Getting an NT registration

Register or transfer your vehicle

If you're a Northern Territory (NT) resident, you must register your vehicle with the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR).

This applies to cars, motorcycles, trailers and other motor vehicles that are:

As part of your registration fee, it includes compulsory motor accidents compensation (MAC) insurance cover. Read more about compulsory third party insurance.

How to register

To register your vehicle for the first time, follow these steps.

You may choose a registration period of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.

You must check if your vehicle needs an inspection.

If it needs a repair, you may get a temporary licence on a case by case basis.

You may also need to get a vehicle compliance check at a government vehicle inspection facility.

Fill in the R11 application to register a vehicle PDF (1.1 MB).

You must also attach the following supporting documents:

If you’re using your vehicle for hire or rental, you must declare this in section 8.

Submit your application with supporting documents at an MVR office.

Pay the fees for registration, number plates and stamp duty by EFTPOS, MasterCard, Visa, BasicsCard or cash.

Stamp duty

If you’re eligible, you may be exempt from stamp duty - check the application for stamp duty exemption PDF (195.5 KB).

If you're not eligible, check how much you must pay using the vehicle registration stamp duty calculator.

Contact

If you have any questions, email mvr@nt.gov.au or call 1300 654 628 (8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).

Register vehicle in joint names

Register vehicle under joint names for first time 

To register your vehicle in joint names for the first time all parties must attend a MVR office and they must bring evidence of identity and residency.

The MVR will then record both of you as a customer on the MVR database.

You can nominate who is to be named first on the registration certificate. 

MVR transactions and joint customers 

Once you have created a joint name registration in the MVR database, only one of the people named on the registration needs to attend the MVR for any future transactions.

You should also read the rules for joint vehicle owners and demerit points.

Apply for a temporary licence to drive or tow an unregistered vehicle

If you need to relocate or repair an unregistered vehicle, you must apply for a temporary licence to drive or tow it in the Northern Territory (NT).

The temporary licence doesn’t cover the regular use of a vehicle on a public street. You can’t use it as a substitute for normal registration.

Who can apply

You can apply if you meet all of the requirements below:

  • you hold the relevant class of licence for the vehicle you will drive
  • the vehicle parts are in safe condition - for example, brakes
  • the licence is needed to relocate or repair the vehicle.

When you can use a temporary licence

You may use a temporary licence in any of the following circumstances:

  • an unregistered vehicle is to be relocated from one location to another
  • an unregistered vehicle is to be driven to a workshop associated with the service or repair of motor vehicles
  • a vehicle operating under a pastoral permit is to be transported to another location which is not approved under the pastoral permit issued to that vehicle
  • relocating unregistered caravans, mobile homes and other such vehicles primarily used as a dwelling from one location to another
  • relocating unregistered machinery or plant from one work-site to another
  • an unregistered vehicle is to be used to participate in an approved parade, procession or event
  • when a non-standard vehicle - generally a trailer - is being used to transport a non-standard load and approval is issued from the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR)
  • a registered motor vehicle is to be used when a greater compensation contribution would normally be required - e.g. when a standard registered vehicle is to be offered as a self-drive hire car
  • a vehicle or trailer is detected as unregistered and uninsured during an auditing process.

How to apply

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in an R7 apply for a temporary licence to drive or tow an unregistered vehicle form PDF (234.3 KB).

Step 2. Submit your application at an MVR office.

Step 3. Pay the temporary licence fee. You can pay the fee by cash, EFTPOS, BasicsCard, Visa or Mastercard.

After you apply

You will be given a receipt. This is your temporary licence.

You must keep it with you at all times while driving in the NT.

Selling or disposing a vehicle as a licensed vehicle dealer

Licensed motor vehicle dealers must submit a notice of disposal form with the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) to properly dispose of vehicles.

Vehicle dealers can also register a vehicle for an interstate or overseas resident.

When selling or disposing of a vehicle, licensed motor vehicle dealers and auction houses must submit a notice of disposal.

The notice must be filed with MVR within 14 days of the sale.

The notice type you use depends on the number of vehicles you are making a notification about.

Single vehicle

For single vehicles, you must fill in either:

Multiple vehicles

For notification of multiple vehicles, you must fill in an R15 bulk notice of disposal form PDF (137.7 KB).

What the notice must include

The notice must include all of the following information:

  • the full name and address of the buyer - this may be a body corporate
  • buyer's date of birth - not required for a body corporate
  • the date of the sale or disposal of the vehicle
  • the price paid for the vehicle
  • vehicle registration number, make, model, VIN/chassis number, engine number
  • signatures of both the buyer and the seller.

