Road safety

You should always check the road conditions daily before travelling. Always drive to your ability.

During wet season/tropical summer (November to April) some roads may be closed due to flooding. Do not travel on closed roads. Heavy fines may apply.

Check road conditions daily during your trip as they can change quickly. Reports on roads are available at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au or by phone on 1800 246 199.

Check tyres, headlights, indicators, fluid levels, battery and windscreen wipers. Make sure you carry spare tyres, tools and water. If you’re travelling long distances or to remote areas, take extra fuel as well.

Give yourself enough time to reach your destination. Plan your trip to include regular rest breaks, including overnight if required, and also consider whether you will be driving into the sun.

You should stop for a 15 minute rest break every two hours of driving to avoid fatigue. You can use signposted designated rest areas along highways.

See the road rest stops in NT for more information.

The recommended minimum required amount of water per person is 4-6 litres a day. If driving to very remote areas of the NT, ensure you have enough food, water and extra fuel. In the event of a breakdown, stay with the vehicle. Help may not be possible for many hours, particularly at night.

If you’re not used to driving long distances in high temperatures you may be affected by fatigue. When you stop to take a break, take a walk, drink some water and consider changing drivers if possible.

Drinking alcohol or taking drugs before or while driving can have serious consequences. The legal blood alcohol content for drivers (not including provisional drivers) is 0.05%. There are severe penalties for drivers caught drink or drug driving.

Car rental companies may have restrictions on where you can drive the hire vehicle, so check with them before departing. You may need to hire a four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle to drive on unsealed roads or through creek crossings.

In Australia, you must obey all road rules and carry your licence at all times. You can drive on a valid overseas licence in the NT for up to three months.

You can apply for a driver licence exemption through the MVR Office if staying longer than three months, but not more than 12 months. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and other conditions may apply.

If your licence is not in English, and the type of vehicle you’re authorised to drive can’t be recognised, you’ll need to carry an International Driving Permit. Visit AANT for information.

See Driver licences for more information on licensing.

Driving long distances can cause fatigue. Plan for rest breaks.

This map shows locations of rest areas, towns and communities on the Northern Territory’s national routes and major highways. It doesn’t include all communities.

Rest areas are located on main roads and are designated for drivers to pull over and rest when tired.

Some rest stops are dedicated for road trains and are not to be used by cars, caravans, motorhomes etc. except in an emergency. Designated bays enable operators of heavy vehicles to pull over and take breaks and address operational needs.

See Road rest stops in the NT for more information.

Make sure your vehicle is in good condition & has been serviced recently.

Before your journey, check the following:

• Lights, horn, wipers and washers
• Top up fluid levels if required (water, brake, radiator, battery)
• Tyre pressure, including spares tyres
• All seatbelts work
• The vehicle is not overloaded
• Your vehicles’ registration is current and covers you for the journey.

Outside urban areas, it’s recommended that you do daily checks of your fluid levels and tyres. Refer to the vehicles’ manual for more information.

Keep your vehicle filled up. Don’t rely on fuel being available in remote areas

When driving in remote areas ensure you plan ahead and stock up on food and fuel. When travelling to remote parts of the NT, you should use a vehicle with a long range fuel tank and take extra fuel.

Remote service stations have restricted opening hours and limited bank facilities. Prices of fuel vary, so check where the fuel stations are on your route.

Unsafe towing, including a caravan or boat trailer, can cause rollovers & crashes

Make sure your trailer is loaded within the manufacturer specified limit and the load is appropriately distributed and secured. The majority of the load mass should be at the front of the trailer’s axle group, and the towing vehicle should be heavier than the trailer.

The coupling is the link that joins the trailer to the vehicle. Check that it’s correctly connected to the towbar and locked in place with suitable safety chains and shackles.

If you’re hiring a trailer, ask the hire company to show you how to do the above correctly.

If your vehicle and trailer is more than 7.5m long, you must keep at least 60m behind other long vehicles. Regularly check to see if traffic is building up behind you. If you’re holding up traffic, pull over when it’s safe to do so and allow the traffic to pass.

