Drive an interstate or overseas-registered vehicle

You can drive your overseas-registered vehicle in the Northern Territory (NT) if it can meet all of the following criteria:

• it's only temporarily in the NT (less than three months)
• it's registered in another country for the duration of its stay in the NT
• it has number plates required by the law of that country
• it has a policy of compulsory third party insurance issued within Australia.

If the vehicle first entered Australia in the NT

You must have your vehicle inspected at a government inspection facility for compliance with NT roadworthy requirements.

You must do all the following:

• provide a current certificate of registration from the country where the vehicle is registered, in the name of the applicant, for the vehicle
• provide a copy of a carnet (international customs document) or Federal Office of Road Safety import approval, and any other customs documents
• complete an R39 application for compulsory third party insurance for a visiting vehicle or trailer form PDF (160.4 KB)
• pay all relevant fees
  • vehicle inspection
  • compulsory third party insurance.

If the vehicle is staying in the NT longer than three months

If you don't transfer your overseas registration to the NT after your three month stay, your vehicle may be deemed to be unregistered – even if it has current registration overseas.

If there is a genuine reason why your vehicle will remain in the NT longer than three months, but it will be relocating within 12 months, contact the Motor Vehicle Registry.

Email: mvr@nt.gov.au
Phone: 1300 654 628 (Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm)