Demerit Points & Fines in Northern Territory (2026-27)
12 or more points within 3 years on an open licence (suspension 3–5 months by tally).
NT Government traffic offences and penalties · 2026-27 scheduleThe Northern Territory does not operate a double-demerit scheme, so points do not rise over holidays. Its fines are shown as flat dollar amounts rather than as penalty-unit multiples, which makes the headline figure easy to read directly from the schedule. Lower-level drink-driving and drug-presence offences can, in some cases, be dealt with on the spot, and where that happens the notice still carries demerit points; higher ranges are reserved for the courts.
The Territory also ties registration and insurance together: compulsory third party cover sits inside the registration itself, so a vehicle that is unregistered is uninsured at the same time. Penalties for driving an unregistered vehicle escalate with how long it has been off the register, and the schedule shown here is marked with the date it was drawn from.
| Offence | Points | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding by up to 15 km/h | 1 | $150 |
| Speeding by 15–30 km/h | 3 | $300 |
| Speeding by 30–45 km/h | 4 | $600 |
| Speeding by more than 45 km/h | 6 | $1,000 |
| Using a handheld mobile phone | 3 | $500 |
| Driver not wearing a seatbelt | 3 | $500 |
| Failing to ensure a child is restrained | 3 | $500 |
| Running a red light | 3 | $240 |
Low-range drink driving (0.05 to under 0.08, first offence)
| 6 | $400 |
Mid-range drink driving (0.08 to under 0.15)
| — | court (max $1,455) |
High-range drink driving (0.15 and over)
| — | court (max $1,940) |
Drug driving — drug presence (first offence)
| 6 | $400 |
| Driving unregistered (up to 1 month lapsed) | — | $300 |
| Driving unregistered (1–12 months lapsed) | — | $800 |
| Driving unregistered (12+ months lapsed) | — | $1,500 |
| Fine basis: Infringement amount (verified 17 July 2026). Court-only offences carry no on-the-spot fine; where a figure is shown it is the court-imposed maximum. | ||
How NT compares with the other states
- Running a red light: NT's $240 fine ranks 7th highest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine; the highest is QLD ($690) and the lowest TAS ($213).
- Each state's lowest drink-driving range, first offence, full licence: NT's $400 fine is the lowest of the 6 states with an on-the-spot fine, $600 less than the highest (WA, $1,000).
- Drug presence, first offence: NT's $400 fine is the lowest of the 6 states with an on-the-spot fine, $850 less than the highest (WA, $1,250).
- Driving an unregistered vehicle (shortest lapse where the fine depends on it): NT's $300 fine ranks 5th highest of the 6 states with an on-the-spot fine; the highest is VIC ($1,046) and the lowest TAS ($266.25).
- Speeding 12 km/h over the limit: NT's $150 fine is the lowest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine, $368 less than the highest (QLD, $518).
- Speeding 27 km/h over the limit: NT's $300 fine is the lowest of the 8 states with an on-the-spot fine, $687 less than the highest (SA, $987).
| Offence compared | NT fine | Rank (1 = highest) | Highest | Lowest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each state's lowest speeding band | $150 | 5 of 8 | ACT $394 | WA $100 |
| Holding or using a handheld phone while driving (full licence) | $500 | 5 of 8 | QLD $1,295 | TAS $426 |
| Driver not wearing a seatbelt | $500 | 4 of 8 | QLD $1,295 | VIC $418 |
| Running a red light | $240 | 7 of 8 | QLD $690 | TAS $213 |
| Each state's lowest drink-driving range, first offence, full licence | $400 | 6 of 6 | WA $1,000 | NT $400 |
| Drug presence, first offence | $400 | 6 of 6 | WA $1,250 | NT $400 |
| Driving an unregistered vehicle (shortest lapse where the fine depends on it) | $300 | 5 of 6 | VIC $1,046 | TAS $266.25 |
| Speeding 12 km/h over the limit | $150 | 8 of 8 | QLD $518 | NT $150 |
| Speeding 27 km/h over the limit | $300 | 8 of 8 | SA $987 | NT $300 |
| Each state's own band for the same conduct; court-only matters are not ranked against on-the-spot fines. | ||||
Losing your licence in NT
| Licence type | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Full / open licence | 12 or more points within 3 years on an open licence (suspension 3–5 months by tally). |
| Provisional / learner | Learner and provisional: 5 points in any 12 months. |
Double demerits in NT
The Northern Territory has no double-demerit scheme at any time of year. Points are not increased over the Christmas break, Easter or long weekends, so the values in the schedule apply consistently throughout the year regardless of the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
- How many demerit points can you get in NT before losing your licence?
- 12 or more points within 3 years on an open licence (suspension 3–5 months by tally). Learner and provisional: 5 points in any 12 months.
- Does NT have double demerits?
The Northern Territory has no double-demerit scheme at any time of year. Points are not increased over the Christmas break, Easter or long weekends, so the values in the schedule apply consistently throughout the year regardless of the calendar.
Compare a penalty across all 8 states
Other states
Penalties are the standard on-the-spot amounts for a first offence by a full-licence holder unless noted. Aggravated, repeat and court-elected matters differ. This is information, not legal advice.