NT Driver Knowledge Test study materials
NT Driver Knowledge Test study resources

NT Driver Knowledge Test cheat sheet

NT Driver Knowledge Test · Keep the key ideas within reach.

Quick reference

Road Rules and Traffic Signs

  • In built-up areas the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless signs show otherwise; rural undivided roads default to 100 km/h in the NT.

  • A red-bordered circle bans the shown action; a red circle with a diagonal slash ends a restriction; blue circles are mandatory instructions.

  • Stop sign requires a full stop at the stop line and giving way to all traffic; a give way sign requires slowing and yielding only if traffic is present.

  • A yellow diamond sign warns of a hazard ahead; the sign shape signals the message class before the symbol is read.

  • Broken white lane lines may be crossed to change lanes; a continuous centre line means do not cross except to avoid an obstruction.

  • At a steady yellow traffic light, stop unless stopping is unsafe; a flashing yellow light means proceed with caution.

  • Double white centre lines: the line nearest you governs; if it is continuous, you must not cross it to overtake.

  • A school zone speed limit of 40 km/h applies during posted times; the limit is enforceable whenever the zone signs are active.

Quick reference

Safe Driving Behaviour and Hazard Awareness

  • A safe following gap in good conditions is at least 3 seconds; double it in rain, and increase further at night or when towing.

  • To measure a 3-second gap, note when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object and count until your vehicle reaches it.

  • Blood alcohol concentration for a novice or provisional driver is 0.00; the general limit for full licence holders is 0.05.

  • Stopping distance = reaction distance + braking distance; braking distance rises with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples it.

  • A hazard is anything requiring a response; scan 12 seconds ahead in urban areas and further on open roads to build a space cushion.

  • Fatigue impairs judgement before the driver notices it; a 15-20 minute power nap and caffeine are short-term countermeasures, not substitutes for sleep.

  • In wet conditions, avoid sudden steering or braking inputs; if the vehicle aquaplanes, ease off the accelerator and steer gently.

  • Headlights must be used from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced; high beam must be dipped for oncoming traffic.

Quick reference

Intersections, Giving Way and Lane Use

  • At an uncontrolled intersection, give way to vehicles approaching from your right; if turning right, also give way to oncoming traffic going straight.

  • At a roundabout, give way to traffic already in the circle; enter to the left and indicate left to exit, right when entering to turn right.

  • A vehicle turning across oncoming traffic must give way to vehicles going straight ahead, including cyclists and motorcyclists.

  • Keep left unless overtaking on multi-lane roads; drive in the left lane except when overtaking or preparing for a right turn.

  • When entering a road from a driveway, car park, or private property, give way to all vehicles and pedestrians already on the road.

  • Pedestrians at a marked crossing have right of way; a driver must give way once a pedestrian has stepped onto the crossing.

  • A U-turn is permitted only where not prohibited by signs or lines, and only when it can be done without obstructing other traffic.

  • Overtaking is prohibited at a pedestrian crossing, at an intersection (unless permitted), and where a continuous line applies to your side.

Quick reference

Licensing

  • A learner must hold the learner licence for the required period, log supervised driving hours, and pass the practical driving assessment to progress.

  • Learner and provisional drivers must carry their licence and comply with zero alcohol and no illicit drug requirements.

  • Demerit points accrue for traffic offences; accumulating the threshold in a set period triggers suspension or licence refusal.

  • A licence must be carried while driving and produced on request by police; address changes must be notified to the licensing authority.

  • Learner drivers must display L plates and be supervised by a fully licensed driver seated beside them.

  • Provisional licence conditions include passenger and mobile phone restrictions; breaching them can extend the provisional period.

  • Driving while suspended or disqualified is an offence carrying heavy penalties, including vehicle impoundment.

  • A medical condition affecting driving ability must be declared; the licensing authority may impose conditions or require assessments.

Quick reference

Licensing, Vehicle Standards and Road Law Obligations

  • A vehicle must be registered and display current registration; driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence.

  • Third-party insurance is tied to registration; driving uninsured exposes the driver to personal liability for damage caused.

  • Seat belts must be worn by all occupants where fitted; children must use an approved restraint appropriate to their size and age.

  • Tyres must have legal tread depth and no significant damage; defective tyres, lights, or brakes make the vehicle unroadworthy.

  • A driver must stop and exchange details after a crash involving injury or property damage, and report the crash to police where required.

  • Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited except hands-free use; learner and provisional drivers are restricted from any phone use while driving.

