sure you:

How to apply

Apply when you register your heavy vehicle and pay a fee based on what type of SPV you have.