Allow more time for accelerating and slowing down, and more room for turning and positioning the trailer when parked.

Consider regular rest stops to check the trailer and load.

Some outback roads are unsealed and accessible only by high clearance four-wheel drives, so towing trailers may not recommended.

See the NT Road Users Handbook for more information.

In Australia, vehicles travel on the left-hand side of the road. Below are some important road rules and safe driving tips to keep you safe whilst on the road.

A seatbelt can save your life or prevent serious injury if you’re involved in a crash or stop suddenly. Drivers are responsible for ensuring everyone in the vehicle wears a seatbelt and penalties apply.

All children under seven must be in an appropriate child restraint or booster seat.

Are you yawning, tired or experiencing blurred vision? If yes, pull over and have a rest or share the driving.

Driver fatigue can impact your judgement, reaction time and ability to control a vehicle. To avoid driver fatigue make sure you have plenty of sleep before you depart and take 15 minute breaks every two hours.

You must always:

• Drive on the left hand side of the road
• Wear a seatbelt
• Give way to the right at unsigned cross intersections
• Abide by traffic signs, lights and road markings
• Obey the speed limit
• Come to a complete stop at a stop sign
• Don’t make a U-turn at traffic lights unless a sign permits this
• See Road Rules in the NT for more information.

Download our cheat sheet on common Australian road signs and meanings. 

Be respectful of other road users (including pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists) and check your mirrors and blind spots before merging or changing lanes.

You must give a minimum of 1m when passing a cyclist where the speed limit is 60km/hr or less, or 1.5m over 60km/hr. Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers and are legally allowed to ride two abreast on NT roads.

Road trains are common in the NT and can have three trailers and be over 50m long and 2.5m wide. It can take up to 2.5km to overtake a road train at 100km/h. When you overtake you need to be able to see at least one kilometre of clear road ahead. Allow plenty of room before you overtake as they may sway from side to side.

If you’re being overtaken by a road train, maintain your speed, don’t move off the road and only slow down once the road train moves out to pass you.

When approaching an oncoming road train on a single lane road, or an unsealed road, slow down then gradually move off the road and drive slowly along the shoulder until it’s clear to move back onto the road.

During the wet season (November to April) heavy rains are expected and roads may flood. If you encounter a flooded road, wait until the water has subsided to less than the wading depth for the vehicle (refer to the owner’s manual) before trying to cross.

Never attempt to cross fast flowing water, and always expect damage to the road surface underneath the water, even if you can’t see it. If in doubt, find another route to get to your destination safely.

Heavy rain makes it hard to see and harder to stop because the roads are more slippery than usual. Slow down and allow more space between vehicles, alternatively pull off to the side of the road. Keep your headlights on so others can see you.

Check road conditions at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au or by phone on 1800 246 199.

Watch out for crocodiles! Don’t enter floodwaters or go near the water’s edge as there is a high risk of saltwater crocodiles.

Always expect a train at railway crossings. Trains can’t stop quickly and have right of way over vehicles and pedestrians. Remember to obey all signs and signals, be extra careful at night and check there’s enough space on the other side before you cross the railway line.

If you want to stop to take photos or have a break, don’t stop on the road. Park your vehicle well off the road where it won’t be a danger to you or other traffic.

A vehicle is easier to find than a person. Push your vehicle to the side of the road and turn your hazard lights on (or any other devices) to alert other drivers.

Temperatures in the NT can be extreme, making it important to stay in the shade or under shelter.

Speed limits are enforced in the NT, both fines and demerit points will be issued to the driver. Speed and red lights cameras exist throughout the NT.

Speed limits are clearly signed and must be obeyed at all times. The speed limit in built up areas is either 50km/hr or 60km/hr unless sign posted otherwise. The speed limit on open roads is 110km/h unless sign posted otherwise. On the Stuart, Barkly, Victoria and Arnhem Highways the maximum speed limit is 130km/h.

