Car speed limits in Northern Territory (2026)

Last reviewed: 13 October 2026

In short: The default speed limit is 60 km/h in built-up areas unless a town has gazetted a lower one, and 110 km/h outside them. School zones are 40 km/h or less on school days at the times shown.

RuleWhat applies
Built-up areasPassenger car on public roads60 km/h default speed limit in built-up areas, unless the town has gazetted a lower default limit [1]
Outside built-up areas (single carriageway)Passenger car on public roads110 km/h default speed limit outside built-up areas, unless a sign states otherwise [1]
Outside built-up areas (dual carriageway or expressway)Passenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified
MotorwaysPassenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified
School zonesPassenger car on public roads40 km/h or less in a school zone, on school days and during the times shown on the sign [1]
Roadworks zonesPassenger car on public roadsThe speed limit signs at the work zone must be followed, and drivers must be prepared to stop and obey a traffic controller [1]
Residential streetsPassenger car on public roads⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • Many towns and communities in the NT have chosen a default limit of 50 km/h or less, and a sign is placed on each road approaching such a locality.
  • Some sections of the Barkly, Stuart, Victoria and Arnhem Highways have a signed maximum of 130 km/h.
  • The pages read give no separate default for dual carriageways; limits on them are set by speed limit signs.

Sources

  1. Northern Territory Government: Speed limits (Internet Archive snapshot of 27 July 2026) (consulted 13 October 2026) · all sources

More rules in Northern Territory

  • E-scootersUse on public roads: Hire e-scooters only (Beam) · Minimum age: 18 (hire e-scooters)
  • CannabisPossession for personal use: Offence; up to 50 g may get an infringement notice · Growing at home: Banned; up to 2 plants may get a notice
  • Deposit return schemes and plastic bagsNational deposit return scheme in operation: Yes, container deposit scheme · Deposit per container: 10c refund
  • Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 years 6 months (provisional licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervisor
  • Driving after drugsApproach to cannabis (THC): Prohibited drug in body is an offence · THC threshold: Any THC detected
  • E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle rules
  • FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes, on 1 July (Territory Day) only · Minimum age to buy: 18+
  • Foreign driving licencesOverseas licence valid for a visitor: Yes, for up to 3 months · Overseas licence after becoming a resident: Transfer within 3 months of living in the NT
  • Home educationLegal status of home education: Approval needed · Nature of the parental duty: School or approval
  • Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Offence without lawful excuse · Locking or one-handed knives: Flick, butterfly and sheath-concealed knives prohibited
  • MopedsMinimum age to ride: From 16 · Licence: Class R (VM: moped only)
  • Motorcycles: helmets and licencesHelmet required for the rider: Yes · Helmet required for a passenger: Yes
  • Paid holidayMinimum paid leave a year (weeks): 4 weeks (5 for some shiftworkers) · Minimum paid leave as the law states it: 4 weeks a year; extra week for some shiftworkers
  • Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hand-held banned; L/P: any phone
  • Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
  • Smoke alarms in homesSmoke alarm legally required in homes: Yes, all homes
  • Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 18 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 18
  • Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 18 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 18
  • Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (low range) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.00% (zero)

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.