Any notice that has not been completed properly will be returned to the licensed vehicle dealer or auction house for correction.

This means the dealer or auction house may still be held responsible for the vehicle – including traffic infringements and demerit points – until the MVR accepts the notice of disposal.

Submit

Submit your notice of disposal either by:

Licensed motor vehicle dealers can register a vehicle for a person who is an interstate or overseas resident but has bought a vehicle in the Northern Territory.

You will need to submit all of the following:

Submit

Submit the application in person at an MVR office.

Golf buggy exemption

You don't need to register a golf buggy in the Northern Territory (NT) if you're only driving it within a golf course area. 

This includes driving the golf buggy in any of the following places:

  • a car park attached to a golf course
  • crossing a public street or a road within the same golf course
  • a footpath, shared path or public thoroughfare within the same golf course.

You should also follow the golf course or land owner's rules.

You must not travel along any roads other than those listed above.  

Who can drive a golf buggy

To drive a golf buggy you must hold a driver licence. 

Any restrictions on your licence apply when you drive your golf buggy, including blood alcohol restrictions.

Your golf buggy and trailer must be:

  • safe and in sound mechanical condition
  • used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Golf buggy owners should have insurance.

For more information read the golf buggy exemption information bulletin PDF (710.6 KB).

Apply for conditional registration for quad bikes and ATVs

Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are mainly used off-road for recreational or agricultural purposes.

A quad bike is a four-wheel vehicle with saddle-style seating.

An ATV is a four-wheel vehicle that is usually fitted with seatbelts and roll-over protection systems and a side-by-side seating style.

They are not designed with safety features like other road vehicles so are not as safe to drive in public. However, you can drive them on the road if you have conditional registration.

When you can apply

You can apply for conditional registration for your quad bike or ATV if:

  • it's for work purposes only and
  • you can't carry out the task using an Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliant vehicle.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of work-related purposes

You can apply for work-related purposes, including any of the following:

  • roadside litter collection
  • ground maintenance
  • herbicide spraying
  • park management.

Driving on wet roads or rough terrain is not regarded as a sufficient reason for conditional registration.

Before you apply

Check that your quad bike or ATV has the right minimum safety equipment, including all of the following:

  • a rotating amber flashing light visible from all directions from a distance of at least 200m in daylight conditions
  • front and rear lighting to improve vehicle visibility
  • rear-vision mirror
  • horn or suitable audible warning device
  • adequate brakes and steering
  • red rear reflectors.

Riding restrictions on your conditional registration include all of the following:

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.

More information

For more information, read the VIB81 conditional registration for special purpose vehicles (SPV) PDF (657.9 KB).

Contact

To find out more, call MVR on 1300 654 628 - 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Scooters

A motorised scooter is a kick-type scooter that is equipped with an engine or motor.

Motorised scooters are considered to be a motor vehicle under law in the Northern Territory (NT).

Motorised scooters used on roads, or in public places, must be registered in the NT.

More information

For more information, get a copy of V56 Motorised foot scooters and power-assisted cycles PDF (155.4 KB)

Non-standard vehicle types

The following vehicles, other than glider trailers, don't need to be registered but they must meet certain standards.

Power-assisted bicycles

A power-assisted bicycle has:

  • pedals as a means of propulsion
  • an engine or motor which is capable of producing a power output not exceeding 200 watts.

You don't have to register a power-assisted bicycle and you can ride it on the road or a public place.

You must also comply with the cycling safety rules in the NT.

For more information, read V65 motorised foot scooters and power-assisted cycles PDF (155.4 KB).

Segways

A segway is a two wheeled personal mobility device that allows the rider to stand on a platform and control their motion by shifting their body weight.

To ride a segway in the NT, you must be:

  • at least 16 years old - if unsupervised or
  • at least 12 years old - if supervised by an adult rider.

Segways don't need to be registered in the NT or require third party insurance, and riders don't need a driver licence.

Rules for riding a segway

  • You can ride a segway on a public place.
  • You must not ride a segway on any NT roads - unless you're in an exempt area.
  • When used on footpaths and shared paths, you must keep to the left hand side and give way to pedestrians and cyclists.
  • You must not travel faster than 12km/hr.
  • You must wear approved safety helmets.
  • Segways must be fitted with a warning device such as a horn or bell.
  • If riding at night, lights must be fitted and operational showing white light for at least 200m to the front and red light for at least 200m to the rear.