Roads near schools have reduced speed limits (typically 40km/hr) which apply on school days between the hours indicated on the sign. You should be aware of these speed limits and slow down to the speed indicated.

You should drive at a speed that suits the road and current weather conditions. If you’re not familiar with the vehicle you’re driving, you should drive at a slower speed to enable you to stop safely for any hazards you may encounter.

It’s illegal in the NT to use a handheld mobile phone or Visual Display Unit (VDU) while driving. Penalties apply. When distracted you’re not focused on driving and can have trouble judging speed and distance, and have slowed reaction time.

Note: Check your mobile phone coverage. You may need to use a satellite phone in some areas within the NT.

Many roads in the NT aren’t fenced. This means you may encounter and animals on the road including kangaroos, cattle, horses, camels and birds. Animals are most active at sunrise, sunset or at night.

Never swerve to avoid animals when driving as this may cause a crash. Slow down and sound your horn. If you drive off the side of the road, don’t over-correct or brake heavily. Return to the road at a safe speed and when the road is clear of other traffic.

At night, including dawn and dusk, visibility on the road can be limited. At night, drive within the visibility of your headlights and be alert for pedestrians and animals.

Smoke reduces visibility on roads. When driving you should take care, turn on headlights and travel at appropriate speeds. If the smoke is thick, shut your windows and turn off the air-conditioner until clear.

Check out the Bushfire advice and alerts.

These road signs control traffic, and must be obeyed. Most of these are rectangular but some such as stop and give way are different.

Always drive on the left hand side of the road.

Everyone must wear a seatbelt at all times.

You must slow down and prepare to stop to give way to all traffic.

Bring your vehicle to a complete stop and give way to all traffic.

Warning signs alert drivers in advance of changing road conditions or directions. They’re usually yellow and diamond shaped. When you see one of these signs or a similar shaped yellow sign, you should slow down and take extra care.

Slow down and look for animals on the road, especially at dawn and dusk. Animal symbols will vary.

When approaching road works, slow down and be prepared to stop.

Yellow warning signs let you know of changing road conditions or directions ahead. Warning symbols will vary.

The speed limit is shown by a number in a red circle, which indicates the maximum speed (km/h) that you may travel. You should always drive at a safe speed to suit the conditions.

The number in the circle is the maximum speed (km/h) you may travel.

When in a school zone, you mustn’t exceed 40km/hr during the times noted.

Some crossings have boom gates and some have flashing lights. You should look both ways, listen and give way to any trains approaching on the railway line, before proceeding to cross the track.

When approaching an intersection, obey the warning lights and traffic lights. Red means stop; wait behind the stop line. Yellow means stop; you can only enter the intersection if you’re so close that sudden braking might cause a crash. Green means proceed through the intersection carefully; giving way to vehicles and pedestrians.

Some intersections have yellow flashing lights that warn when the traffic lights are going to change. When you see the yellow warning lights flashing, prepare to stop.

Sealed roads are smooth and accessible by all vehicles and are well signposted. Reduce speed before nearing the roads’ edge and be cautious of edge drop-offs and loose stones.

Sealed roads can be prone to flooding, so check road conditions daily as conditions can change quickly. Reports on road conditions are available at www.roadreport.nt.gov.au or by phone on 1800 246 199.

Unsealed road surfaces may vary from gravel to dirt. Two-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles can be driven on most gravel roads but four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles are best for dirt roads. During wet weather, gravel roads may require a 4WD vehicle.

Dust and wet weather on unsealed roads may obscure your vision and conceal ruts, potholes and oncoming vehicles, reduce your speed when driving in these conditions. Take care when overtaking and turn your lights on to increase your visibility to others.

Some roads are only suitable for 4WD vehicles and are usually signposted. You may encounter very difficult and dangerous driving conditions.

A 4WD vehicle handles very differently to a normal car, so it’s important that you’re familiar with your vehicle and are aware of its features. If you hire a 4WD and haven’t previously driven one, ensure you’re familiar with how to operate one and know when to use the accessories. Be careful not to overload the roof rack.

Always advise someone where you’re planning to go and when you expect to return.