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 | Details |
| Speeding by 15–30 km/h | 3 | $300 | Details |
| Speeding by 30–45 km/h | 4 | $600 | Details |
| Speeding by more than 45 km/h | 6 | $1,000 | Details |
| Using a handheld mobile phone | 3 | $500 | Details |
| Driver not wearing a seatbelt | 3 | $500 | Details |
| Failing to ensure a child is restrained | 3 | $500 | Details |
| Running a red light | 3 | $240 | Details |
| Low-range drink driving (0.05 to under 0.08, first offence) | 6 | $400 | Details |
| Mid-range drink driving (0.08 to under 0.15) | — | $1,455 | Details |
| High-range drink driving (0.15 and over) | — | $1,940 | Details |
| Drug driving — drug presence (first offence) | 6 | $400 | Details |
| Driving unregistered (up to 1 month lapsed) | — | $300 | Details |
| Driving unregistered (1–12 months lapsed) | — | $800 | Details |
| Driving unregistered (12+ months lapsed) | — | $1,500 | Details |
| Court-only offences show the court-imposed maximum on their detail page, not an on-the-spot fine. | |||
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.
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.