Commercial business using segways

If you want to operate a self-ride hiring of segways, segway tours or any other business involving segways, you must get permission from the road owner and/or the land owner as other requirements may apply.

For more information about segways, read V85 use of segways in the NT PDF (734.6 KB).

Road transformers

For information about road transformers, read V77 general exemption for towed implement - road transformer PDF (696.1 KB).

Glider trailers

For information about glider trailers, read V76 aeroplane glider trailers PDF (629.1 KB).

Special purpose plant and equipment vehicles

You can apply for conditional registration for a special purpose plant and equipment vehicles for work related purposes.

A special purpose plant and equipment vehicle is designed to do a specific task that cannot be done by another vehicle.

You can apply for work related purposes including any of the following:

  • roadside ground maintenance
  • earthworks
  • loading works.

Before you apply

Check that your special purpose plant and equipment vehicle has the right minimum safety equipment including all of the following:

  • a rotating amber flashing light visible from all directions from a distance of at least 200m in daylight conditions
  • front and rear lighting to improve vehicle visibility
  • rear-vision mirror
  • horn or suitable audible warning device
  • adequate brakes and steering
  • red rear reflectors.

If your special purpose plant and equipment vehicle is in a public place or on public streets, you must have the rotating amber flashing light on.

Conditions

Your conditional registration may also include the following:

  • speed and area restrictions
  • operator requirements
  • restrictions against transfer of ownership.

You may be restricted to specific areas of use such as the road reserve.

If your special purpose plant and equipment vehicle is over 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass, you can conditionally register as a special purpose vehicle (SPV).

You must obtain and carry in the vehicle a NT permit of exemption if the axle mass or dimensions exceed legal limits.

How to apply

Complete and email your application for conditional registration assessment PDF (582.8 KB) to mvr@nt.gov.au.

You can then organise for an assessment and pay your conditional registration fee by phone 1300 654 628.

If you can't email your application, you can apply in person at a MVR office. You can pay your fee by MasterCard, Visa, cash or EFTPOS.

Contact

To find out more, call an MVR customer service officer (8am to 4pm Monday to Friday) on 1300 654 628.

Apply for rally car registration

You can get a reduced registration rate for your dedicated rally car.

This registration only applies to vehicles that have been constructed solely to participate in rally car events. These events must be approved by Motorsport Australia.

You will have restricted access to a road or a road-related area.

This is not an alternative to normal vehicle registration. It is also not a short-term registration scheme.

To find out more read the following guidelines:

Dedicated rally car registration scheme guidelines PDF (981.9 KB)
Dedicated rally car registration scheme guidelines DOCX (713.2 KB)

You can only apply for rally car registration if you have all of the below:

  • a current driver's licence
  • a current Motorsport Australia competition licence (valid for the duration of your 12 month rally car registration)
  • membership with a motor sports club affiliated with Motorsport Australia.

You can find out more about competition licences and club affiliations on the Motorsport Australia website.

You can apply for the registration by following the below steps:

Step 1. Check your licence

Make sure your driver's licence and Motorsport Australia competition licence are valid for 12 months or more.

Step 2. Fill in the application

Complete the following sections of the rally car registration application:

  • applicant details
  • vehicle details
  • declaration.

Dedicated rally car registration application PDF (713.9 KB)
Dedicated rally car registration application DOCX (64.5 KB)

Step 3. Get your application endorsed

You will need to have your rally car registration application endorsed by an office bearer at an approved motor sports club.

This endorsement is valid for six weeks.

Step 4. Get an inspection

You must get a roadworthy inspection report, also known as a green slip, from a dedicated rally car inspector.

The inspector will also need to endorse your rally car registration application.

To find an approved rally car inspector, go to the Motorsport Australia website.

Step 5. Send your application to Motorsport Australia

You must get an authority to operate from Motorsport Australia.

To do this, email the following to sa@motorsport.org.au:

  • your completed rally car application
  • your passed roadworthy inspection report
  • a completed Motorsport Australia logbook application - if you're a new applicant.

You can find a logbook application on the Motorsport Australia website.

Step 6. Compliance checks for first time applicants

If you have a vehicle that haven't had NT registration, you should get a compliance check.

Find your nearest government inspection facility.

First time applicants also need to submit all of the following to the MVR:

Step 7. Submit and pay the fee

Submit all of your forms and supporting documents to the MVR. You will also need to pay a 12 month registration fee.

Once you have met all of the requirements and paid the registration fee, the MVR will issue you with:

  • a set of dedicated rally car number plates
  • a vehicle logbook
  • a registration certificate.

Find an MVR office.

