Northern Territory
Understanding road laws
Introduction
When special purpose car seats, modified Australian standard car seats, specialty harness/vests, and other devices (e.g seatbelt buckle covers) are used, there are specific road rules and vehicle standards that must be complied with in the Northern Territory.
The most common rules for the Northern Territory are summarised below.
If you can't find the information you are looking for please get in contact with us.
Road laws
There are different rules for transporting children under 7 years, children and young people aged 7 to under 16 years, persons 16 years and older, and vehicle standard exemption requirements for the legal use of seatbelt buckle covers.
If a peron is prescribed a special purpose car seat, modified Australian standard car seat, specialty harness/vest, or other option, the following road rules must be complied with.
Children under 7 years (special purpose car seats)
The driver is exempt from transporting a child in an Australian standard car seat, providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states the child is unable to travel in an Australian standard car seat because of their medical condition or disability
* the child is travelling in a child restraint designed for a person with a disability or medical condition
* the driver is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate
Children under 7 years (modified Australian standard car seat, harness/vest)
The driver is exempt from transporting a child in an Australian standard car seat, and able to transport the child in a modified car seat or specialty harness/vest providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states the person should not wear a seatbelt because of a disability or medical condition
* the person is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate
Note: This requirement applies to harnesses and vests that modify the use of the vehicle seatbelt.
Children 7 to under 16 years (all restraint types)
The driver is exempt from transporting a child or young person in an Australian standard car seat or vehicle seatbelt, providing:
* the driver is carrying a medical certificate that states a medical practitioner believes the person should not wear a seatbelt because of a medical condition or disability
* the person is complying with any conditions stated in the medical certificate
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 MACA's buckle cover model policy.
Advice to Parent/Client form
MACA recommends an Advice to Parent/Client form be carried in each vehicle the person travels in.
The MACA Guide, provided free to participants of our online training course, includes detailed information to assist prescribers in completing the form.
Disclaimer: The Advice to Parent form is only for use by MACA trained professionals. MACA bears no responsibility for unauthorised use of this form.
FAQs
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get in touch for help
