Quick answer
To get a car learner licence in the Northern Territory you pass the driver knowledge test, often called the theory test, at a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) office. It has 30 multiple-choice questions on NT road rules, drawn at random from a pool of more than 300, and you need at least 26 correct. You must be at least 16, and a pass stays valid for 12 months.
| Test | Driver knowledge test (theory test) for a car (class C) learner licence |
|---|---|
| Questions | 30 multiple choice, drawn at random from a pool of more than 300 |
| Pass mark | At least 26 of 30 |
| Where | An MVR office during its theory test hours; in remote areas, a local police station or the DriveSafe NT remote program |
| Minimum age | 16 |
| A pass lasts | 12 months |
| Not published | Sections, time limit, paper or computer, and retry rules |
| Learner licence lasts | 2 years |
| Hazard perception test | None in the NT: your response to hazards is assessed in the practical test |
How many questions are in the NT driver knowledge test?
Thirty, all multiple choice and all about NT road rules, picked at random from a pool of more than 300. You need 26 correct, so 4 wrong answers is the most you can afford. There is one overall pass mark: the NT doesn't mention separate sections, and it doesn't publish whether any question must be answered correctly, whether there is a time limit, or whether the test is on paper or a computer. Retry rules aren't published either, so ask MVR if you need to resit.
Where do you sit the NT learners test?
At an MVR office, during its theory test hours, which end before the office closes. Bring evidence of your identity and NT residency, plus a completed learner licence application. In remote areas you can sit the test at your local police station or through the DriveSafe NT remote program. No list of test languages is published, so contact MVR if you need help with English.
How old do you need to be?
- Driver knowledge test and learner licence: from 16.
- Provisional licence: you must hold your learner licence for 6 months in a row first, so the earliest is 16 years and 6 months.
What does the NT test cover?
By law you must understand the road traffic laws before you get a learner licence, so the test is about NT road law: the national road rules as the Territory applies them, plus its own licensing, speed, alcohol and phone rules. NT rules that often surprise learners from other states:
- Higher default limits: 60 km/h in built-up areas unless a sign says otherwise, 110 km/h outside them, and 130 km/h on roads signed for it. Every NT road has a speed limit.
- Learner and P caps: learners must not exceed 80 km/h and P drivers 100 km/h, whatever the sign says.
- Front seats: when a learner drives, only the supervisor may sit in the front.
- Supervisors: a supervisor must be over 18 and hold a full licence for that type of vehicle. They count as the driver for alcohol and drug laws and can be held responsible for the learner's offences.
- Phones: learners and P drivers may not use a phone at all while driving, not even hands-free, unless the car is stopped out of the line of traffic.
- Road trains: road trains up to 53.5 m long use NT roads, so leave plenty of room when following or overtaking one.
What happens after you pass?
After the test you pass an eye test at an MVR office (or bring a recent eye report from a doctor or optometrist) and pay the learner licence fee. The licence lasts 2 years. Show L plates at the front and rear, keep your alcohol at zero and stay at or under 80 km/h. Five or more demerit points within 12 months brings a suspension.
After at least 6 months in a row on your learner licence you can take the practical driving test, an on-road drive of about 40 minutes with an authorised driving examiner. There is no separate hazard perception test in the NT: the examiner assesses how you respond to hazards, along with observation, speed, road position, decisions and control of the car. If you pass in an automatic, your licence can be limited to automatics.
The NT has one provisional stage, with red P plates for the whole period: 2 years if you are under 25 when it starts, or 12 months if you are 25 or older. P drivers keep to 100 km/h, zero alcohol and no phone use at all. If you are under 25, zero alcohol continues for a while after your P plates come off. Keep a clean record on your P plates for at least 12 months and you may qualify for a free 10-year licence.
How to practise for the NT learners test with Learners Test Australia
- 30-question mock tests scored against the 26-question pass line.
- More than 380 original NT questions, written from NT legislation, including the Traffic Regulations 1999 and the Motor Vehicles Act 1949.
- NT-only rules such as the 80 km/h learner cap, the front-seat rule, 130 km/h roads and the single red P stage.
- Every answer explained, with the rule it comes from.
Read the give way rules every learner must know for the national rules the NT shares, and how to use mock tests and mistakes to plan your practice.
NT learners test questions people ask
How many questions are in the NT learners test?
The NT driver knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions, drawn at random from a pool of more than 300. You need at least 26 correct, so you can get up to 4 wrong.
Is there a hazard perception test in the NT?
No. The NT has no separate hazard perception test. How you respond to hazards is assessed during the practical driving test instead.
How long do you need to hold an NT learner licence?
At least 6 months in a row before you can be granted a provisional licence. If your learner licence lapses or is suspended, the 6 months start again.
What is the speed limit for learner and P drivers in the NT?
80 km/h for learners and 100 km/h for provisional drivers, even on roads signed 110 or 130 km/h.
Are the questions in Learners Test Australia the real NT test questions?
No. They are original practice questions written for the app from Northern Territory legislation. The app is independent and not connected to the Northern Territory Government or the Motor Vehicle Registry.
Practise with Learners Test Australia
Learners Test Australia is an independent study app. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to any Australian state or territory government, licensing authority or other government agency. It is not connected to the Northern Territory Government, the Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) or the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.
Android app. Not on Google Play yet: we will add the link here when it is.