  • Loads must be secured so they cannot fall or cause danger; a vehicle must not be driven if the load obstructs the driver's view.

  • Emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights and sirens must be given way to; do not follow closer than 200 metres behind an emergency vehicle responding to a call.

Quick reference

Vehicle Standards and Road Law Obligations

  • Registration must be renewed before expiry; driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence and may void insurance cover.

  • Compulsory third-party insurance attaches to registration and covers injury to people, not damage to vehicles or property.

  • Seat belts must be worn by all occupants where fitted; children must use an approved child restraint matched to their size and age.

  • Tyres must meet minimum tread depth and be free of damage; worn tyres, faulty lights, and defective brakes render a vehicle unroadworthy.

  • After a crash causing injury or property damage, stop, exchange details, and report to police where required by law.

  • Handheld mobile phone use while driving is illegal; learner and provisional drivers must not use a phone at all while driving.

  • Loads must be secured against falling; no load may obstruct the driver's view or make the vehicle unsafe to control.

  • Give way to emergency vehicles using flashing lights or sirens, and do not follow a responding emergency vehicle closely.

Quick reference

Safe Driving Behaviour and Hazard Awareness

  • Maintain at least a 3-second following gap in dry conditions; increase to 4 seconds or more in rain and at night.

  • To check the gap, count the seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a marker and your vehicle reaching it.

  • Stopping distance is reaction distance plus braking distance; braking distance increases with the square of speed.

  • Scan well ahead and check mirrors regularly to detect hazards early and keep a space cushion around the vehicle.

  • Fatigue slows reaction time before the driver feels sleepy; only sleep restores alertness, so plan rest breaks on long trips.

  • Alcohol, drugs, and some medicines impair driving; the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 for full licence holders and 0.00 for novices.

  • In rain or on loose surfaces, reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering to prevent skids and aquaplaning.

  • Use headlights from sunset to sunrise and in low visibility; dip high beam for oncoming traffic and when following closely.

Quick reference

Intersections, Giving Way and Lane Use

  • At an uncontrolled intersection, give way to vehicles approaching from your right; when turning right, also give way to oncoming through traffic.

  • At a roundabout, give way to traffic already circulating and indicate left to exit, right when entering to turn right.

  • A vehicle turning across oncoming traffic must give way to vehicles going straight ahead, including cyclists and motorcyclists.

  • Keep left on multi-lane roads unless overtaking or preparing to turn right.

  • When entering a road from a driveway, car park, or private property, give way to all vehicles and pedestrians already on the road.

  • Drivers must give way to pedestrians at marked crossings once a pedestrian has stepped onto the crossing.

  • A U-turn is allowed only where not prohibited by signs or lines and only when it can be done safely without obstructing traffic.

  • Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, at intersections unless permitted, and where a continuous line applies to your side.

Quick reference

Licensing

  • A learner must hold the learner licence for the required period, complete supervised driving hours, and pass the practical driving assessment to progress.

  • Learner and provisional drivers must carry their licence and comply with zero alcohol and no illicit drug requirements.

  • Demerit points accrue for traffic offences; reaching the threshold within a set period triggers suspension or refusal of a licence.

  • A driver must carry their licence while driving and produce it on request; changes of address must be notified to the licensing authority.

  • Learner drivers must display L plates and be supervised by a fully licensed driver seated beside them.

  • Provisional licence conditions include passenger and mobile phone restrictions; breaching them can extend the provisional period.

  • Driving while suspended or disqualified is an offence carrying heavy penalties, including vehicle impoundment.

  • A medical condition affecting driving ability must be declared; the licensing authority may impose conditions or require assessments.

Quick reference

Road Rules and Traffic Signs

  • In built-up areas the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless signs show otherwise; rural undivided roads default to 100 km/h in the NT.

  • A red-bordered circle bans the shown action; a red circle with a diagonal slash ends a restriction; blue circles are mandatory instructions.

  • A stop sign requires a full stop at the stop line and giving way to all traffic; a give way sign requires slowing and yielding only if traffic is present.

  • A yellow diamond sign warns of a hazard ahead; the sign shape signals the message class before the symbol is read.

  • Broken white lane lines may be crossed to change lanes; a continuous centre line means do not cross except to avoid an obstruction.

  • At a steady yellow traffic light, stop unless stopping is unsafe; a flashing yellow light means proceed with caution.

  • Double white centre lines: the line nearest you governs; if it is continuous, you must not cross it to overtake.

