Northern Territory
Understanding road laws
Safe car travel
Safe and comfortable car travel is important for everyone.
Car seats, booster seats and seatbelts help protect passengers if a vehicle stops suddenly or is involved in a crash. Using the right restraint for a person’s size and needs can reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
Northern Territory road rules
If a person with disability or a medical condition can travel safely in a standard Australian child restraint, booster seat or vehicle seatbelt, the table below shows the minimum legal requirements and best practice recommendations for safer travel.
Age |
Road rule |
Best practice recommendation |
Under 6 months |
Rearward-facing child restraint |
Rearward-facing child restraint |
6 months to under 4 years |
Rearward-facing or forward-facing child restraint |
Rearward-facing child restraint for as long as the child fits, then a forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness |
4 to under 7 years |
Forward-facing child restraint or booster seat |
Forward-facing child restraint with an inbuilt harness for as long as the child fits, then a booster seat with a lap-sash seatbelt |
7 to under 16 years |
Booster seat or vehicle seatbelt |
Booster seat until the child fits a vehicle seatbelt properly. Use the five-step test to check when they are ready to use a seatbelt |
Alternative restraints and methods of travel
Some people with disability or a medical condition cannot travel safely using a standard child restraint, booster seat or vehicle seatbelt.
Northern Territory road rules include provisions that may allow alternative methods of travel for people with disability or medical conditions. The requirements depend on the person’s age and how they need to travel.
Alternative methods of travel may include:
- special purpose car seats
- modified child restraints or vehicle seatbelts
- specialty harness/vests
- buckle covers
- extra recline or positioning supports
- travelling in the front row of a vehicle when the person is under 7 years of age
- in rare circumstances, travelling without a child restraint or seatbelt.
A medical certificate and/or other approval may be required. A MACA Certified Professional can help with transport assessments and documentation.
Seatbelt buckle covers
MACA worked closely with the Northern Territory Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics (DIPL) to improve access and legal use requirements for seatbelt buckle covers. This resulted in the Northern Territory government publishing a Government Gazette - Prescribed Device Exemption.
For more information read the Northern Territory Government's information sheet and learn about MACA's buckle cover model policy.
School and community transport
Children and adults with disability may need additional supports, an alternative restraint or another travel arrangement when using school, community or other organised transport services.
In addition to road-rule and vehicle-standard requirements, transport providers, schools and organisations may have their own policies and approval processes.
If a person is having difficulty travelling safely, speak with the relevant transport provider or organisation and consider seeking an assessment from a MACA Certified Professional.
Where to get help
A MACA Certified Professional is an occupational therapist or physiotherapist with specialist training in vehicle transport. They can:
- assess transport needs
- recommend alternative restraints or methods of travel
- recommend strategies and other supports for safe transport
- help you understand the documentation or approvals that may be needed.
Review of Australian Road Rules
The Australian Road Rules for children under 16 years of age are under review. Subscribe to MACA’s newsletter to keep updated.
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