Proof of vehicle ownership

When transferring the registration of a vehicle in the Northern Territory (NT), you need to supply proof that you:

  • are the current owner or
  • have the right to own the vehicle.

What you need

You can use any of the following documents as proof of ownership:

  • the most recent registration certificate in the name of, and signed by, the former owner
  • a bill of sale from a recognised auction house or a licensed motor vehicle dealer
  • documents from a court of law allocating ownership of a vehicle
  • a letter, receipt or notice of disposal from the former owner, clearly identifying the:
    • full names of both the seller and the buyer
    • signatures of both the seller and the buyer
    • registration number
    • vehicle identification number (VIN) or chassis number
    • engine number
    • date of sale
    • purchase price of the vehicle
  • a statutory declaration - if your vehicle is homemade and has never been registered.

If it's a deceased estate

When a person dies, you must have documents as proof that:

If a will exists, you must provide all of the below:

  • a copy of a will and grant of probate
  • original or certified copy of the death certificate
  • letter from the executor - if you're the beneficiary of the estate.

If you're a beneficiary and want to relinquish your interest in the vehicle, you must provide a signed letter of authority to transfer or sell the vehicle. This also applies if the vehicle is sold to a third party.

If a will doesn't exist, you must provide any of the below:

  • formal letters of administration
  • written advice from a solicitor
  • a letter from the Public Trustee
  • a letter from the administrator - if you're not the administrator of the estate
  • an original or certified copy of the death certificate.

MVR may ask you to supply additional documents to support your application.

Exemption from stamp duty

Where vehicle ownership is under a deceased estate, an exemption from stamp duty can be claimed by any of the below:

  • executor
  • administrator
  • beneficiary.

When applying for transfer, you must also submit a completed application for stamp duty exemption PDF (195.5 KB).

Vehicles registered in joint names

For vehicles where a joint owner has died, the surviving owner can automatically transfer the vehicle registration into their name.

They must supply an original or certified copy of the death certificate to MVR.

Selling the vehicle to a third party

Before selling the vehicle to a third party, the executor or administrator must supply the above documents to MVR to confirm they have the authority to sell the vehicle on behalf of the estate.

You must also submit a notice of disposal or supply the new owner with proof of ownership. Read seller or former owner responsibilities.

Contact

For deceased estate enquiries, contact the Public Trustee.

For general enquiries, email mvr@nt.gov.au or call 1300 654 628 (8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday).

Get registration and stamp duty concessions for electric vehicles

From 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2027, you can get registration and stamp duty concessions for eligible plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs).

What you can get

You can get:

  • free registration for new and existing PEVs
    • this includes previously registered, interstate transfers and imported or modified PEVs
  • stamp duty concession of up to $1,500
    • for vehicles valued up to $50,000

Motor Accidents Compensation (MAC) charges including GST and administration fee still apply.

Who can apply

You can apply for concessions if you have any of the following PEVs:

A BEV:

  • has an electric motor as its primary power source
  • does not have a fuel cell or an internal combustion engine.

A PHEV:

  • has an electric motor as its primary power source
  • takes and stores energy from an external charging input
  • fitted with an internal combustion engine as a secondary power source.

How it works

Concessions are applied to eligible vehicles, which can be:

  • of any age
  • registered to you or a body corporate
  • owned by you, including multiple vehicles
  • used for commercial purposes
  • heavy vehicles.

You must check that your vehicle details are recorded correctly with MVR to get concessions.

Your vehicle must:

  • have an electric primary power source and
  • show an electric vehicle type of BEV or PHEV:
    • on your registration certificate or
    • NT roadworthy inspection.

Registration concession

The concession will apply automatically when you renew your vehicle registration.

You can pay for your registration up to 6 weeks early if your current registration expires on or after 1 July 2022.

You can also claim extra concessions if you have an NT Seniors card or NT Concession Scheme card.

Learn more about concession cards you can use at MVR.

When a vehicle is sold, gifted or disposed of, the registration concession stays with the vehicle for the period of registration.

Stamp duty concession

If you have purchased an eligible vehicle with a sale price/market value of up to $50,000, the stamp duty concession will apply automatically when you register or transfer a vehicle.

If the sale price/market value of the vehicle is over $50,000, you must pay 3% stamp duty on the amount over. To estimate how much you must pay for the amount over, use the vehicle registration stamp duty calculator.

Check if you're exempt

You can also apply for stamp duty exemption if you meet exemption requirements. Check the application for stamp duty exemption PDF (195.5 KB).

More information

Read about the electric vehicle strategy and implementation plan on the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics website.