2019 NT road rule changes

To create a safer road environment, the Northern Territory road rules were amended on 1 August 2019. The changes were in line with the Australian Road Rules and improve consistency across jurisdictions. Actions from the Towards Zero Road Safety Action Plan were also implemented as part of this change.

All road users need to understand the road rules, for their safety and the safety of other road users.

Key changes include

  • Motorcyclists are permitted to lane-filter safely through traffic travelling less than 30km/h. Read more about lane filtering.
  • When travelling in a 60km/h or less speed zone, motorists are required to leave a minimum one metre passing distance when overtaking a cyclist. When the speed limit is over 60km/h, motorists are required to leave a passing distance of at least one and a half metres. Read more about wider of the rider.
  • Cyclists are allowed to ride slowly across pedestrian crossings. Read more about riding across pedestrian crossings.
  • The penalty for using a hand held mobile phone while driving has increased from $250 to $500. Read more about mobile phone penalties.
  • A new traffic infringement penalty of $500 was introduced for visual display unit (VDU) driving offences. Read more about VDU penalties.
  • Learner drivers are no longer able to ride a moped. Read more about moped riders.
  • New rules confirm that children under one year of age, travelling in commercial passenger vehicles will be allowed to be nursed on the lap of a passenger over 16 years of age, if there is no child restraint available. If a person is over one year of age they must be in a seatbelt or a child restraint if available. Read more about child restraints.

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