  • A school zone speed limit of 40 km/h applies during posted times; the limit is enforceable whenever the zone signs are active.

Quick reference

Road Rules and Traffic Signs

  • In built-up areas the default speed limit is 50 km/h unless signs show otherwise; rural undivided roads default to 100 km/h in the NT.

  • A red-bordered circle bans the shown action; a red circle with a diagonal slash ends a restriction; blue circles are mandatory instructions.

  • A stop sign requires a full stop at the stop line and giving way to all traffic; a give way sign requires slowing and yielding only if traffic is present.

  • A yellow diamond sign warns of a hazard ahead; the sign shape signals the message class before the symbol is read.

  • Broken white lane lines may be crossed to change lanes; a continuous centre line means do not cross except to avoid an obstruction.

  • At a steady yellow traffic light, stop unless stopping is unsafe; a flashing yellow light means proceed with caution.

  • Double white centre lines: the line nearest you governs; if it is continuous, you must not cross it to overtake.

  • A school zone speed limit of 40 km/h applies during posted times; the limit is enforceable whenever the zone signs are active.

Quick reference

Safe Driving Behaviour and Hazard Awareness

  • Maintain at least a 3-second following gap in dry conditions; increase to 4 seconds or more in rain and at night.

  • To check the gap, count the seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a marker and your vehicle reaching it.

  • Stopping distance is reaction distance plus braking distance; braking distance increases with the square of speed.

  • Scan well ahead and check mirrors regularly to detect hazards early and keep a space cushion around the vehicle.

  • Fatigue slows reaction time before the driver feels sleepy; only sleep restores alertness, so plan rest breaks on long trips.

  • Alcohol, drugs, and some medicines impair driving; the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 for full licence holders and 0.00 for novices.

  • In rain or on loose surfaces, reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering to prevent skids and aquaplaning.

  • Use headlights from sunset to sunrise and in low visibility; dip high beam for oncoming traffic and when following closely.

Quick reference

Intersections, Giving Way and Lane Use

  • At an uncontrolled intersection, give way to vehicles approaching from your right; when turning right, also give way to oncoming through traffic.

  • At a roundabout, give way to traffic already circulating and indicate left to exit, right when entering to turn right.

  • A vehicle turning across oncoming traffic must give way to vehicles going straight ahead, including cyclists and motorcyclists.

  • Keep left on multi-lane roads unless overtaking or preparing to turn right.

  • When entering a road from a driveway, car park, or private property, give way to all vehicles and pedestrians already on the road.

  • Drivers must give way to pedestrians at marked crossings once a pedestrian has stepped onto the crossing.

  • A U-turn is allowed only where not prohibited by signs or lines and only when it can be done safely without obstructing traffic.

  • Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, at intersections unless permitted, and where a continuous line applies to your side.

Quick reference

Licensing

  • A learner must hold the learner licence for the required period, complete supervised driving hours, and pass the practical driving assessment to progress.

  • Learner and provisional drivers must carry their licence and comply with zero alcohol and no illicit drug requirements.

  • Demerit points accrue for traffic offences; reaching the threshold within a set period triggers suspension or refusal of a licence.

  • A driver must carry their licence while driving and produce it on request; changes of address must be notified to the licensing authority.

  • Learner drivers must display L plates and be supervised by a fully licensed driver seated beside them.

  • Provisional licence conditions include passenger and mobile phone restrictions; breaching them can extend the provisional period.

  • Driving while suspended or disqualified is an offence carrying heavy penalties, including vehicle impoundment.

  • A medical condition affecting driving ability must be declared; the licensing authority may impose conditions or require assessments.

Quick reference

Vehicle Standards and Road Law Obligations

  • Registration must be renewed before expiry; driving an unregistered vehicle is an offence and may void insurance cover.

  • Compulsory third-party insurance attaches to registration and covers injury to people, not damage to vehicles or property.

  • Seat belts must be worn by all occupants where fitted; children must use an approved child restraint matched to their size and age.

  • Tyres must meet minimum tread depth and be free of damage; worn tyres, faulty lights, and defective brakes render a vehicle unroadworthy.

  • After a crash causing injury or property damage, stop, exchange details, and report to police where required by law.

  • Handheld mobile phone use while driving is illegal; learner and provisional drivers must not use a phone at all while driving.

  • Loads must be secured against falling; no load may obstruct the driver's view or make the vehicle unsafe to control.

  • Give way to emergency vehicles using flashing lights or sirens, and do not follow a responding emergency vehicle closely.